Category: Women empowerment

Thoughtful Black woman sitting in a bright, naturally lit room with a light gray couch and greenery. Text reads, “You’re Hitting Those Vision Board Goals. But Is Your Healing Keeping Up?” highlighting the importance of emotional healing, mental wellness, and self-care alongside personal and professional success.

Anxiety Confidence EMDR Therapy Self Care Therapy Trauma Women empowerment Anxiety • EMDR intensive • EMDR Therapy • high-achieving women • Long Island therapist • self-doubt • trauma therapy November 3, 2026 By AMANDA FLUDD 0 Comments

You’re Hitting Those Vision Board Goals. But Is Your Healing Keeping Up?

The life you’re building deserves a version of you who feels as good as she looks on paper.

There’s something about watching a woman step into her own. She’s making moves, opening doors, taking chances on herself, and finally seeing some of those vision board goals become her actual life.

And I love that for her.

But I’ve also been thinking about the parts of ourselves that don’t always keep up with the lives we’re building.

You can be a powerhouse in your own right. The person who handles things, leads the team, builds the business, figures out the next move. You know how to get things done.

But you also know when something in your gut doesn’t feel safe.

When your confidence disappears in a particular room. When someone’s words stay with you longer than they should. When you find yourself questioning a decision you were perfectly comfortable with yesterday.

And then there’s the stuff you don’t even talk about.

The deep doubts. The trauma you haven’t found the words for. The relationship you never fully processed. The things that hurt so much you’ve learned to live around them instead of addressing them.

I’m not even talking about the things you can clearly see. I’m talking about the stuff in that back closet.

You know the quiet things I’m talking about. I see you.

The place where you’ve tucked away everything you didn’t have the time, energy, or emotional capacity to deal with. You closed the door, straightened yourself up, and went right back to being the woman everyone knows you to be.

And for a while, that works, until one day, something happens.

A comment. A disappointment. An unexpected loss. A relationship that brings up something familiar. Maybe even an incredible opportunity that suddenly has you questioning whether you’re good enough.

And that one thing sets off a flood of emotions you thought you had under control.

They weren’t resolved. They were just sitting in the closet.

Being Busy Can Become a Convenient Reason Not to Heal

I know how much you have going on. And I know that finding time for yourself isn’t always as simple as moving a few things around on your calendar.

But I also think we have to be willing to ask ourselves some uncomfortable questions.

How long have you been telling yourself you’ll get to your healing when things slow down?

How many times have you said I’m good, because explaining what you’re really feeling would require a conversation you don’t have the energy for?

And how much of what you’ve been calling ambition is actually pressure you’ve carried so long you don’t know how to put it down?

Because there’s a difference between being driven and being driven by fear.

There’s a difference between wanting to do excellent work and feeling like one mistake will prove you’re not good enough.

There’s a difference between being responsible and believing everything will fall apart if you stop holding it together.

And there’s a difference between choosing to move forward and staying in motion because slowing down would mean feeling something you’ve been avoiding.

Avoidance is not a cure.

It may have helped you get through a difficult season. It may even have been necessary at the time. But that doesn’t mean it has to remain your way of coping.

Sometimes being busy is about having a full life. Other times, it gives us a very convincing reason not to open that closet.

The problem is that we don’t always get to decide when something inside it comes spilling out.

You’re Doing Amazing Things. But How Do You Actually Feel About Yourself?

In my work as a trauma therapist, I spend a lot of time with highly driven women who are doing amazing things. Women with careers, businesses, families, big ideas, and responsibilities that matter.

One thing I’ve noticed is that how they show up for the world isn’t always how they feel about themselves.

Someone else may see a confident leader, while inside she’s questioning every decision.

She can negotiate a contract, manage a team, and handle difficult conversations at work. But when it comes to setting a boundary in her personal life, suddenly she’s wondering if she’s asking for too much.

She knows she’s qualified for the opportunity, but her body responds as though she’s about to be exposed.

And sometimes that’s the hardest part to explain.

Because intellectually, you know better.

You know you’ve earned your place. You know that relationship wasn’t healthy. You know one person’s opinion doesn’t define you.

But knowing something and feeling safe enough to believe it are not always the same thing.

That’s why I love the deeper work we do in trauma therapy.

As an EMDR-trained therapist, one thing I appreciate about this approach is that we can go beyond talking about these patterns and start addressing the experiences and beliefs connected to them.

