Black Girl Magic Begins With A Little Self-Care

For many black women who struggle with mental health, taking care of themselves is still a political act and a matter of radical self-preservation. As black women, finding ways to take care of ourselves when we’re usually taking care and putting others before us doesn’t feel very realistic. So without giving our body, our mind and ourself a break, and taking care of us, we can’t possibly be successful. Sis, it’s time for you to get your life. In the 60s and 70s, Audre Lord created the term self-care to encourage black women to care for themselves.

The way self-care is being used now, everyone on social media is using a hashtag about self-care to sell all types of things from throw pillows to candles under the aspect of treating yourself. For example this is one that I always see “You can do it all, #BlackGirlMagic." The concept behind Black Girl Magic is to celebrate the beauty, power and resilience of Black women. Black women may be magical, but we’re not invincible. And while #selfcare is trending, putting those hashtags into practice on a consistent basis is a different struggle that we are facing.

Evaluate Your Current Level Of Self-Care

Are you drinking enough water, eating healthier foods, exercising regularly? How do you handle stress? Do you freely express all of your feelings or do you suppress them? Have you identified the people in your life who make your problems worse versus the people who listen to you without judgement? Sis I don’t know about you, but I find myself asking those questions a lot.

Make Time To Exercise

Everyone knows the physical benefits that come with working out, like better physiques. I’m not saying you have to be in the gym all day everyday there plenty of ways for you to work out. Incorporating just 30 minutes of exercise each day can make all the difference in not just your physical health, but your mental health. Including mood improvement, stress reduction, better sleep, and a happier spirit. #workout

Rewarding Yourself With Desires Is More Than Just Treating Yourself

Good self-care is typically a little more difficult and less glamorous than treating yourself. Sometimes you do need to set goals with rewards that you want and desire. Something that I usually reward myself with is scheduling myself a massage or maybe a mani and pedi. #treatyoself

It’s Okay To Say The Word No

C’mon sis, do you really think you can please everyone? "Yes" and "No"are two very strong words. But you must know that saying "no" can mean you are the captain of your own ship. Also saying no will help you feel more confident and in control of your life. #sayno

Incorporate Healthy Habits (Most Of The Time)

I used to always eat on-the-go, have something delivered or dine out. If you are anything like me, it is time to pay attention to what type of fuel you are giving your body to nourish your insides and satisfy your tastebuds. Eat on-the-go less and cook a litte more than you usually do. If you don’t love to cook or don’t want to cook everyday, you can meal prep your food at the beginning of the week. #mealprep

Flex Your Creative Muscles

The benefits of regularly engaging in a creative activity can help make you a better problem solver, expand your sense of time, improve your self-awareness and reduce your urge to buy compulsively. As long as you can be inspired or find something that inspires you, you can use it towards your art. We are creative in our everyday lives, creative abilities is to have the skill and the talent to use your imagination to create and solve. #creativemuscles

Compare Yourself Less And Compliment Yourself More

A lot of the time you find yourself comparing yourself to other successful women more than you compliment yourself. Part of self-care is understanding your own patterns of behavior and trying not to do things that will feed into negative patterns. This will make a world of difference for your spirit in the long run because above all things you need to protect your energy. #complimentyoself

Be Still And Schedule Some Me Time

Start by taking some time each day to pause. Keep your phone in your bag. Stop scrolling through social media for some time, so that you can connect with yourself. You need to find an activity that will promote inner peace and calm, that allow you to unwind and relieve stress and get in touch with your needs. Worship and pray in alignment with your spiritual practice that fortifies you. Or take some time to meditate.

A woman loves deeply regardless of the love she gets back in return and it is both her biggest strength and weakness. Sis, let’s love ourselves just as much as all the love we put out for everyone else.