Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains references to racism, white supremacy, labor exploitation, health disparities, and racial violence.

“Rest saved my life. This is my truth. I don’t need anyone else to verify this nor do I need complicated theories to support what I know to be true in my heart, my body, and my Spirit.”

Tricia Hersey emphasizes the personal and transformative power of rest, underscoring that this is a self-evident truth that requires no external validation or theoretical justification. She highlights the significant impact of rest on her own life, framing it as a deeply known and lived experience that transcends the need for external approval or academic backing. Hersey’s assertion places rest as an intrinsic and vital aspect of her wellbeing while highlighting its value and legitimacy based purely on her personal experience and inner conviction.

“The audacity to proclaim freedom via rest in the now. Rest has been revolutionary for my soul.”

Hersey underscores the revolutionary nature of rest as an act of freedom in the present moment. She highlights the boldness required to claim rest as a form of liberation, suggesting that resting is not merely a physical act but a powerful statement against the demands and pressures of a productivity-driven society. Her use of the term “audacity” conveys the defiance and courage needed to prioritize rest in a culture that often values constant activity and output. Her personal testament that rest has been revolutionary for her soul reinforces the subversive power of rest as an act of self-care and resistance.