reframe52 stands firm in our commitment to reframing our relationship with work, understanding that true progress in the DEI space starts with prioritizing rest.
Our small, dedicated team is taking a moment to both heal from physical illness and tend to the burnout that can accompany neurodivergent experiences.
After this brief pause - a vital step in our collective journey towards a more inclusive and empathetic world - we’ll return with renewed strength, ready to continue the important work of driving positive change Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Here are some of the ways our founders have grown when it comes to making space for relaxation, recharging, slowness, and joy.
Diane Sabenacio Nititham
How have you reframed rest for yourself?
I have long been a go-go-go person. I have lots of plans, goals, ways to execute those plans and goals, and back up ideas if my original ones don’t come through. I used to rest by just waiting to go to sleep for the night. But, after surviving a months-long critical illness and on-going recovery, I have learned a lot about what my mind and body can and cannot do, as well as making time to physically recover while also taking care of my family. I have also thought more about how I can approach my return to teaching with a slower-paced mindset. Thus, I reframed rest by prioritizing what’s important, what’s urgent, what can be saved for later, and when I can say no to new or other ongoing tasks. I aim to model this for my children and for my students, who are preparing for specialized fields after graduation.
What forms of rest do you practice?
During the day, I will put my phone on the do not disturb setting for 45 minutes and get under my weighted blanket. I will sometimes add a heating pad and a weighted eye mask for extra relaxation. At night, I go to bed right after we put our kids to bed. While I used to enjoy having time to complete work or tasks after they are asleep, I now feel more energized and more efficient with my next day’s to-do list after more sleep.
Karen Chan
How have you reframed rest for yourself?
I remember pulling all nighters while in college because I was juggling an almost full-time job to help pay for school. There were nights when I stayed up too late trying to figure out an assignment, and one night when I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, I went to bed, set my alarm for an hour earlier. The next morning, I woke up and tried the assignment again - I finished it in 30 min with so much clarity. What had taken me 2 hours the night before (unsuccessfully) only took 30 minutes just from being well-rested.
With rest, I am able to think more clearly and I am able to show up for my friends and family in ways that I would not be able to if I am burnt out. While others may view rest as “lazy” or a waste of time (or “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mentality), rest is a path to productivity.
What forms of rest do you practice?
My favorite ways to rest include: unplugging electronics, pouring a glass of wine, spending hours on a 1,000+ piece jigsaw puzzle, playing board games with my husband, and SLEEP.
Danielle Mužina
How have you reframed rest for yourself?
To be honest, I'm still learning to honor my capacities, especially as a neurodivergent person. In our “grindset” culture, having a stigmatized identity often leads me to overcompensate regarding how much I can take on without burning out, or shame myself about needing to say no.
Over time, I have learned to take a step back from the sense of urgency I feel about completing tasks and responding to non-urgent messages or requests. I tell myself that the world will not end if I take my time, and that I will be a better friend, family member, colleague, artist, and agent of social change if I take care of myself. All humans have different needs and capacities, and deserve not only rest but autonomy over their time.
What forms of rest do you practice?
Engaging in my special interests or the stimulating activities I take comfort in helps me restore. I really need large chunks of unstructured time at least once per week where I am able to engage in creative activities or get lost revisiting my favorite fictional worlds and characters in books, music, movies, and TV.
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