In spaces where we can truly be ourselves, healing becomes sacred work. As Black History Month draws to a close, I’m reflecting on what it means to create and maintain these sanctuaries for our mental wellness. These past 28 days have opened up powerful conversations about finding culturally competent care, processing racial trauma, and claiming our right to heal. Now, let’s talk about keeping these doors open.
I’ve been experiencing this power of culturally aligned spaces firsthand. This month, I began a 5-month Internal Family Systems (IFS) training with an all-BIPOC cohort. In our sessions, there’s an unspoken understanding, a shared language of experience that creates immediate safety. When we discuss how our parts hold generational wisdom or carry cultural trauma, no one asks for explanation or justification. Together, we’re exploring IFS through our shared cultural lens, understanding how our ancestral wisdom and collective experiences shape our healing journey. We can bring our full selves to the learning space, honoring both our professional growth and our lived experiences. This reminds me why creating and maintaining spaces that honor our complete identity is so crucial for genuine healing.
The daily work of protecting our peace doesn’t end with February. Neither does our need for spaces that understand and honor our experiences. So how do we carry this intentional care of our mental health forward?
First, let’s acknowledge that consistency in mental health care looks different for everyone. Maybe it’s weekly therapy sessions, monthly check-ins with a counselor, or regular conversations with trusted friends who get it. What matters is finding a rhythm that works for you and creates that sense of safety and sacred attention to your needs.
Here are ways to create your own sacred spaces for healing:
Create your own check-in ritual. Set aside regular time – maybe Sunday evenings or quiet weekday mornings – to tune in with yourself. This might include lighting a candle, playing music that speaks to your soul, or incorporating practices passed down through generations. How are you really doing? What’s weighing on your spirit? What kind of support do you need? These moments of honest reflection help us stay connected to our needs and our cultural wisdom.
Build your mental health toolkit. Identify the practices that help you feel grounded when dealing with microaggressions, workplace stress, or racial trauma. This might include meditation, journaling, movement, or connecting with community. Consider incorporating cultural practices that resonate with you – whether that’s ancestral healing traditions, spiritual practices, or contemporary forms of community care. Keep these tools accessible for the moments you need them most.
Stay connected to supportive spaces. Whether it’s a therapy group, online community, or circle of friends who understand your experiences, maintain these connections. These are more than just support systems – they’re sacred spaces where your experiences are validated, your culture is celebrated, and your whole self is welcomed. They’re vital lifelines when navigating spaces that weren’t built for us.
Remember, seeking support isn’t a one-time decision – it’s an ongoing choice we make for ourselves. Each time you prioritize your mental health, you’re contributing to a legacy of self-care and healing in our community.
At Mosaic Bloom Counseling, we’re here to support your journey not just during Black History Month, but through all seasons. Because creating safe spaces for sacred healing isn’t just a month-long practice – it’s a lifelong journey of honoring ourselves and our community.
