Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

“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.

“Rest Is Resistance is our tagline and mantra. Our call. Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy. Both these toxic systems refuse to see the inherent divinity in human beings and have used bodies as a tool for production, evil, and destruction for centuries.”

Hersey emphasizes the concept that “Rest Is Resistance.” This concept serves as both a slogan and a guiding principle, asserting that rest challenges and opposes the forces of capitalism and white supremacy. She articulates how these systems exploit individuals, reducing them to mere tools for production and profit and neglecting their intrinsic value and dignity. By advocating for rest as a form of resistance, Hersey underscores the act of resting as a deliberate defiance against these oppressive systems, reclaiming the inherent divinity and worth of human beings and opposing the longstanding exploitation and degradation they have perpetuated.

“I want this book to be a prayer. A field guide for the rest resistance. A document to be engaged with on the ground as we all navigate the reality of capitalism and white supremacy robbing us of our bodies, our leisure, and our DreamSpace.”

Hersey expresses her desire for the book to serve as a spiritual guide and practical manual for resisting the draining demands of capitalism and white supremacy. She envisions it as an active tool for readers, helping them reclaim their autonomy, time for leisure, and ability to dream. This intention sets the book as more than just reading material; it’s meant to be a dynamic, interactive resource for personal and communal empowerment in the face of systemic exploitation and dehumanization.

“Grind culture is a collaboration between white supremacy and capitalism. It views our divine bodies as machines. Our worth is not connected to how much we produce. Another way is possible. Our shared history is one of extreme disconnection and denial. We ignore our bodies’ need to rest and in doing so, we lose touch with Spirit.”

Hersey critiques grind culture as a byproduct of white supremacy and capitalism, which commodify human beings by reducing their value to their productivity. She emphasizes that this mentality leads to a disconnection from one’s spiritual essence and physical needs, particularly the essential need for rest. Hersey argues against the notion that a person’s worth is tied to their output and advocates for a reconnection with the Spirit and acknowledging the intrinsic value of individuals beyond their labor.

“The systems have manipulated and socialized us so that we stay exhausted. We can remain stuck in a never-ending cycle of trauma. If we are not tapped into the truth of our divinity, there is the possibility of continued brainwashing.”

Hersey highlights the systemic exploitation and conditioning that perpetuate exhaustion and trauma, preventing individuals from recognizing their inherent worth and divinity. She suggests that without awareness and acknowledgment of one’s intrinsic value, one remains vulnerable to ongoing manipulation and indoctrination by oppressive systems. Hersey’s use of terms like “manipulated,” “socialized,” and “brainwashing” underscores the deliberate nature of these systems in maintaining control by keeping individuals in a state of weariness and disempowerment, thereby hindering their ability to challenge or escape the cycle.

“The Nap Ministry is for resistance and for the softening. The Rest Is Resistance message is for us to hold in our hands, hug while we sleep, and lay down as we think about all the ways our bodies can hold space for liberation. Resting our bodies and minds is a form of reverence. When we honor our bodies via rest, we are connecting to the deepest parts of ourselves. We are freedom-making.”

Hersey highlights Nap Ministry’s role in the practice of rest as resistance. Through this ministry, she advocates for rest as a sacred act that counters the detrimental effects of grind culture and white supremacy. She presents the concept of rest not merely as a physical necessity but as a spiritual and political act that honors and reclaims the self from the dehumanizing demands of oppressive systems. By using phrases like “for resistance and for the softening,” “hold space for liberation,” and “freedom-making,” Hersey conveys how rest can be a radical tool to challenge the status quo while nurturing and healing the individual, allowing for a deeper engagement with one’s inherent dignity and worth.

“Grind culture killed my father and is killing us physically and spiritually. Sleep deprivation is a public health issue and a racial justice issue. There is a large body of research that points to the sleep gap that exists between Black Americans and white Americans.”

Hersey emphasizes the lethal impact of grind culture, particularly on her father’s life and the broader community, while tying it to broader issues of public health and racial justice. She highlights the systemic nature of sleep deprivation, pointing out the disproportionate effect on Black Americans compared to white Americans. Hersey uses personal narrative and statistical evidence to illustrate how grind culture and systemic inequalities contribute to a “sleep gap,” underscoring the intertwined nature of health, race, and societal expectations.

