Darlene Valencia

Photo courtesy of @darleneandnova

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
YOU ARE AIR
WE NEED TO BREATHE
-CLOUDS AND FOREST 

Empowering myself or empowering the women around me, was never something I set out to do. I set out to find myself, because I got sick of feeling like shit. I wanted out.

I know one too many women who felt or feel this. Let me tell you, the way out was my way in. Into myself. I talk to myself a lot, ask myself all of these questions, gather all the women inside of me and mediate our discussions about my self-doubts. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I encourage you to talk to yourself more. A lot more. The things you’ll find out, all the secrets that come out, all of that stuff will blow your mind. Give you a little push forward.

The more I talked to myself, the more I realized my worth. My value. My power. 
I realized how much of myself I had abandoned, left alone. I cried, and I still do. It’s okay.

This is what I live to be fact. The times you don’t take care of yourself are the times you’re going to face your toughest challenges. It’s so incredibly important to take care of yourself, to nurture yourself, to give yourself all the love that you deserve, because all of that is your strength. It’s important to feed your mind, your soul, and your spirit because all of that helps you see. Do not house or feed what doesn’t need to be. Most importantly, surround yourself with those who motivate, inspire, and help you. Your power can create just as much good as it can bad, so surround yourself with great people...they are your reminders of light. 

If you are a woman, you are a godsend. The next time you feel less than, remind yourself of that. You are a godsend, you are powerful. Practice good, because the world needs us more than ever. Men can’t handle it on their own and they know this.

I wait for the day we, as women, realize our power. Especially if you are brown. That will be the ultimate shift.
 

To view more from Darlene, you can visit her website and Instagram.