Earlier this week I was scrolling through Facebook and came across a video of Lena Waithe’s acceptance speech at Black Girls Rock. I, of course, stopped to watch it and over the next 2 minutes got my entire life.
She told a story of how she finally felt free enough to cut off her locs. You see, she’d held onto them because her hair represented femininity. Not only that, she knew other people were more comfortable with who she was (most specifically a black, gay woman) with that touch of femininity.
She’s now in a place where she doesn’t care what other people think and realizes it’s not her job to make sure others are comfortable with her truth.
Her hair was holding her captive and now she was finally free.
I’ve shared many times that being raised by immigrant parents that had high expectations of their children held me captive in a miserable job.
I stayed for much longer than I wanted because it made others feel comfortable. I sacrificed my joy.
Until I made the decision to get free.
So… what is holding you captive?
It is a relationship?
Is it a false narrative that is silently on repeat in your own mind.
“I can’t do this because I’m too ______.”
Are you holding yourself captive simply because you won’t make the time to do the things you enjoy?
That’s self-sabotaging. It’s time to get free.
In case you missed it, you can find the full video HERE.
September is National Self Care Awareness Month. But, we shouldn’t need a reminder that putting our own health and well-being is a necessity.
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
– Audre Lorde
When are you going to decide to get free?
— N.