While many of us enjoy having the day off (or wish we did…) we rarely pause to acknowledge why Labor Day exists in the first place.

This we’re exploring the history of labor movements in the United States, and celebrating all working people in this country — including you!

Labor Day has roots in labor rights activism of the late 19th-century. The first Labor Day celebration was a parade and picnic in New York City in 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union. 

After several states adopted the holiday, Congress passed a law in 1894 making Labor Day a federal holiday to honor workers and acknowledge the harsh conditions they faced during the Industrial Revolution.

Many workers during this time were enduring 12-hour days and seven-day weeks, and in some states, young children toiled in mills, factories and mines, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. 

Labor activists and unions pushed for a day to recognize workers' contributions and advocate for better conditions, such as the eight-hour workday and child labor protections — so you can thank them for that, even if 8 hours also seems like a little much sometimes…

Honoring Our Labor

Labor Day is often thought of as the “unofficial end of summer” in the United States, as kids go back to school and temperatures start to drop a bit across the country.

As part of our celebration of labor, we’d love to take a moment to honor all of the labor that we all do.

That includes paid work that gets you a W2 or a 1099 — and unpaid labor like caretaking or volunteering that… does not.

Just because someone's work doesn’t pay does NOT make it any less valuable to society!

Whether you had the day off on Monday or not, this week we’re celebrating you and all the work you do for the world, your families, and your community.

Pause to honor your own labor

Take a moment to honor the contributions you make to society, your family, your friends, and your community — regardless of whether or not they pay you.

Recognize the work you put into the fabric of our society and give yourself some gratitude and appreciation.

Appreciating the Labor of Others

Most of us share in the labor it takes to keep society functioning.

We are all workers in our own ways, whether we do paid work, have our own businesses, or do unpaid caretaking work for our family, friends, and community.

As part of our celebration, we also invite you to notice and appreciate the labor and work of others.

If there’s someone who works for, or with you — maybe that’s a coworker, the barista who makes you coffee in the mornings, or the sanitation workers who make sure your garbage gets taken out — how can you let them know they are appreciated?

It truly takes all of us to keep our world running smoothly!

Pause to honor the labor of others

Today or sometime in the next few days, take a moment to appreciate someone whose labor makes your life a little bit easier. You could give them a simple verbal thank you, or leave them a nice note or treat 😊

Finally, Take a Well-Deserved Rest

The purpose of Labor Day is for workers to take a rest and be celebrated for all that they do to keep society functioning.

Of course, not everyone gets a break and maybe you didn’t either.

So, for our last call-to-action… we invite you to continue the spirit of rest and celebration that Labor Day represents.

We'll leave you with just a simple question: What will you do this coming weekend to rest and recharge?

P.S. The modern concept of the weekend emerged in Britain in the early 19th-century, beginning with employers voluntarily giving workers Saturday afternoons off to ensure they were refreshed on Sunday.

This gradually expanded through the efforts of labor unions, with the first American five-day workweek implemented in 1908 😎

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We hope you enjoyed this week's refresher on the history and importance of Labor Day! We are celebrating you, and all workers, today, and every day!

P.S. If you could use help accomplishing your goals, busting through procrastination, or getting motivated — please join us at one of our live guided work sessions, or morning planning sessions! Our entire community is waiting for you.

Take care,

— Alexis and the focused space team