1 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, a weekly 2 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:19,320 Speaker 1: conversation about mental health, personal development, and all the small 3 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: decisions we can make to become the best possible versions 4 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:26,600 Speaker 1: of ourselves. I'm your host, doctor Joy hard and Bradford, 5 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information or 6 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: to find a therapist in your area, visit our website 7 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 1: at Therapy for Blackgirls dot com. While I hope you 8 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 1: love listening to and learning from the podcast, it is 9 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: not meant to be a substitute for a relationship with 10 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: a licensed mental health professional. Hey, y'all, thanks so much 11 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: for joining me for session four forty eight of the 12 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 1: Therapy for Black Girls Podcast. We'll get right into our 13 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: conversation after word from our sponsors. If you're listening to this, 14 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,759 Speaker 1: it means that we are almost a month into twenty 15 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: twenty six. Time really flies, doesn't it. I hope you've 16 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 1: enjoyed our January Jumpstart series so far, and that you've 17 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 1: been able to step into the new year with needs 18 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: and intention. To wrap up this series, I'm excited to 19 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: share a few conversations that I've had with amazing women. 20 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:39,040 Speaker 1: Today we're talking about identity. You'll hear from Nina Westbrook 21 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 1: and Oludhara Adio on what it looks like to ask 22 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: yourself who am I really and begin to search for 23 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: the answers. If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, 24 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: please share with us on social media using the hashtag 25 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: TVG in session or join us over in our patreons 26 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: talk more about the episode. You can join us at 27 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: Community not Therapy for Blackgirls dot com. Let's dive in. 28 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 1: When the work you do is close to the heart, 29 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 1: how do you protect it? Knowing when it's a quiet 30 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: you professional instincts and let your personal self take the 31 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: lead isn't always easy. I spoke with therapists and wellness 32 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: advocate Nina Westbrook about what drew her to the field, 33 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: and she shared why setting boundaries is essential when your 34 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: work is deeply human centered. Her reflections are a reminder 35 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 1: that it's okay not to be everything to everyone and 36 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: that caring for others starts with making sure your own 37 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: cup isn't empty. So tell us what actually inspired you 38 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:41,360 Speaker 1: to become a therapist? 39 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 2: Ooh oh man, Okay, So I feel like a lot 40 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 2: of our stories are quite similar. I feel like being. 41 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 3: A therapist is more about who I am and the 42 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 3: purpose I sort of serve, oftentimes in my own community. 43 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:02,239 Speaker 3: I grew up with three brothers and my parents were divorced, 44 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 3: though they worked quite well together raising us, but I 45 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 3: always felt a sense of responsibility, and I always felt 46 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 3: like I was pretty good at managing life with three 47 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:20,239 Speaker 3: brothers and being mature and helping my friends navigate through 48 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 3: whatever they were going through. 49 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 4: In their lives. 50 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 3: And I kind of just became that sounding board for 51 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 3: a lot of people naturally. And so I thought I 52 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 3: wanted to be a writer, and I studied English in 53 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 3: undergrad at UCLA. 54 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 5: I quickly found out that was not my journey. 55 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 2: I stuck with it. 56 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 3: I finished, but I added clinical psychology to the fold, 57 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 3: and I learned that this is what I really enjoyed. 58 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 2: I knew when I was in school and class and 59 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: I loved my professors. 60 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 3: I loved going It didn't feel hard, it didn't feel 61 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 3: like school, just felt like right. So that's when I 62 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 3: made the full shift and really pursued my licensure. And 63 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 3: now I get to do what I love every day. 64 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 2: It's great. 65 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: So you mentioned that so much of it is who 66 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: you became as a therapist kind of who you are 67 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: as a person. And I am sure that that has 68 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: led to some having to set some boundaries around like, yes, 69 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,119 Speaker 1: I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist, especially maybe 70 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: in family or with friends. How have you resisted the 71 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: pool to kind of be the strong one or like 72 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 1: the guide in the circles that you find yourself? 73 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 2: You know what the boundary had to come from me. 74 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 3: I had to set my own boundary for myself not 75 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 3: to insert myself into other people's problems or other people's 76 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:51,719 Speaker 3: challenges when I wasn't asked. I think it's hard sometimes 77 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 3: to sit back and watch people navigate different relationships or 78 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 3: challenges and kind of feel like you have something of 79 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 3: value to add or some wisdom to share, but know 80 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 3: that you weren't asked, and so you should probably just 81 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 3: sit and relax and be a sounding. 