When I was asked to write some encouraging words to Black women to provide some
sort of reconciliation due to the November election results, I was unsure of what to say.
However, I feel now is the perfect time to say less and do more. I could write words of
encouragement and mentally return us to a space of sadness, but I no longer wish to
trauma bond over circumstances out of our hands. It is now time to act in the best
interest of ourselves.
You all have heard the statistics of voter demographics, you’ve heard the social media
discourse, you may have even heard tarot readers and astrologers explain their fumbled
predictions. The reality is none of those things matter in this present moment. What
matters now is you, your loved ones, and the state of your mental, physical, and
financial wellbeing.
I’d like to invite you, if you haven’t already, to deeply reflect on what matters most to you
in your life. This past year in conjunction with the election taught me to become a
resource for myself. I no longer want to feel as if I am waiting on others to provide
anything for me. Given the anticipated downturn of the nation’s economy, the most vital
resource for our well-being now is and will always be dollars. Additionally, cultivating
strong physical health and balanced mental health will influence the stamina and will
power you need to attain the financial stability and abundance you require.
I have cultivated a short list of actions I am taking to ensure my mental, physical, and
financial health are at their best. All our situations are different, so I would like to remind
you to reflect on your personal situation and do so with deep and intentional
introspections:
1. Engage in some form of physical exercise daily – Physical activity, shown in
countless research studies, encourages mental and physical well-being. If you’re
new to exercise start with walking or yoga. Exercise doesn’t have to be difficult or
go on for hours. Thirty minutes per day is highly beneficial and recommended.
2. Learn About Investing – We all know that wealth is not accumulated by hourly
wages and 9 to 5 shifts. Learning about Roth IRA, S&P 500, Bitcoin, DOGE Coin
and apps for investing like CashApp, Acorns, and Robin Hood are key for
financial gains. If you would like to learn about money from a holistic (pertaining
to the whole of a thing and not just the part) space, I suggest the two books listed
below:
- Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche
- The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom by Paris Woods
3. Eat More Home Cooked Meals – Nothing will put a dent in your wallet like
dining out will. Everyone enjoys a meal that reduces their time in the kitchen. However, eating more meals at home will save money and have a better impact on your overall health. Food prepared at home contains less preservatives and additives than take out. Let’s keep it real, the thought of saving money in your wallet and reducing inches around your waistline is very demure.
4. Get Clear on Family Planning – It is no secret that there is constant talk around
contraceptives, pregnancy terminations, and a woman’s right to access them.
Get clear about if you want children or want more if you already have them. Talk
to your partner and consult with a physician you trust about your health and plans
to expand your family. For those of you who do not wish to have more children or
have children at all, maintain awareness of your options to prevent pregnancy in
safe and sustainable ways. I mean this with much love and respect, but now is
not the time to have PPM – Poor P*ssy Management!
5. Reduce (or conclude) time on social media – Never underestimate the
benefits of social media detoxes. Cleansing your timeline and ‘For You Page’ is
crucial but sometimes it is necessary to completely log off and limit yourself from
the constant pushing of information into your mental awareness. I have
completely removed myself from all social media platforms at the time. I
understand that is extreme, so I don’t encourage it for everyone. I plan to return
to social media in the new year to establish my online business but that is my
limitation. If you make money on social media, I commend you and will never
advise you to give that up unless it is for your own personal reasons. Just take
Beyonce’s advice to her protégé Chloe Bailey and “don’t scroll” as much.
If you are reading this then you are alive, well, and already in a position of leverage
because you are open to learning and receiving new information. Take it all in, breathe
deeply, and trust in your ability to be a resource of abundance, prosperity and good
health for yourself and those close to you if you choose. I will leave you with this quote
from an unknown source:
“You didn’t make it this far to only make it this far.”
Take good care.
-India Jordan
