A poem on allowing yourself to take some rest – as an act of self-care and resistance against performance, productivity and perfectionism.
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Rest
Hurrying
Pace
Breathlessness
To do lists
Getting stuff done
Accomplishment and
Satisfaction
All of the shoulds
Comparison
Social media
FOMO
Guilt at doing nothing
Does non-productivity mean wasted time?
Even if you do nothing today you’re still worthy
Doing nothing isn’t doing nothing
It gives you energy
But even if it didn’t
It’s allowed!
Resting as doing
Resting is doing?
You’re doing important work
Taking a nap
That snooze button
Again and again
and again
Sleeeeeeep
Lying in
Winter hibernation
Under the covers
The sound of rain outside
Me warm inside
Cosy
Safe
Slowing down
Stopping
Stop
Being ill
Getting sick
Those forced stops
Unavoidable
Imperfection
Unfinished-ness
Being in process
It’s ok
Allowed
Self soothing
that
Inner child
Breathe
Breathe easy
Being enough
As is
As you are
Kindness
Smiles
Gentleness
Gentleness with myself
Good music
Hot showers
Being clean
Sunlight
SUNSHINE!
Flowers for myself
Cos I’m worth it
And what if…
What if it all worked out?
What if it was all going to be ok?
What if you were ok?
That sense that even amongst it all
Even in the aftermath of the UK’s general election
Miserable weather
Being far from home
Not totally knowing where you’re going
You have breath
You can make community
You can find your people
And try to rest easy
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