Self Care Can Help Change Our State Of Mind
More women are verbalizing what many of us have thought over the years and, seriously, it is about time. Permitting ourselves to practice self-care is an amazing act. This has been on my mind lately as I observe how today’s women are proving enough is enough. We are permitting ourselves to take care of our state of mind.
The news has even drawn attention to this way of thinking. Taking time off to take care of yourself created quite a stir. There was a time when women just took whatever came their way. Even when it came down to giving up or not having a career outside the home, women often just dealt with it. From raising our children, often singlehandedly, to working around everyone else’s schedule. We learned to minimize what was important to us. We did not seriously consider how putting our state of mind last, would adversely affect our mojo. We were just expected to keep functioning.
It seems as though the children were watching and they are simply not having it. Honestly, I am so very proud of them. People today are simply not settling for simply functioning. This new mindset of practicing self-care is a rising trend among all ages and genders. Being unapologetically honest about our state of mind and how it is not up for sale is refreshing. In essence, many are actually living in their self-care. This is an act of self-love, I truly admire.
Often, we do not give forward-thinking people the credit they deserve. Boldly trying to do what was considered the “norm”, while sacrificing self-care, is simply not OK to do. Naomi Osaka tried in private to express her need for a little “time-out”. It seemed as though no one heard her. Traditional thought meant press conferences after a good match was expected — with no exceptions. When Naomi declared that it wasn’t going to happen, I could picture tennis balls suspended in midair. In a nutshell, Naomi simply said my state of mind is more important than a press conference. With all of the day's current events, she chose to take time for a little self-care. I admire her strength and appreciate Naomi not merely showing up to function when the inner burden was a bit much to bear.
In the past, the act of taking time for self-care is unheard of. Naomi decided that her mental health was more important than a traditional press conference. This celebrity decided that it was important to inform the world that she was human. I am quite proud of her as she continues to stand in her power and practice self-care.
I began to notice an unveiling of the truth early last year. Mrs. Obama mentioned on her podcast, how challenging it was for her as First Lady. She often had to pay attention to her mental state all while functioning in her role. Certainly, we understand how being a Wife, Mother, and First Lady had to be challenging. In the past, a woman in her position was expected to be flawless. The act of rising above criticism, warding off self-doubt and considering our mental health an afterthought has happened to many of us. We simply got used to functioning in place. Shocking? It really should not be. Celebrities are human too. Taking one’s mental health seriously is one of the sincerest forms of self-care.
As we navigate our lives post-pandemic, it appears that practicing self-care and recognizing the need to pause, is important. When I discuss this with my peer group, we recognize one well-known fact — we are late to the self-care party. We are here now. We understand our value and are ready for a change. It isn’t like we did not know about self-care. We are embracing this self-care practice and we are not apologizing. It is long overdue and quite empowering.
Araminta Ross, better known as Harriet Tubman, practiced self-care not just for herself but also for her people. Settling for being enslaved was not acceptable to her. We should all know her story by now. Fighting for freedom is an act of self-love. Fannie Lou Hammer told the world when she was sick and tired of being sick and tired. A believer in the equality of all people, Fannie Lou spoke out. There was no question about how much she was going to put up with. Each of us should know her story as well. These women permitted themselves to the practice of self-care. These women and many more set a great example of what self-care looks like.
As we begin to navigate our new reality, self-care and paying attention to our mental health are important. The current events of our time, the reality faced every day of people who look like me requires me to practice self-care with intention.
Thank you to those Shero’s who set the example of not just putting up with everything. I also want to acknowledge those who understand that it is ok to not be ok…and to say it.
Thank you for your presence, Naomi. Thank you for encouraging others to listen, and take charge of their existence. Thank you for bringing attention to the importance of intentionally practicing self-care…and how rewarding it can be.
Are you paying attention to your state of mind? Is self-care a daily practice?
Self-care is an act of self-love.
