“Rest is Resistance” Part 2:  A Black Woman’s Opinion to Navigate a 2023 Layoff

At some point during the pandemic, I decided to limit my access to the news and social media and to date, I haven’t fully re-engaged. My awareness of the world’s chaos and woes is limited, anxiety low, and optimism for the future remains high without the cycles of negativity replaying in my head. Many may criticize my decision to “tap out” and remain somewhat oblivious to world events, but for me, this is one of the ways that I deliberately maintain my peace of mind. And at the time, I didn’t realize that I was setting a great boundary to protect my own mental health.

“Possessing extreme faith is a practice in living on the edge yet feeling tucked in and protected. Once you settle into it, you gain power from the feeling. You become magic. You can soar. You can dream.”

― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

After being laid off, I was told I had three weeks to pivot internally or make the decision to leave the company completely. Knowing that my layoff was not performance related, I was wondering if I should feel grateful or motivated that I would have time to decide my next steps. As my colleagues scrambled to update resumes, reach out to contacts, etc. one thing I realized was, for the first time in nearly 30 years, I was actually not doing something and damn, that felt good. My reality as a wife, mother, and household contributor would ultimately determine my next steps but taking time to REST became the necessary option I needed to recalibrate and celebrate all that I have been able to accomplish up until this point. 

“Along with stealing your imagination and time, grind culture has stolen the ability for pleasure, hobbies, leisure, and experimentation. We are caught up in a never-ending cycle of going and doing.”

― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Of course, this approach of PEACE and REST goes against the grain of how we’re programmed to respond when faced with a layoff or unexpected misfortunes. Typically, thoughts of anxiety, worry, and unrest dominate as we push forward into the future. Anger and depression are residual expectations because most of the time, we are on the “hamster wheel of life” chasing an unknown dangling carrot that is often reduced, removed, or replaced the moment we are ready to take a bite. And I won’t lie; through this process, there have been some sleepless nights and uncertainties because although a part of me felt peace, I wondered if I should enlist in the reactions of the status quo.

“Grieving the reality of being manipulated to believe we are not enough, divine, or valuable outside of our accomplishments and bank account is a central part of our rest work.”

― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

In her book, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto, Tricia Hersey stated, “We are resting simply because it is our divine right to do so.” The moment of rejection (a.k.a layoff) initially led me to feel guilt, shame, fear, and every negative emotion my previous trauma could gather. But what if the glass was half full? That these events were aligned in my favor? Not to become better at what I’ve been accustomed to but to shift me inward to embrace that which has always been my existence. My peace, mental health, and overall well-being are more than a tagline on a t-shirt. Moving forward, I now know there is no more “WORK” to do. There is more REST to be had so that I can go inward to better understand WHO I AM and HONOR HER indefinitely.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY PART ONE OF THIS SERIES

RESOURCE: The Nap Ministry