by Reza Cristián

The at home sanctuary has never been more important than now. As we are navigating a whirlwind of emotions alongside a pandemic, social injustices and our current climate crisis; it’s both a luxury and necessity to take time for ourselves in order to push through actual change.

I’ve recently sat down with three women based in Austin, Texas for an intimate behind the scenes look of what sustainable living looks like, sharing their own views of the importance of rest and sustainable advocacy and navigating life in between.

Riley Blanks, Multimedia Storyteller and Creator of Woke Beauty

RC: What does building a new normal around radical rest look like or mean to you?

RB: For me, it starts with language. I grew up in a high standard household and I still carry out those elevated expectations today. I have to be really careful with how I conceptualize rest. If I think of it as a radical act then it feels more like a task. With my list already so long, I need to look at rest as normal and necessary. With that lens, it becomes less of an action and more of a passive settling in. It’s less actually doing something and more not doing anything at all. Normalizing rest is incorporating it into my daily practice without leaning on adrenaline. It is arriving into a space with the intent to clarify and relax. Entering into that mindset alone is the most crucial element to solitude.

RC: The at home sanctuary has never been more important: what are some restorative activities you have been doing during quarantine? 

RB: I am completely redoing my office studio. It has been so fulfilling to watch it change and expand. The space feels more and more like 2020 me and I’ve loved incorporating pieces that make me feel grounded, inspired and creative. I’ve made the environment multifaceted so I can work here, write here, read here or even practice yoga.

RC: How does rest influence your sustainability/activism?

RB: I find my form of protesting in storytelling. Slowing down and making time to be quiet and still gives me space to be creative–to discover more about myself and the world around me. Writing then becomes a meditative practice and one that I can give to more fully.

RC: What are making peace with and what are you hopeful for?

RB: I’ve made peace with the reality that there is no ‘going back’. After this pandemic, the world we once knew will not suddenly materialize. And that’s ok. I’m doing my best to be grateful for the silver linings and to recognize that change is always inevitable. I’m hopeful for more unity in our society and I think it will require less reactivity and more thoughtfulness in what we choose to share and how we process and consume. I’m hopeful we take better care of each other and the space we inhabit. I’m hopeful we heal–actively. We all have a responsibility to foster our selves, our families and our communities. We owe it to each other.

Jules Acree, Founder of @Omandthecity and The Homebodies

RC: What does building a new normal around radical rest look like or mean to you?

JA: For me, it’s about waking up and simply asking myself “what do I need today?” It’s acknowledging that my experience living in my body is going to look and feel different everyday. The same level of effort, productivity, and mental clarity cannot realistically be expected everyday. So, resting SHOULD be normal and celebrated, just as much as society celebrates hustle. Wellness doesn’t need to be complicated… it is simply about checking in with yourself, listening to the answers (even if it’s not what you want to hear), and willing yourself to honor your needs.

RC: The at home sanctuary has never been more important: what are some restorative activities you have been doing during quarantine?

JA: Even pre-quarantine, I really treasure my slow mornings. I love waking up before the sun rises, meditating outside on our lil side patio, and drinking my morning matcha. The days where I prioritize my mindful and quiet mornings, even if it’s for just 10 minutes, I am so much more centered and focused for the day ahead. During quarantine, setting phone boundaries has been extra important. I’m sure a lot of our screen times have gone up, so sometimes physically distancing ourselves from our devices is just what the doctor ordered.

RC: How does rest influence your sustainability/activism?

JA: Resting smart is just as important as working smart - the sentiment of my entire mission through my platform is to help people create healthier habits (for themselves and for the planet) that are actually doable and sustainable for the long haul… and rest is a huge part of that. Finding more ease and compassion for ourselves and others, as well as creating space for improvement and imperfection is how I approach my life, my relationships, and my work. 

What are making peace with and what are you hopeful for?

JA: I am making peace with not always having a plan. As someone who has always enjoyed looking ahead, writing lists of goals, creating yearly manifestation boards and all the sorts… this year has allowed me to embrace the flow of life, make space for the unexpected, and to focus my energy on what truly aligns, while being unapologetic about setting boundaries for what doesn’t.

Diandra Marizet, Conscious Curator and Co-Founder of Intersectional Environmentalist

RC: What does building a new normal around radical rest look like or mean to you?

DM: It’s already difficult to not work constantly when you work from home, but when your work doubles as advocacy for people + the planet, everything feels urgent all the time. I’m hopeful that if we continue encouraging each other to rest, that the way we balance work + rest won’t be dictated by a sense of urgency but rather by a sense of purpose + love.

RC: The at home sanctuary has never been more important: what are some restorative activities you have been doing during quarantine?

DM: Ain’t that the truth. I typically find peace + joy in solitude, but quarantine has really challenged me to make the constant home dwelling a true sanctuary. I’m doing my best to take time for myself in ways that also give me space to assess my surroundings. I love curating little capsule wardrobes from my closet to display in my room. They remind me of my fashion days in the showrooms, only now I get to tailor everything to myself which feels reflective in the most refreshing way. Fashion has always had a funny way of showing me how I’m feeling when I’m too busy to check in with myself, so now it’s restful activity I use to feel inspired and check-in with me.

RC: How does rest influence your sustainability/activism?

DM: Honestly, I stink at resting. My co-founders would eye roll so hard if I acted like I know how to rest. I’m learning and more importantly, I’m unlearning why I’ve grown to feel so pressured to produce excessive levels of productivity. My auto-response to work anxiety is just working more and the results are less than ideal for my mental health.

My workaholic tendencies largely stem from deep insecurities around being a Mexicana in white spaces and feeling as though I need to measure up. The constant subtle communication women of color receive telling us we aren’t good enough or that we need to “rise above” where we come from seeps deeply into the spirit and I refuse to let it consume me. So today, any + all moments of rest are in honor of my culture.

RC: What are you making peace with and what are you hopeful for?

DM: This year, I’m making peace with so many things, but I’m especially making peace with saying goodbye. I’m making peace with saying goodbye to those who expect me to thrive despite them so they can be comfortable and avoid accountability.

I’m seeing this in much of the world right now. When you stand up for others or stand up for yourself, there’s always someone, or something someone is tied to, that you are standing against. I’m learning that someone's refusal to acknowledge and see me or the harm they’ve caused me is not in any way a reflection of my worth - the way society would have me believe. 

Women can have seemingly endless amounts of space, even for the people that harm them, because we’re raised to hold people together, but I’m learning that there is so much freedom in goodbye.

Photographed by Gabby Hall

Styling by Esby Apparel & Plante Clothing

Earrings by Meesha Farzaneh

Home accessories by Home Bodies