Rooted&Real here, and this is Lynda.
Our fourth episode of The Woman Who Was Forgotten (To The Woman Who Forgot
Herself) is, 'You Are Allowed to Rest'.
So, am I here?
Anyway, to the woman who feels guilty when she's resting or when she rests.
If you only rest when you've earned it, 'ati' (like) when you have finished
everything, 'ati' (like) when everyone is okay, You'll never rest.
You will wear exhaustion like a badge of honour.
'Unajua kama zile za scouts' (You know, like the ones for the scouts)?
"I'm so busy." - "I'm so tired." - "I did so much today."
Because if you're not busy, you feel lazy.
If you're not tired, you feel like you're not doing enough.
You were taught that your worth is in how much you do.
So you keep going, even when your body is begging you to stop.
Headaches, back pain, snapping at everyone, crying in the bathroom.
That's not just stress, love.
That's your body screaming for rest.
Then when you finally sit down, your brain says, "You should be doing laundry." -
"You should be answering that message.
Get up." 'Hapana' (No)!
You are allowed to rest, not because you earned it, but because you're human.
Rest is not a reward for productivity.
Rest is productivity itself.
It is how you heal, how you reset, how you come back softer.
You don't have to earn rest by being exhausted first, 'hapana' (no).
You don't have to justify why you need a break.
You don't have to make it look useful.
Like I'm resting so I can be more productive later.
No, no, no.
You can rest just because you're tired, and that is enough.
So today, darling, rest without guilt. Close the door.
Say no. Take the nap, leave the dishes.
Let the world keep spinning without you.
Even for an hour, the house will survive.
The work will wait.
But you, you need this.
You are allowed to rest, and you don't have to explain why.
'Sawa' (Okay)?