All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
When the world feels overwhelming, I turn to my roots and look toward ancestral wisdom.
Loveis Wise
One of the best pieces of advice that I have ever received comes from an Audre Lorde quote.
The Black lesbian warrior poetonce rightfully said, Caring for myself is not self-indulgence.
It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.
The self-care that Lorde speaks of is the self-care of survival.
Quieting the mind through meditation
Ive startedmeditatingthree to four times a day.
Even if for five-minute increments, its been a life-saver.
Im always surprised just how much tension Im carrying.
Prior to this period, I wasnt really big on meditation, but I needed to find something.
One way Ive been coping has been through spiritual rituals, meditation, and energy cleansing.
Each day I do a daily meditation and astral projection activity.
It allows me to connect more deeply with my identity.
Furthermore, it gives me time to breathe and unplug.
The world sucks right now, but my mental health doesnt need to!
Spirituality also allows me to look within and solve many personal issues in my life.
I have reassessed my being and created a new version of myself.
Intentionally moving the body
Ive been taking cycling classes at home.
Ive done this before, but Ive grown more attached to my cycling community.
All Black women, uplifting, supporting, encouraging one another.
This has dramatically helped my mental state.
I used to turn to social media for connection.
Listening to affirming music
Music is the way that I cope.
I could go from hip-hop to R&B to soulto pop, or to Bachata in one day.
Its very soothing and therapeutic.Monica E., 29, bi, Arlington, Virginia
4.
Its like getting to go to the Korean spa from the comfort of your own home.
Joseph R., gay/queer/nonbinary, Washington, D.C.
6.
Cooking and baking to channel sadness and rage
Ive been #RageBaking.
Not theco-opted white-girl version of rage bakingoooh, they tried itbut the version created by Tangerine Jones@ragebaking.
I knew I couldnt just sit here and be sad or constantly full of rage.
Collecting and creating Black art
I have decided to surround myself with shades of Black creativity.
I even framed two T-shirts I bought from Black-woman-owned businesses.
I am an avid writer, and I love to explore myself through art.
I use the poems to reflect my thoughts and feelings, and issues in the world.
Essentially I am using art as my self-expression.
Most recently Ive written pieces about school, abusive relationships, and my rocky relationship with my father.
Each poem is a separate piece in the collage that creates who I am.Josiah A.
Another coping tool Ive been using is designing.
They say sometimes clutter in your mind reflects your environment.
Gaming as an escape
Animal Crossing!
I think it came out at the perfect time.
It allows me to see friends and socializethe gamealso allows for an escape.
I dont have to think about the virus or safety preconditions.
Using genealogy tracking to find ancestral roots
11.
Getting closer to nature
I have become aplant mom!
Im now five plants in, and I love watching them grow and transform.
I feel patient and gentle when Im taking care of them.
They are changing me and helping me cope with being chronically pissed and heartbroken.
Naomi W/-L.
12.
Theeconomic falloutfrom the pandemic has intensified my concerns.
Having more in my savings helps ease my anxiety.
Tyrone H., gay/queer, 38, Washington, D.C.
13.
I applied to grad school and was accepted!
Ive already completed two graduate classes online about social media use in education.AJ A.
*, asexual, 32, Alexandria, Virginia
*Name has been changed.
Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
