Affirmations Inspired by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “I am ______ enough to do this.”

Have you seen the Netflix documentary “Knock Down the House?” It came out last year and chronicles several women of color running for...

Jan 16, 20233 min read

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“The Sum of Our Transitions” is a poem that I wrote during my final year of medical school in 2017 for Emory School of Medicine’s Literary Magazine, “The Stylus”. It has remained relevant and comforting during subsequent periods of transition for me, and I hope it may provide comfort to someone reading as well. 💙 I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as an added bonus! #medicalstudentproblems #foreverstudentatheart #radicalacceptance #instapoetry

Hope everyone enjoyed their first day of winter! #FBF to to living in Cambridge, MA.

I literally put on my knee length Northface Coat to step out onto my own balcony and play with the snow for like 30 minutes, and it fun!❄️😂🤷🏾‍♀️… That’s it. That’s the story.

Stay safe, stay warm, be kind to yourself and others, make some positive memories, and enjoy the holidays!
#winterwonderland #cambridgemassachusetts #wintersolstice

I’ve loved seeing everyone’s posts about Beyonce’s Renaissance concert and documentary! It reminds me of the importance of intentionally practicing the art of savoring. Did you know the ways that we choose to engage with the positive events in our lives actually influences how much enjoyment we get from them? With that in mind… some inspiration for a savoring challenge for us all!

Instead of waiting for something to distract us from our phones (an increasing high bar these days, unfortunately), let’s try being more proactive about putting our phones on DND so we can soak up more details of the moment the next time we’re doing an enjoyable activity.

Maybe instead of saying something was “Nothing to write home about”, let’s try just “writing home” about some part of it anyway, and see how we feel.

Instead thinking “I’ll clap for joy when I’m moved to…” what if we tried thinking “clapping for joy might help me enjoy this experience more?”

#mindfulness #mentalhealth #psychiatristsofinstagram #renaissanceworldtour #beyhive

🎵💕 One day soon, I’ll share more on all the reasons I believe that “Sideways” by Cleo Sol @gyallikeclee is the ultimate anthem for self compassion. For now, just listen, and judge for yourself.

☕️ 💕 Spending time here is such a treat. Words that describe @thedailyatl: Unique. Sunlight filled. Lighthearted. Delicious. Spacious. Aesthetic.

#selfcompassionquotes #atlantacoffeeshops #coffeeshopinteriors #mindfulness #lyricsquote

“If you were waiting for the right time it’s now.”

☕️💕 @thedailyatl (part 2).

#atlantacoffeeshops #coffeeshopinteriors #motivationalquotes #thetimeisnow

As with any relationship, the relationship between a person and their country can be complex. I appreciate the nuance and duality expressed by Baldwin with this statement.

#jamesbaldwin #jamesbaldwinquote #jamesbaldwinart #electionday #dialectics

By now you know the “Sunday scaries,” but have you heard of its cousin… the “November Scaries”…?

Well follow the steps of my 3-step cure, and read below for more help :)

Step 1: Rejoice because the year is, in fact, not over! Yay!

Step 2: Try one of these methods to reflect on the year to date:
- Journal about the year so far using the rose, thorn, and bud approach. Do this by listing positive things that happened (“Rose”), difficult things that happened (“thorn”), and things you are still looking forward to this year (“bud”).
- Make a list of things you have done, including wins, things you tried (regardless of outcome), challenges you faced, and ways that you’ve maintained positive gains from previous years.
- Look back at your planner or calendar, read through your journal, or scroll through the photos on your phone.

Step 3:
- Take a deep breath. (Really, take it!)
- Use this moment to (re)commit to doing this moment of this day, with increased awareness of the present.
- Remind yourself that change happens in the present moment.
- Go forward, extending grace to yourself and others, and continue to begin again, and again, and again…

#selfcaresunday #sundayscaries #mindfulness
#selfcompassion #journalprompts

Love, LOVE, this affirmation from Tracee Ellis Ross. This reframe is the perfect foundation to adopting a growth mindset.

