Have You Slowed Down Lately?

Dear Healed Black Girl,

I went to the park yesterday.

It wasn’t planned—I was on my way to run errands and decided to stop and just sit. It was one of those absolutely gorgeous days. The kind of day that makes you feel compelled to be in nature. So that’s exactly what I did.

I listened to a podcast. I read. I listened to music. Ate some fruit. People-watched.
I was in such a state of enjoyment that I found myself tearing up—just overwhelmed by the beauty of life.

It made me think about how healing the simple pleasures can be. How powerful it is to slow down. To sit. To breathe. To be.

Naturally, I thought about you.

How does healing show up in your everyday life?
Do you slow down enough to metaphorically—or literally—smell the roses?

Lately, I’ve been getting more into my spirituality—Buddhism, to be exact—and one of the biggest things I’m learning is how much mindfulness matters. Being present. Not rushing.
Slowing down is a sign of healing. It’s a sign that we’ve started recognizing the value of every moment. That we care enough to pause and really take it in.

Of course, we can’t live in that space all day—we’ve got things to do, lives to manage—but it’s made me reconsider just how much pressure I put on myself to get everything done now.
Do I really have to rush through this to-do list?
Or can I take my time?

Lately, I’ve been taking my time.
I’m extending my self-imposed deadlines. I’m giving myself more space to breathe.
To rest. To just be.

That’s all for today.

Sending you love, peace, and a gentle reminder to slow down.

Follow @healedblackgirlmovement on Instagram for more.

—A fellow Healed Black Girl