There are countless ways in which the world we live has taken away our agency as black women. Whether it’s belittling a monumental triumph by calling us ugly (Serena Williams) or someone mocking our features and then appropriating them for their own. Our ability to speak freely has been targeted too; Sandra Bland spoke truths in her #sandyspeaks videos, which reached thousands. She shared how difficult it was to live in a world that criminalized black bodies and made us feel less than.

How do we stay encouraged? What are we supposed to do when we’re physically and mentally exhausted from arguing with others that our lives matter? Self-preservation is key. Through all of this we have to set aside time to take care of ourselves and love ourselves in order to stay vocal and keep fighting.

Over the past couple of weeks, some things I’ve personally found helpful are two books of poetry by Alex Elle. I first heard about her through Blavity’s post on “16 Uplifting Instagrams to Get Your Mind Right.” Her two books are very focused on self-love, healing and growth specifically for young black women.

Her first book, Words from a Wanderer, was published in 2013 and is a collection of poems exploring narratives of self-love amidst life’s challenges:

https://instagram.com/p/3UozD3xZYY/

Alex Elle’s poetry tells her story with such a raw honesty that her work can be relatable to us all.

https://instagram.com/p/41uppIRZYn/

https://instagram.com/p/yFCU9ARZTZ/

In her new book, Love in my Language, Elle’s voice has matured as she continues to tell stories about her life, love and how even when she’s been hurt, she is still worthy of greatness. Her words carry a powerful resonance, whether you’re experiencing a good day or a difficult one.

https://instagram.com/p/2zDozYxZdq/

https://instagram.com/p/3r8KFSxZWe/

Not only is she a poet, she also practices yoga and has great tips on how to keep a healthy body and mind on her Instagram and blog.

Take a break and embrace yourself using Alex Elle as a guide.

Check out her books here http://alexellebooks.bigcartel.com and Instagram: @alex_elle

*This is a special guest post written by Rachel Nyakako, French teacher, music lover and aspiring racism educator.

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