The Invisible Black Woman

Saturdays are my me days. It’s the one day of the week where I unapologetically do whatever the hell I want. No deadlines, no deliverables, no demands—just me, living life on my terms. And that’s why sometimes them BlueNotes postings are moving targets. LOL.

Growing up, things were a little different. And by a little I mean, a lot. I grew up in the church, and let me tell you, me days were not a thing. Saturdays weren’t mine to enjoy. My siblings and I would sit there, watching the clock, counting down to sundown so we could finally “have fun.” That was the rule: no fun until the sun dipped below the horizon.

At the time, I didn’t get it. The “faithful” adults in my life would wax poetic about the importance of the Sabbath and pull out their favorite Bible verse: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” As a kid, all I could think was, How long ‘til I can go outside?

Now that I’m older—maybe a little wiser—I finally get it. That verse? It’s not about control. It’s about rest. It’s about acknowledging that we need a break from the constant grind. It’s about setting aside a day to recharge, unplug, and reconnect with yourself.

Let me say this real quick, and yeah, it’s about to get a little preachy: you deserve a day to do absolutely nothing. No guilt. No second-guessing. Just you and whatever brings you peace. Whether that’s Saturday, Sunday, or whatever day works for you, it’s time to reclaim your time.

As a kid, Saturdays were about obligation. We weren’t allowed to do much beyond church, Bible study, and maybe reading or quiet reflection. For a kid with energy to burn, it felt like torture. Back then, I didn’t see Saturdays as a gift—they were more of a chore.

But as I grew older and started to question some of the traditions I’d been raised with, my perspective shifted. To be fair, there are a lot of things about the denomination I grew up with that I take issue with. That’s a rant for another day. But one thing they got right? The idea of unplugging. The concept of carving out a sacred time to rest and reset.

Now, Saturdays are sacred in a whole new way. They’re my sanctuary. They’re the one day where I focus solely on myself—what I want to do, how I want to spend my time, and how I want to feel.

So, what does a me day look like for me? It changes from week to week, but the theme is always the same: freedom.

Sometimes, it’s catching up on happenings in The Village—the community I’m so blessed to be a part of. During the week, I don’t always have the time to respond right away, but on Saturdays? I dive in. I read, I comment, I connect. I bask in the glow of community and feel so grateful for the people who show up, week after week, to share their stories and experiences.

Other times, it’s naps. Yes, naps. Glorious, finger-licking-good naps. You ever take a nap so satisfying it feels like a Michelin-starred experience? That’s the kind of nap I had today.

And then there are the Saturdays where I do absolutely nothing. I’ll sit on the couch, scroll through Amazon Prime or Peacock, and stare into space without a care in the world. Because sometimes, doing nothing is everything.

We live in a world that glorifies busyness. Hustle culture tells us that if we’re not grinding, we’re falling behind. Rest? That’s for the weak—or so we’re led to believe. And, let me be clear, I’m all about the hustle culture Monday through Friday. Saturdays? NAH.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Sundays are the holiest of days in this household. That’s when hubby and I put on our best house clothes and attend the Church of Netflix, which also serves up a mean brunch cooked up by yours truly.

So yes, I technically do nothing on Sundays, too, but Sundays is about us while Saturdays are about me. See the difference? We all need a me day.

Rest is revolutionary. Choosing to prioritize your well-being over the constant demands of life isn’t lazy; it’s necessary.

Think about it: how can you show up as your best self if you’re running on fumes? How can you pour into others if your own cup is empty? A me day isn’t just about indulgence—it’s about survival. It’s about making sure you have the energy and mental clarity to tackle whatever life throws your way.

For me, Saturdays are about giving myself permission to pause. To breathe. To remind myself that my worth isn’t tied to how much I accomplish in a day. And you’ll see that my BlueNotes channel that type of energy. Saturdays I’m living that soft life—please and thank you.

Not everyone can take Saturdays off, and that’s okay. Your me day doesn’t have to fall on a specific day of the week. Maybe it’s Sunday. Maybe it’s a random Wednesday when the stars align, and your schedule clears up.

The key is to find a day—or even just a few hours—where you can disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself.

One of the biggest hurdles to taking a me day is guilt. We’ve been conditioned to believe that rest is a luxury, not a necessity.

But let me tell you something: you don’t need anyone’s permission to take care of yourself. You don’t have to earn rest. You’re human. You’re allowed to pause.

And if you’re still struggling to give yourself that permission, think about it this way: when you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to take care of others. Rest isn’t selfish—it’s self-preservation.

If you’re someone who’s always chasing the next goal, the next milestone, the next big thing, I see you. I am you. And I know how hard it can be to slow down.

But let me remind you: life isn’t a race or a marathon in my humble opinion. It’s a trek. It’s a journey. And if you don’t take the time to enjoy the scenery, what’s even the point?

So, this is your gentle nudge to prioritize yourself. To take a day—or even just a moment—to breathe. To nap. To watch the sun set without worrying about what’s next.

Because you deserve it.

As I sit here, reflecting on this two-hour, glorious uninterrupted nap I had today and catching up on Village conversations, I feel grateful. Grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, grateful for the space I’ve carved out for myself, and grateful for the reminder that rest is not a reward—it’s a right.

So, here’s to Saturdays, Sundays, or whatever day you choose to call your own. Here’s to naps, Netflix—or Netflixing and Brunching, as we do it in my household—and doing nothing at all. And here’s to you, reclaiming your time and giving yourself the gift of rest.

Until next time, I wish you nothing but sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns, which are no less magical than the radiant soul you are.