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#WednesdayWisdom

"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." — Audre Lorde

Morning Musings

Last week, I felt like a little anxious ball, all tightly wound and whatnot. Then my friend Pam shared this cartoon on Twitter and I was like, yep. It me.

While I haven't been clinically diagnosed with anxiety (my therapist reminds me that my perfectionism is a form of anxiety), I have learned my tells over the years including, but not limited to: tightness in my chest, accelerated heart beat and shortness of breath.

Thankfully (also thanks to therapy), I've come up with some health coping mechanisms. So here's the step-by-step plan I used to stop anxiety in its track last week:

1. Put down the coffee. When your heart's beating a mile a minute, caffeine is not your friend.

2. Close the laptop. I was in the middle of work when I felt my panic rising with every email that landed in my inbox, so I shut it down.

3. Made a list. I wrote down every single thing that was giving me anxiety to get it out of my head and onto paper.

4. Open the Bible app. I realized I'd inadvertently skipped my morning routine, so I backtracked and listened to the day's devotional. 

5. Meditate. Next, I opened Insight Timer, found a meditation about anxiety and closed my eyes.

6. Listened to my friend's podcast, BLK IRL, while I made breakfast. It was nice to have a friendly and familiar voice in my ears. 

7. Had (virtual) lunch with Pam (it was the thing I was most looking forward to that day)!

8. Did yoga with my favorite instructor, Chelsea Jackson Roberts, at the end of the day.

Knowing what I needed to do to reset my day helped me take my power back, and you can do the same. Election Day is coming up, friends, and if you, like me, feel a lot of anxiety about it, I encourage you to be proactive and create a self-care plan so you're as prepared as you can be for either outcome.

Need some accountability? Hit "reply" and let me know how you plan to care for yourself and your well-being next week.

Need ideas? Take Shine App's Election Day self-care quiz. Read my friend Liza's meditation for Elemental. Or, if you're feeling fancy, you can join me for Gather: A Day of Refuge hosted by another of my favorite yoga instructors, Octavia Raheem.

Whatever you do, please take care of yourself. And remember rest is a form of resistance, and also required for the revolution. 

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

Per usual around these parts, it's been a busy week (month/year?). See below for a few highlights:

• My first byline for People.com features 10 creative dates that don't require leaving the couch!

• My first op/ed for Teach for America discusses the importance of arts education for Black students

• I was recently the guest editor for In Bold Company and had a blast with the founder, Kristina, on the podcast!

• I was also featured in writer Iman N. Milner's new series, Byline Baddies, highlighting Black women writers (use the promo code BinderBaddies for 15% off merch!)

• Last, but not least, earlier this week I chatted with The Muse CEO and founder Kathryn Minshew on Instagram Live. Check out our conversation here.

Links I Love

1. Nikki Giovanni: 'There's Nothing Greater on Earth Than Black Women' (ZORA)

2. Protecting Your Birth: A Guide for Black Mothers (New York Times)

3. Marsai Martin: In Full Bloom (Girls United)

My Latest Obsession

In case you didn't know, it's #ScorpioSZN and my birthday is tomorrow! So I'll be wearing this tee from Chic Shirt Shop until further notice.

Now Hiring

1. Digital Communications Coordinator for Chicago Foundation for Women

2. Associate Visuals Editor for Teen Vogue

3. Digital Associate for Time's Up

4. Adult Education Career Pathways Navigator for Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition 

5. Freelance Digital Content Coordinator for Sarah Lawrence College

6. Development Associate for Planned Parenthood Illinois

7. Lead Producer for City Cast

8. Editorial Assistant for One World

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