I GOT THIS!! Be Your Own Hype Person!! Whether you believe it or not there is value in patting yourself on the back and being your own cheerleader!! One of the many ways this can be done is through affirmations. Affirmations are statements that can brighten your outlook on life and the world. When you say them to yourself regularly or write them down in a journal these statements can change the game!! Affirmations also help build confidence and reduce our stress responses, which in turn can make us more resilient in the face of challenges and crises. The great thing about affirmations is that they have no cost and can be used whenever and wherever!! You gotta love that!!
Today’s #BlackJoy moment is about finding joy in affirmations!! Here are a few affirmations to get you through the day, week, month, or year!!
As you take in these affirmations remember this: Be intentional…Embrace the statements…Breathe in and Breathe out!
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde
The above words from Lorde are true gospel!! In this day and age, Joy and Peace are hot commodities. With so much happening in the world ranging from school shootings to angry Karens to navigating post-pandemic life to systemic racism and trauma finding joy and peace is imperative. As a Black woman, I am constantly figuring out ways to stay grounded and sane. Everyday that I wake up I count it as a blessing and ask myself what’s on today’s agenda for obtaining joy and peace. Now let me also say, there are moments when my emotions are all over the map and that’s ok, but through it all I still find a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Today’s #BlackJoy moment is about radical self-care and protecting your peace!! In my almost 42 years on this earth, I have come to learn that it is perfectly fine to give myself permission to sleep in, take a nap, enjoy a long hot bath with five pounds of Lavender Epsom salts, and unplug from technology and social media.
Protect and Cultivate!! Be at peace with the choices you make, because you always have the final say when it comes to your mental and physical well-being. And just in case you need a little reminder see the image below:
As you marinate on the above thoughts check out this powerful message from Nina Simone on “That Blackness!”
And when we put it all together here are some tools to help cultivate Black joy and protect your peace:
Breathing and Meditation: Breathing is a natural process that we do every single day, without paying much attention to it. However, breathing is also a powerful tool to calm the mind and body and enhance your well-being. Intentional (or mindful) breathing is a great technique that you can practice anywhere, works for all ages or fitness levels, and an extra bonus no fancy or expensive equipment is required.
Journaling: Putting down your thoughts whether digitally or pen and paper is a great way to release. It can reduce stress, encourage space to release negative thoughts, figure out your next step, and create paths of self-discovery. If you are looking for some great journal prompts or books to get you started in your journey, check these out: Diary of a Journal Planner, Tabitha Brown’s Seen Loved and Heard, and Black and Resilient .
Yoga:
Community Self-Care: Individual self-care is great, but it’s nothing like having a community of people who can serve as accountability partners or physical reminders to make sure you cultivate and protect. Nothing like getting a motivational text, an inspiring phone call, or an in-person visit from someone who cares about you.
Creativity as a wellness practice: Celebrate the arts. This can mean taking yourself to a movie, play, museum exhibition, or concert. Tap into your inner Basquiat and gather some friends and do a paint and sip. Or if you really want to get physical take an African Dance class!
Therapy: For years there was a stigma that Black don’t do therapy, just pray about it, grow a thicker skin, you should be grateful many people have less, or that we should just get over it…But I must say these thoughts are becoming less of the norm. Therapy is the IN Thing!! Seeing a therapist for Black folks plays an important role in coping with and healing from racial stress, trauma, and PTSD; and how to manage common mental health concerns such as depression, grief, anxiety, ADHD, relationship issues, stress, and so much more. Looking for a therapists near you, check these out: Black Therapists Rock , Black Therapist List , and Ayana Therapy .
Black Future Feminist 