Relentless Self-care for Womxn of Color
By Haneen Ahmad
Let’s face it. Most of us are not truly practicing self-care in the ways we should. We find it difficult to get adequate rest, we make convenient instead of healthy food choices, and we are always going, going, going.
The importance of self-care among womxn of color cannot be stressed enough. I don’t know about you but I wasn’t taught self-care growing up. I was taught you work hard, and when you are near a breaking point the answer is pushing through. Never rest, always resilience… and while there are lessons to be learned and skills to be taken from that, there’s also a void of the importance to rest, recharge, and re-energize.
Society has been stacked against us. With the depth of the level of work we are doing today, fighting for equality and our place in the workforce, to the way media is portraying WOC, to fighting patriarchy… all that shit is exhausting. In addition, we have had traumatic and toxic experiences. We need to take impeccable care of ourselves in the process of all this. Relentless self-care.
I call upon you and challenge you to intentionally meet the needs of yourself socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. This is what I mean by relentless self-care
It’s time to start tuning into yourself and paying attention to what lights you up. I am not here to give you some BS list revolving around face masks, bubble baths, and sipping wine. How do you want to practice self-care? Unapologetically? In restorative or affirming ways? Let’s dive deep into a variety of options we have…
Refreshing Ways to Practice Self-care
Affirming: Write a love letter to yourself, listen to a guided meditation, participate in a self-love challenge
Creative: Painting workshop, creating something with your hands, writing
Invigorating: Sunrise hike, boxing, late night out dancing
Inspiring: Kick back and listen to a good audible, take a class, learn a new skill/hobby
Luxurious: Make a splurge purchase, wellness retreat, spa day
Restorative: Yoga nidra, journaling, social media detox
Simple: New notebook, flowers, paint your nails at home
Unapologetic: Quit your toxic job, fill your own cup before helping others, simply don’t apologize, release guilt you may carry
I encourage you to further explore the things you can cut out of your life as a form of self-care. How can you set up healthier boundaries? Booting toxic relationships whether it be a family member, friend, coworker, or framily. Detoxing from social media and news. Put a halt to purchasing less than affirming beauty products, clothing, and materialistic things. Define what self -care truly means for you and apply it.
If we look at the history of self-care, it comes from radical roots, activism and institutional shortcomings. Communities of color, womxn, and the LGBTQ communities. After all Audre Lorde said: “Caring for myself…is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” And she is right. Let’s make the time for self-preservation, and support other women in doing the same. Let’s be there for each other. Help each other feel less alone.
For centuries society has failed to take care of us, it’s time we take care of ourselves as womxn of color. It’s time to stop holding our tongues and holding ourselves back. We need to start treating ourselves like the sacred human beings that we are. Maya Angelou has said, “When you know better, you do better.” Well now you know loves and I want to hear from you!
Clearing.
Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world
so worth of rescue.
-Martha Postlewaite
Unapologetically,
Haneen
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Read more: Caring for yourself through consumption & intuitive eating
OMG, I love doing a lot of the things you mentioned already! They really do get you to a better place even if it may just be for a moment. I’ve learned to make it a priority to workout, write, and do fun activities like painting by myself. I think it helps me grow a deeper connection with my inner self.
Self-care is so important and it’s also usually taken for granted by many people. Thanks for this post for reminding everyone to prioritize time for one’s self!
Loving all these ways, words and categories! Thank you for the ideas.
Great suggestions here. Thanks
As a WOC, I’ve had to learn the hard way the importance of self care. Thank you for sharing these tips on how to practice self-care. It’s a reminder many of us need to hear <3
Nice post. Of course self-care is important regardless of race, sexual orientation, etc. If we all took care of ourselves, medical care would sure be a lot cheaper.
I wholeheartedly agree! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to read and comment
This is brilliant, I’m all about self-care. Self care is extremely important and must be part of your daily routine
I love this! I really need to start working on more of this!
I think all women need to be aware of self-care, not just women of colour. Thanks for an informative post.
Absolutely agree with you! 🙂
This post is not saying non-people of color shouldn’t be aware. Please read the last two paragraphs to understand the overall point.
Such great pieces of advice you offer here! I practice self-care regularly, and I have noticed a great change in my life as a result!
Self-care is so important! Yoga, journaling and nature are my go tos.
I love all of these tips and insights for self-care, which reminds me, I need to book a massage! 🙂
Wow! This is such an inspiring post. I just it. Self-care is the best thing we can do to ourselves. And it is really important. Writing letter to self is definitely a great idea.
Thank you so much for this list, I’m still working on the no apologizing part.
Interesting spin on a common topic. Certainly, women of color are have a different life experience than others, but self-care is universal and important for everyone. Does it further the divide to look at it this way or remind us to embrace our challenges…I don’t know, just a curious question. But couldn’t agree more on the importance of self-care. It’s absolutely something I need to be better at.
These are such wonderful tips! I love the idea of writing a love letter to yourself – what a great way to advance self-confidence <3
What a great post! Thank you so much for touching on creating boundaries for yourself as a form of self-care! Every time I run across a self-care post, it gives you something to do to fix it for the moment but never on how to continue caring for yourself by setting up those boundaries for long-term self-preservation.
I was taught to work hard and push through it also. i was never taught to engage in self care either. But, it is so necessary. Women of color undergo more stress than any other demographic..
Love this!! Thanks for sharing.
I think every adult should read this, self care is so important in life and many of us failed to realize that. Thank you for sharing. Happy HOLIDAYS!!!!
What a wonderful post full of insights and inspiration! I so needed this push in the right direction. Thanks so much for sharing.
Love this post, Haneen! Especially the part about being unapologetic–truly resonated with me.
lovin’ this list! nothing is more powerful than a social media cleanse!! always helps me practice my present-focused awareness.