“Rest is a divine right. Rest is a human right. We come into the world prepared to love, care, and rest. The systems kill us slowly via capitalism and white supremacy. Rest must interrupt. Like hope, rest is disruptive, it allows space for us to envision new possibilities. We must reimagine rest within a capitalist system.”

Hersey asserts that rest is an intrinsic, non-negotiable right, akin to love and care, that is eroded by the oppressive forces of capitalism and white supremacy. She positions rest as a necessary and radical interruption to these systems, a means to foster hope and envision new possibilities. By urging a reimagining of rest within the capitalist framework, Hersey highlights the need for a systemic shift in how rest is perceived and valued. She effectively uses the juxtaposition of rest as both a natural state and a radical act to underscore its transformative potential against oppressive systems.

“We are not resting because we are still connecting to our rest in a capitalist, trendy, consumer-driven way. Our work is not about a one-day-only event, where leaving your homes is necessary to rest in a fancy retreat center or hotel. This work is about a slow unraveling that will require our participation for our entire lives. It is a cultural shift, rooted in an embodiment lens. This means that we must actively practice, engage, and push back against the dominant culture.”

Hersey emphasizes the misconception of rest as a luxury or a temporary escape and criticizes the capitalist approach that commodifies rest as an occasional, marketable experience. She advocates for a fundamental, lifelong shift in perspective, viewing rest as an integral, daily practice rather than an infrequent indulgence. Hersey calls for a cultural transformation that actively resists and challenges the prevailing capitalist norms, highlighting the need for a sustained, embodied commitment to rest that counter the dominant societal narrative. This approach underlines the importance of embedding rest into the fabric of daily life and actively pushing back against the consumer-driven portrayal of rest as a product.

“This work is about more than naps. Resistance in our Rest Is Resistance framework means we rest no matter what the systems say. We reimagine rest for ourselves. We craft spaces of physical, spiritual, and psychological rest to disrupt and push back against white supremacy and capitalism. It is a lifelong deprogramming. A mind shift and an ethos that engages with rest as a tool for liberation.”

Hersey emphasizes the nature of rest, expanding it beyond mere physical recovery to a form of resistance against systemic oppression. She articulates how rest challenges the norms capitalism and white supremacy enforce, advocating for a comprehensive approach that integrates physical, spiritual, and psychological dimensions. Hersey discusses this by framing rest as a deliberate, revolutionary act—a method of “lifelong deprogramming” and a mindset shift that transforms rest into a powerful tool for liberation. Her narrative method is assertive and visionary, as she positions rest as a radical act of reclaiming agency and autonomy in the face of oppressive structures.

“Rest is for the weary, for the hard workers, for those trying to make a way, for those making a way yet still suffering from disconnection, for those wondering when they will be able to get a full night’s sleep, for those thinking they aren’t worthy enough to sleep and don’t deserve rest because they’ve been socialized to believe this.”

Hersey broadens the concept of rest to encompass not just a physical necessity but also a socio-political statement. She underscores rest as essential for everyone, especially those marginalized by the relentless demands of productivity and societal norms. Hersey highlights the pervasive issue of rest deprivation among overworked and undervalued individuals, addressing the internalized guilt and unworthiness felt due to societal conditioning. She discusses this by invoking a compassionate and inclusive perspective, making a case for rest as a universal right, and challenging the notion that rest must be earned through excessive labor.

“There has been no space for any of us to dream of anything outside of what we have been born into. To hear the simple and bold proclamation ‘You are doing too much. You can rest. You can just be. You can be’ is revolutionary. To believe it and continue to dream up ways to feel and find rest, care, and healing is liberation.”

Hersey emphasizes the revolutionary act of challenging the status quo by affirming the right to rest, be, and exist beyond societal expectations of productivity and constant activity. She criticizes the lack of space for individuals to envision a life different from the one prescribed by societal norms, where overwork and constant busyness are glorified. Hersey discusses this by framing the act of resting and being as forms of resistance and liberation, inviting individuals to imagine and create new ways of living that prioritize rest, care, and healing over relentless productivity and grind culture.

