Taking Back What's Mine

Preserving your peace, reclaiming your name and getting what you're due

There's nothing like being in a position where you can do absolutely nothing for yourself that makes you realize you've got to do more for yourself. I was unwell recently, and it took me out.

Pow.

Flat on my back for weeks with just enough strength at times to take prescription meds and ask for water. All the while, the Earth kept on spinning, my kid's school assignments were still due, bills still needed to be paid, and work chugged on. I've been in a similar situation before where I gave little to no attention to my health, and then the next thing I knew, I became sick. It's true what they say: if you don't make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.

So I'm making it a top priority to strike a necessary balance, I'm saving myself here, people. That may sound dramatic, but I want to live a long and healthy life.

I've also decided to opt out of conversations that do me emotional harm. I've suddenly become the expert on race and social justice in some of my professional circles. While I appreciate that my colleagues are willing to be vulnerable and are comfortable enough asking me questions, it's exhausting.

I’m also giving a hard pass to those conversations where my professional opinion based upon my years of experience and qualifications are disregarded, slighted, ignored …or all the above. No thank you.

One lesson I have learned in all this pandemic madness is that I’m getting better at choosing my battles; everything does not deserve my time, talent, or energy. Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka recently wrote in an Instagram post that she would not participate in news conferences during the French Open to help preserve her peace. She said about herself and fellow athletes, "we're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I'm just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me."

I'm sharing this to say that as we navigate the world, and are told that inclusion, equity, and diversity are essential, what's just as crucial is that we pay attention to who is sitting at these tables in which we're requesting access? Is it worth it? Is it really where you need to be? Are they worthy of your time, talent, and energy?

Choose wisely, friends.

Watch List

There's a reckoning happening, and I'm here for it. From the actress Thandiwe Newton announcing a few weeks ago the use of her full legal name saying, "I'm taking back what's mine," to Stacy Abrams bringing the smoke and fire when asked about what was wrong with Georgia’s new voting law. They weren’t ready but she was. Her response went viral.

I'm also watching how the businesses are responding now that the vaccines are rolling out. Will companies require, suggest, or lightly nudge us towards getting vaccinated to return to onsite work? Alas.

Inspiration

I’m inspired by these tweets:

No lies detected there @angellenise

As I continue to get stronger, I’m listening to some good music this week, a little bit from the past and little of today:

• My Power - Beyonce

• Peaches - Justin Beiber

• Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang - Silver

• Mercy Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye

• Method of Modern Love - Daryl Hall & John Oates

• Freedom - Ranky Tanky

Thanks so much for supporting InclusivelyHer. As always, thanks for reading. It’s my hope in sharing stories and other bits of information, you’ll be inspired in your own journey.

~ Cynthia