Sometimes we talk about rest like it has to be quiet, still, or solitary.
But rest can also be laughter. Dancing in the kitchen. A good meal. A hobby that makes time disappear. A playlist that reminds you who you are.
I AM my ancestors’ rest includes joy because joy is a form of safety.
When you’ve had to be vigilant for a long time, joy can feel unfamiliar—sometimes even undeserved. But joy doesn’t need permission. It doesn’t have to be “productive.” It can simply be life-giving.
At Felicity Counseling, we believe healing includes making room for what feels nourishing—not just what feels heavy. Joy can be a grounding practice, a reconnection to self, and a reminder that you are allowed to live.
Ways to practice joy as rest
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Revisit a childhood hobby (coloring, skating, crochet, singing)
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Spend time with people who don’t require you to perform
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Create a “joy list” of 10 small things you can do in under 30 minutes
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Celebrate a win without minimizing it
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Let yourself receive help
Reflection prompt
What’s one joy you want to make room for this month—and what’s one small step toward it?
Invitation
Share a photo, a playlist, a quote, or a moment of joy and tag #IAmMyAncestorsRest. Let’s build a thread of softness and celebration.
If you’re craving more support as you reconnect with joy, Felicity Counseling is here.
Additional Resources
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Pleasure Activism — adrienne maree brown
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The Salt Eaters — Toni Cade Bambara
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Sister Outsider — Audre Lorde
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All About Love — bell hooks
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