“The well-being of a woman’s mind is integral to the well-being of our families, our children, and humanity,” said author, theologian, and activist Rahiel Tefamariam. This particular quote was the kick-off to Uncommonly Well: Cultivating Love and Feeding the Soul, a panel conversation moderated by television personality Tanya Sam at ESSENCE Festival. The spanning conversation that ensued also featured authors Danielle Bayard Jackson and Nona Jones
Insightful details, strategies, and personal experiences that impact Black women pertaining to friendships, moving away from comparing yourself to others, and more were discussed. Self-care was discussed by each panelist–what was most pivotal about the discussion was how they offered various perspectives on healing, wellness, and putting yourself first.
Jackson, a friendship coach, podcast host, and author of Fighting For Our Friendships shared that many of us must have a sense of urgency when it comes to our intimate relationships beyond our romantic ones. “Research doesn’t lie, it tells us that the number one thing that determines your overall well-being and life satisfaction is the quality of your relationships,” she said. She added women with female friends are paid more than their counterparts. “Women who have female friends have better emotional regulation,” Jackson adds.
To navigate being a better friend and being more social Jackson says the 5/3/1 framework is helpful. “If you want better social health which is directly tied to how long you live or how satisfied you are with your life–interact with 5 different groups of people,” she says. 5 includes gym friends or your happy hour friends. She goes on to express that 3 is for maintaining three close relationships. While 1 boils down to one hour of social interaction a day.
When asked about the origins of her latest…
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