What I learned from getting sick this week

"A crown, if it hurts us, is not worth wearing" - Pearl Bailey

I got sick y'all.

It's so interesting how, when confronted with our bodies' limits and our choice to ignore them, we realize how far from healing we truly are. 

This weekend has been a masterclass on how I chose not to respect my body. It has also made me reflect on how I likely contributed to the open-door policy of my colleagues in healthcare to do the same.

I willingly removed my boundaries in the name of being a good mother, daughter, boss, and friend and was rewarded with illness. Moreover, society was rewarded with ensuring that I stayed in my place as a Black woman, unable to reach my fullest potential because I was focused on everyone instead of my energy. 

Despite my years of reflective writing since my autoimmune disorder diagnosis, I still find it difficult to remember my body and my truth. The generational imprint of service, suffering, and sacrifice remains embedded in my DNA. It is no wonder that I must actively fight my tendency to rationalize why doing everything for everyone is more important than being still. 

So many of us are dealing with this tug-of-war between service & stillness, which is why I felt compelled to share today. In this moment of weakness, I feel especially drawn to those of you who are very aware right now that it's time to close the computer, lie down, sit down, or simply stop.

This may mean pausing at some point in your day, contemplating a shift in your career, or completely eliminating some of the roles that have defined you over the past decade or more.