A Love Letter to Women: 4 Empowering Ways to Reclaim Your Rest

Dear Empowered Reader,

Somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that rest must be earned. That we have to exhaust ourselves, prove our worth, and check every box before we can take a breath. That stillness means laziness. That ease is indulgent.

As a woman of color, partner, mother, therapist, and a woman who wears many hats, I get it. You carry a lot. And even when you do rest, there’s often that whisper of guilt: You should be doing something. Let’s rewrite that narrative together.

4 Ways to Reclaim Your Rest

You’re not meant to pour endlessly from an empty cup. You’re not selfish for needing quiet, space, or sleep. You’re not lazy for taking a break. You’re human. Resting doesn’t make you less capable; it helps you return to yourself—centered, nourished, and ready to move forward from a place of alignment, not survival.

✅ Say yes to rest before burnout decides for you.

✅ Schedule a break like you would any other commitment.

✅ Stop apologizing for needing a break. You’re allowed to need. Period.

✅ Listen to your body. She speaks gently at first—don’t wait until she screams.

You deserve to rest. Not because you’ve done enough. But simply because you are enough.

I invite you to explore what rest looks like for you. Not what social media says. Not what your mama taught you. But what your soul deeply needs.

My Favorite Rest Ritual

One of my favorite reset rituals is a trip to the sauna at least once a month. With everything going on, I skipped January and February and barely made it in the last week of March. That was my wake-up call to be more intentional.

When I go, I take my time. I rotate between saunas at the spa, sit in quiet with music or a show, and often bring my journal. I block the day off, so I’m not rushed. It’s my space to unplug, reset, and just be. Some may see it as a luxury, but many spas offer day passes starting around $50. If that’s your thing, it can be an affordable and powerful way to pour back into yourself.

What could that look like for you?

A Few Grounding Rest Rituals to Explore

● Solo nature walks—even 20 minutes outside can soothe your nervous system.

● Intentional journaling—try prompts like “What does rest mean to me?” or “What am I holding that I need to release?”

● Phone-free mornings or evenings—start and end your day with intention instead of input.

● Restorative yoga or stretching before bed—a gentle way to support your body.

● Create a “nothing hour” each week—no obligations, just rest or joy.

● Mini spa moments at home—candles, a bath, your favorite playlist.

● 5 minutes of silence—let your mind settle, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

● Connect with women who get it—rest becomes easier when you’re not doing it alone.

What’s one rest or reset ritual you can explore or return to this month? Let me know in the comment section.

You don’t have to do it all to be worthy. You already are.

With love ❤️

Jennifer Nicole

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Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect with me. If this post resonated with you, I’d love for you to stay connected! Visit my websites, Perfectly Imperfect and EmpowerHer Society, for more insights, resources, and updates on how we can navigate this journey together.

Let’s stay in touch on social media, too! Follow me on Instagram at @theempowerhersociety and @sheisjennifernicole, or connect with me on LinkedIn at Jennifer Nicole Brown.

If you're looking for community and connection along the way, I invite you to follow @theempowerhersociety We’ll be hosting upcoming events designed to help you reset, reconnect, and reclaim your peace and we’d love to have you with us.

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