Honor Your Body: How is Self-Care Fundamental to Self-Employment?

It took over 2 years, but the Covid fairy finally came and "blessed" me. I'm vaxxed and boosted, so all in all it's been pretty mild. Something about how known this illness is, gave me the nudge I needed to really embrace taking the time my body needs to heal. Rest isn't glorious, especially when you're sick! (As evidenced by the pile of kleenex I've gone through.) It's not fun to be sick. And, it's slightly more pleasant to just be sick rather than sick and trying to get work done.

Navigating what my body can and can't do over the last couple of weeks has brought to the forefront a lot of our cultural beliefs around illness and rest. The boss breathing down your neck and workplace deadlines are one thing. In self-employment, it can feel remarkably similar. As one person shared with me: "Self-employment is where you get to choose which 16 hours a day you work." When you're in business for yourself you are the only thing that brings the money in, so the pressure to "do" can be immense.

In self-employment and employed work, your health has to come first. Often times our health is one of those "important not urgent" tasks that so often linger on to-do lists not getting done. We need to break ourselves of this habit in all the ways it shows up. We need to take days off when sick. We need to take the time to eat lunch. Make sure you use the bathroom during your work day! All of these are basic biological necessities that need to come first. You're of no help to anyone if you're taxing your system.

Maybe the personal indulgence doesn't resonate with you. Let's look at this on a societal level. A friend shared this piece of wisdom with me: "capitalism relies on people who don't have." If you don't have the ability to take time off to rest or heal, then capitalism is having its way with you. If you're interested in disrupting capitalism, then you need to reclaim how you use what you have. Sometimes this could look like giving away surplus time, money, or other resources. But when your health is at stake, it means giving yourself the time and space to REST.

Rest is a rebellious act. Don't let your inner narrative turn into a parent scolding a naughty child about it. Embrace your inner rebellious teenager and lean into it. DO IT.

Does this article seem shorter than usual? It is, cause I'm resting. Want more content similar to this? Check out The Nap Ministry on Instagram. There is abundance out there and this is enough. Make that your new mantra. <3