Self-care emerges as an essential foundation for women of color in leadership positions. The responsibilities and pressures accompanying leadership can be overwhelming, making it crucial to carve out moments for self-nurturing, using personal lenses, and reflecting on an alarming health scare. I now ensure to include self-care as a priority after an unexpected illness resulting in me not caring for ME. I quickly learned from that day the importance and value of caring for myself.
Consequently, self-care becomes vital for sustaining our energy, clarifying our vision, and ensuring we don’t lose ourselves amid our professional aspirations. Self-care should is not a sign of weakness or self-indulgence. When prioritizing our well-being, especially for women of color in leadership, we must demonstrate to others who may doubt our abilities that we deserve respect, consideration, and resources required to thrive. As a result, self-care becomes a visible declaration of our worthiness, strengthening our positions as nonprofit leaders and helping to pave the way for a more inclusive leadership model.
Self-care equips women of color in leadership with the emotional intelligence necessary to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. As a woman of color who has led a nonprofit organization for over three decades, I am often tasked with managing diverse teams, addressing conflicts, and fostering an inclusive environment. Developing a foundation of self-care enhances our capacity to empathize, communicate effectively, and create spaces where individuals from all walks of life can flourish.
We also need to remember that women of color in leadership roles serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. Therefore, by openly advocating for self-care, we send a powerful message that self-preservation is not just a personal endeavor but a collective one. It results in our ability to balance our well-being with our professional responsibilities, shattering the myth of the “superwomen” and encouraging others to embrace self-care without guilt.
Here are a few tips for beginning your self-care journey:
1. Learn to Say NO! As a woman of color, you may be asked to take on additional responsibilities due to your unique perspective. While these contributions are valuable, declining when your plate is full is okay.
2. Regular Physical Activity: Engage in regular exercise, whether a walk, a dance class, or a workout routine. Physical activity has numerous benefits for both your body and mind.
3. Prioritize Your Mental Health: The emotional toll on nonprofit work can be significant. Regularly check in with your mental health and seek therapy or counseling if needed.
4. Set Boundaries: Work quickly spills into personal time in nonprofits. Define clear boundaries between work and personal life to ensure you have time to recharge and enjoy activities outside of your professional responsibilities.
5. Unplug Regularly; Take a scheduled break from technology, social media, and anything connected to work demands and the world. Use this time to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
In conclusion, the intersection of being a woman of color who advocate and practice self-care while assuming leadership roles is a space of immense significance. It’s where we identify resilience, and empowerment converge to create a narrative that defies expectations and redefines what leadership looks like.
As women of color continue to ascend in leadership roles, especially in the nonprofit world, our commitment to self-care embodies strength and a way to lead with excellence and humanity. In this fusion, we can illuminate a path forward, showing that self-care is not a journey but an integral part of the transformative leadership paradigm shift vital to sustainability.
Follow Dr. Stinsin at drsanja.com