82 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 5: Board or whatever it is that person would need you 83 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 5: to be in that moment. 84 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 3: So for me, it's more about like taking that, turning 85 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 3: that off, because like I said, I'm naturally I'm a 86 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 3: problem solver and I like to just take things head on, 87 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 3: and a lot of that kind of came from I 88 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 3: think my background in sports. Also, I used to be 89 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 3: a basketball player, and at the collegiate level, I think 90 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 3: solving problems and putting a lot of effort and just 91 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 3: focusing on what to do to get to where we 92 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 3: wanted to be rather than focusing on the thing that's 93 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 3: keeping us from getting where. 94 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,160 Speaker 4: We want to be are reaching our goals. 95 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 5: I think that has been the biggest thing for me. 96 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 3: I actually love diving really deep into conversation and I 97 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 3: love when people feel safe enough to open up with me. 98 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 3: I just came from a coffee this morning where we 99 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 3: were having a pretty deep conversation and it was with 100 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 3: someone completely new that I just had coffee with for 101 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 3: the first time, and we got right on in there. 102 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 2: And I prefer that. 103 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:21,559 Speaker 3: I prefer to just have meaningful and pactful conversations because 104 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 3: life is like fast, everything's moving so fast, we don't 105 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 3: have a lot of time. 106 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,720 Speaker 2: So I'm all for it. Let's get into it. 107 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 1: So have you found that setting the boundary of like 108 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 1: not offering unsolicited advice and feedback has led to people 109 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: asking you for it more or left. 110 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,720 Speaker 3: The only people I would give unsolicited advice to were 111 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 3: my husband, my mom my kids. Like I tend to 112 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 3: have decent boundaries around telling other people what I think 113 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 3: that are not in my home. 114 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 5: So. 115 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 3: I feel like it was more so let me not 116 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 3: come off as the no with all mom who is 117 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 3: constantly trying to I had to learn to let my 118 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 3: children or let other people experience things for themselves because 119 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 3: I can't tell them everything right. 120 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 2: There has to be some trial and error. So for me, 121 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 2: it was more. 122 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 3: About when to intervene and when to say something or 123 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 3: speak up versus when to let the natural consequences take place. 124 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: More from our conversation after the break, when I listened 125 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: to Nina's reflections on the lesson She's learned the hard way, 126 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 1: one thing becomes clear. Boundaries didn't just help her survive 127 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: a demanding season of life. They helped her step further 128 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: into herself. Motherhood brought clarity, but it also revealed parts 129 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: of herself she hadn't fully embraced before. Here's Nina, and 130 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: she speaks honestly about what else motherhood introduced her to 131 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: and how those this reshaped the way she shows up 132 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: for herself and others. I want to hear you talk 133 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 1: more about it is like, what other parts of yourself 134 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: do you feel like you were introduced to as a 135 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: result of motherhood. 136 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 2: Oh Man, more boundaries. 137 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 3: There's a conversation around boundaries that is happening right now 138 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 3: that I actually really like this discussion between boundaries and 139 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 3: rules and a lot of people misunderstanding and misinterpreting what 140 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 3: a boundary actually is. And so I'm not talking about rules. 141 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 3: I'm talking about boundaries, and I just want. 142 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 2: To be clear about that. 143 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 3: But I think that I became a person who was 144 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:44,319 Speaker 3: willing to just say no and not care as much. 145 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 3: So a lot of that people pleasing nature that some 146 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 3: of us carry around in our youth that completely melted 147 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 3: away for me, and I became someone who. 148 00:08:57,920 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 2: Was confident in my nose. 149 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 3: I've actually been complimented many times about the kindness and 150 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:12,959 Speaker 3: the compassion and the way that I'm able to say 151 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 3: no and make it sound like a yes, but it's 152 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 3: a no, like very gently, very nicely, but very firm 153 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 3: and clear at the same time. 154 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 2: And I really that, I really that makes me. 155 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 3: Really happy, because it's a big thing for me who 156 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 