We can get curious about where that I’m not enough belief came from. Why your body reacts so strongly to certain situations. Why an experience from years ago can still shape how you feel about yourself today.

Not everything we work through has to be a major traumatic event, either. Sometimes it’s anxiety, persistent self-doubt, a painful relationship, an experience of rejection, or a belief about yourself that has followed you into every new chapter.

Those experiences may be part of your story. They don’t have to keep shaping every decision you make.

What If Relief Didn’t Have to Take So Much From You?

I think one of the things that keeps women from seeking therapy is the idea that healing is going to require so much from them.

More time. More emotional energy. Another standing appointment. Another responsibility added to an already full calendar.

And listen, healing does require something of us. I’m not going to pretend otherwise.

But it doesn’t always have to look the way you’ve imagined.

Sometimes it’s less about finding endless amounts of time and more about being intentional with the time you decide to give yourself.

Part of my work as a trauma therapist is curating healing experiences that make sense for the person sitting in front of me. That includes understanding your goals, what you’ve been carrying, how ready you feel to address it, and what kind of support will help you move through the process.

It’s also why I offer EMDR and trauma intensives as part of my practice.

An intensive gives us a dedicated block of therapeutic time instead of relying only on weekly sessions.

And I know how much you value your time.

Maybe taking an hour out of your workweek every Tuesday feels impossible right now. Maybe you’ve started therapy before but struggled to keep the momentum going between appointments. Or maybe you’re carrying something specific, and you’re finally ready to give it your attention.

An intensive creates space for us to do just that.

And it doesn’t have to be about what you’d traditionally call trauma. We may be addressing anxiety, self-doubt, a painful experience, or that not enough belief that keeps showing up no matter how much you accomplish.

Have You Ever Considered an EMDR Intensive?

Here’s what I especially love about this approach.

We don’t have to spend every session getting back into the work, only to wrap up just as we’re getting somewhere meaningful.

With an intensive, we have more continuous time to explore what comes up, work through distressing experiences, and notice the shifts happening along the way.

Depending on your needs, that might look like a few 90-minute sessions.

Or my personal favorite: a Saturday morning where we set aside three to six hours for focused therapeutic work.

For some people, that uninterrupted time can create meaningful progress that might otherwise be spread across several months of weekly appointments. Of course, that varies from person to person, and an intensive doesn’t guarantee faster results.

We also don’t jump straight into processing without preparation. We take time to make sure you feel grounded, supported, and ready for the experience.

I recently added sound healing to my practice as another way to support relaxation and create a more intentional therapeutic experience when appropriate. I’m excited about what that can add to the work.

Because I want healing to feel like something you’re choosing for yourself, not another obligation you’re trying to squeeze into your life.

It’s dedicated time to address what you’ve been carrying.

Time to be supported.

Time to consider what might become possible when you aren’t responding to everything through the lens of something that hurt you years ago.

But How Do You Know If EMDR Is Actually Working?

This is one of the questions I get most, and it’s a good one.

Because EMDR doesn’t always feel like what we expect therapy to feel like.

Sometimes memories come up in pieces. Sometimes you notice sensations in your body. Sometimes your mind makes connections you weren’t expecting.

And sometimes you leave a session wondering whether anything happened at all.

In a recent video, I talk about this very question after an EMDR experience where the person wasn’t sure at first that the session had worked. But as we explored what she noticed afterward, she began to recognize that her relationship with something that used to cause her significant anxiety had changed.

That matters.

Because healing isn’t always about some dramatic emotional breakthrough.

Sometimes it’s realizing you can approach a situation without the same dread.

That you can remember something painful without feeling like you’re reliving it.

That the thing that once made you question yourself doesn’t have quite the same hold on you anymore.

I also share my own experience with EMDR and how it changed my emotional response to a car accident I’d been carrying for years.

The memory didn’t disappear.

My relationship with it changed.

And sometimes that’s what creates room for us to move forward differently.

Watch: What Does EMDR Feel Like When It’s Working?

In this video, I break down what EMDR can feel like, how to recognize progress, why the changes aren’t always obvious at first, and what makes intensive sessions different from traditional weekly therapy.

You Are Worth the Time

Here’s what I want to leave you with.

I’m not asking you to stop pursuing your goals, slow down your ambition, or make your life smaller.

Please, keep going after the things you want.

