Rest is not a luxury; it’s a lifestyle. For April Richmond, founder of The Self-Care Hive™, this truth sits at the center of her work and her life. A coach, community builder, and advocate for Black women’s wellness, April has made it her mission to show that sustainable self-care is about intention, not indulgence.
The Rest Revelation
April’s journey to prioritizing rest came after years of hustle. She once ran a thriving, profitable business, but at the cost of her health and peace. “I was anxious, irritable, stressed—and even in my hospital bed after giving birth, I was still working,” she recalls. Burnout pushed her to pause and reevaluate everything. What if the solution was to stop?
Taking a month away from her business gave her clarity. She rebuilt her entrepreneurial journey around boundaries and balance, creating a schedule that honored her well-being as much as her profit. “My new job was building a schedule that gave me everything I wanted—peace, flexibility, and family—while still handling my business,” she says.
Tools for Rest and Reclaiming Time
One of the myths April actively challenges is the belief that Black women must earn rest. “It sounds absurd when you say it out loud, but it’s the mindset so many of us carry,” she explains. Her coaching encourages women to understand that rest is their birthright. “You should rest before you even need rest. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re depleted, rest. Rest isn’t a reward for grinding yourself into dust—it’s yours whenever you need it.”
She also urges women to release the pressure of doing everything alone. Community care, she says, is just as powerful as self-care. “Use the grocery delivery service, drop off your laundry, hire a housekeeper. We don’t have to be martyrs for our households. Life runs smoother when we allow help.”
Recharging Through Connection
When April needs to recharge, she turns to social self-care, her favorite pillar of wellness. Time with friends, whether through brunches or Zoom happy hours, reignites her spirit. “I’m blessed to have magical friends that let me laugh, cry, brainstorm, and turn up when I can,” she shares. Those connections remind her that joy and belonging are just as vital to rest as quiet moments alone.
Her SwagHer
April describes her SwagHer as unshakeable. She’s known for her ability to connect deeply and create meaningful interactions quickly. “People call it good energy. I call it good vibes. I pass the vibe check every time—personally and professionally,” she says with a smile.
Connect with April Richmond
TikTok, IG, FB: @theselfcarehive
Website: www.theselfcarehive.live
Skool Community: The Soft Hustle CEO™
April Richmond’s story is one of reclaiming rest as resistance and modeling what it looks like to build success without self-sacrifice. Her work is a reminder that Black women deserve balance, joy, and peace in every season of life.
Catch April and other powerful voices at Where Wild Women Wander, a virtual wellness experience on August 23rd that celebrates rest, healing, and wholeness.
