As we approach the last week of Women’s History Month, I wanted to complete the celebration of this month with a huge topic that needs to stay top of mind. That topic is our health.
 Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.

There’s so much to be said and not enough writing time, but what it really comes down to ladies is taking care of self. Naturally most women are nurturers. We feed, protect, support, encourage, train, and educate those around us. We take on a lot. And unfortunately, we sometimes forget the most important person to take care of…us.

In order for us to be all those things to those around us, we HAVE to care for ourselves so we can actually remain here. This thing we call home…our body, takes work to keep up. I know we may not all be workout fanatics or like healthy foods, but we have to respect the temple that’s giving us an opportunity to be a mom, sister, friend, and wife.

I knowwww we all wish there was more time in a day, but we all have the same 24 hours per day and we have to make the best of it.
Just think about a home. Homes don’t do well sitting not lived in. They begin to collect dust, spider webs, dirt, and smells. I think of our bodies in the same way. They don’t do well not taken care of. Our bodies too can collect dust…better known as aches and pains. Spider webs…better known as anxiety and depression. Dirt and smells...better known as many diseases that can threaten our existence.
You’re doing yourself as well as those around you a disservice when you don’t take care of self. They want you around!
Before we get into great solutions, do me a favor, the next time you’re trying to fit something else into your already busy day, DO NOT let the first thing you cancel be pertaining to you. Meaning your workout, yoga, meditation etc. Remember your worth and know that it’s just as important to work out for 30 minutes as it is to make little Johnny’s baseball game. You are important too.
Now that we have that covered, I’d love to give you some ideas of how you can stay physically, spiritually and mentally healthy.
 

​1)      Make working out FUN! (Physical Health): Personally, I have to switch my workouts up so I won’t get bored. What I’ve recently added to my workout regimen is jump-roping! And I’m so loving it (minus hitting myself until I got back into the groove lol!) Bike riding is something else I plan on adding to my workouts, especially because summer is coming. So find a way to make working out for you fun.

2)      Natural feminine pads (Physical Health): SO! I’m so excited to talk about these! I do my best to be as natural as I can, and I came across this article that talked about all the chemicals in pads and tampons. Ugh. Needless to say, after that, I was on a hunt for some good natural feminine care. I did all my research and came across these in Target! Very reasonably priced and most of all made by women for women. If you haven’t already tried this company, I’d suggest you do!

3)      Journaling (Mental Health): Now, this is the type of health that I have to give myself more permission to spend time on. Journaling is such a great stress reliever. It’s like a best friend that never tells your business lol! Whether it’s 5 or 15 minutes, I challenge you to give yourself time to journal and release. It’s a great exercise.

4)      Church and meditation (Spiritual): The everyday tasks that we do in this world pull us down, tug, and drain us. It’s IMPERATIVE to have a sacred place where you can get recharged. I do both. I try to meditate daily, in the morning (I’m usually half sleep) during my morning routine.
 Church is my weekly recharge and I look forward to it. Especially if it’s been “a week” I know it’s time for some good ole praise and worship. It fuels me for the week ahead of me!

Above are different ways that I take care of self. Be inspired by what I do and make it your own.
Know your worth and remember your “why” when thinking about skipping that workout or journaling session.
“Why” do I have to work out” –because I want to see my children grow up.
I want to be a good friend, sister, wife, etc.
 
You…yes I’m talking to you reading this, you are amazing.
Don’t forget it. Happy Women’s History Month and continue to celebrate and support the women around you!
Xoxo,
ABnormally AB
 

Female Leaders:
1)      Eulinda “Lynn” Smith – Owner of Halo Salon & Experience. Where hair and Heaven Meet! Her salon offers a hair haven with an upscale, professional and tranquil setting! More than a salon, it’s an experience!
-          Lynn has been doing my hair since I was in elementary school. From doing my hair in her living room to having one of the classiest salons in Tallahassee, she is a successful entrepreneur and true inspiration to me and I’m so glad I get to call her my big sister.
Lynn’s Shop is located in Tallahassee, Florida. Thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose!
Address: 413 N. Magnolia Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308

1)     Women’s Prosperity Network Founders, Susan Wiener, Trish Carr, & Nancy Matthews –
Women’s Prosperity Network was founded by three sisters with the intention of creating a new type of networking for women. A network within a framework of a continuing community of support, education and advancement in their personal and professional lives. I can tell you from experience that this community is ALL THAT and so much more! If you know me, and we’ve talked female empowerment, then you’ve heard me sing praises about WPN.
The three founding sisters are Susan Wiener, Trish Carr, and Nancy Matthews. They each possess such unique and powerful gifts which explain why the foundation of this network is solid and has continued to flourish since 2008. Thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose sisters!
Women’s Prosperity Network Website: womensprosperitynetwork.com/

1)      Karla D. Ellis – Karla D. Ellis is a successful Florida lawyer that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know through Women’s Prosperity Network. With a background in criminal appeals as a former assistant attorney general, she stands in her power each day taking the opportunity to help others.
 