But as you update that vision board, make those investments, and plan your next chapter, I want you to think about the woman who gets to experience all of it. Not just what she’s accomplishing, but how she’s feeling. How she’s showing up in her relationships. Whether she trusts herself. Whether she can enjoy what she’s created without constantly bracing for something to go wrong.

And whether there are still parts of her that need some attention.

You are worth the time it takes to explore those parts.

You’re worth investing in an experience that is just for you.

And you’re worth finding out what a more healed version of you might feel like as you move through this world.

You don’t have to wait for the closet door to burst open before you decide to look at what’s inside.

If you’ve been putting your healing aside, maybe this is your invitation to reconsider what making time for yourself could look like.

And if an EMDR intensive sounds like something you’d like to explore, I’d love to help you figure out whether it’s the right fit.

Explore EMDR Intensives at Kensho Psychotherapy Services →

Reads You Might Like

Trauma & Anxiety Therapy for the Strong Ones
For the woman who’s always been the dependable one but carries more emotionally than people realize.
Girl, How Long Are We Going to Keep Talking About the Same Thing
What Is an EMDR Intensive? How It May Help With Anxiety
The practical follow-up if you’re curious about EMDR and whether an intensive might fit your life.

Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R, is a trauma therapist and Executive Director of Kensho Psychotherapy Services in Lynbrook, New York. She specializes in EMDR therapy and offers focused therapy intensives for adults ready to address the experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns that may be holding them back.

Podcast — Grace, Growth & Business: https://gracegrowthandbusiness.buzzsprout.com · EMDR Intensives: https://amandafludd.com/therapyintensive/ · Contact: amanda@amandafludd.com · amandafludd.com/individual-therapy

EMDR EMDR Therapy Mental Health Trauma Women empowerment Amanda Fludd • Black Trauma Therapist • EMDR intensive • EMDR intensives • EMDR Long Island • EMDR Lynbrook NY • EMDR New York • EMDR Therapy • high-achieving women • intensive trauma therapy • Kensho Psychotherapy • Nassau County therapist • therapy for women • trauma therapist Long Island • weekly therapy vs EMDR intensive October 8, 2026 By AMANDA FLUDD 0 Comments

EMDR Intensives vs. Weekly Therapy: What If You Gave Yourself More Time to Heal?

Because understanding what hurt you and finally moving differently are two different things.

Girl, How Long Are We Going to Keep Talking About the Same Thing?

You know the pattern. You’ve talked about it, journaled about it, prayed about it, and maybe even spent months unpacking it in therapy.

Yet somehow, the same situations still trigger you. The same doubts creep in. You’re still overthinking, overgiving, or carrying responsibilities that were never yours to begin with.

And just when you’re getting to the good stuff in therapy, opening up, or things are starting to come together, your therapist says, “Well, we’re almost out of time.” Until you come back again next week, barring any life crisis or holidays, we start again.

Sound familiar?

If I can be honest, sometimes you don’t need another week of talking around the issue. You need more time to actually work through it.

And if you’re anything like me, you appreciate getting to the heart of things. Not rushing the process, but getting intentional about what really needs your attention instead of getting lost in the background noise.

That’s where EMDR intensives come in.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy approach that helps your brain process distressing experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity.

EMDR intensives give you dedicated time to work on specific experiences, beliefs, or emotional patterns without having to squeeze everything into a traditional weekly appointment. This time lets your nervous system stay in the therapeutic work without that weekly reset, life distractions, procrastination, and avoidance. It’s room to finally focus on you.

ASK ME DIRECTLY ABOUT AN EMDR INTENSIVE

EMDR Intensives vs. Weekly Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Weekly EMDR therapy and EMDR intensives both offer opportunities for meaningful healing. The difference is how we use our time together.

Weekly therapy gives you consistent support over time. You get to explore what’s happening in your life, build coping skills, and work through experiences at a gradual pace.

EMDR intensives offer longer, focused sessions where we intentionally set aside time for the work you’ve been wanting to do. The therapy happens in a condensed period of time, like a 3-hour block; typically, these treatments occur on a Friday or weekend. It’s an opportunity to address an old hurt, a belief that’s been holding you back, a feeling, or a trigger that keeps showing up in your life. One or two intensive sessions can match months of traditional weekly therapy.

Neither approach is better for everyone. It’s about finding what fits your life and your needs.

What If You Didn’t Have to Keep Carrying It All?

Think about the things you’ve learned to live with.

