As we head into the weeks after the election, for those of you who don't remember Bush/Gore, or have blocked it out, let me give you some words of advice, taken from the physical therapist who helped get me walking again after spinal surgery:

1/

The time you rest is as important as the time you work.

There is a tendency among leftists and activists to reject a lot of the messaging we get from the overall culture but continue to hang on to this toxic Puritan "work forever or you're worthless" mentality.

2/

But you can't do that forever.

When I had my spinal surgery, I'd been restricted from moving well for months. I wanted to work hard and get back to my life ASAP! Let's go! Do the thing! Hug hug!

Of course, it doesn't work that way.

Bodies and minds can't go without rest.
3/

We NEED the time we rest our bodies in order for muscle fiber to build. It isn't just that we need downtime but that the rest cycle is when we actually get stronger.

We NEED to sleep, and sleep well enough to get REM cycles, for our brains to process things.
4/

We are not going to stop our work and start having mimosa brunches when the counting stops. The work is not over. It will never be *over.*

But we will NEED to rest. We DO need to rest. This isn't negotiable, and resting is how we heal and grow stronger.
5/

Do not beat yourself up for needing to rest.

Let your body and mind heal themselves. Give yourself permission to heal. Be gentle with yourself.

Do not treat yourself with the harshness that those who want to hurt you would.
6/6

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Rest.