This Labour Day, we are choosing to celebrate our hard-work with joy and you should do the same!
Labour Day isn’t just a public holiday, it’s a reminder that our hustle, the long hours, countless deadlines and never-ending meetings deserve to be celebrated. In a fast-paced world, taking time to reward yourself for hard work feels almost revolutionary.
Rewarding yourself shouldn’t sound like a waste of time or only reserved for luxurious experiences. Personally, it’s about mental stimulation, self-recognition, and the emotional encouragement to keep pushing towards your dreams.
As Africans, our dynamic and resilient workforce is often under immense societal pressure. Between family obligations (hello black tax), economic imbalance, and career expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of the little joys. Many of us work tirelessly but still hesitate to spend our hard-earned money on ourselves, choosing to take care of others first. This is especially true for women. With all the external demands, the simple act of rewarding ourselves is sometimes the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
Labour Day is the perfect opportunity to take a breath, reflect, relax, and prioritise yourself. Remember, growth isn’t just about your achievements but how well you care for the person doing the achieving—you. These days, the definition of success is often related to how much you sacrifice and your joy shouldn’t be one of those sacrifices. You are more than your to-do list.
So, whether it’s splurging on a luxury item on your wishlist, booking a staycation or simply indulging in a small but meaningful gift, ensure you celebrate your hard work. This Labour Day, our team at Marie Claire Nigeria are choosing to joy and we encourage you to do the same.
Here’s how we are rewarding ourselves for Labour Day
Denise Eisemokumoh, Ag. Managing Editor
Our M.E is throwing out the old adage that “The reward for hard work is more work.” For her, balance is everything, especially as a young, ambitious woman navigating the demands of a fast-paced career.
This Labour Day, she’s prioritising rest in the most intimate and intentional way: with uninterrupted, indulgent sleep.
As her second favourite activity, sleep is a quiet luxury, and one of the most romantic things in the world for her. There’s no better way she’d rather reward herself and honour the effort she puts into her work all year long.
Tobi Afolabi, Content Editor
For Tobi, our ever busy Content Editor, Labour Day is also for “Sleeeeeeeep!” Which is probably what most working professionals dream of but rarely get enough of. In this restless world, sleep is a luxury and necessity.
Tobi will also treat herself to a solo cinema date to finally watch Sinners, which everyone seems to be raving about online. “It’s impossible to scroll social media these days without encountering at least six spoilers”, she says amusingly and with some exasperation. Dodging the spoilers has become a herculean task for her.
Still, Labour Day plans can change quickly. “Actually, scratch all of that. I’m the chief house girl at Nkasi Obi”, Tobi says, referring to her role managing her decor brand. She will be visiting two clients on the public holiday. Despite the workload, she’s determined to make out little time for herself. “I’ll still try to squeeze in that solo cinema date and hopefully go to bed early,” she adds.
Her day may not be fully about resting but it’s a reminder that even with all the obligations and tasks, we need to intentionally create small pockets of joy for ourselves. It’s a well-deserved reward for our efforts.
Wumi Tuase-Fosudo, Fashion & Beauty Editor
Wumi admits that for her, rest isn’t always about sleep, but about finding small ways to reclaim joy outside of work. “I won’t lie and say I’ll sleep, I just want reduced mental load, meaning doing something unrelated to work.”
This Labour Day, that “something” includes indulging in fashion self-care. Wumi recently ordered a nice pair of pastel pink sandals — her personal acknowledgement of the floral appliqué shoe trend — and they’re set to be delivered that day. “I don’t have any shoes in that exact light pink shade at the moment, so I figured why not?” she adds.
To complete her indulgent day, she plans to order a nice meal, pour a glass (or bottle) of wine and simply enjoy the fruits of her labour. “Let me spend this hard-earned money on myself,” she says, a sentiment many hard-working women can relate to. Wumi is choosing to pour back into herself, one exciting treat at a time.
Esther Akinbola, Copy Editor
For Esther, Labour Day is about unapologetically getting some rest. After an incredibly stressful week, her only plan is to pause and relax. “I’m going to be sleeping, resting, and just letting my body and mind recover.”
It’s not just sleeping that’s on Esther’s holiday menu though, she also plans to indulge in guilt-free eating. “I’m going to eat a lot, like four to five times that day.” Food and rest are the ultimate reward after all the energy she’s been putting into work daily.
According to Esther, the mantra is: no work, no pressure, just rest.
Michael Olusoga, Digital Designer
After six relentless months of non-stop work, our Digital designer, Michael is looking forward to Labour Day as a much-needed break. “I’ll be sleeping mostly,” he says.
While his plans might not be too far from his regular routine, Michael is also considering a solo cinema visit to watch Sinners, just like Tobi. It seems nobody is immune to the well-deserved hype of Ryan Coogler’s latest project. “The hype is real, and I need a break.”
Labour Day might not be the long vacation Michael needs, but he’s willing to take the moment of stillness and theatre visit to recharge. This will suffice until he can take a proper escape from the pressures of work.
Daniel Okah, Video Editor
This Labour Day, Daniel is choosing screen time over fatigue, and not the type that involves editing content.
“I’m honouring the spirit of Workers’ Day by finally giving my TV the attention it’s been begging for all year.” With a growing list of TV shows he needs to catch up on — and many lingering questions from the “YOU” series (like “Did they ever catch Joe?” and “Did Becky come back?”), Daniel is looking forward to this holiday.
As a visual storyteller himself, immersing himself in films and shows isn’t just about rest, it’s also research that helps him grow. Although we still consider that as work, however, we’ll give him points for at least taking a break to rest and binge-watch.
Oshorena Ogwanighie, Fashion & Beauty writer
For Rena, Labour Day is the perfect excuse to clock in at the spa instead of at work.
Her agenda for the day is full-body self-care. “From waxing to doing my nails, and most importantly, a full-body massage, I’m not just resting, I’m in a restoration mood.”
After the hustle of meeting deadlines and her editor’s high-standard image-sourcing process, Oshorena is choosing intentional & luxurious rest.
This holiday, she’s trading doc sheets for spa sheets, and who can blame her? The beauty writer knows that true beauty starts with self-care. Go Rena!
Oyindamola Adebiyi, Lifestyle & Culture writer
Freedom and indulgence are Oyindamola’s watchwords this Labour Day, and she’s embracing this wholeheartedly. “For the first time in a very long time, I am absolutely free!” and she’s not wasting the moment.
With a spa session already booked for a well-deserved full body massage, and a special gift arriving the day before, Oyin is determined to celebrate herself.
Her mantra? You only live once! This holiday, she believes that rest, reward, and a little pampering are more than deserved and highly essential. “This worker is going to have an amazing day,” she adds.
Imoleayo Odedare, Human Resources Administrator
After weeks of chasing down appraisals, tracking leave forms and nudging people about deadlines, our HR, Imoleayo, is calling timeout.
This Labour Day, she’s clocking out and celebrating with a big bowl of ice cream, Netflix shows queued up, and her phone firmly on Do Not Disturb. “HR admin has logged out!”, she says. We might think she’s joking but she means it.
For Imole, having her quiet time is rewarding. No messages, no google space pings, just pure, uninterrupted rest. “I’m giving myself a performance bonus,” and we think it’s well-deserved.
This Labour Day, remember that rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Whether it’s a spa day, solo movie date, or just switching off your phone, recharging is a simple yet powerful way to honour your hard work. You’ve earned it, now enjoy it. Happy Workers’ Day!