The need to be everything for everybody. The voice that tells you you’re not doing enough. The hurt you’ve tucked away because life kept moving. The triggers that catch you off guard, even when you thought you were past all of that.

Imagine creating space to work through those experiences instead of continually working around them.

Not because an intensive can magically erase your past or guarantee a faster healing journey, but because you deserve uninterrupted time to explore what’s been weighing on you.

“Sometimes what we need isn’t another thing on our schedule. It’s dedicated space to finally focus on ourselves.”

— Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R

An intensive can help you loosen the grip of old experiences, challenge beliefs you’ve carried for years, and start responding to life from a different place.

Less feeling like you’re constantly bracing for something.

More room to breathe, make choices, and show up as the woman you’re becoming.

And that is worth making time for.

So, What Actually Happens During an EMDR Intensive?

First, we’re not throwing you into hours of difficult memories and hoping for the best.

There’s intention and care behind the process.

Consultation. We start with a conversation to see whether an intensive is right for you.
Preparation. We prepare together, identify what you want to focus on, and choose a time when you can be fully present.
Your intensive. We practice grounding techniques, get comfortable with EMDR’s eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, and work toward your agreed-upon goals, with breaks along the way.
Closing and next steps. We help you feel grounded, reflect on the experience, and plan your next steps.

This is your time. We honor your pace, your needs, and your readiness throughout the process.

Sometimes the Work Is Worth Taking a Chance On

“I was so scared to do it.”

— Sandra Bullock, speaking about EMDR therapy on Red Table Talk

Even Sandra Bullock has spoken about being nervous to try EMDR.

And that makes sense. The idea of revisiting difficult experiences can feel intimidating, especially when you’ve spent years figuring out how to keep going despite them.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before beginning. You just have to be open to exploring what support could look like.

And sometimes, hearing from someone who has experienced EMDR themselves makes all the difference.

“Amanda Fludd literally helped me heal. I am so grateful. It was beautiful and profound.”

— Sara Jane Wellock, Google review of Kensho Psychotherapy Services

Healing is deeply personal. No two people experience it exactly the same way, but stories like these remind us that change is possible.

Three Questions You Might Be Wondering About EMDR Intensives

1. Is an EMDR intensive worth it if I’ve already tried therapy?

It can be. Especially if you’ve gained insight into your experiences but still feel stuck in the same emotional reactions.

EMDR works differently from traditional talk therapy by helping you process distressing experiences and their emotional impact. An intensive provides a longer, focused treatment window.

It’s not a guarantee of faster results, but it may be another way to approach work you feel ready to address.

2. Can I do an EMDR intensive if I already have a therapist?

Absolutely worth exploring! You may be able to continue seeing your regular therapist while working with an EMDR clinician on a particular concern.

With your permission, we can discuss how the work fits with your existing treatment and coordinate care when appropriate.

3. What happens after an EMDR intensive?

You might feel lighter, tired, reflective, or notice emotions continuing to surface. Everyone processes differently.

That’s why we prepare before treatment, incorporate grounding during the session, and discuss aftercare and follow-up.

You won’t be expected to figure out your next steps alone.

Want to Hear More About EMDR Intensives?

Sometimes hearing a real conversation helps you decide whether something is worth exploring.

Maybe It’s Time to Make Room for You.

You’ve made room for your career, your family, your responsibilities, and everybody else’s needs.

What would it look like to give yourself that same level of intention?

I’m Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R, trauma therapist and founder of Kensho Psychotherapy Services in Lynbrook, New York.

I work with women who are tired of being held back by old experiences, familiar patterns, and the pressure to keep it all together.

Through EMDR therapy and intensives, we create space to work through what’s been weighing on you, with care, intention, and a plan that fits your needs.

We offer in-person EMDR intensives in Lynbrook, Long Island, and virtual options for eligible New York residents. Even if you are not in NY, you can fly in, and we’ll curate a weekend healing experience for you.

Not sure which format makes sense for you? That’s exactly what the consultation is for.

You don’t have to keep making peace with patterns you’re ready to change.

BOOK YOUR EMDR INTENSIVE CONSULTATION

Kensho Psychotherapy Services | Lynbrook, NY
Written by Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R

Individual experiences vary, and EMDR intensives are not appropriate for everyone. Treatment recommendations are based on clinical assessment, readiness, and individual needs.