3: someone who wants to always be on and taking care 157 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 3: and supporting. So learning to say no and do it 158 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 3: in a way that makes me feel feel good about 159 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 3: myself has been a journey for me. 160 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:48,239 Speaker 1: Yeah. So you're talking about this very effortlessly and beautifully, 161 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: but I'm sure it was not an easy process. And 162 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:53,199 Speaker 1: I know people listening are like, oh my god, teach 163 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: me how, Nina. So what do you feel like led 164 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: to the path for you to actually get to this 165 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 1: place where you're able to say no in very gentle way? 166 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 3: Oh? 167 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 2: Man, I feel like I've lived a lot of life. 168 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 3: I just turned thirty seven, and I feel like I've 169 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,680 Speaker 3: lived so much life already, and I've just been through 170 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 3: a lot of experiences where I wasn't quite putting my 171 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 3: needs first or putting my feelings first. 172 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:20,439 Speaker 2: And I learned the. 173 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 3: Hard way that if I wasn't going to do that, 174 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 3: then no one else would. And so I just learned 175 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 3: to speak up for myself more. And I learned that 176 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 3: I do have a tendency to build up and grow 177 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 3: resentment if I do things that I don't want to do, 178 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 3: and I don't want to have that. 179 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 5: I want to be free spirited, I want to be happy. 180 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 2: I want to feel light. 181 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 3: I don't want to carry so much because life is 182 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 3: moving quickly. Like I said, I have three kids, two 183 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 3: seven year old and one eight year old. 184 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 2: We're running around and. 185 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,560 Speaker 3: Day to day doing all the activities. I'm keeping up 186 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,160 Speaker 3: with my work, I'm trying to keep up with my marriage. 187 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 3: I don't have time for extra weight on me at 188 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,199 Speaker 3: this phase in my life. So I had to learn 189 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 3: how to release that, and I had to learn the 190 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 3: hard way, through lots of tears and trial and error. 191 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 3: And I think that having my children gave me the 192 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 3: confidence to really put things in perspective, because I felt 193 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 3: like it ordered for me to be the best that 194 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 3: I can and have the most amount of patients with 195 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 3: my own children, and have the most amount of patience 196 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:30,640 Speaker 3: in my relationships with. 197 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 2: My friends and my family. 198 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:37,080 Speaker 3: I had to be emotionally well and I had to 199 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:41,720 Speaker 3: be light. And so I feel like it's a decision 200 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 3: making trade. If doing something is going to make drain 201 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,440 Speaker 3: me and to the point where I'm not able to 202 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 3: take care of myself, if I'm not able to prioritize 203 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 3: the things that I want to prioritize, then I can 204 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 3: easily say now and feel good about it. But it 205 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:03,479 Speaker 3: definitely took me some years and a lot of stress 206 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 3: and resentment and kind of just feeling sorry or sad 207 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 3: for myself and probably some regrets that led me to 208 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 3: want to really consider each choice that I was making 209 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 3: and making sure I was doing it for me and 210 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 3: that it wasn't going to be something that I was 211 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 3: going to regret later. In any way, I try to 212 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 3: really say true to my little decision making tree. 213 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 1: I feel like so many people have the same story 214 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: of like not knowing until we both buy his right, 215 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: Like I had to learn the hard way. If there 216 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 1: is a way for you to maybe share some wisdom 217 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: with our listeners so that they don't have to learn 218 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: the hard way about how to prioritize themselves and set 219 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 1: better boundaries, what would you share, you know what? 220 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 3: Like you doctor Joy, I think what I'm trying to 221 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 3: do is share all of my speriences through my different 222 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 3: platforms and the knowledge that I have. And I think 223 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 3: that I had to suffer an injury and be immobile 224 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 3: and in excruciating pain for months on in before I 225 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 3: actually decided to prioritize my health because I was just going, 226 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 3: I was just doing too much, And it wasn't until 227 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 3: I realized once I was down and out, I was 228 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 3: down for the count that other people were stepping up. 229 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 3: I feel like the biggest lesson that I learned, and 230 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 3: all of that is the world's going to keep spinning 231 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 3: whether I am there or not, whether I am doing 232 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 3: drop off or pick up or not, whether I am 233 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 3: at a dinner party or not. 234 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 2: Like everything is going to keep going. 