"I'm a go-getter and am passionate about providing quality education for students, and I'm now passionate about people living their best life on purpose. But with that comes a lot of pouring into other people and supporting them. Before Covid-19 shut us down, I was having a series of burnouts. I realized as a Black women, I am constantly overworking myself.
Currently, [finding Black joy] is having a schedule down to the hour and making sure it includes the things I want out of life. I do this practice with my clients when they analyze their schedule [and how, many times] none of the actionable items match the values or wants in their life. So now you have a misalignment of actions and a misalignment of values. Having a schedule of the items I want in the day and being purposeful about my unwinding time [is key]; I take my unwinding time seriously. Being intentional about my lunch, my breakfast, reaching for a new project, regarding people's time and my own — that's my foundational way of self-care at this point, is how I use my time. Devotionals in the morning so it can lead me throughout the day, and two hours of pouring into myself and reminding myself that I have what it takes to get through the day.
I [also take my lunch break and make the most of it], whether that's reading a book or watching a YouTube video, or working on something until it becomes something larger. In the evening, I reflect on the day, what worked for me and what didn't, and unwind. Music has been the catalyst to my unwinding because it literally transforms me. It's an immediate mood-lifter for me — I currently have a 'No Worries' playlist! I create playlists for the seasons in my life, and right now I'm in a 'no worries' season. It has everything from Lil Baby to Bob Marley and focuses on not worrying and being proud of yourself."
