There's a quiet revolution happening in break rooms, group chats, and therapy sessions across the country. Black women are finally saying something that should have never been controversial: "I need a break."

The Myth of the Strong Black Woman

We've been sold a narrative that strength means never stopping, never complaining, never needing rest. The "Strong Black Woman" trope has been celebrated in one breath and weaponized in the next, leaving us depleted, burned out, and wondering why we feel guilty for simply being human.

But here's the truth: taking your PTO isn't weakness. It's wisdom.

The Data Doesn't Lie

Black women consistently report higher rates of workplace stress and burnout. We're more likely to be the sole or primary breadwinners in our households, more likely to be caregivers for extended family, and statistically, we take less time off than our counterparts despite earning it.

The cost? Our health, our joy, and our lives.

Stress-related illnesses disproportionately affect Black women. Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes—these aren't just statistics. They're our mothers, our sisters, our friends, and ourselves. Rest isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.

Why We Don't Take It

The reasons run deep:

• Financial anxiety: Living paycheck to paycheck makes unpaid time off feel impossible, even when we have PTO available.
• Workplace culture: Being the "only" or one of few Black women in the workplace means feeling like we have to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good.
• Guilt: We worry about burdening our teams, disappointing our families, or appearing "lazy."
• The grind culture: Society celebrates hustle and side gigs, making rest feel like failure.

Permission Granted

Let's be clear: you don't need permission to rest. But if you're waiting for it, consider this your sign.

Take that PTO for:

• Mental health days when you need to decompress
• A staycation where you ignore your emails and binge that show
• A girls' trip that fills your cup
• Absolutely nothing—literally nothing at all
• Time to plan your next move without the weight of daily demands
• Healing from grief, stress, or trauma
• Celebration of yourself and your accomplishments

Practical Steps to Actually Take Your Time Off

1. Plan it in advance: Don't wait for the "perfect time." Block it on your calendar now.

2. Set boundaries: Turn on your out-of-office message. Don't check email. You're not available.

3. Prepare your team: Document your work, delegate tasks, and trust your colleagues to handle things while you're gone.

4. Release the guilt: Your workplace existed before you and will continue after you. You taking time off is not abandonment.

5. Protect your peace: If family or friends try to fill your time off with obligations, practice saying "I'm not available that day."

Rest as Resistance

Our ancestors didn't fight for our freedom so we could work ourselves into early graves. Every time you take your PTO, you're honoring their sacrifice. You're rejecting the systems that were designed to extract labor from Black bodies without regard for our humanity.

Rest is an act of resistance. It's a refusal to internalize the idea that your worth is tied to your productivity. It's a radical reclamation of your time, your energy, and your life.

The Ripple Effect

When you take your PTO, you give other Black women permission to do the same. You show the younger generation that they don't have to sacrifice their wellbeing for success. You model healthy boundaries and self-care that ripple through your family, your workplace, and your community.

Final Word

You've earned it. You deserve it. You need it.

So Black girl, take that PTO. Not when you've reached some arbitrary level of success. Not when everything is perfect. Not when you've "earned it enough."

Now.

Take it now. Rest now. Live now.

Because your wellbeing isn't a reward for good behavior—it's your birthright.

Your rest is productive. Your rest is powerful. Your rest is revolutionary.

Need Support on Your Wellness Journey?

If you're looking for a therapist who not only approves of you taking that time off but actively encourages it, you've found me. I understand the unique pressures Black women face, and I'm here to support you in prioritizing your mental health and wellbeing without guilt or apology.

Ready to invest in yourself? Check out the Client Corner and let's get started.

Your healing matters. Your rest matters. You matter.