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#WednesdayWisdom

"The real essence of self-care is that it's not just what you do, it's what you don't do." —Latham Thomas

Morning Musings

Last week, after writing about my , I attended a candlelight yoga class at my gym. I've tried a variety of yoga classes throughout my lifetime, but restorative yoga is by far my favorite.

Because, for me, yoga is more spiritual than athletic. It's about being centered and grounded in my practice, not contorting my body or doing headstands (although if you can do that, more power to you).

At the start of the practice, the instructor (a WOC, mind you, which I've found to be a rarity on the North Side of Chicago), asked me my name as it was my first time in this particular class and how my body was feeling.

I was a bit surprised by the latter question as I don't think anyone besides a health care professional had ever asked me that before. Out of pure habit, I started to say "fine," but paused and confessed, "Stressed. My body feels stressed."

Even admitting it aloud felt like a relief, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. When I finally stopped powering through my to-do list long enough to listen to my body, it told me everything it needed: water, movement, fresh greens, fruit, sleep, etc.

There's an '80s song called "Listen to Your Heart." But when's the last time you stopped and listened to your body and what it needs? What it craves and what it desires? Or are you stuck on auto-pilot? Simply going through the motions?

This week, I challenge you to listen to your heart, your body and your soul. 

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

If you know me, then you know I love Black women. But, I haven't always had a close group of Black girlfriends. Well, all that changed last summer during a life-changing trip to Phoenix. I wrote all bout my love of the Sister Circle in my latest for HelloGiggles.

Links I Love

1. How to regain confidence after leaving that toxic hellhole you called a job

2. How to practice physical, mental and emotional self-care

3. Eloquent Rage: How Brittney Cooper created a Black feminist manifesto

My Latest Obsession

When one of my girlfriends and my sister-in-law both gifted me Gabrielle Union's We're Going to Need More Wine, I knew I had to check out the memoir from my birthday twin (#ScorpioSeason in the best season). From the very first chapter, I immediately connected to Gabrielle's internalized self-hate from growing up in a mostly White town and attending mostly White schools and the pressure that comes with being a darker hued Black girl in a world that idolizes our light-skinned sisters. Now, if anyone needs me I'll be taking a bubble bath while drinking wine and finishing this laugh-out-loud read.

Now Hiring

1. Media Relations Manager for the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

2. Assistant Fitness Editor for PopSugar

3. Head of Communications at Zapier

4. Digital Content & Communications Specialist at United Way Metropolitan Chicago

5. Entertainment News Editor at Teen Vogue

6. Director of Individual Giving at OneGoal

7. Public Relations Manager for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

8. Part-Time Youth Workshop Facilitator for Polished Pebbles Mentoring Program

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Well, that's all folks. I hope you enjoyed this edition of LT in the City Weekly! Be sure to follow me on the Interwebs using the buttons below or simply click "reply" to tell me what you think. Thanks a bunches!