“We are socialized into systems that cause us to conform and believe our worth is connected to how much we can produce. Our constant labor becomes a prison that allows us to be disembodied. We become easy for the systems to manipulate, disconnected from our power as divine beings and hopeless. We forget how to dream. This is how grind culture continues.”

Hersey is highlighting the detrimental effects of societal conditioning under grind culture, where individuals are led to equate their value with productivity, leading to a loss of self-connection and autonomy. She articulates how this relentless emphasis on output and efficiency traps people in a cycle of disconnection from their true selves and their inherent divinity, making them susceptible to manipulation and control. Hersey discusses this by connecting the systemic issues of capitalism and white supremacy to the personal experience of feeling powerless and losing the capacity to dream, thus perpetuating the cycle of grind culture.

“For Black people who are descendants of enslaved Africans via the Transatlantic Slave Trade and chattel enslavement, consider the fact that your Ancestors built this entire nation for free with their stolen labor. Use this knowledge to tap into what they have already done, so you don’t have to grind yourself into oblivion now. Your Ancestors want to make space for your ease and rest.”

Hersey underscores the historical context of African-American labor and its legacy, asserting that Black people, as descendants of enslaved Africans, inherit a foundation built on the unremunerated toil of their ancestors. She encourages Black individuals to recognize this history as a basis for rejecting the grind culture that demands excessive labor. Hersey conveys this by appealing to a sense of ancestral strength and sacrifice, suggesting that honoring their legacy includes embracing rest and ease, countering the narrative that incessant labor is necessary for worth or success.

“Dreaming is the way we move toward liberation because it is a direct disturbance to the collective reality of life under capitalism. Grind culture is violence. This can’t be stated enough and we must repeat it over and over to ourselves as we deepen into this truth. You will read it throughout this manifesto. Grind culture is violence and violence creates trauma. We have been traumatized deeply. Our divinity as human beings have been ignored and degraded.”

Hersey emphasizes the power of dreaming as an act of resistance against the oppressive nature of grind culture, which she equates to violence. She asserts that the relentless demands of capitalism have inflicted deep trauma, undermining human divinity and worth. Hersey conveys this message by repeatedly declaring grind culture as violence, intending to reinforce the severity of its impact and the urgent need for change through the liberating act of dreaming.

“You don’t have to grind, hustle, accept burnout as normal, and be in a constant state of exhaustion and sleep deprivation. You don’t have to kill yourself spiritually or physically to live a fruitful life. This connection work is about restoring, remembering, reimagining, reclaiming, reparations, and redemption. Learning to make a way out of no way and seeing to the other side of trauma. It is believing you are worthy of rest because you are alive.”

Hersey challenges the normalization of overwork and exhaustion in modern life, advocating for a paradigm shift toward restoration and self-worth. She emphasizes the importance of healing from trauma and reimagining a life where rest is integral, not optional. Hersey conveys this by listing transformative actions like restoring, remembering, and reimagining, highlighting a journey toward self-healing and liberation from the grind culture’s detrimental cycle. Through this narrative, she asserts that inherent worthiness of rest is a fundamental human right, not contingent on productivity.

“The idea of rest as resistance has always resided in me but I deepen into it the more I spend time listening to my soul while deeply daydreaming about the Underground Railroad and being inspired by the maroons of North America. Harriet Tubman is one of the many muses for this work. An enslaved woman focused on the choice of freedom or death. Her inner knowing that life was on the other side of the trauma of being enslaved.”

Hersey highlights the connection between rest and resistance, influenced by historical acts of defiance against oppression. By reflecting on the resilience and determination of figures like Harriet Tubman and the maroons, who chose freedom over the dire conditions of enslavement, Hersey draws inspiration for her advocacy of rest as a form of resistance. She underscores the importance of listening to one’s inner voice and daydreaming as tools to connect with the legacy of resistance and self-liberation.

“My rest practice started off with fifteen-minute catnaps on campus in seminary and once I arrived back home. I also rested when I was attempting to study. I implemented sky gazing moments in between classes that involved sitting down outside and staring at the sky. To be in nature, breathing slowly, while I was sometimes navigating my day on four hours of sleep from the night before was life shifting.”

