"The Essence of a Nap" by Kimberly Douglas©

Lately I have been really nurturing my body's desire to rest and recharge. In a society where capitalism and hustle culture have conditioned us to associate rest with being nonprofitable and thus, unproductive, it's so easy to fall victim to a lifestyle that neglects our needs and inevitably results in burnout. The reality is, living in an environment that normalizes overworking without prioritizing periods of rest is unhealthy and unsustainable. For as long as I've known, I've valued comfort, security, and peace, all things that are often found in moments of rest, relaxation, and a good 'ol nap. While I've experienced my fair share of burnout, I've also learned the vitality of giving myself grace and resting when necessary. Basically, regardless of how chaotic or difficult life proves to be, if there's one thing I'm going to do, it's lay down. And you should too. Please enjoy the poem.

I love taking naps

both my most tranquil

and melancholic moments

have been spent

underneath the sheets

for there are truly

so many issues

that can be alleviated with sleep

so much privilege lies within

being able to lay down your head

sink your body into a bed

release all of life’s burdens

in that moment

and just dream

my bed is my safe space

enclosed within the four walls

of my favourite place

my pillows have become

well acquainted with my duvet

and the two know me

as well as my darkest day

sleep is truly my favourite way

to refresh

imagine

reset

escape

and despite the occasional nightmare that leaves me

questioning if I were awake

I’ve never been afraid

to close my eyes

and feel the world just fade away

to sleep is a blessing

but I have yet to master

the art of rest

for true rest requires peace

and some days that can seem

so far out of reach

on the days the worries

of my consciousness

retrace their steps

into my dreams

and for the nights I lie awake

convinced that true serenity

is something I may never achieve

the reality is

I fear I’ll be chasing peace

until I’m resting in it

but if the chase is required

to truly align

the many facets of

body, soul, and mind

then I'm endlessly invested in it

whether peace is the destination

or an inevitable journey

despite the path one takes

it has always

existed in my dreams

even in a conscious state

in every phase of my healing

I am reminded

that I often don't truly

wish to escape

but to live in the reality that I've imagined over time

that much like sleep

life comes in ebbs of survival and flows of relief

and at the centre of it all

lies peace of mind

though on my restless nights

I toss and turn

yearn to fast forward

to burdens off my back

manifestations in my face

and blessings in my lap

I've learned

that each stage of the dream

is as essential as the last

so until then,

I’ll train my eyes

to envision better days

pray for my soul

like it’s my last

lay my head down

and continue to take naps

Written by Kimberly Douglas©

Feel free to leave a like and any feedback below.