Podcast — Grace, Growth & Business: gracegrowthandbusiness.buzzsprout.com · About EMDR Intensives: amandafludd.com/therapyintensive · Contact: amanda@amandafludd.com

Digital graphic with a dark mauve background featuring bold cream-colored text that reads “High-Functioning, Tired, and Still Standing.” Below it, a smaller subtitle says “Mental Health Quotes for Black Women.” The design is clean and empowering, intended for a blog post supporting Black women’s mental health.

Mental Health Personal Growth Women empowerment burnout recovery • emotional wellness • inspirational quotes for women • quotes for women • self-care for Black women • therapy for black girls healing quotes • therapy for Black women April 8, 2025 By AMANDA FLUDD 1 Comment

High-Functioning, Tired, and Still Standing: Mental Health Quotes for Black Women

If you’re a high-achieving woman who looks like she has it all together but feels exhausted on the inside, this is for you.

You’ve earned the degrees. You’ve built a career. You keep the house running, the meetings flowing, and your people cared for. You’re the one others count on—the one who gets things done, holds the family together, and stays calm under pressure.

But here’s the part no one sees:

Your body feels everything your mouth never says.

The tightness in your chest. The tension in your jaw.The anxious energy that drives your success… and drains your spirit.

This collection of mental health quotes for Black women was created to name what you’ve been holding—and offer you a moment to breathe. Whether you’re navigating burnout, grief, anxiety, or just the invisible weight of being “the strong one,” these quotes for high-achieving Black women are meant to be a soft landing.

Because even the most high-achieving woman needs a safe space. And therapy for Black women isn’t just about healing, it’s about reclaiming peace.

Quotes That Say the Quiet Part Out Loud

“You can have it all. Just not all at once.” — Oprah Winfrey

“You deserve care without earning it, rest without guilt, and healing without apology.”— Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R

“I show up as a whole human being. I don’t pretend to be perfect. That is freedom.”— Tracee Ellis Ross

“Rest is a form of resistance.” — Tricia Hersey, The Nap Ministry

“Just because you carry it well doesn’t mean it’s not heavy.”

— Psychotherapist, Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R

“I’m tired of seeing women being labeled as difficult when we’re just honest.”— Rihanna

“The work is never done, but the work is never more important than your well-being.”— Beyoncé

“You are not selfish for choosing you. Being a whole woman is putting on your big girl panties and giving yourself the yes”. – Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R

“When I dare to be powerful… it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”— Audre Lorde

“You don’t have to be anything but yourself to be worthy.” — Viola Davis

🖤 These Quotes Resonate for a Reason…

If one of these quotes pulled something out of you—maybe it’s because you’ve been carrying more than anyone realizes.

Sometimes, we don’t even realize how much we’re holding until we stop performing long enough to feel it.

Journal Reflection:

Which quote made you pause—and why? Write for five minutes without editing yourself. Let your truth be messy. Let it be yours.

Therapy for Women Who Are Ready to Find Peace

Whether you’re burned out, anxious, or feeling numb from years of overfunctioning, Kensho Psychotherapy offers a space where you don’t have to explain your strength or hide your softness. We not just offer regular therapy, but an annual retreat for BIPOC women who need to find themselves again.

You get to show up without your title. Without your schedule. Without the pressure to hold it all together.

You’ve been everything for everyone. And now? It’s your turn.

Our practice, Kensho Psychotherapy, specializes in trauma, anxiety, and burnout recovery for women in leadership and high-impact roles. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

👉 Click here to explore therapy options, or book your first session today

➡️ Keep Going: Daily Power Practices for Women Who Lead

➡️ Additional Read: Why Old Wounds Still Hurt

Final Practice

Let’s get intentional: What’s one belief you need to reclaim or release so you can lead with more freedom?

Please share it in the comments. And share this blog with a powerhouse woman who needs these reminders today. 🖤

Written by Amanda Fludd, psychotherapist, confidence and visibility coach for black women, and founder of Kensho Psychotherapy Services. She helps high-achieving women step into their power, overcome self-doubt, and lead with confidence. Please leave your thoughts below, we would love to read them.

Amanda also hosts a monthly prayer call for faith-driven women of color in business. Have you joined yet? Get the details here.

Self-improvement Women empowerment affirmations • encouraging quotes June 3, 2024 By AMANDA FLUDD 8 Comments

20 Encouraging Quotes From Phenomenal Women of Color

Sometimes you need a few words that help you keep going—or remind you that it’s okay to pause.

