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Black women have finally created the space to love, learn, educate and feel openly through online platforms like Blavity, 21Ninety and more. With wellness and self-care advocates leading the charge, like Devi Brown and Tracy G, it’s impossible not to build a tribe of strength and power, online. It’s no secret that any online platform (social media outlets, blogs and more) constantly and consistently control the narrative for how readers digest information.
For my readers who keep up with social media relevant news, two of the most over-used words of 2020 (at least down millennials' feeds) have been toxic and entanglement. Voluntarily or involuntarily being detached from a relationship, personally and/or professionally, can often leave a bitter taste depending on the situation. To add more uncertainty and doubt into the conversation, COVID-19 happens to be altering thousands of lives and shifting how Americans function in the world, primarily affecting jobs and record number deaths globally.
Insert self-care. To quote the amazing Debbie Allen, from the iconic '90s television show A Different World ,“relax, relate, release.” For some reason Black women have often felt guilty for taking a break and detaching from the world in order to replenish and refuel themselves.Brittney Gale, Development Director for The Bonfire, spoke on self-care stating the following:
“To be honest, it has been a struggle finding ways to set self care boundaries during a pandemic. Granted, we've never been in a pandemic before so we are trying to navigate this the best we can. With that said, I try to give myself grace more than anything else during this time. My body is doing the best it can to stay alive during this pandemic. It's trying to regulate my mental well-being, stay active in the house while learning new recipes that don't flare up my Crohn's disease. I do the best I can and that's all I expect of myself.”
The beautiful thing about being on a continual journey is the non-negotiable peace you begin to develop for self. That alone is how one protects the sanity of life. During the pandemic, many posted about struggles with mental health, motherhood, divorce and job loss. As if that wasn’t enough, add in the tragic losses of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the many riots that occurred and the aftermath in Black communities.
Above all, Black women, care for yourselves in every facet. Take the social and emotional steps toward healing. If you’re into audio inspiration, get into some of the following podcasts.
Religious? A crowd favorite is Sarah Jakes Roberts' Woman Evolve. Spiritual? A crowd favorite is Devi Brown's Dropping Gems. Healing? Acrowd favorite is Alex Elle's Hey, Girl.
Motherhood? A crowd favorite is Tika Sumpter's The Suga. Sisterhood and Community? A crowd favorite is Essence's Yes, Girl. Laughter and realness? A crowd favorite is XoNecole's Happy Hour. Black millennial female excellence? A crowd favorite is Go Off, Sis, by Refinery 29.
