Rest is a Radical Act: My Intentional Act of Self-Respect

In Nigeria, everything is about the hustle and bustle; everybody here is always working to outdo one another. Some people say it’s healthy competition and helps bring out the best in us. I wake up as a typical Nigerian man with a mindset of what I should do, how I can make my next buck, how I can continue hustling. Based on statistics, it is said that the average Nigerian has about two skills up their sleeves. We are known to strive for the best wherever we find ourselves.

I am a fashion designer, a data analyst, an administrative virtual assistant, and a shop owner, which sounds like a lot — it is! But it is the norm for me and for many others in my community. In a country where opportunities can be scarce and the cost of living continues to rise, multitasking isn’t just a skill — it’s a necessity. Every day feels like a race against time, with little room to pause or breathe. 

Rest? That’s often seen as a luxury taken up by the lazy or unambitious.

A change in perspective

But lately, I’ve started to question this narrative. What if rest isn’t laziness? What if it’s not an obstacle to success but rather a catalyst for it? The idea struck me one evening after days of non-stop work. My body was exhausted, my mind foggy, and yet I pushed through, determined to check off every item on my endless to-do list. It hit me then: I wasn’t thriving; I was surviving. And there’s a big difference between the two.

Rest, I realized, is more than just sleep or taking breaks. It’s about reclaiming your energy, refocusing your priorities, and honoring your humanity. In a society that glorifies “hustle culture,” choosing to rest feels almost revolutionary. It challenges the notion that our worth is tied solely to productivity. For someone like me — juggling multiple roles and responsibilities — it felt especially radical to even consider stepping back.

So, I decided to experiment. Instead of waking up at 5:00 AM to dive straight into work, I allowed myself an extra hour to meditate and to plan my day intentionally. During some evenings, instead of working late into the night, I turned off my laptop and spent quality time with family or indulged in hobbies that brought me joy. At first, guilt crept in. “Am I falling behind?” I wondered. But over time, something incredible happened — I became more efficient, creative, and present in everything I did.

Taking moments to rest didn’t slow me down; it propelled me forward. As a fashion designer, I found fresh inspiration flowing effortlessly. As a data analyst, I approached problems with sharper focus. Even managing my shop felt less overwhelming because I wasn’t running on empty. Rest gave me clarity — the kind you can’t achieve when you’re constantly chasing the next task.

Pushback from society and the self

Of course, embracing rest hasn’t been easy. Society frowns upon stillness. Friends and colleagues often ask, “Why are you relaxing when you could be doing more?” But I’ve come to understand that rest isn’t idleness — it’s strategy. It’s about recharging so you can show up fully in all aspects of life.

In Nigeria, where resilience is celebrated and hard work is ingrained in our DNA, resting may seem counterintuitive. Yet, that is precisely why it matters. By prioritizing rest, we challenge outdated norms and redefine what success really means. Success isn’t just about how much we achieve; it’s also about how well we live while achieving it.

And since allowing myself to rest a little bit, I think I’m living more well than I was before.

Rest is not surrender. It’s resistance — a radical act of self-respect and empowerment. You don’t have to burn out to prove your worth. Sometimes, you need to give yourself permission to simply be.