In all my working life I’ve been operating on some kind of loop. Go to work, eat, sleep, try to unwind. Work harder to have more money to afford more fun and more lavish holidays. Burn out. Eat, sleep, develop high anxiety. Can’t leave my bed and get diagnosed with depression.
Afro Aura, 2022
2020 was emotionally draining for many reasons, and specifically for Black women; seeing so many dead Black men on the news and all over our social feeds was incredibly distressing. Many women and transwomen die everyday and don’t make it onto the news, which is a different kind of pain and despair altogether. I found myself disconnecting from the news cycle and disassociating to protect myself from effects of witnessing so much violence. It took a monumental year like 2020 to make it clear the loop was not working.
And then I found the Nap Ministry, which always reminds me how much more I need to take care of myself.
Slow Down, Birungi (2021)
This world is designed to exhaust us and encourage apathy and self-destruction. Capitalism. White fragility. Toxic masculinity. The success of these dominant forces is predicated on us all being so exhausted and feeling powerless that doom is inevitable. The Nap Ministry reminds me to focus on myself to build better a environment for me to really thrive.
It’s not enough to be able to do the 40, 50 60 hours a week at work that a supposedly productive person does. When we work ourselves to the bone we dehumanise ourselves. The Nap Ministry shows me that time to rest, imagine and dream are key for building a more equitable society and reclaiming our humanity.
Floral Crown, 2020
So, I’ve created the Sisters Need Sleep series to turn attention inwards and celebrate Black womxn at rest. With Sisters Need Sleep, I am reminding myself that I can be honoured for just breathing. When my friends cancel plans with me I congratulate them for listening to their bodies and creating space to restore themselves. And more likely than not, them cancelling helps me to slow down too.
My artistic practice soothes so much, and making time for rest gives me the energy and inspiration to heal myself with art therapy.
So, as always, I am creating the world I want to inhabit - Black women giving themselves the love and support they need to heal.