Hersey describes the humble beginnings of her rest practice, emphasizing the transformative power of short, intentional breaks within her daily routine. Hersey’s personal experience illustrates how integrating small acts of rest and mindfulness, like sitting quietly and observing the sky, can significantly shift one’s experience of the day, which serves as a practical and accessible form of self-care and resistance to the relentless pace of daily life. This practice underscores the idea that rest can be a simple yet profound act of reclaiming time and space for personal well-being amidst demanding circumstances.

“Sleep will restore us. Peace of mind will elevate us to our highest form while spiritually protecting us from the invasion of the spiritual death that comes from sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and the trauma of burnout.”

Hersey underscores the critical role of sleep in both physical restoration and spiritual protection, suggesting that adequate rest elevates individuals to their peak potential and serves as a shield against the negative impacts of sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and burnout. She implies that these conditions not only affect physical health but also lead to a form of “spiritual death” where one’s essence and vitality are compromised. Hersey’s narrative conveys the idea that sleep is not merely a physiological necessity but a restorative practice that maintains and protects one’s inner life and spiritual well-being, which highlights the intrinsic connection between physical rest and spiritual resilience.

“Resting is not a state of inactivity or a waste of time. Rest is a generative space. When you are resting your body, it is in its most connected state. Your organs are regenerating. Your brain is processing new information. You are connecting with a spiritual practice. You are honoring your body. You are being present.”

Hersey challenges the common misconception of rest as mere inactivity or time wasted, presenting it instead as a vital, productive state that fosters regeneration and connection. She emphasizes that during rest, the body is not idle but is actively engaged in processes of healing and growth, such as organ regeneration and brain activity that assimilates new information. Moreover, Hersey aligns rest with spiritual practice and self-honor, suggesting that it is an act of presence and mindfulness. Through this perspective, she advocates for a holistic view of rest, highlighting its essential role in maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and encouraging a deeper appreciation for its value.

“I believe specifically that my Ancestors, those enslaved on plantations, had their DreamSpace stolen. A theft. The space to just be replaced with racial terror and violent labor. I like to imagine them plotting and organizing even deeper plans for freedom and maroonage from a rested state.”

Hersey emphasizes the significant loss experienced by her ancestors, who were enslaved, focusing on the theft of their DreamSpace, a metaphorical space where one can envision and aspire toward a future of freedom and self-determination. She describes how this space was usurped by the brutal realities of racial terror and forced labor. Despite these harsh conditions, Hersey imagines her ancestors not as passive victims but as resilient individuals who, even in their limited moments of rest, would have secretly nurtured dreams of liberation and maroonage (escape to form free communities). This reflection not only honors their resistance and agency but also underscores the critical role of mental and emotional space in fostering hope and planning for emancipation.

“Our entire culture is addicted to social media and technology. This is leading us down the path to exhaustion. If you are not very intentional about detoxing regularly from it, I believe deep and connected rest will be impossible.”

Hersey is drawing attention to the pervasive influence of social media and technology on modern life, emphasizing their addictive nature and the consequent risk of exhaustion. She suggests that the constant engagement with digital platforms can hinder our ability to achieve deep and meaningful rest. Hersey advocates for intentional disengagement or “detoxing” from these technologies as a necessary practice to counteract their draining effects. By doing so, she implies that individuals can reclaim their ability to rest deeply and foster more genuine connections, both with themselves and others, highlighting the need for conscious efforts to mitigate the impact of digital saturation on our well-being.

“Rest on a somatic level is a small resurrection. I have always been interested in the concept of community resurrection. Outside of a Christian lens, I believe resurrection is a powerful idea for activism and disruption. A resurrection is a waking up into a new thing.”

Hersey underscores the transformative power of rest and the concept of resurrection as metaphors for renewal and change within the context of activism and community engagement. By likening rest to a “small resurrection,” she implies that restorative processes can lead to personal and communal rejuvenation. The idea of “community resurrection” extends this metaphor to suggest a collective awakening and revitalization, as she advocates for systemic change and disruption of the status quo. Hersey’s perspective reframes resurrection as a dynamic process of awakening to new possibilities, transcending its traditional religious connotations and emphasizing its relevance to social activism and change.