You don’t have to do it alone.
Dear Miss Overachieving Black Girl Reminder 3
Dear Miss Overachieving Black Girl,
You don’t have to do it alone. If you’re like me then when you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, you find yourself being more isolated. Cancelling plans. Declining social interactions.
“I just gotta grind and work this out on my own.”
Many of have created these patterns of behavior because they served us at one point or protected us or society taught us them.
The “strong Black woman” stereotype has taught us that we are “supernaturally” more resilient to handle stress, pain, trauma and so our white supremacist society uses this to put more and more weight on our shoulders while conditioning us to not crumble under the weight.
This is explained more thoughtfully in the following essay by Cailyn Petrona Stewart
The beautiful thing about growing and learning is recognizing these patterns and their roots and unlearning them, choosing instead new coping mechanisms. We can empower our communities and empower our sisters by listening to them, supporting them, and providing healing spaces instead of “you’re so strong” pats on the back.
I want to remind you today that you don’t have to do it alone. If you find yourself isolating and trying to tackle everything alone - ask yourself why - and know that it is ok to ask for help.
That’s why I’m so glad to see initiatives like this in Boston for Black women and our wellness so I wanted to share for my Boston sisters.
The Soulful Sister Collective is a NEW community and sisterhood, dedicated to the inclusion, appreciation and empowerment of Black Women, through curated wellness events and they are having their first event this upcoming weekend:
I love pilates, wellness, and sisterhood and so I am excited to spend a little time away from studying to be in community.
What is a way you can avoid being alone and be in community this week?