Navigating the Corporate Labyrinth: Energy-Saving Mental Health Strategies for Black & Brown Women in the Workplace
First things first, we want to give you your flowers.
We stand in awe of your prowess and strength as you navigate the intricate tapestry of the corporate world while tending to the needs of yourself, your family, and your communities. We understand firsthand the challenges and roadblocks you face, and we also know what it truly takes to remain brave and fearless in the many ways that you have. Your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, so here are your flowers of celebration Brown Girl. For working hard, for staying true to your grind, and for being the best at what you do even when you may not feel like it. And because you’ve worked so hard at being the baddest of them all, we must also ask this question: when was the last time you checked in on you?
It's no secret that Black and brown women face unique challenges in corporate spaces that contribute to higher rates of stress, anxiety, and mental health issues when compared to their white counterparts. Discrimination, microaggressions, and additional pressures stemming from intersectionality and economic disparities can wear even the strongest warrior down if she has not yet found healthy ways to cope with her environmental stressors. In order to transmute our challenges into beneficial moves, we must acknowledge the reality of not only what is, but what can also be changed. What can be changed comes by means of this friendly reminder from our heart to yours: Sis, you are not a machine.
When was the last time you looked in the mirror and asked, “How we doing today? What’s on our mind?” and subsequently gave the most unfiltered, unabashed answer that you could possibly give? A precautionary measure if you will, taking stock of your feelings can be a radical act of self-care, personal empowerment, and a liberating tool that can guide you through the labyrinth of maintaining a healthy mindset amidst the chaos of life and work. By enacting this check-in practice and becoming the caretakers of our minds, we can continue to enjoy a busy lifestyle without becoming a busy mess. We can turn our attention fully toward the joy that lies on the other side of our challenges while addressing the matters of the present with more confidence and ease.
Here are some of our personal recommendations for checking in on you, keeping your energy up, maintaining good mental health, and looking like a boss while you do it.
Embrace Your Multifaceted Brilliance
Your brilliance is what got you in the door and it's good to remind yourself of the lasting light that is within you often. It’s easy to lose sight of our true value when the environment calls for other things in order to survive. So, we should strive to check in regularly on our achievements and the brilliance that required us to carry out our daily duties from the start. This is how we keep our energy up no matter what’s happening in the environment around us. This is also how we show others how to shine in their own brilliance by leading by example. Never forget who you are and remind yourself of her often.
Let That ish Go.
Some things you are just going to have to float above by not allowing them to worry you or bring you down. The bottom line is, people are people and we will always be people’in. From your own family member or partner to an encounter with a complete stranger on the street, it can really be anyone sent to teach us a lesson about what truly warrants our energy and attention.
Your ability to flow away from conflict and move into a state of non-reactivity is the fastest way to build mental fortitude, acceptance, and discernment between the things you can and cannot change. This also translates into the workplace. No matter where we go, humans collide and sometimes those collisions don’t feel very good and may even be downright unjustified, but our response is our power. By picking and choosing what you will and will not respond to based on an analysis of value, output, and energy, you can gauge things against your personal and professional values and save yourself a lot of stress spinning your wheels for nothing. Let it go.
Building Resilience through Supportive Networks
In this journey, your tribe is your sanctuary. Cultivating connections with fellow Black and brown women in your workplace who share your perspectives can make all the difference. Sharing stories of triumph, setbacks, and the day-to-day grind can create a nurturing space to vent, seek advice, and reaffirm each other when you need it most. Start a WhatsApp Group and invite those you trust. And if you don’t have a tribe at work, build a personal network of your own or join a community like Brown Girl, Corporate World to find your tribe and baseline for support. Taking action toward building and connecting with a safe network of supporters will make all the difference during the most critical times in your life and celebratory ones alike.
Setting Boundaries: The Keystone of Self-Care
Amidst the cacophony of commitments that come up throughout the day remember this: you deserve to set the limit. Setting boundaries that protect your time and energy so that you can focus will give you a sense of accomplishment, help you feel more at ease, and increase your productivity. Even as adults we need guardrails and intentional behavior to get things done, and by drawing some of those lines ourselves we help us everyone we are connected to at the same time.
For example, if you work from home full-time, creating a clear distinction between your professional and personal realms will only make you better at your work. Blocking your time and maintaining control of your calendar is also a great tool that can save stress in the long run. Whether you're working on a specific project, engaging with colleagues, or blocking off time to eat lunch and call your mom, giving your days a bit more structure between meetings can reduce anxiety and nurture your overall sense of well-being. Also, exercise good judgment and try to be flexible when it calls. Negotiating deadlines is a tool of masters.
Amplifying Your Voice: Mental Health Advocacy
Your voice holds immense power and we should never shy away from speaking up about personal wellness at work. Authentic exchanges in safe environments can help lay the foundation for a workplace culture that values mental health for women of color and its employees, and where managing stress is openly acknowledged and support is readily available. It is only through actively speaking up about these topics, whether through employee surveys or by having direct conversations with your boss or colleagues, can we begin to create more mentally and emotionally safe work environments for those that come behind us.
Staying True to Who You Are At any Given Moment
Now, we won’t lie and say that this is something that can always be easily done in corporate environments, but with practice, it is definitely possible to be your true professional self at work while being simultaneously trusted and respected for what you do. When we spend less time trying to be what we think will be accepted in corporate spaces and focus on staying true to our unique selves and what we bring to the table as professionals of expertise, a new level of power unlocks with an ease that can propel you into the highest of heights without abandon. Having seen the corporate landscape change in real time over more than 20 years, now is a better time than ever to walk in your truth and bring value through your individuality.
As change makers in business, we have the ability to mold the future and that starts with being authentic to who we are all while getting the job done with excellence. Champion authenticity in yourself and others at work and watch how much more enjoyable your work and personal life become.
Seeking Professional Guidance
In the pursuit of sound mental well-being and maintaining our overall health, seeking professional support is never a bad idea. In fact, it's a sign of strength and an outward expression of your desire to be at your best for yourself and those around you. Seeing a licensed psychiatrist, getting therapy, or hiring a personal coach are all viable tools for conquering life’s challenges and managing stressful times. Choosing a therapist or mental health expert that is attuned to your unique experiences can also equip you with strategies that empower your personal wellness and professional journey.
As we navigate these spaces and look to each other to fuel the way, let our experiences be the inspiration we share. And as we traverse into another week of corporate mayhem, remember that your mental health and personal wellness are non-negotiable priorities. Embrace your brilliance, lean into your network, set healthy boundaries, advocate for mental health, and seek professional guidance if you need it. And more importantly, we’re always here.