As women of color, we can spend so much time meeting expectations and showing up for everyone else that our own needs, dreams, and joy get pushed aside. These 20 encouraging quotes from phenomenal women of color are an invitation to come back to yourself.

As a therapist, I often remind women that how we speak to ourselves matters. A quote won’t change everything you’re carrying, but it can offer a different perspective when self-doubt gets loud.

Find a few words you need today. Save them, say them aloud, or share them with a friend who could use a little encouragement, too.

Learn more about individual therapy in NY

Therapy,, psychotherapist, black therapist speaking to a black woman about stress, imposter syndrome

We witness this struggle firsthand in therapy and when I coach our leaders. We see brilliant, fully equipped women being subtly held back by the world around them. These microaggressions often fuel an internal battle of self-worth, triggering imposter syndrome. The real work involves creating distance between these emotional threats and our true capabilities and recognizing our belief in ourselves and the expertise we bring to the table.

The journey is about reclaiming our space and affirming our right to be authentic, capable, and remarkable despite the world’s efforts to say otherwise.

“I am not less, because I’m Black. And I am not less, because I’m a Woman.”

– Marian Wright

If today is one of those days you are tired of fighting for your value, motivation is running low, or you are just looking for self-assurance, we hope to inspire you with the words of other phenomenal women of color as you continue to create the change you wish to see. Find a quote that works for you and repost one for a friend.

If you are overwhelmed and it’s disrupting your peace, book a therapy appointment and let’s chat. There is power in adding a dope therapist to your team.

In whatever season this finds you, I hope these positive quotes by other women of color will help you feel motivated and inspired.

(1)

“It’s time for you to move, realizing that the thing you are seeking is also seeking you.”

— Iyanla Vanzant

(2)

“You can fall, but you can rise also.”

– Angelique Kidjo

Free Download

You deserve a little joy, too.

When was the last time you did something simply because it made you happy?

If you’ve been caught up in work, responsibilities, and showing up for everyone else, this is your invitation to check in with yourself. Download my free Black Girl Joy Inventory and explore what brings you joy—and what you’d like to make more room for.

Get My Free Joy Inventory →

(3)

“If you prioritize yourself, you are going to save yourself.”

– Gabrielle Union

(4)

“Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.”

– Sadie Delany

(5)

This is your moment. Building courage for women. Women in business coaching.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”

-Oprah Winfrey

(6)

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

― Angela Davis

(7)

A reminder that you are good enough. Your worth is important.

“Am I good enough? Yes I am.”

– Michelle Obama

(8)

“Walls turned sideways are bridges.”

― Angela Davis

(9)

“The way to win is to try.”

– Stacey Abrams

(10)

“Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”

– Maya Angelou

(11)

“When the heart is right, the mind and body will follow.”

– Coretta Scott King

(12)

“I got my start by giving myself a start.”

– Madam CJ Walker

(13)

“Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth.”

– Oprah Winfrey

(14)

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

– Maya Angelou

(15)

“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.”

– Oprah Winfrey

(16)

”Don’t listen to those who say YOU CAN’T. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I CAN.”

– Shirley Chisolm

(17)

“Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.”

– Maya Angelou

(18)

“Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you.”

– Beyoncé Knowles

(19)

This blog provides inspirational quotes and messages to all young women of color. I

“I am no longer accepting “Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am.”

– Janelle Monáe

(20)

“Some of your goals are buried so deep in fear it doesn’t have access to what it needs to grow”

-Amanda Fludd

Did you find at least one quote that resonated with you? Take that quote and say it aloud to yourself when you need a little encouragement, and better yet, share it with other phenomenal women of color. There is someone in your circle who needs to feel encouraged today.

Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Speaker, and Mindset Coach for high-achieving professionals. Her joy is tackling mental health on multiple platforms. She is available for speaking engagements (workshops, panels) and coaching. You can also find her at the annual Renew Connect Restore Black Women’s Health Retreat.

To inquire about therapy appointments: https://amandafludd.com/make-an-appointment/

How to Follow Through On Your Goals

womens retreat, self care, black and brown women self care

Mindfulness Self Care Women empowerment Self-Care • Womens Retreat February 6, 2024 By AMANDA FLUDD 1 Comment

Reclaiming Stillness: How Black and Brown Women Can Rediscover Themselves

It’s easy to lose sight of our goals and values when we’re busy on the move chasing our list of expectations and responsibilities. Most of us can do it with our eyes closed on autopilot.

