Rest: a political act of resistance

Hi inclusive communicators,?

Following a well-deserved break, I decided to write this week's newsletter about the importance of rest.?

As a person working to build a more just, equitable, diverse and inclusive world, taking a break can sometimes feel selfish.

How can I rest, when there’s more work to be done?

But in a capitalist, colonialist, patriarchal, ableist, homophobic system, rest IS a political act. Centring one’s well-being, one's joy, one’s happiness is a form of protest and resistance (read Jenny Odell, How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy).?

When I started More Diverse Voices, one of the most important things for me was to create a sustainable business that would grow at a pace that worked with my life, so I could turn up fully for the people I work with, but also for my friends, family and for myself.

The more I do in this space, the more I see it as my life’s work. It's not a “career” or about getting a more senior role or earning a 6-figure salary.?

It has and always will be about trying to find ways to actively redistribute power, in a system that is set up to oppress, discriminate and silence.?

It’s always been about helping people see the power of their own voice.?

To do that well, I need to be well.

Until last week I had written a newsletter every two weeks since the start of the year. I broke that streak because I took some time to reset and chill.

I am grateful for that time and don’t view it as a failure but as an essential part of the journey.

This is a reminder to look after yourself. You are precious.?

????♀?My tips for centring yourself and resting as a form of resistance

Before we get into the tips, there are a few things to point out.

Firstly rest isn’t just about sleep. Rest is about refreshing, revitalising and recharging ourselves. You can do this in many different ways, including:

• Physical rest
• Mental rest
• Emotional rest
• Sensory rest
• Creative rest
• Social rest
• Spiritual rest

Here’s a great blog post from Calm all about it.

Secondly, my tips are things that worked for me. We are all different, so remember to experiment with what works for you.

Thirdly, remember to start small and build over time, otherwise something restful can quickly become something stressful.

1. Do things that bring you joy regularly. Play is so important for the soul. Hobbies are more than “nice to haves”, they are ways for you to express yourself and connect with others.?
2. MOVE YOUR BODY - dance, walk, run, hop, strut, shake, shimmy. The dopamine from moving is always worth it. And it's freeeeee!?
3. Prioritise sleep. Make your bedroom a nest. Experiment with different ways to help you drift off. I’ve been using CBD oil for a few years and always listen to calming music to help my brain switch off.?
4. Spend money on things that make you feel good, not just look good. Beauty standards are ridiculous and time-consuming (check out Emma Dabiri’s essay Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty), but there is no shame in feeling fabulous for YOU.?
5. If you use social media, consider its purpose in your life. If it's not about inspiring you, bringing you joy or supporting your business, get rid of it. If you do use social media curate your feed or create your feed.?
6. Set clear boundaries and uphold them when it comes to your own time. It is a finite resource.
7. Respect other people’s time and they will respect yours
8. It’s ok to not be “productive” all the time, this will lead to burnout. (In fact, it's ok to not be productive at all! We can just exist that should be enough). We have peaks and troughs. Listen to your body and work with it, not against it.
9. Your environment impacts your well-being sooo much. Never underestimate the power of a bit of intense, a nice candle and some calming music.
10. ?Schedule time for your rest and be intentional about it. Make time each day, each week, each month, with varying amounts of time and levels of commitment.?

?? Top tool for rest?

I love the meditation app Calm. I use it pretty much every day for its sleep mixes (think floaty ethereal, soundscapes) and its guided meditations (my favourite is the Daily Trip).?

??? Quote of the week?

“All of culture is in collaboration for us not to rest. There is no system in our culture that supports and makes space for us to rest. This culture does not want you rested unless it is attached to your increased labor and productivity. No one will give you rest. This is an outlier investigation. A counternarrative. It is trust work. It is healing work. It is decolonizing work. It is a subculture holding space for the blossoming of a resistance.” - Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance How to dream your way toward a radically decolonized future, The Cut

?? Masterclass series with Good Tech Ventures

I’m doing another free masterclass with the wonderful peeps at Good Tech Ventures.

This time I’ll be taking you through all the components of an inclusive communication strategy.

It will be a super practical session, working through this workbook + 10 mins of Q&A.

??Wednesday 24th April, 10:30am - 11:30am

??Register ?? here

If you have any questions, feel free to DM me or email me on emily@morediversevoices.com

Emily x

This newsletter was written by Emily Horton, the founder of the inclusive communication consultancy More Diverse Voices.

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