Get Your Umbrella: Finding Joy in the Storm (A Solo Trip I Almost Didn’t Take)

Recorded on a solo trip I almost didn't take: two years of the podcast, a hard year, and finding joy in the middle of the storm. Hey y'all 🤎 This one is special. It's my birthday week, the Brown Heart Wellness Podcast just turned two, and I recorded this episode on the beach during a solo trip I almost talked myself out of. I'm sharing what this past year has really looked like: being laid off last October, my family shifting all at once, and the long work of finding my footing when it felt like I was drowning. I talk about why it's okay to pause, why coming up for air is part of saving yourself, and why bravery doesn't always feel brave. This season isn't about the storm itself. It's about finding joy and finding ourselves in the middle of it. So get your umbrella. Let's talk about it. In this episode: Why I started this show two years ago, and how it grew into the Brown Heart community Where the Brown Heart came from Last October: the layoff, the family shifts, and the spiral I wasn't ready for Letting my footing find me, one day at a time Saving yourself: dive in, come up for air, go back in Travel, escape, and the difference between running away and needing a pause Giving yourself a full-bodied yes Why the brave thing doesn't always feel good in the moment Getting your umbrella and finding joy in the storm Brown Heart Affirmation: I am coming up out of the water. I've got my umbrella. I don't have to wait for the storm to pass to find my joy. Brown Heart Mindful Moment: Let your shoulders drop and sit with me by the ocean for a moment. Picture yourself opening your umbrella. Breathe in slow, and let go. You are covered, and you can rest right here, even in the rain. One Brave Thing: Before you hit a reason to cancel on yourself, ask "What's the solution?" before you say "I quit." Timestamps: 00:00 The solo trip I almost didn't take 02:00 Why I started this podcast 04:54 Where the Brown Heart came from 06:28 Last October: when the storm hit 09:27 Letting my footing find me 13:55 Come up for air, go back in, save yourself 15:37 Travel, escape, and needing a pause 18:00 On the beach, full of gratitude 18:31 What do you deserve a full-bodied yes to? 20:39 Bravery doesn't always feel brave 23:03 Get your umbrella 27:03 Brown Heart Mindful Moment 29:21 A birthday gift for the show It's my birthday week and the show's birthday too. The gift I'm asking for: share this episode with a friend who needs a pause, and hit follow so you don't miss what's coming next. 🤎 #BlackWomenLeaders #Burnout #Rest #FindingJoy