"Finding Wholeness in Wellness: A Black Trans Masculine Journey"

As someone who has struggled with wellness, I know how difficult it can be to find balance. The journey towards wellness can be a challenging one, but it’s worth it!

I used to believe that simply going to the gym was enough to be healthy, but I quickly realized that wellness is much more complex. It's about caring for all parts of yourself, including those that have been discriminated against and oppressed. Now this is something that will take constant work, and I have not mastered it at all. It’s been super important for me to approach wellness with an open-mind and explore all its possibilities.

For too long, my journey with wellness focused solely on what was trending and what would help me avoid diseases that are more prevalent in Black communities. But I've learned that true wellness means being curious about yourself and what you need to feel present in your body. It's about achieving balance and wholeness and taking care of ourselves in all aspects - physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. It's okay to start small and take it one step at a time. It's okay to ask ourselves what we need to feel present in our bodies, and to be curious about our avoidance. Curiosity is healing, and it can help us discover new ways to take care of ourselves.

As a Black and Brown transgender person, I know that this journey can be challenging. That's why I'm committed to building a community that supports and uplifts Black and Brown trans masculinity. Through Creating Balance 360, we will host events, retreats, and sell uplifting products specifically for our community.

One of the biggest tasks for me at this time in my life is my weekly Testosterone shot. Wellness today for me, means treating my testosterone shot day like a spa day and being more intentional with my finances. And I encourage all Black and Brown folks to try restorative yoga, which has been a game-changer for me. Wellness is a never-ending journey, but it's one that's worth taking. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can inspire others to find their own paths to balance and healing. Let's strive for wellness that is liberating and free, like water.

For daily wellness I intend to incorporate mindfulness exercises. Mindfulness is about being present and not worrying about things that are not in front of you. Here are some ways I will practice mindfulness throughout the day..

1. When waking up in the morning I will practice visualizations and deep breathing. In the past, I have usually grab my phone first and dived right into checking emails. Those things are not emergencies and can wait.

2. More frequently scanning my body to make sure that I am present in feeling sensations. Our bodies usually sends a message using our nervous system way before we are aware of whats happening.

These five things are not all the ways but they are very important and I wanted to share them.

Mental Health awareness has grown so much especially with celebrities and people with big platforms getting more involved to spread messages. I hope that this story helps you understand that caring for yourself and being more intentional with your wellness is okay and doesnt mean that their is anything wrong with you. I would love to hear ways you spend time with wellness in your life. These are my priorities but there is so much more out there that you can use to build "being well" to your life.

Happy New Year !