This month, we celebrate International Women’s Day and Month, putting the focus on the women around the world and the impact that they have made on those around them.
In recent years, I have really seen Black women take up space in a way I did not see growing up. And girl, I really LOVE to see it! Black women are taking up space in so many different sectors of society from Rihanna in fashion and beauty to our favourite influencers on social media. And whilst this is lovely to see, there is STILL so much space up for grabs. But how do we take it? I present to you my five steps for taking up space:
1. Think yourself big
Sis, believe that you are the person you wish to be because you are. You just haven’t met that part of yourself yet, but she’s coming. You need to have enough audacity and self-belief to ‘think yourself big’. Some people would simply say ‘fake it til you make it’ but I do not think such language used to frame our thinking is always helpful. So instead, I lean towards ‘thoughts become things’. If you think it, you’ll believe it and manifest it.
So, think yourself big girl!
2. Build the table and make some space
If a table doesn’t exist where you can sit comfortably, build one. And no, I am not saying all Black women need to start building their own businesses, quitting their day jobs and becoming freelancers. But what I am saying is that if something doesn’t exist or feel right, maybe you can be the one to change that. For example, if your workplace does not advocate enough for self-care, start a well-being club with some colleagues or make an active point of letting your colleagues know that you will not be reading your emails after 4 pm as a self-care practice. Here, you’re taking up space by letting those around you know the space you require to exist comfortably. By telling and showing them what does and does not work for YOU, you’re simultaneously letting them know that you’re willing to fix it.
3. Rest, sis. Rest.
Can we Black women get some rest in between working twice as hard and being more educated than our counterparts? Sha, it’s hard out here but it is not every day booked and busy. Some days it needs to be well and rested. How will this allow me to take up space? I hear you ask. Well, if you are well-rested when the right opportunities come knocking, you’ll be ready; not booked or busy. There have been countless times where opportunities have come for me but because I am overworking myself and staying ‘booked’, when these opportunities I actually wish to pursue arise, I do not have the capacity to do so. So, let’s rest now so we can thrive later.
4. Be intentional
Further to my third point, take a step back, think about what your purpose is and then be intentional about the spaces you occupy in order to fulfil your purpose. I’ve written about the importance of being intentional before as I think it is a really key tool in being successful and achieving your purpose. Once you know what you want to achieve, you’ll know the spaces you are meant to be in and then those doors will open for you.
5. Live, laugh, love
Being a Black woman is worthy of celebration. Not just for International Women’s Day, and not just for March but for every day that we exist on this earth. Joy is an act of rebellion and revolution in a system that endeavours to drag us. Walk in joy as a Black woman and that in itself will take up more space than we can imagine.
Happy Women’s Month Black Women!
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Written by Jamila Ayesha
Illustrated by Francesca Mariama
