This spoke to me in a way I didn’t even know I needed today. Reading your words felt like someone finally naming the quiet exhaustion I’ve carried, the one that hides behind the “congratulations” and the “I’m so proud of you” moments. That unspoken truth that sometimes the very things we’re applauded for were born from places of hurt, proving, and pushing past our breaking points.
The way you’ve chosen to pause, to really feel your joy, to honor it without performing, it’s radical. You’re reminding me that celebration is not a prize we earn after grinding ourselves into the ground; it’s a birthright. That rest is not laziness, it’s reclamation.
I’m so proud of you for creating space for yourself and for other Black women to breathe, to return to their bodies, to tell the truth without apology. This is ministry. This is healing. This is freedom work. And yes, I will celebrate with you. Because what you’ve shaped into life, that’s no small thing. I’m gonna remember: I don’t have to wait until the work is done to feel the joy. I am the joy. I am the miracle.
Hello!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for your support and kind words. I have been off Substack for a few days, resting and tending to some family things. Your feedback made me smile so many beautiful comments. I appreciate you so much.
This was an interesting submission for me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Also, thank you for the feedback on the practices. I honestly struggled with posting it. The need to constantly achieve and accomplish and have it witnessed is rooted in trauma and capitalism. It's often rewarded because so many other people benefit from it.
Thank you! This really resonates with me on a deep level.
Thank you for reading and sharing your feedback. Thank you for supporting this important work,- Giving Black women permission to rest.
The part that hit me the most was “achieve or be erased”…. I felt that in my subconscious loud.
Mannnnnn! It feels like there may be some internal clock inside of us pushing to do more, achieve more. It's soooo exhausting.
This spoke to me in a way I didn’t even know I needed today. Reading your words felt like someone finally naming the quiet exhaustion I’ve carried, the one that hides behind the “congratulations” and the “I’m so proud of you” moments. That unspoken truth that sometimes the very things we’re applauded for were born from places of hurt, proving, and pushing past our breaking points.
The way you’ve chosen to pause, to really feel your joy, to honor it without performing, it’s radical. You’re reminding me that celebration is not a prize we earn after grinding ourselves into the ground; it’s a birthright. That rest is not laziness, it’s reclamation.
I’m so proud of you for creating space for yourself and for other Black women to breathe, to return to their bodies, to tell the truth without apology. This is ministry. This is healing. This is freedom work. And yes, I will celebrate with you. Because what you’ve shaped into life, that’s no small thing. I’m gonna remember: I don’t have to wait until the work is done to feel the joy. I am the joy. I am the miracle.
Hello!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for your support and kind words. I have been off Substack for a few days, resting and tending to some family things. Your feedback made me smile so many beautiful comments. I appreciate you so much.
WHEW. Excellent post
Thank you so much!
This is so powerful and so key. YES. I did both the practices you suggest and felt reminded to take a 'true' pause. We remind each other. YES.
This was an interesting submission for me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Also, thank you for the feedback on the practices. I honestly struggled with posting it. The need to constantly achieve and accomplish and have it witnessed is rooted in trauma and capitalism. It's often rewarded because so many other people benefit from it.
Totally agree it is such a fine line between celebrating and seeking validation…