235 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:54,839 Speaker 5: I'm just a. 236 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:58,440 Speaker 2: Very tiny little part of the system. 237 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 3: And I think that what that taught me is that 238 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 3: I have to be the one to prioritize myself and 239 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 3: I have to be the one who's in charge of 240 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 3: my own happiness and taking charge and control over my 241 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 3: life and the way that I wanted it to look. 242 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 3: And I think it's hard for a lot of people 243 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 3: because we have so many responsibilities. And I think one 244 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 3: of the things that we all miss sometimes is how 245 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 3: implementing really small changes and really small things into our 246 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 3: days that are actually truly tangible, but just prioritizing them 247 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 3: and creating consistency. 248 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 5: In our health and wellness routine. 249 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 2: Taking a little bit. 250 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 3: Of time off for ourselves each morning, maybe by waking 251 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 3: up a little bit earlier and having some quiet time, 252 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 3: meditation time, not reaching for our phone the first thing 253 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 3: we do when you get at These are all small 254 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 3: ways we can take care of ourselves and just eating. 255 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 6: Meals proper meal at the proper time, and making sure 256 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 6: we're energizing our bodies and getting outside for a fresher 257 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 6: breatha or when we can. 258 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 3: I think that people overestimate what it looks like to 259 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 3: take care of yourself, and I think we can look 260 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 3: at social media and you see all these really extravagant 261 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 3: ways people are taking care of themselves, or these extravagant 262 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 3: ideas of self care. But really self care is in. 263 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 5: A small moments and the daily habits that we create. 264 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 3: And for anyone looking to improve in their mental health 265 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 3: and wellness or even physical wellness, I think just having 266 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 3: a steady routine and being. 267 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 4: Disciplined will take you a very long way. 268 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 2: It doesn't take a whole lot, just a little bit 269 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 2: of time and dedication. 270 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: It was so nice to hear Nita speak so transparently 271 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: about the lesson's motherhood taught her, especially the journey toward 272 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: honoring her own needs and setting boundaries with compassion. I 273 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: think it's especially important to acknowledge that as we dig 274 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: into who we really are, will come across pieces of 275 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: ourselves that we once knew to be true but now 276 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:10,239 Speaker 1: are evolving and asking to be reimagined or at least revisited, 277 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: and though that expansion of identity lends to growth, it 278 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: is totally normal to experience grief when you lay old 279 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: parts of yourself to rest. I spoke with therapis an 280 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 1: author Oludara Dio, who shared a thoughtful perspective on embracing 281 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 1: personal change while extending compassion to the virgins of yourself 282 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: that came before. You know, whether it is related to 283 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 1: online stuff or just in general. When we are thinking 284 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: about moving away from some identity that maybe has been 285 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 1: important and then you realize like, okay, this is not 286 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:41,360 Speaker 1: actually who I want to be anymore, or I actually 287 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 1: don't believe these things anymore, and now it's time for 288 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 1: a shift, there is still typically some grief and some 289 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 1: warning that happens with stepping away from one identity and 290 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: kind of moving into another one. Can you talk about 291 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: navigating that grief, because I think that feels different for 292 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: a lot of people. 293 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 4: You know, that is so real. A lot of what 294 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 4: happens in the grief I think also needs to be 295 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 4: there needs to be like forgiveness, less judgment, because you 296 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 4: don't know what you don't know, and we are allowed 297 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 4: to evolve and grow and change. And I think sometimes 298 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:18,159 Speaker 4: we're so out there on social media and we feel 299 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 4: like the world is watching everything we're doing. We're like, oh, 300 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,440 Speaker 4: we have to maintain who we are for other people. 