Listen to Your Body 4
This print series reflects a lifelong lesson that I've been normalizing for myself, to LISTEN to my body. I grew up with immigrant parents who had a very strong work ethic out of necessity, and they would rarely prioritize rest. On the contrary, I was encouraged since childhood to be highly productive and to be the best at everything. Being great at everything of course requires tremendous sacrifice. Throughout my teens, college and well into my 30s, I would push my body to its limits. A message that my parents would say, “sleep when you die,” was etched into my imagination.
Yet through my own decolonization and healing work, I learned that the myth of “productivity” is harmful and that capitalism pushes that narrative while not promoting rest, recovery and overall slowing down. After I got Covid in 2022 and suffered from six weeks of symptoms, I became highly aware of the fragility of my body and the deep importance of listening to my own rhythm, especially when it comes to how hard I work.
I am naturally a very energetic person and I love the things I do. But I am also releasing the habits of self exploitation, and learning how to become attuned to what my body needs and wants. Sometimes I can go hard but I also cultivate pleasurable periods of rest for myself.
This art piece is about honoring the messages that my body gives to me. My body lets me know when it's time to rest. It lets me know who the right people are for me. Tuning into my body’s wisdom, I am able to make the best decisions for myself. My body guides me in the right way.