Space Sculpting: How Activists and Allies Can Make Time for Rest & Recovery
illustration by Mari De Aguayo
Generation Z is once again showing up to the plate. As forests burn, viruses spread, and innocent Black lives are lost, we are tasked with the responsibility of leading the nation into a revolution for social change. But without moments of rest, we can burn out and prevent ourselves from pursuing justice to the best of our abilities. In Maia Villalba’s first essay, she explores the power of rest and recovery and how it “is not the enemy of change” but “one part of its fuel.”
As these turbulent days go on, filling us with reasonable rage, sadness, and fear, it is important to introspect and show ourselves some deeply-needed love and compassion. Intimate moments are arguably needed now more than ever, especially when turmoil seems to surround us at every angle. Global pandemics. Police brutality. Quarantine loneliness. It can seem that the world is caving in on us.
But these moments, while painful, are opportunities to harvest the love that we have and make it grow. Our bodies deserve attention, respect, and care. They deserve to be listened to, tended to, and replenished with rest. Listen to your heart beating. Feel your emotions pulsing. Observe your breath oscillating.
This nation is at an inflection point. Like a skier, ready to drop 15,781 feet off the Alps.
Before we can learn how to take better care of the world, we must learn how to take proper care of ourselves.
In the past few days I have seen a lot of self-care guides for Black Lives Matter activists and allies circulating Instagram. And no, self-care does not just mean putting on a face mask, Karen. It can include face masks (don’t get me wrong), but there is much more internal work at stake. It is through practicing proper sleep hygiene, deep breathing, pillow-screaming, and having never ending rants with your friends. It is also through honoring ancestors, exercising, and protesting in the streets. The way we show love towards the world is an undeniable and insightful reflection of how we show love towards ourselves.
I found this point to be well-articulated by Cassandra Corrado, a queer femme who teaches sex education to young adults. On June 3rd, Corrado posted a thread on her Instagram called, “How to Rest & Recover While You Fight for Social Change: Manageable Resting Strategies to Maintain Your Energy, Connection, and Motivation.” The purpose of this thread is in the title: to give people the tools they need to rest and recover, as they continue to advocate, educate, and fight for Black lives. And to be honest, I think all of us can benefit from Corrado’s wisdom.
My favorite post was targeted to those who feel hypervigilant at the moment (AKA the non-stop scrollers, the overthinkers, and the extremely antsy folks who look over their shoulders). Spoiler alert: I am one of those people. Like many others in this category, I tend to overload my mind with as much information as possible until I can no longer think effectively. But what we fail to realize is that constant engagement with information is counterproductive. In fact it falls into the category of sensory overload. It is one of the greatest causes of physical and emotional burnout, and does not serve us well as we try to keep the movement alive.
I found one of her activities to be particularly helpful when dealing with hypervigilance. She writes, “Create a safety corner in your home. What textures and elements make you feel comfortable and protected? (Your bedroom may already be set-up this way.)” I love this exercise because it encourages her followers to create a space of stillness. Stillness can be very hard to find nowadays, especially when we live in a 24/7 work culture like our own.
But now that we live in a time where overstimulation seems to exist at its peak, we must carve out sufficient enough spaces for our reflection, redemption, and release. We owe it to ourselves. In the same way that we remain vigilant with our activism, we must remain vigilant with our care.
If you’re feeling numb, hopeless, or stuck in place, treat yourself with kindness. Besides, that is what Harry Styles wanted for us, right? (Thank you to the Harry Styles fans who understand that reference.)
This is the type of love we need. Self-love. Unapologetic love. Unconditional love. Now go out there, and make some space!
Sources
Corrado, Cassandra. (@feministsexed). “How to Rest & Recover While You Fight for Social Change.” Instagram, 3 Jun 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-4UhVpX5v/.
Styles, Harry. “Harry Styles - Treat People With Kindness (Official Audio).” Youtube, uploaded by Harry Styles, 12 Dec, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi2Gy7DG75g