301 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 4: And then again, that's you not being in touch with 302 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 4: your intuition. You're not tapped into yourself. You've pulled away 303 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 4: from your own source, which is yourself now that you're 304 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:38,120 Speaker 4: in a probably in a different space, and you're realizing, Okay, 305 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 4: this is not the person I want to be, this 306 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:42,919 Speaker 4: is not who I am anymore. You have to really 307 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 4: give yourself some grace even maybe forgive yourself be like, Okay, 308 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:48,119 Speaker 4: this is not who I am anymore, and I am 309 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 4: allowing yourself to just be different. I'm allowed to be 310 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 4: a different person than I was two days ago. You know, 311 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 4: I'm allowed to be someone else. I can always evolve 312 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:01,560 Speaker 4: and it's okay. And I think think that also allows 313 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 4: us to like give other people grace and give them 314 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 4: the grace to really just evolve. And I think sometimes 315 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 4: we're uncomfortable with wanting to grief because it can feel heavy, 316 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 4: it can feel hard, but it's something that is a 317 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 4: part of life. 318 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I think you know, we are just now 319 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:22,800 Speaker 1: starting to even have conversations around grief related to anything 320 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: that isn't death, right, Like even the idea of like 321 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 1: grief and loss related to like identity, Like, I feel 322 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:31,239 Speaker 1: like it's a very new conversation for people, right, and 323 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:34,959 Speaker 1: so we don't do well with grief conversations altogether. But 324 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 1: I think when we get into these like smaller or 325 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: maybe what isn't described as like your typical grief, then 326 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: I think that that is even more difficult for people. 327 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:45,680 Speaker 1: And so I think even being able to label something 328 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: and name it as a loss, I think it's still 329 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:52,639 Speaker 1: new for people. Like grief, times of transition require intentional 330 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 1: self care practices. When life shifts, our nervous systems often 331 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: need more support, not less, even if we don't always 332 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 1: realize it in the moment. Creating space to slow down 333 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 1: check in intent to yourself can help you move through 334 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:11,520 Speaker 1: change with more clarity and compassion. Seasons of transition aren't 335 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:16,080 Speaker 1: about fixing, but listening to your needs. Here's Olodaro sharing 336 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:18,640 Speaker 1: a few ways that she grounds and cares for herself 337 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:21,760 Speaker 1: in these moments. I know a lot of your work 338 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: is around like self care, specifically for black women, Right, 339 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: and you do a lot of promoting around like rituals 340 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,200 Speaker 1: and kind of daily practices. What are some of the 341 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: daily practices and maybe small things that people can maybe 342 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,520 Speaker 1: don't even consider that you think they could think about 343 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 1: to add to their daily practices. 344 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 4: Yes, what is your sleep routine? I think sleep is very, 345 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,919 Speaker 4: very important, and I think sometimes we may neglect it. 346 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 4: So I definitely absolutely encourage figuring out, Okay, am I 347 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 4: going to bed at the same time? If I'm not 348 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 4: going to bed at the same time, how can I 349 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,679 Speaker 4: work that to the better. I would also say, like 350 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 4: what is my che community? Like, Okay, what does that 351 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 4: look like? Do I not have friends? Do I need 352 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 4: to start that action of making more friends? Because you know, 353 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,880 Speaker 4: building community does take work. So and I also think 354 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 4: community helps with like self care because we need each other. 355 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 4: Really evaluating what does my community look like and how 356 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 4: do I want it to grow? Do I want to 357 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 4: pour more into the people in my life? And also 358 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 4: finding some enjoyment, like what brings me joy? It could 359 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:30,439 Speaker 4: be anything from watching your favorite TV show to go 360 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 4: into a concert to finding a new hobby. What's going 361 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:35,480 Speaker 4: to bring me joy? What's going to bring me joy? 362 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:37,920 Speaker 4: And how do I activate that how do I lean 363 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:38,719 Speaker 4: more into that? 364 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: So you've mentioned a couple of times how important like 365 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 1: being quiet and grounding, and it sounds like journaling is 366 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:46,919 Speaker 1: really important to you. I know that's something that a 367 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:49,160 Speaker 1: lot of your books have been about. Are there one 368 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 1: or two journal prompts that you can offer for somebody 369 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,200 Speaker 1: who maybe is in this stage of life or figuring 370 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 1: out like who I am, what's NIX, where's this journey 371 00:20:58,200 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 1: taking me? 372 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,680 Speaker 4: One I would encourage an affirmation of like I'm allowed 373 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:08,639 Speaker 4: to create the life that I love or I'm allowed 374 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:13,080 Speaker 4: to create a life on my own terms. And also 375 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 4: ask yourself, Okay, what do I want and really answer that, 376 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 4: not thinking about a parent, not thinking about a family 377 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 4: member or a friend or anyone really asks herself, what 378 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 4: do I want my life to look like? Write down 379 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,359 Speaker 4: what that looks like? Whatever it is, however big you 380 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,840 Speaker 4: may think it may be, or out of touch or 381 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:37,200 Speaker 4: out of reach, like, just write it down and go 382 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 4: from there. I think there's something powerful about seeing like 383 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:43,960 Speaker 4: what you want to accomplish, and then you can allow 384 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 4: yourself to really maybe begin to visualize and work towards 385 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 4: those goals. 