SISTAH, RECLAIM
YOUR IMAGE.

This year, the official first day of fall was September 22nd. This time of year always feels like a gentle reminder to slow down and turn inward. The intentionality of fall is reflected in how the trees release their leaves. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox invites shorter days and colder weather. As a means of survival, our tree friends shed their leaves to conserve energy, protect themselves from the harshness of winter, and prepare for the next growing season

You deserve to be refilled, not drained by the love you so freely share. Let your care circle back to you and remind you that you, too, are worthy of tenderness.

I was conflicted between the two, should I rest or continue on?  I knew I should slow down but it felt so wrong.

There comes a moment when your body refuses to carry what your heart won’t release. I learned that peace isn’t passive; it’s protection. Healing began when I stopped pretending to be unbreakable and started choosing myself. My rest became rebellion. My boundaries became redemption. My peace became non-negotiable. For the first time, I understood—true strength isn’t enduring pain; it’s having the courage to release it.

Black women face relentless scrutiny — from slavery’s legacy to today’s media. Choosing rest, joy, and wellness isn’t indulgence; it’s rebellion. Every boundary set and every moment of peace is a refusal to let society define our worth.