-Tamara’Shanay-

Cousins!

In today’s world it is fairly easy to get caught up in the hustle and consistent grind of everyday life. So much so that we often push ourselves to an unimaginable limit and ultimately burn out. Though we all want to win and reach our highest potential imaginable, we must prioritize the value of rest and self love before anything else!

While appearing on the series ‘Recipe For Change : Amplifying Black Women’, Saweetie spoke on the importance of the three b’s : balance, breaks and barriers.

“Balance, not only do we work hard, but we need that love, that girl time, that support because if we’re always working, we’re not watering that other side of us. And I feel like everybody is like plants — we all need to be watered. And if we’re not watered we’ll wilt,”, said the Icy Queen.

“Breaks, I always tell the young entrepreneurs, the young go-getter … team no sleep? No, that’s not cute. No, please get your rest, drink your water, replenish yourself mentally physically, spiritually, all that — cause I’ve done it before.”

“And then boundaries, set your boundaries. I’d have a long workday and if it was someone’s birthday, I’d feel like I had to go, but I had to create boundaries. Whether you’re mad or not, just know that I love you. I respect you, but I can’t do it. Because if I’m drained, I won’t be able to serve you — and I love serving people. But those are things that I learned ’cause I was burnt-out.”

Saweetie explains that a life altering experience shifted her mindset, forcing her to take a deeper look at her daily normalcy.

“I had, like, three mental breakdowns, and I was like … I’ll never get to the point of, ‘I can’t do this no more’ because I thank God for my blessings. But I literally just — I was dying inside.”

“And I feel like as strong women, especially Black women, we have to establish that — not only with the world but with our team.”

Saweetie continued surrounded by fellow celebrities and public figures within a round table discussion of Kelly Rowland, Kelis, Elaine Welteroth, Angelica Ross and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and more.

“Because while we’re leading, I know that we try not to show weakness, vulnerability — but that’s not weakness. I was taught at a young age, ‘Don’t show no weakness, don’t cry, don’t complain but we need to express ourselves.’ But I feel like because we’re such strong women, our team is like ‘Oh, she can do it. She can do it.’ And it’s not a negative it’s a positive but hey I’m a human too,” said Saweetie.

Cousins be sure to check out, Recipe for Change: Amplifying Black Women available now on Jason Y. Lee’s Jubilee YouTube Channel. The series consist of fireside chats amongst Black and Brown women sharing stories and traditions connected to the experiences of Black women, reports People.