Mental Health: A Letter to my fellow Ambitious Black Women

Okay, Ladies.

Q:​ Where can you find a one-legged cow?

A:​ Right where you left it. Here’s another.

Q:​ Where do you go for your resources or advocacy initiatives for mental health and wellness?

A:​ …

Hey, girl! Talking about mental health shouldn’t be the result of the latest news cycle or Instagram hashtag. It ​should be​ as easy as singing the traditional OR Stevie version of “Happy Birthday”. I know, I know - it can be uncomfortable. Who wants to be seen in their unwellness? Who wants to tap into their humanity and vulnerability to share or absorb with others?

I admonish the notion of the ‘strong Black woman’ because somehow, someway, it’s been deemed as justification for us to flavorlessly press through tough times, despite our bodies’ responses to whatever trauma constitutes tough times. Likewise, it causes others to think that we respond to trauma in a different way than everyone else on the planet does.

It’s definitely hard to pace yourself when you’ve got big dreams and you want to take big bites. I encourage each of you reading this to slow down, set boundaries for yourself, as well as for others in their interactions with you. This can require some ‘yucky’ accountability and self-discipline. But remember to continue to set some big and little goals in there as well. Size is relative. Check in with yourself first and practice that self-care that’s been all the rave online. Only you can define what self-care is for you. I got you. I support you. I’m cheering all of us on. P.S. I hope you thought the cow joke was as funny as I did.

Unapologetically,
CP