You are worthy of rest.
Up until a couple of years ago, I was forever getting sick, mostly colds and respiratory stuff. Once I got it, I’d be miserable for weeks, and if a cough settled in, well, it was staying for at least a month.
So I was sick basically all the time. I felt like I couldn’t stop and rest when I came down with something, because I didn’t have sick leave or there was an important deadline or whatever.
Then I discovered that if I actually *rested* for two days when I got sick, I wouldn’t be nearly as sick for nearly as long. It’s like respecting my body and giving it a chance to heal makes a difference.
Ridiculous how long it took me to figure that out, but it’s part of a larger culture where we feel like we can’t ever rest. (And of course rest is a function of privilege, too! That’s really important to recognize.)
If you’re at all able to do so, let your body rest when you’re tired and when you’re sick. You, too, are so worthy of the rest your body needs.
I talk about bodies because I want us all to achieve body liberation:
Every Monday, I send out my Body Liberation Guide, a thoughtful email jam-packed with resources on body liberation, weight stigma, body image and more. And it’s free. Let’s change the world together.
Hi there! I'm Lindley. I create artwork that celebrates the unique beauty of bodies that fall outside conventional "beauty" standards at Body Liberation Photography. I'm also the creator of Body Liberation Stock and the Body Love Shop, a curated central resource for body-friendly artwork and products. Find all my work here at bodyliberationphotos.com.