May 1st is International Labour Day, celebrated in over 160 countries, including Rwanda. Its roots trace back to the late 19th century, when working conditions were extremely demanding: six-day workweeks, 12-hour shifts, and little to no space for rest or personal life. Through courage and collective action, workers demanded something radical for their time: the right to an eight-hour workday, creating space not only for productivity but also for life itself.
Although the system no longer requires such harsh conditions, the culture of overwork persists today. Many now labour beyond the eight-hour norm—not out of obligation but driven by life’s rhythm, ambitions, or economic pressure. That’s why this day of pause is so important.
At Belleza, we see this not just as a holiday, but as a moment to honor the truth that wellness and work must walk hand in hand.
So, as you take a well-deserved break—and we hope you do—we invite you to see today as more than just a day off. It’s a moment to recharge, reflect, and begin again, better.
Labour is demanding. While it may not always get easier, the way we labour can evolve. Whether you are cultivating the land under the sun or navigating back-to-back meetings in heels, labour teaches us to work—and in the process, we grow. We learn to work smarter, lead with compassion, show up with intention, and bring others along the way.
Yet, growth does not come without strain. As part of that same journey, we also experience fatigue, juggle overlapping responsibilities, and race to meet deadlines. Still, we find a way to make it through the day—and for that, today, we pause in gratitude. Labour also feeds us, clothes us, builds our dreams, and enables us to contribute to our families, our communities, and our growth.
This pause is not idle. It is a moment to reflect. When we create space for our minds and bodies, we begin to notice not only what’s exhausting us, but why. And from there, we can begin to make things better.
This isn’t just about improving productivity—it’s about building a more empathetic, human, and wellness-centered work culture.
It might look like:
– Finally starting a wellness ritual—five minutes of breathwork, one screen-free hour a day, or a peaceful walk after a workday .
– Extending support to someone else, whether it’s offering help, encouragement, or simply showing up.
– Rethinking one draining task, and finding a way to make it more manageable, meaningful, or joyful.
– Truly listening to a teammate, especially someone whose voice is often overlooked.
Because we do return to work. And when we do, we carry our energy back into the world—into the growth of businesses, families, and societies.
Today, we also express gratitude to the systems, leaders, and employers who help make balance possible. It’s through joint effort that we get to enjoy this day at all. Work-life balance doesn’t happen in isolation. When workplaces recognize that well-being is not separate from performance, they build cultures where workers thrive, not just survive.
To every worker reading this: may you find rest, may your efforts be recognized, and may your labour, whether physical or intellectual, be recognized, valued, and fulfilling.
Because work coupled with rest sustains our wellness. And our wellness matters.
Happy Labour Day from all of us at Belleza—where we honor the beauty of both work and rest.
#LabourDay2025 #WellnessAtWork #RechargeReflectReturn #BellezaWellness
Belleza Team.