Her most recent success is coaching a moot court team to a WIN from her law school Alma mater, Florida State University. Thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose, Karla!
 Website: karladellis.com/

1)     Honey Hilliard – Honey Hilliard is a beautiful and successful American artist that I also met through Women’s Prosperity Network! (See how many amazing women I’ve met through that network?!)
Honey is a self-taught artist that loves to create a visual language of colorful optimism that is relatable and inspiring. Her work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and publications worldwide. The first time I saw Honey at a WPN meeting, I was drawn to her angelic-like spirit. It was like a stream of butterflies floated behind her as she walked lol! I know, but that’s what her spirit looks and feels like. I love working and hanging out with Honey and her family. From modeling her Armscarves to hanging out at the pool with her and her youngest daughter, Honey is an inspiring entrepreneurial female leader. Thank you for continuing to talk in your purpose, Honey!
 
Website: www.honeyhilliardart.com

Young Female Leaders:

1)      Symone Davis – Symone is a phenomenal news reporter at WAVY TV 10/FOX 43. Symone and I are Sorority sisters and met at a Sorority meeting where she was working at my local news station at the time. We automatically connected because we were the youngsters of the group. From there we’ve kept in close touch and have watched each other grow and continue to flourish.
Symone continues to make a great name for herself as she climbs up the news anchor ladder, and I’ll continue to cheer her on every step of the way. Symone, thank you for being such a great example for beautiful little girls that are coming after you. Thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose!
Instagram:www.instagram.com/symoneadavis/

​2)      Kat Medrano – Kat Medrano is a young woman of many goals and talents. She is a holistic lifestyle coach, a makeup artist, and how she’s helped me most is by being an essential Oils Educator. I met Kat at a WPN meeting (See what I mean!) We started talking and have stayed connected from there! Essential oils has played a huge part in my life and the lives of my family’s over the last few years, and I have Kat to thank for that. She took the time to answer any and all questions my mom and I had with pleasure. We are truly an essential oil family now! Thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewedlife_kat/
​

3)      Benin Saffo – Benin Saffo is a corporate success as a product manager at IBM Watson. I’ve known Benin since middle school and I always knew success would follow her wherever she went. Something that I may not have understood back in middle school but greatly admire now is her uniqueness and authenticity. Benin has an extraordinary passion for technology, people, and hair, and her recent AI (artificial intelligence) technology for natural hair is going to blow the socks off of the natural hair industry! Benin built a custom model to define different hair types through Watson Visual Recognition. (Pauseeee for dramatic effect!) My friends are bombbbbb! I’ll leave an article below for you to learn more about her new technology. Neener, thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose!
Article: https://medium.com/@benin.saffo/hair-564c3ab28aee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jelliebns/
​

4)      Bianca Belabre – Bianca Belabre is a successful social media strategist/manager and fashion blogger. My mom happened to meet her at….you guessed it…a WPN meeting. As they were talking, she was already familiar with my social media and I believe we connected through DM (direct messaging) and we’ve stayed connected since then! We are definitely each other’s road buddies when going to events around town.
Bianca is great at developing content that is consistent with your brand and delivers quality posts. I love that we are in the same area of business and do not view ourselves as competitors. Like WPN says, “It’s co-opetition.” We’re here to be helpers one to another and I’m excited to joint venture together in the future. Oh, and did I mention that she’s an amazing host?! She hosts several events around town and owns every stage she graces. Bianca, thank you for continuing to walk in your purpose!
Website: agirlwithstyle.com/
Instagram:www.instagram.com/biancabelabre/
 
Well, now you understand why I stay inspired and encouraged. I have these amazing women in my life that continue to motivate me on a regular basis.
The women above are awesome, and I want to remind you that you are too.
So, if no one has told you already, Happy Women’s History Month!
You are amazing.
Xoxo,
Abnormally AB