Nap Ministry's Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture

by Tricia Hersey, Paula Champagne (Illustrator)

"This is about more than naps. Rest is anything that allows you to connect your body with your mind."

The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck is a rousing call to reclaim rest in everyday life. Delivered in a stunning package with gold accents and gorgeous artwork throughout, the deck combines restorative meditations with prescient wisdom from celebrated activist and teaching artist Tricia Hersey, a.k.a. "the Nap Bishop," and founder of the Nap Ministry.

Readers will discover 50 inspiring cards, each with an empowering affirmation and a simple practice to encourage rest, rejuvenation, and imagination. Rooted in social justice and imbued with spirituality, these cards offer short, accessible practices designed to uplift anyone suffering from the toxic effects of grind culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Social Justice, Mental Health, Health, Psychology

106 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2023

Reviews

[Trisha Swed · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I read through this deck twice. Once alone and once with my partner. The cards were kind, empathetic, and sometimes a little jarring to hear for those entrenched in grind culture. I plan on using this deck as a way to have meaningful conversations with more people about rest, white supremacy, grind culture, and healing.

This deck was thoughtfully put together with important mantras which are, intentionally, repeated throughout.

If you sit with this deck and take it in, it’s a story about ~your~ journey with rest. That’s what makes pieces like this so important, its digestible wisdom can give you access to different personal narratives. And its form, a deck of cards, can make it tangible in ways a book cannot. If used spiritually, this deck is an oracle for rest and liberation and can be used in service of healing.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely and powerful messages on these cards. I borrowed this from the library so read them as a “book” on my Kindle to see if I liked them enough to buy, which I plan on doing in the future.

[Gdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

These seemingly simple messages feel pretty radical and the author knows it. She will have us lean into our discomfort and need to deprogram/disassociate rest & laziness. It's surprisingly emotional. It's also a privilege.. Some people may be uncomfortable with the framing of grind culture as part of white supremacy, perhaps aware of non-"white" cultures of hyperproductivity or more simply not believing/seeing the systems of oppression woven into American culture. Just breath and read the card, use it as thought/conversation starter. Reword messages with your choices for most insight, impact and inspiration.
Our parents and grandparents generations had other pressures, other paces too. We need to honor our pauses....
Love the idea of the Nap Ministry.. Garfield would approve too.

[Danica San Juan, LMSW-C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not an affirmations or card deck person (which is ironic because I’m a psychotherapist). So I was pleasantly surprised to find this available to borrow as an e-publication from my local library and curiously enough, I did borrow it. BTW, make sure you read it via Kindle and not through Libby as the latter does not display the cards.

Because I’m not an affirmations person, although I am in complete agreement with rest as a resistance, I found this to be repetitive, which is why I rate this 3.5 stars. I’m excited to read the author’s manifesto, though.

[TL Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

We were given this to read as part of a training. While this type of thing is not my thing, the layout and writing are very well done. The 50 cards have phrases/ideas to make you think about where you are at and are attractive and easy to use. I can definitely see people benefitting from this as part of a mediatation journey if that is of interest to them.

[Kristen Schutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through this as part of a DEIB book club. I got it as an e-book from my library so I don't have physical cards to use as suggested, but it was still interesting to read through it and consider how capitalism and white supremacy both benefit from a culture that doesn't place value on allowing time and space for rest.

[Mitzi Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naps are a protest against capitalism. You deserve to rest. You are more than what you achieve or produce.

[Saemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I need. Like a warm blanket

Resisting grind culture is so hard. It is so deeply rooted. These cards are loving reminders to deepen my practice

[Readiculous Qui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this deck. I use it has part of my spiritual guidance.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must

Love this card deck as someone who finds it hard to rest and to give up the need to always be productive.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each card is a gem with wisdom laced in each one! This deck is my new go-to gift for friends and family. This revelation is much needed in today's living for us divine humans!