Autopilot is the opposite of awareness.

Autopilot is where we go when we are tired of how hard it is to be successful in this country. It’s where the familiar is dialed up, but our minds are practically on mute, not engaged with driving to work, leading teams, cleaning the house, ubering the kids to their activities, or binging shows on the couch at 1:58 am. For black and brown women, it can be our haven from power struggles and being “the only” in the room, but it’s also where we lose ourselves.

Something about it feels good, but something also feels so far from the self you want to be. So how do we find her again? How do we come back into awareness and reconnect to something that gives us life? This is where the importance of self-care for Black and Brown women becomes a necessity.

Switching Off Autopilot: The Journey Back to Self

Learn how to do nothing.

It is a scary concept to embrace when we’ve established that success only comes by hard work. We are constantly in motion, in what feels like a never-ending loop where achievement is idolized, and being busy is flaunted as a mark of distinction. Instead, I wan’t to offer the profound strength found in the practice of retreating to a place of pause.

You should try something: picture yourself stepping into a quiet space, away from all the noise, where you can deepen your thought process and listen to your heart. Instituting periods of pause isn’t about running away; it’s about running toward a deeper understanding of your aspirations and dreams. Feeling connected and powerful again lies in asking ourselves if we’re living in alignment with our true selves—and having the courage to adjust our sails if we’re not.

From Historical Figures to Us: The Essential Retreat

Historical and spiritual narratives remind us of the importance of this practice. Take Jesus, for example. Amid his teachings and miracles, he found it essential to retreat to the Garden of Gethsemane. This wasn’t a timeout but a deliberate choice to reconnect, reassess, and recharge. If such a moment was crucial for him, why wouldn’t it be for us? It’s a compelling reminder that taking time to realign and refill is beneficial and necessary.

Filling Your Cup

So, when was the last time you allowed yourself this kind of retreat? When did you last recognize the signs of burnout or disconnect and decide to do something about it? We’re talking about stepping back to fill your cup, to rediscover yourself, to ensure you are not just moving but moving in the right direction with your tank full and spirits high.

Remembering who you are, or intentionally trying to discover that, is a radical act of care. The premise is what led us to create the Renew Connect Restore Annual Retreat, especially for Black and Brown women. We know firsthand the transformative impact of retreats. Retreats are not escapes but vital experiences for growth, deep reflection, and the joy of rediscovery, surrounded by similar women pouring into you. With workshops on leadership, health, entrepreneurship, identity, mental well-being, and finding one’s purpose, we offer a safe emotional space to release the responsibilities and rest, find inspiration, and enjoy whatever location we retreat to. This year, its Bali.

Intentionally building quiet moments into our lives allows us to stop, think, and connect with what we genuinely want. This habit helps us sift through the chaos, identifying what genuinely matters to us versus what keeps us busy.

Practicing A Retreat to Pause to Rediscover Self

Here are a few journal prompts to guide you:

What’s been taking up most of my headspace, and how can stepping back help me see clearer?
Where am I out of alignment with my core values when considering my personal and professional life?
What does ‘filling my cup’ look like, and who or what can help me achieve that?
Reflect on your current commitments and tasks. Which tasks need my immediate attention, and which ones can I let go of or don’t need to worry about at all? I’ll think about the power and freedom in simply saying no. What can I delegate or cut out of my schedule to make space for the things that truly matter to me? How will clearing this clutter help me zero in on the projects and goals aligning with my deeper purpose?
What can I commit to in the next three months, this month, and even today that can help me discover what fuels my joy?

These exercises is an opportunity to connect you back to living a present, bold, and audacious life. It’s your reminder to navigate what is in your control and wake up to this experience called your life.

An Invitation to Nurture Yourself

Ready to carve out that much-needed space for yourself? We’re extending an open invitation to you. Join our community and stay informed about our retreats, workshops, and other experiences designed with your growth and restoration in mind. Subscribe to our mailing list, and let’s continue this growth journey together.

How are you going to work on rediscovering yourself?

Amanda Fludd, therapist, speaker, mindset coach

Other great reads: Actionable Steps to Overcome Anxiety

The Self Love Journal For Women

Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R is a Licensed Psychotherapist, speaker, and Mindset Coach for high-achieving women in business. Her joy is addressing mental health on multiple levels, from the boardroom to stages with dynamic keynote speeches to therapy on the couch. Her workshops target self-care for black and brown women who lead.