386 00:21:48,840 --> 00:22:01,679 Speaker 1: More from our conversation after the break One of the 387 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 1: through lines of our January Jumpstart series this year was metamorphosis, 388 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 1: and as we embrace transformation, we also need to be 389 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,960 Speaker 1: intentional about what we want to protect and hold closely 390 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,880 Speaker 1: to us. I ask both of these women what they're 391 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 1: protecting more fiercely in twenty twenty six. Here's what Oludara 392 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:19,360 Speaker 1: had to say. 393 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:25,160 Speaker 4: I have been on a journey of trying to get 394 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:29,680 Speaker 4: back on a regular sleep schedule. I had fallen into 395 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:32,919 Speaker 4: burnout a couple of years, and now that I'm like, 396 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 4: I really feel like I'm really recovering from burnout. My 397 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:41,120 Speaker 4: sleep schedule has been really bad, but I'm like, I 398 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:43,520 Speaker 4: am going to figure that I'm going to be going 399 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 4: to bed before one am. 400 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 1: I love Olodara's answer. I think we could all use 401 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:50,400 Speaker 1: a little bit more protection of our sleep. I also 402 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: appreciated Nina's insightful response. 403 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 3: Ooh, protecting more fiercely. 404 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 2: I was in protective modes last year. 405 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:02,199 Speaker 3: I feel like and I was recently having a conversation 406 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:06,320 Speaker 3: with Debbie Brown on her podcast about the fact that 407 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:08,199 Speaker 3: I just feel free. 408 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 2: I feel like I don't need to protect so much. 409 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 3: I feel like I'm ready to be very open and 410 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:22,919 Speaker 3: I'm ready to explore and take on opportunities without fear 411 00:23:23,600 --> 00:23:32,960 Speaker 3: and without self doubt. I'm more open, less protective at 412 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,199 Speaker 3: this phase of my life. 413 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: As we wrap up today's conversation, I hope you're feeling 414 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 1: a little more permission to honor yourself at all stages. 415 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 1: Who you are, who you've been, and who you will 416 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:47,679 Speaker 1: grow to be. Identity is not a destination. It's a 417 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 1: process that evolves alongside our experiences, our relationships, and the 418 00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:55,720 Speaker 1: seasons of our lives. Throughout all of my conversations with 419 00:23:55,800 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 1: these women, one sentiment that continued to ring true was 420 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 1: the importance of me yourself with curiosity and compassion instead 421 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:06,479 Speaker 1: of judgment. Whether it was Nina reminding us of the 422 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:10,239 Speaker 1: power of setting boundaries or Oludara naming the grief that 423 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: can come with growth, each perspective affirm that transition doesn't 424 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: have to mean that you're lost. Transition means you're becoming, 425 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 1: and becoming requires patience, gentleness, and a willingness to listen 426 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 1: to yourself as you move through your own moments of reflection. 427 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:29,360 Speaker 1: I invite you to check in with yourself this week. 428 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 1: What parts of you are asking to be revisited, What 429 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 1: needs tending, rest or expression right now, and what does 430 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:41,719 Speaker 1: it look like to support yourself through that in a 431 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 1: healthy way. I'm so grateful to these women for their conversations. 432 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,280 Speaker 1: To learn more about them and their work, make sure 433 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,640 Speaker 1: to visit the show notes that Therapy from Blackgirls dot 434 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 1: com SA Session four forty eight, and don't forget to 435 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:57,120 Speaker 1: text this episode to two of your girls right now 436 00:24:57,160 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 1: and tell them to check it out. Did you know 437 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 1: that you could leave us a voicemail with your questions 438 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,880 Speaker 1: or suggestion for the podcast. If you want to suggest 439 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: movies or books for us to review, or have thoughts 440 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 1: about topics you'd like to hear, drop us a message 441 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:12,800 Speaker 1: at memo dot fm, slash Therapy for Black Girls and 442 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 1: let us know what's on your mind. You just might 443 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 1: feature it on the podcast. If you're looking for a 444 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,440 Speaker 1: therapists near area, visit our therapist directory at Therapy for 445 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 1: Blackgirls dot com slash directory. Don't forget to follow us 446 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:28,360 Speaker 1: on Instagram at Therapy for Black Girls. And if you're 447 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:31,440 Speaker 1: interested in more exclusive updates and behind the scenes content, 448 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:34,199 Speaker 1: come on over and join us in our Patreon. You 449 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: can join us at community dot Therapy for Blackgirls dot com. 450 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 1: This episode was produced by Alice Ellis, Indy Tubu, and 451 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: Tyrie Rush. Editing was done by Dennison Bradford. Thank y'all 452 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: so much for joining me again this week. I look 453 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: forward to continuing this conversation with you all real soon. 454 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:52,640 Speaker 1: Take good care,