As the weather cools down and the days get shorter, many of us find our energy and mood shifting in ways that don’t always feel good. If you’ve ever noticed yourself feeling more tired, down, or just not as motivated during the fall and winter months, you might be dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Trust me—I’ve been there too. It’s real, and it can feel heavy. And as Black women, we carry so much already—balancing work, family, relationships, and the expectations placed on us by society. When SAD hits, it can feel like a lot.

Journaling is a form of expressive writing; a place to process stress, trauma, experiences, and different emotions. For a lot of people, like my younger self, it may be the only safe space to vulnerably express oneself. Others may use journaling as a way to track and record their daily thoughts and habits — creating an accountability space to measure and document their progress — whether managing a mental health condition or changing unhealthy behaviors.

Being TOO self-aware can lead to being self-doubt, being overly evaluative of your words and actions, leading to unnecessary stress and anxiety.

While so many people are displaying their resilience by emerging in 2021 with new businesses or personal growth, did you know that many are still not ok? And that it’s ok not to be ok?!

Whether it is going to therapy, taking a walk, enjoying a nice cup of coffee each morning, or spending time with supports at a socially safe distance, adjusting our self-care practices to fit the “new normal” can still provide the investment into our mental wellness that we deserve.

Mindfulness can help settle the hurricane of physical sensations you experience when emotions are intense. You can even mindfully wash your hands or smile at a fellow human to make this new normal feel a little less stressful. I encourage you to be aware of what emotions are showing up for you in this time of uncertainty.