Show Up in Ways That You Can
I’m having conversations with clients, both white and Black, who are expressing the sense that their struggles, their very human experiences, are not relevant in this moment because this moment is so significant.
INHALE
I am not arguing or disputing the significance of now. This is a long-overdue moment of racial reckoning.
A country coming together in the middle of a pandemic to loudly express that Black lives matter.
The civil rights movement of our lifetimes.
Happening. Right. Now.
EXHALE
Your voice, your participation, your presence in this moment is important. But in order to have a voice, a presence, you must first take care of yourself.
And I’m not talking about glamorous self-care.
I am talking about boring self-care: Eating. Enough. Satisfying food. Energizing food. Soothing food. Sleeping. Moving, if you’re able or desiring to. Taking medication. Attending to your mental health needs. Taking a stand, or saving your energy so you can do so at a later date.
All of us are needed in this moment, and this moment is not the end of the effort that will be required for anti-racism efforts. Anti-racism efforts are not a trend.
Trends go out of style. This cannot.
Show up in the ways that you can.
But know that prioritizing your mental health, your healing, your recovery, right now, whatever that looks like, will make it possible for you to stay in this effort.
There is no shame in having need.
Not right now.
Not ever.
I see you.
