Listen, we need to talk… and before you start looking around—yes, this is an intervention. Sit down, girl. Take a deep breath, because this is one of those talks.

Because I see you—out here doing lines—crossing task after task off your to-do list—thinking, “If I just knock all this out real quick, THEN I’ll feel better.

Running on caffeine, multitasking like you got eight arms, and chasing productivity like...

And I get it. I'm out here tryna shake the habit myself, SMH.

But we as Black women really be out here doing everything. Working full-time, side hustling, caregiving, leading, planning, organizing, showing up, and still somehow having the audacity to think we should have no problem drinking water and moisturizing.

We have been conditioned to equate value with output. If we’re not busy, we’re lazy. If we rest, we’re falling behind. And if we dare say, “Nah, I ain’t got it in me today,” the guilt creeps in like an old situationship you thought you left in 2020.

But let’s keep it real. The drive for productivity is the drug we’ve been prescribed, but peace? Peace is really what we desire.

Breaking the Addiction to Busyness

If productivity was a person, she’d be that "bad" associate from high school—the one from the wrong side of the tracks who was low-key jealous of you and your future. Always hyping you up to do the absolute most only to your own detriment later.

"You got this! Just one more email. Just one more meeting. You can sleep when you’re dead!"

Meanwhile, peace is sitting in the corner like, “Girl, I been waiting on you. You ready to stop playing?”

The truth is, a lot of us have been taught that slowing down equals failure. But let’s flip that.

What if slowing down is actually the strategy?

What if being still, being selective, and being intentional are actually the keys to freedom?

If you want peace, you gotta prioritize energy management, automation, and systems. Because real peace isn’t about escaping life—it’s about designing a life that doesn’t exhaust you.

How to Detox from Hustle Culture

1️⃣ Stop Collecting Gold Stars for Overworking
Being the go-to person, the fixer, the “I’ll handle it” queen? That’s a role you were handed without your consent. And you took it on because—well, who else was gonna do it?

But sis, you are not a human Swiss Army knife. You deserve to delegate, say no, and let some things be somebody else’s problem.

2️⃣ Automate and Systematize—Because We Ain’t Got Time for Chaos
Freedom starts with systems. Ain’t no reason for you to be manually doing things that technology (or a good SOP) can handle. Set up automations. Create workflows. Make your life run smoother so you can reclaim your time.

3️⃣ Trade Exhaustion for Expansion
If your schedule is packed but your soul feels empty, it’s time to reassess. True success isn’t about doing the most—it’s about doing what matters.

Make space for things that pour into you: creativity, relationships, stillness, and joy.

4️⃣ Unfollow the Grindset, Follow Your Peace
Who said being booked and busy is the ultimate goal?

What if the flex was being well-rested and unbothered?

What if the real glow-up was knowing when to close the laptop, silence the notifications, and take a deep, guilt-free breath?

Your Productivity Withdrawal Plan

Look, I know quitting the need for productivity cold turkey is hard. You might get the shakes. You might feel the urge to check emails at 2 AM. But remind yourself:

👉🏾 Peace is really what I desire.

So here’s your challenge: Instead of asking “What do I have to do today?” start asking, “How do I want to shape my day around my desire for peace?”

And then move accordingly.

Because at the end of the day, you weren’t put on this Earth just to produce—you were put here to live.

And living? That starts when you choose peace over making things happen.

#CAPEOFFLIVEON

Sharell D. Cannady, CEO of Docked Ships

P.S. 👀 Yall' ready? 

PLEASE. PLEASE. SHARE THIS WITH OTHER BLACK WOMEN. AND HAVE THEM SUBSCRIBE:  https://www.dockedships.com/stress-crisis-african-american-women-health

Wanna' revisit a blog/newsletter that had you like, “Wait a minute?”—No worries. Check em' out [click here].

At Dock Ships, we see "a future where African American women achieve social health & enjoy maximum wellness." 

The Doors Are Closing at 11:59PM EST Tonight  (Click Here)... Don't Miss It

📢 You still have time! ⏳ If you haven’t submitted your application yet, don’t stress—you got this! 💪🏾 Just click here. 

For those who did submit—keep an eye on your inbox! 📩 Acceptance letters will be rolling out this evening through Saturday evening. Stay tuned! 🔥