Resources
There are many essential components to Mental Wellness. As mothers, we are not always afforded the opportunity of time in abundance. Considering this, I am learning how to be creative in ways to care for myself throughout each day. I do this by listening to Podcasts, reading books (when I have time), and attending therapy, just to name a few. Below are some references and recommendations, if you would like to add some arsenal to your self-care toolkit. Each resource has a link to its respective reference.
What I'm Listening To
With The Perrys
With the Perrys Podcast is a Christ centered podcast hosted by Jakie and Preston Perry who have dedicated their lives to teaching about Jesus in a way that is practical, honest to the nature of God, and bold. I appreciate their blunt and direct approach to the gospel that lifts Jesus and exposes the strategies of the enemy. I often walk away from these podcasts challenged to be a better follow of Christ, a better person, and better ambassador for the Kingdom of God.
The Daily
The Daily Podcast is an easy and convenient way to stay abreast on current events around the world. The Daily covers an array of trending topics around things like politics, injustices, economic hardships, and natural disasters. I appreciate the production of their content which is intimate and easily digestible information that makes the hardest topics worth listening to. As a busy mom, this has been an easy way for me to stay up to date and connected with the world’s happenings.
The Hey Girl Podcast
Hey Girl is a podcast is a show that I stumbled upon by accident and immediately fell in love. This is the podcast I listen to when I need to get grounded and I don’t have a lot of time. The episodes often run pretty short but are filled with soothing insight about healing from an array of perspectives. This podcast is a true jewel!
In Totality with Megan Ashley
In Totality with Megan Ashley, is an execptional show that is centered around full surrender to Christ and often provides prospecitve about practical ways to live a Christ led life. This podcast is ideal for a millennial mom like me who has had many question and questionable life experiences that shook my faith. Listening to Megan and her guest, I often feel seen, understood, and encouarged to keep going.
Blessed + Bossed Up
The Blessed and Bossed Up Podcast is another show that stumbled upon and it has been a God-send. Tatum’s direct, honest, and boldness about building a Goldy brand and business hold you accountable in a way that causes you to include God in every step as you steward the blessings He gives. I appreciate her vulnerability about the challenges and triumps Tatum shares about her jouney and her tree has been fruitful which makes it even that much better and credible as she shares her perspective. Looking for some inspiration within your professional life, look no further.
Word of God Ministries Podcast is a podcase centered around teaching Jesus as the mainfested word of God. I typically listen to this podcase in order to get grounded and rooted so that I can navigate the challenges that comes with the day. Life can get busy and become chaotic fairly quickly, starting my day listening to Word of God Ministries equips me to deal with everything that I may face for the day.
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
Ever found yourself in a situation where you felt like no one understood what you were going through and the one thing you're experiencing could be the one thing that will take you out? If so, look no further! Tiny Beautiful Things is a collection of essays compiled with people from different walks of life, experiencing their own form of hardships, seeking advice to navigate those hardships. Reading this book gave me a sense of relatability and perspective that l am, in fact, not alone and that there are people going through things just as tough as me, if not tougher.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
This book is for mom that could use a push out of their comfort zone and into greatness! If you know Shonda Rhimes, then you know she is the QUEEN of all things great when it comes to writing and producing some of our favorite shows like; Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder and more recently, Bridgerton. In the Year of Yes, Shonda shares with us practical ways she leveled up in every aspect of her life; from facing the conflict of being a mom, to being ambitious, to overcoming stage-fright.
Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny
This book is highly recommended for the Go-Getter. For the mom that's traveling the road less traveled and could use some guidance along the way; Secrets of a Six-Figure Women will transcend the way you think about work, life and money. This book gives perspective about those who have earned six-figures or more. This books also gives insight about women that are considered "under earners." You are guaranteed to level up after reading this book.
Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual
Inspiring, invigorating, progressive, and affirming are just a few words that comes to mind when I thinking of my experience reading the Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones. The Nigerian friend that everyone needs, who will side-eye you when you’re out of line, and tell you the truth when you need to hear it most; the adorned Luvvie Ajayi Jones lead by example as she wrote this book about fear in the middle of a global pandemic. This book is for the woman that needs a nudge and some reassurance that the gift that only she possess is needed in this world and to go ahead and take the leap of faith. Using real life experiences to give intellectual insight on how to navigate life as a leader, Professional Troublemaker encourages us to elevate no matter how hard things may seem. It reassures us that greatness can be achieved in the presence of fear and how no one can stop us but us. This book essentially shifted by perspective as a black woman, from excepting the bare minimum and having the audacity to live in my full capacity and expect the same from those around me. This book is a must have, especially for those of us that are dreamers and doers.
Jesus Calling: Devotions for Every Day of the Year
Jesus Calling is an every-day devotional that has been a game changer for helping set my intentions for each day. As a busy mom, I am not always afforded the opportunity to sit for a half an hour or so to do a complete devotion. So on the days when I need to touch and agree with God and go, this is the perfect book! I have already gotten this book as a gift for so many of my friends. It is like sweet, short and deep daily talk with God. Highly recommend it!
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted & Black Girls Must Be Magic
This is a fictional series that takes a deep dive into what it’s like to navigate life as an African American woman in America. From relationships, to family drama, generational hardships, the influence of racial trauma, and having to work twice as hard for your extraordinary work to been seen in the workplace. Author, Jayne Allen, does an excellent job depicting the black woman experience at different stages and from different angles. This book is a page turner that becomes hard to put down once you get invested into these characters’ lives. No matter where you are in life right now; young, old, single, in a relationship, childless, raising a family, in a profession you love, or still trying to find your way; you will feel seen and understood, reading this book. Not only does Jayne expose the hardships that comes with navigating life as a black woman, she gives insight on just how it’s done and how grandmothers and mothers play a vital role in our exhaustion and our capacity to cope. This book gives insight on how to interact with the family we are given, as well as, choose the family that nurtures our soul. You will get a front row seat on how black women learn how to hate ourselves; and the evolution of how we choose to fight for ourselves. Every black woman needs this book. You will leave this with a deeper understanding of how rich and intricate black culture is. This book will leave you wanting more.
Self care essentials
Partner with Us!
GIVE TO THE CAUSE
Graced Moms is partnering with THE LOVELAND FOUNDATION. The Love Foundation pays for therapy for black woman and girls. Their mission is to provide access to healing for black woman and girls that will impact generations. We have set a goal in joining The Loveland Foundation to accomplish this mission and would love your support in doing so. If you are looking to make a difference in the black community, this is an easy way to do so. Click the heart below to contribute.