Words Of Advice To A Young Black Woman

Everything’s Going To Be Aiight!

These are the things that I wish I’d been told when I was 18, the kind of advice that would have resonated with me at that age. I’m pretty sure women of other ethnicities and cultures can use this information but its particularly important for Black girls to hear all this.

1. Relax your shoulders and take a deep breath. You’d be surprised by how much tension you’re carrying in your shoulders right now without realizing it.
2. Its okay to rest. Napping is a pretty good idea too. You don’t want overindulge but resting is a good thing. Listen to your body. It will tell you when its time to sit down and take a break.
3. Its okay to cry, to be soft, to be vulnerable, to be fragile. Allowing yourself to feel fragile is simply another form of rest. (It’s okay even if you only do it when you’re alone.)
4. Your strength is not defined by how much abuse you can take and you do not have to prove how strong you are to anyone.
5. Love is not supposed to be a struggle or a competition. It’s supposed to be a partnership. Its supposed to compliment your life and make your life better. “God counts the tears of women”, and you should count yours. If, in your relationships, you find that you’re crying more often than you’re loving…