Between facing the daily struggles of school and work, maintaining a (somewhat) tangible social life, and keeping up with the ever changing standards of being a millennial, a black person, and a woman all at once. it can be easy to forget to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
We all know, being a black woman is probably one of the hardest titles to take on in this social climate. Not only do we unknowingly create the blueprint for the fashion world but we also get ridiculed and tore down for the same trends that rip the runway. That's just one example of how our zen can directly and indirectly be triggered by simply just living. These four tips will help you truly live your best life, peacefully:
CREATE BOUNDARIES. The first and most important takeaway from this article is to remember that it is okay to be selfish. Actually, it is more than okay, it's quite healthy. We are naturally strong and giving beings, so giving that we tend to forget to create boundaries. SAY NO WHENEVER YOU HAVE TO.
PRACTICE SELF-AWARENESS. Self-awareness is the ability to be honest and transparent with yourself while also being able to love you for you without judgement. We tend to judge ourselves before we ever give anyone else the opportunity to. This is extremely damaging to your peace. Monitor your feelings, learn yourself and figure out your triggers. Use this information to avoid anything that can bring on any negative feelings.
MEDIATION. This comes in many different forms. Essentially, it is the art of being able to reach and channel your inner peace. Even if you do this just once a day, it can make all the difference. Sometimes it can be as little as recollecting a happy memory from having a full day of no social and no distractions.
SELF-CARE. We all know the benefits of practicing self care, so i'll keep this brief. Self-care looks completely different to everyone, do not let black twitter convince you that self-care only comes at the expense of spending money because that is completely false. Some great self-care habits can include: Listening to your favorite playlist a tad bit longer than usual, lighting your favorite candles while doing yoga, painting your nails, or even just going for a walk.
EXAMINE YOUR CIRCLE. The company we keep play a vital role in our peace. Sometimes, we can be blind to the effects of our toxic friendships. If your circle isn't cultivating peace and love then there is no way to ever gain true peace. Learn to love these people from a distance because anything that does not bring you peace needs to be cut immediately!
All in all, it is important to remember that you are in control of all aspects of your life. Whatever you are not in control of should not disrupt your peace anyway. We are creatures of habit and it becomes so easy to fall into a routine that is not healthy for you nor your peace. That can mean finally cutting a guy off that was stressing you out to taking a mental health break from your social media account. Just remember to always do what's best for you.