Dear Reader,
Hello! I hope you found moments of joy this week and stayed hydrated.
Listen...
We are in a moment that is asking more of us than usual. The ground is shifting in real time, and for many, the path forward is not as clear as it once was. This is not just about the economy or external change. It is about what happens internally when the life you built no longer fits the same way. And now you are being asked to recalibrate, again.
It’s easy to get lost in the devastation of our nation, but it’s just as easy to lose yourself in your own creativity and innovation if you’re not careful.
The truth is, you have started over again and again. From grade school to junior high, high school to college, and beyond. Life is a series of moments where we begin again.
Lately, I’ve been reading the devastating stories of women having to reinvent their lives in real time, often not by choice.
This is why She Moves Different was born from this moment.
As an entrepreneur, I have had to reinvent myself many times over the course of my career. From stylist to educator, to director of operations for a magazine, to director of education for a hair product distributor, to working with record labels and emerging artists, to becoming a coach, and beyond. My journey has been a roller coaster, but it has given me a vast range of experience and a deep understanding of the ebbs and flows of life.
From the recession to the global pandemic, and now this moment, we are still here. Still being asked to evolve. Still being asked to tap into our imagination and reinvent ourselves as life shifts.
This economy is challenging. I get it. It is not easy to navigate these waters, and often we look ahead and don’t know which direction to take. At the core of it, we just want to feel whole, to feel at peace, to experience joy without constantly having to brace ourselves.
But here we are again, being asked to adjust.
I want to be honest in this email. Not to overwhelm you, but because bypassing what is really happening is not helpful. This is not political as much as it is reality. We have been the glue holding so much together by our mere presence, and when that shifts, everything feels it.
So let’s look at the power in that.
Because we don’t just hold things together, we alchemize solutions. We create. We transform. And no matter what methods are used to try to suppress that, it does not leave you. Even when you don’t feel it, it is still there.
Now is the time to come back to yourself. To center your life around that power and center yourself within it.
The water may be choppy, but in the depths of the ocean is still. Moments like this require us to go deeper, to find that stillness and remain grounded.
If you are feeling challenged and need a way to reconnect, here are five ways to go within. Some may feel uncomfortable, but try them anyway.
- Meditation
I have been a student of meditation for decades and was introduced to transcendental meditation over twenty years ago. Even when it feels hard to focus, it helps you find your stillness, center your thoughts, and move beyond the noise.
- Journaling
Journaling is a game-changer. Whether you use a guided journal or a simple notebook, getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper helps release the emotional weight. If you are angry, write it out. If you are frustrated, write it out. Keep going until you feel clear.
- A bath
Not just a quick bath, but a moment of care. Salts, flowers, honey, candles, soft meditation music. Something that allows you to relax your body and nourish your spirit.
- Support your body
Ashwagandha and magnesium have been helpful for me. Together, they can support your nervous system and help you feel more grounded. (just a suggestion)
- Something light
When everything feels heavy, choose a simple movie. A comedy, a romance, something familiar. Not everything needs to be intense. My choice is an Eddie Murphy movie or a Hallmark romance. (and delete the ID channel)
There are many ways to center yourself. The point is to interrupt your routine and your thoughts long enough to create space for new ideas and a deeper understanding of yourself.
This is not a distraction. It is evolution.
I know you have responsibilities. I’m simply asking you to put yourself at the top of the list and prioritize your well-being.
If you want to take this deeper, I created a masterclass called The Messy Middle. It’s the space between where you are and the decision you know you need to make, whether that’s a new job, entrepreneurship, or ending something that no longer serves you.
This masterclass is my gift to you. It is not public and can only be accessed through this link. If you know someone who is in the middle of a major decision, please send it to them.
Have a beautiful weekend. And if you need help getting clear on your next move, hit reply, and we can talk about how I can support you.
P.S. My latest interview with Rhonda Joy McLean and Elaine Meryl Brown is now available on the Black Women Amplified podcast on all platforms.
With love,
Monica Wisdom