It acknowledges that, yes, there is currently a gap between where I am and where I’m headed, and that is normal… otherwise, I would already be there. (Duh.) AND I have choice in how I interpret and therefore experience this gap!

She’s also phrased this sentiment as “I am learning everyday to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me.”
In other words, even the process of adapting this mindset… is a process! One that may require our attention, time, and effort. Sooo well put!

On that note, 2 ways I prime myself to view this space as more exciting, and less terrifying:

1. Reflecting on the fascinating phenomena of the neuroplasticity of the human brain. The more I read, the more I am reminded of the infinite ways that we can literally rewire the pathways in our brains, and this can correspond with everything from increasing pain tolerance, to learning a new instrument, to improving emotional regulation.

2. Immersing myself in the narratives of the people I admire, especially through reading memoirs, biopic films. This typically reminds me that so many people that I am now in awe of… were at one time 1) completely unknown to me, 2) facing a lot of awkward, intimidating, and maybe even terrifying, space between their current realities, and where they aspired to be (in terms of skill levels, opportunities, lifestyle, etc.).

So with that, CHEERS to all of us who are continuing to *grow* into having a growth mindset!

(And sending gratitude to the talented floral artists at @lejardinfrancais 😍)

#growthmindset
#mindovermood
#affirmations #affirmationoftheday #traceeellisross

Good morning, from myself, AND from this yellow ladybug… waking up to fall in front of @lejardinfrancais 😍 #floraldesign #floralart #fallaesthetic

Swipe for context 😍😂😍 I’m grateful to artist behind this beyond artistic transformation of an everyday eyesore 🧡

“You cannot be bitter and expect life to be sweet.” -unknown

Put another way… remember to be responsible for the energy you bring, AND, Sometimes your “sweetness” isn’t for other people, it’s for you! Period.

#muralart #quoteoftheday #muralsofinstagram #muralsofdecatur #muralsofatlanta

Spotted on the windowsill at @brownbagseafood … sending a little gratitude to whoever decorated and placed this little one here for us to enjoy this season❤️🍁 #pumpkinart #ilovefall #gratitude

May we all have the courage to face the full spectrum of our feelings as we go through this life ��❤️ #quotestoliveby #quoteoftheday #quotestagram #emotionalwellbeing

❤️❤️. I love the wording of needing a new editor! It reminds us that even when harsh self talk comes up, we still have the power to EDIT!
#selfcompassion #poetrybooks #poetrytherapysession #selfcompassionjourney #selflove

“When A black mother dies, there is a ripple effect.”
AND when black mothers are well supported there is a positive ripple effect on entire communities. Period.

Had the opportunity to view and discuss this documentary @aftershockdoc at “Start Strong” at @impactdcd and I highly recommend it!

About “Aftershock”: Following the preventable deaths of their loved ones due to childbirth
complications, two families galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with
one of the most pressing American crises of our time – the US maternal health crisis.

Streaming on @hulu.
#aftershockdoc #blackmaternalhealth #blackhealthmatters

Grateful for the opportunity to moderate a panel of knowledgeable and inspiring women at the “Strong Start: Black Maternal Health Event” at @impactdcd last month.

One topic we discussed was misconceptions about pregnancy and post partum periods in our professional fields.

A common misconception I’ve heard as a psychiatrist is the belief that “ I need to go off all my psychiatric medications when I’m pregnant.”

NOT TRUE!

Please talk to your doctors to weigh the risks and benefits of taking medications, AND the risks and benefits of stopping medications, for YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION. Whatever you decided to do… have a plan (and back up plans!). This may include medication, along with therapy, increased self care, checking in with important social supports, among other possibilities. Research shows that optimizing maternal mental health is so important for mom and baby, because untreated or underrated mental health disorders in the perinatal period affects babies mental and physical health as well.

#Blackhealthmatters
#Blackpsychiatrist
#blackmaternalhealth

Let’s begin! #newaccountpleasefollow✌️✌️ #mentalhealthblogger #blackpsychiatrist #blacktherapist

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Affirmations Inspired by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “I am ______ enough to do this.”

FOLLOW @DRPATRICE_SPEAKS FOR MORE:

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