If 2020 has taught me one thing, it’s the importance of cultivating and healing my mental health. In a world where we are continuously absorbing content that is littered with Black and African Death, In a world where we are obviously addicted to social media and its connectivity, we are bringing you some accounts to add to your Instagram’s and make your feed a space of healing.
The infographics have all told us the importance of going outside and breathing natural air and getting some exercise in. Soleful Runs is a space created for Black and Black LGBTQ+ members to walk, jog, run together in order to encourage mindfulness. They hold weekly sessions so check them out on Instagram @solefulruns!
We promote intersectionality at TRAD, and with that understanding, we recognize the toll of caring for a community that is placed on the shoulders of our Black women. When it comes to therapy and healing, Black women often find peace in sharing their experiences with other Black women that understand this intersection and this is exactly what @blackfemaletherapists is here to provide. They have a cross-national directory of Black Female therapists as well as providing you with the resources you need to break the stigma of mental health and work on wellness.
The next account on our list may be my favorite one. Naps have been my savior in all times, be it procrastination, exam time, right before an outing, for fun… whenever. The Nap ministry explores how liberating naps can really be. Rest is resistance, and for folks like us who are continuously in resistance of oppressive systems, this could be just right! It is about more than naps, it’s about disrupting a toxic system of capitalism and white supremacy. It is a decolonial movement.
The Loveland Foundation is essentially an extension of a therapy fund created by Rachel Cargle in 2018, dedicating to supporting Black Women and Girls in accessing healing. Rachel’s work surrounds unlearning and healing generational trauma. The foundation has been able to build fellowships, residency programs, listening tours and more in order to contribute to the empowerment and total liberation of the communities we all serve. They are always having great tidbits on their page on the diversity of rest and healing, I love it!
In healing and taking care of our wellbeing, creating and finding our community is so important. It aids our learning and encourages us to keep going despite life challenges. Sis to Sis Toronto helps in just that, community building and integrating the cultural and lived experiences of our community. They aim to foster social change by empowering communities and change the narrative around the ways young women come together and heal together. You can check them out on their website: sistosistoronto.com or their Instagram @sts.toronto
Closing up our list is Black girl in Om! It started off as a podcast before expanding into a digital publication and creating a community aimed at rewriting the narrative of what ‘well-being’ looks like. Their aim is to form women of colour who are liberated, seen and empowered. They offer free sessions of meditation and provide the tips and tricks to catalyse healing. Listen to their podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-girl-in-om/id1117951237?mt=2 and follow along on the journey on their instagram @blackgirlinom!
