In capitalism, it can be easy to forget that productivity is not the point. Productivity is a byproduct of capitalism. Capitalism says, hey, thats a great idea, how can it make money. Capitalism makes us feel bad for wasted time, for messy spaces, for mistakes and for taking a break. Capitalism thrives when we are tired and uninspired. Capitalism wants us to pay more money than we want to on takeout cause we don’t have the energy to cook. Capitalism wants you to forget that you are enough. That you have enough. That your ideas are enough. That you are human.
Being human, being creative within capitalism is hard, it’s hard to unlearn systems that we were born into. It is hard to hold two things at once. We have to, of course, for now, live within capitalism. Be messy inside capitalism, be creative and soft and remind ourselves that ideas take time and moving slow is valuable. Rest is essential and productivity can wait.
Take time to rest, and maybe even find ways to do it that are free. Here are a list of ways that I do to try to rest. Take some of them for yourself, add more to the list and tape it up on your fridge and when you have some extra time and you are feeling guilty- remind yourself that capitalism can fuck right off and you need to rest.
Close your eyes and list three things you are genuinely grateful for
turn your phone off and take a nap
take a walk
pick some wildflowers and make a bouquet
lay down on the couch and read that book you’ve been meaning to read
put on some music
look in the fridge and make a simple meal with the things you already have- you might surprise yourself
draw in your sketchbook just for you
journal, do some free writing
spend some time just talking to someone you love
visit the library
go for a drive
call up a friend or family member
put on a movie- or 3!
snuggle with a furry buddy
paint your nails
I am not a machine. I am made up of flesh and blood and squishy soft parts that are capable of so much but need rest in order to live. Treating myself as a machine never works. I am not a machine. I need to laugh, mess up and do things just because. I am not a machine. I see the sky as it turns from deep blue to orange and lavender and feel awe. I am not a machine and neither are you.