Dear Black Women, it’s Black Girl Day Off, so find some peace

“The Black Girl Day Off,” an open letter to black women, reminds us of the power of reconnecting with our inner child.

October 11th is National Black Girl Day Off, and as I sit at my desk writing to you, I can’t help but laugh at the irony, because do black women ever really get a day off? One of the harsh realities of stumbling into the trenches of womanhood—or adulthood in general—is the realization that nothing ever ends. Someone will always need something. Something will always require your attention. And no matter how many self-help books or podcasts you consume, nothing can fully prepare you for how physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding being a woman can be.

So today I’m talking to your inner girl.

I’m speaking to the part of you that has managed to hold on to your childlike wonder. The silent voice that dreams like the sky is the limit. The version of you that couldn’t wait to “grow up” and be able to do whatever she wanted. Even though you may not speak to her often, she still lives inside you and longs to come out and play.

If you’re like me, today is not a day off work. It’s another day full of familiar demands: phone calls, emails, and expectations that seem to multiply by the minute. Black Girl Day Off is meant to be a celebration, but it often feels more like just another item on our never-ending to-do list. The truth is that most women wear so many hats—caregiver, provider, friend, sister, mother, partner, community leader—that we sometimes forget to stop and acknowledge our own needs.

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But in the midst of this chaos, I challenge you to pause and reflect on the deeper meaning of Black Girl Day Off. It’s not just about abdicating our responsibilities; It’s about reconnecting with the joy that is often overshadowed by the hustle and bustle. It’s about reconnecting with the elusive inner girl who dared to dream without the weight of the world on her shoulders – the one who skipped through the grass, laughed out loud and believed in the magic of possibility.

What dreams have you put aside in the name of responsibility? What joys have you put aside in your effort to fulfill your obligations? This day, meant to remind black women to pause and recharge, is not just about rest—it’s about reclaiming our joy, our desires, and our uncompromising right to simplicity Be.

As Black women, we have an incredibly powerful lineage of resilience and strength. Our innate ability to “hold our head up” on the days we feel like we’re drowning often makes us forget the power of vulnerability. It’s okay to acknowledge that we are tired – tired of being the backbone, the hard worker, the trendsetter, the dependable. I’m tired of being overlooked. Today is an invitation to resist everyday life and redefine what rest looks like for us. It’s not just about physical recovery; it is also about emotional and mental renewal.

Take a moment to breathe. Imagine your inner girl – what does she want to do? Dancing, painting, exploring? Whether you want to take a quick dance break, reminisce with a favorite old movie, or just sit in silence and breathe, let it whisper to you and remind you of the beauty of possibility. Yes, the world will still turn and demands will still arise, but create that sacred space today. You deserve it. You deserve peace, joy and all the dreams that are still waiting for you.

Okay, maybe you can’t take the day off, black girl. But as I sit here at my desk, I am aware of the irony. I acknowledge the demands of today while choosing to celebrate the girl in me. I urge you to do the same. Find your joy today, even in the midst of chaos. Because in that joy lies the strength to keep fighting, to dream, and to be unapologetically a black woman in a world that often refuses to stop.

Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and lifestyle writer for theGrio covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she strives to find new ways to tell and share stories.