Tears of Strength: It's Okay To Be Emotional, Black Women
Black women are naturally expected to handle things and emotions differently than other women. However, it is very much okay be emotional! Release those feelings, dust yourself off and grow from whatever it is so you can do better!
By: Tasha Hough
I know that as a black woman I'm supposed to just naturally handle things differently than other women. I'm supposed to be able to take on more for much less. I'm supposed to never show fear, sadness, or "weakness" as a black woman. I'm just supposed to take whatever the world gives me and just deal with it because I have "shit to do". The black woman has ALWAYS been looked down on (then copied), degraded, and was damn near born with a to-do list, but I can't cry? I guess that makes sense and I'm proud to have that "tougher than nails" mentality just naturally embedded in my DNA *rolls eyes*.
*SPOILER ALERT* BLACK WOMEN NEED TO CRY TOO.
(crying can be literally or figuratively ... just RELEASE is my point)
I think because of the image the world has placed on crying (and black people overall), people tend to think that black women aren't supposed to let it out.
My question is ... what am I holding on to it, whatever IT is, for?
Better yet, we aren't supposed to have ANY emotion and the ones we are "allowed" to have usually have a negative image associated with them. For instance, if a black woman doesn't like the bullshit placed on them at the moment, decides to speak up about it, she's coined as loud, arrogant, and boisterous forever. If a black woman happens to be upset for a moment even if she is usually in good spirits, suddenly she's the angry black woman. If a black woman is genuinely happy, she must be high, or drunk because there is absolutely NO possible way a black woman can be happy JUST BECAUSE. What is she happy about right? If a black woman cries because, well that's what most humans do, she's seen as weak. **rolls eyes even harder**
>> SEE ALSO: 13 Tips You Need To Know To Master Self Discipline
In my humble opinion, I think that the black community has to find a way to break away from the stereotype of what's considered "strong" and take their mental health a little more seriously. It takes more than just moving past things and getting to the shit we have to do. Yes, I have shit to do as well, but life is rough so sometimes a good ol ugly cry is exactly what is needed to PROPERLY move forward in life.
As a community, we have to find a way to let people know that it is very much so okay to be emotional. It is very much so okay to feel. We think having actual feelings and accepting those feelings is a bad thing. Accept however you feel, release those feelings, dust yourself off and grow from whatever it is so you can do better.
We love to shut down as well as run away from what's really going on with ourselves because we feel like we always have a task at hand. Make your next task YOU. Stop getting caught up in your drudgery routine of trying to handle it all, all at once, without even thinking about your well being; mind, body and soul. You can NOT pour from an empty glass. Take time to really clear your head somehow and get in the habit of unwinding (in a healthy ways) often.
Trust me, becoming a slave to your routine hurts you and your surroundings. In the end, it does no one any good. It is okay to take care of yourself and THEN get to the shit you have to do.
You got this.
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Self Care Tips: 3 Tips To Self Healing Emotionally
Self healing and dealing with your emotions is critical to your state of happiness! Here are 3 self care Tips To Self-Healing Emotionally!
By Alyssa Cole
1. Let Go of Your Fear Of Rejection
We are human and no we don't enjoy getting hurt feelings by people people we like, however, don't let your fear or rejection be the reason you don't take chances to express how you feel about someone. If it doesn't work out, you have to tell yourself everything happens for a reason and that better things are coming your way! Start letting go of fear!
SEE ALSO: Learning Lessons In Patience and Accountability
2. Stop Reminiscing
I'm guilty of this one myself! We all have that one person who we think about from time and time and then you find yourself in your feelings and you start to think what if, if we can work it out, and eventually we make things worse! As challenging as this one is, it's important to remind yourself that thinking about past good times can cause emotional distress. It can create mental stress and emotional stress without you even realizing it. Did you know that?! So let's focus on the present now and keep moving forward past the old times.
>> SEE ALSO: The Spectacle Of Self-Love: A Radical Approach To Self-Love And Appreciation
3. Failure Is The Key To Success
For some, failing has a huge impact on their pride and self-esteem, and that is not something you want to go through. Your self esteem is important daily and you want to keep it up as high as you can to avoid feeling sorry for yourself because this is what causes depression. Practice flipping failure into success by saying positive affirmations like this "I know I didn't do so good on that test but I'll study harder next time so I can do better." Doesn't that sound better than "I failed this test, I'm stupid." Yes, it sounds wayy better! Constantly flip your failures into success and you'll notice a major difference in your self confidence and self-esteem.
These 3 Tips will help you get that much closer to being where you want to be emotionally!
>> SEE ALSO: Mastering Forgiveness: Letting Go of Past Grudges
THIS ARTICLE IS RELATED TO: healing emotional wounds, emotional health, healing woman, emotionally strong woman, healthy woman, stress free life
