GIRLTREK’S STRESS PROTEST WAS JUST THE RADICAL ONLINE SELF-CARE I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED
As black women, we all struggle with actually practicing self-care. We’re usually so busy saving the world, we often forget to put our oxygen masks on first. I am a true testament to that. Lately I’ve realized, I sacrifice my wellness to please other people and that ain’t right!
So when I was invited to attend the Stress Protest online self-care workshop I had no choice but to say HELL YES! I mean, how could I turn down a full weekend of soul rejuvenation, outdoor relaxation and mindful moments? As great as that sounds, I have to be completely honest, my severe anxiety almost got in the way of some major breakthroughs. But then I pictured hundreds of Black women coming together to do things society says we can’t do, I just knew I had to be a part of this greatness!
This event was created to continue their legacy as the most inspiring health movement for Black women. “With nearly 100,000 neighborhood walkers, GirlTrek encourages women to use walking as a practical first step to inspire healthy living, families, and communities. As women organize walking teams, they mobilize community members to support monthly advocacy efforts and lead a civil rights-inspired health movement.”
It was a moment like no other I had ever experienced. I was introduced to women from all walks of life. From a courageous 60 year old woman who rides her motorcycle all over the state of Virginia to a woman who just lost her son to gun violence. This protest was overflowing with melanin women determined to take their power back and keep it!
Throughout the weekend, I got to attend some amazing virtual workshops and experiences. Here are highlights from some of my favorites.
Vogue Til You Love Yourself
This online workshop was all about giving yourself the same love you give everyone else. The key is to live your life unapologetically. My coach/instructor, Oludaré Bernard, hyped the class up with words of encouragement that I didn’t realize I needed.
Eat, Pray, Laugh: Managing Fear Through Meditation
First off, let me say that coach, Kat Niambi, had me deep sea diving in my feelings. But I needed it. I needed to release some things I had been holding on to. I had to let them go in order to make room for what God has in store for me. She gave me comfort and reassurance. She told me I have to let go of that fear and I can do so through prayer and manifestations.
Trap Yoga
Ya’ll know pretty girls love trap music! So when you combine oh so hood lyrics with the fluidity of yoga, you have a sure-fire time. As we went from mountain pose to tree pose, the music transitioned from Future to 6lack and I was living my best life! While our instructor Brandon challenged us to push ourselves, the dope melodies made it so much easier.
Transforming Through Conflict
While we all hate conflict, it’s something that’s inevitable. I learned some extremely helpful conflict resolution tools during this workshop. Coach Jay encouraged us to ”employ emotional intelligence and transformative mediation practices to unpack our relationship to interpersonal strife.”
Hip Hop Karaoke
It ain’t a function without us screaming some of our favorite songs at the top of our lungs.
Slow Down: Taking the time to Slow Down and Listen to Spirit
I recently read up on Akua Serwa Soadwa who has created an immersive mindfulness experience, intentionally designed to help us to SLOW DOWN. “We need to slow down so that we can deeply listen to ourselves. The kind of listening and understanding that unfolds inside of this space is deeply restorative and liberating.” She instructs us write down intentions and it proved how powerful it is to write it down and make it plain.
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