When My Body Said “Enough”: Why Self-Care for Moms Isn’t a Luxury—It’s Survival
In 2017, I was forced to confront a truth that many of us working moms—especially Black women—ignore for far too long:
You cannot pour from an empty cup.
At the time, I was working in Child Protective Services full-time, with two part-time therapy jobs on the side. I was raising six children: a high school senior preparing for college, a middle schooler battling depression, twin ten-year-old boys, a three-year-old who clung to me constantly, and my nephew, who was dealing with trauma after I took him in during a family crisis.
My marriage felt like single parenting. My husband was hustling. My job had become toxic. And no matter how exhausted I felt, I kept going.
Because that’s what many ambitious Black moms do—we push through.
Even with migraines, body aches, ulcers, and persistent fatigue, I kept showing up for everyone but myself.
Until my body shut down completely.
From Burnout to Diagnosis: When Stress Becomes a Health Crisis
Right after my 37th birthday, I woke up with ulcers covering my throat. Within days, they had spread to my mouth. I was bedridden with exhaustion and completely overwhelmed.
That November, I was diagnosed with Behcet’s Disease, a rare autoimmune condition triggered by chronic stress and inflammation. It wasn’t “just stress.”
It was my body screaming: you cannot keep living like this.
That diagnosis changed everything.
I let go of the extra jobs.
I began therapy.
I learned to rest without guilt.
I started listening to my body and honoring its needs.
I created daily rhythms that included movement, school drop-offs, and rest.
And for the first time, I put myself on my own list.
Eventually, I left Child Protective Services and opened my own therapy practice—built around the wellness and freedom I had once denied myself.
What Self-Care Really Means for Black Moms
As a therapist who supports ambitious, high-achieving Black women and working moms, I see this pattern every day.
We are doing the absolute most—building careers, raising children, caregiving for others, managing households, and holding the emotional weight of everything and everyone.
And still, we tell ourselves:
“I’ll rest later.”
But here’s the truth:
If you don’t make time for your mental wellness, your body will eventually force you to.
Self-care isn’t about candles or spa days (although those are nice).
Real self-care is about creating a life you don’t need to recover from.
For the Black Mom Who Feels Like She’s On the Edge
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s me”—you’re not alone.
You may be feeling:
Emotionally and physically drained
Burned out at work and at home
Disconnected from your own identity
Unsure how to even begin prioritizing yourself
That’s exactly why I created The Ambitious Mom Reset—a therapist-designed self-care workbook for working Black moms who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and ready to feel like themselves again.
This guide offers:
Tools to help you say “no” without guilt
Simple mindset shifts to reconnect with your identity
Boundaries that protect your energy
Permission to rest, reflect, and reset
Seeking Therapy, Mental Wellness, or Self-Care Support?
If you're exploring therapy for Black moms, curious about how to create a sustainable self-care plan, or just craving a moment to breathe—this guide is a starting point.
You don’t have to wait until you hit your breaking point.
You deserve wellness. You deserve joy.
And your children deserve a mother who feels whole—not just functional.
Click Here to download the Ambitious Mom Reset and take the first step toward your peace.
If you're a busy Black mom searching for self-care ideas, mental health resources, or a therapist who understands your reality—you’re in the right place.
You don’t have to carry it all alone anymore.
