Hey Reader,

Being a child of the 80s who was heavily involved in cheerleading and dancing, the phrase "break it down" holds a special place in my heart.

This phrase instigates, invigorates, and builds anticipation for what’s to come.

It is simply known that in the middle of a routine or song, when you hear the words "break it down" there is about to be a shift in the atmosphere.

It may be a beat change, an acapella moment, or an intricate 8 count – we just know its 👏🏽 about 👏🏽 to 👏🏽 go 👏🏽 down 👏🏽!

Anyone who has ever been on a dance team or taken an exercise class, knows that even at the point of dogged tiredness, hearing "break it down" sends a new surge of energy through the body, and all of a sudden, you’re giving it all you got.

Well recently, I reached a low point.

I wasn’t sleeping well, lacked energy to complete tasks, and motivation was on nonexistent. It almost became painful to complete tasks that previously seemed easy to manage.

I asked myself repeatedly “what is wrong with me?” “what is going on?” “why am I so tired?”

And after a conversation with one of my healthcare providers, it became glaringly evident that I was breaking down.

Before this low point, I had been functioning at a high level for several months. I was eating better, exercising almost daily, completing research projects, submitting manuscript drafts, working on my book, and on top of my game professionally.

And then I crashed.

Although I thought I was capitalizing on my energy levels, I was actually doing the absolute most. I was functioning at a level that wasn’t sustainable – and neglecting to prioritize rest and rejuvenation. I was simply on go, and proud of it.

The thing about the part of the routine or song where we "break it down" is that it typically only lasts for a brief period of time, and everything around the breakdown is in the pocket.

This is because the level of energy required during the breakdown is simply not sustainable long-term. So, a lesson I am learning in this season is that I don’t always have to be on "break it down" mode.

I can stay in the pocket and use "break it down" as an affirmation when I need to lay it down, flip it, and reverse it.

Because though I get to produce and contribute to this world, my value is not determined by my ability to produce. And holding up output and outcomes as an indicator of my value reduces my humanity and negates the wholeness of me, the all of me.

So, I got some tips for us – and hold me accountable too!

1. Engage in self-check-ins twice daily – in the morning and evening (this will help you to know where you are emotionally and mentally and provide an opportunity to self-correct if necessary)
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2. Schedule rest and rejuvenation (Pressing the gas pedal in your car will do nothing if you don’t have any gas in the tank. You must fill up as often as possible to avoid depletion and breaking down)
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3. Set boundaries (my friend Dr. Candice Crawford once told me “you can do anything, but you don’t have to do everything. It is okay to say yes to people, opportunities, and events – it is also okay and necessary to say no!)
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4. Add “break it down” to your list of affirmations (when I am in the homestretch of a task and lacking a bit of energy, hyping myself up by saying “break it down now” gives me the final push I need to complete a task.)
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5. Get back in the pocket (look at your life as a stoplight. There are times when it’s green and you are on go, there are times when its yellow and you slow down, and then there are times when its red, and you stop. Stopping is okay, staying stopped is the problem)

Let me know if you find these tips helpful.

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--

In Ubuntu,

Dr. Ebony White
Founder & CEO, Sikhona Sanctuary LLC
e: info@drebonywhite.com
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Ubuntu | I am because we are, and because we are, I am.