Roots & Hope
Soulful Reflections on Faith, Healing, and Young Adulting
Category: Self-Care
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I am committed to Stevie Wonder’s music like Stevie Wonder is committed to his braids. Growing up, I annoyed my Mama while singing along to every song on 92.3 and 105.9, songs like “Ribbon in the Sky”, “Do I Do”, and “Overjoyed”. To this day, I dream of marveling at his talent while he performs…
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I have almost never owned a pair of properly fitting jeans. I only remember one magic pair that I had from Beyoncé’s House of Deréon line (throwback!). Besides that memory, my jeans always make the laundry list of no-no’s. They’re either: Too long that they scrunch up around my ankles Too short that said ankles are…
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I am at a bonfire for young adults at my church. Minutes before, I drove down McNichols, speaking to God as if he were somehow chilling in the passenger seat with 80 degrees of sunshine pouring on his face. I pleaded that he would help me to conquer anxiety and be myself. I am sitting…
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I am learning how to accept that taking up space in the rooms that I enter can be nourishing and generous and okay. I am learning how to practice the balance between honoring my gift of listening and offering others my rumble of laughter with rambles of reflections about dreams, annoyances, and mundane things. And I…
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Anxiety is the older chatty woman who sits next to you on the plane. She didn’t check any baggage, or even bring a carry-on. She only carries an agenda with names. Anxiety talks over the flight attendant’s famous speech just to talk at you. She could care less about reminding you to first put…
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I first went to therapy on a short-term basis as a sophomore in college. Since February 2017, I have consistently been going to therapy to seek help with facing anxiety and depression. As Mental Health Month comes to a close, I am excited to share these 5 reasons why therapy is a blessing in my…
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“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” -Brene Brown I am on an incredibly difficult journey of learning to accept myself. These past few days have been mentally and emotionally overwhelming. I am trying to…
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Last night, I left work with a mission: “See Avengers: Endgame“. I Google mapped the nearest reclining-seat movie theater with a suitable showtime. After a twenty-five minute drive in moderate rain, I made it! I am not a superhero/comic-book fanatic and know-it-all. Not even close. Over the past couple of years though, I’ve seen a nice…
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I am preparing to go to the doctor for what seems like the 100th time in the past year. Currently, I’m experiencing some mysterious health conditions. I feel simultaneously annoyed and humored. When I visit the doctor, the receptionist just welcomes me and says, “Hi, Jess”. Loneliness, too, has haunted me in cycles. I have…
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After church today, I went to a grocery store that I frequent often. This time though, I wore my flowery dress, and I chose not to dim my light. Walking through neat aisles of packages, prices, and produce, I held my head high. I smiled because I felt free. I noticed that when I carried…
Roots & Hope 