20/22 VISION.
I remember when this shit was just an idea. Like so many other business ventures, outrageous goals, career decisions, like so many other ideas that I’ve had float around in my mind. Many left unexecuted. I remember this shit like it was yesterday. I woke up one morning in early 2021, face-timed my man and excitedly told him my idea, I mean laid it all out. The idea, the blueprint, the vision, the end goal, every single detail. I sat and listened to his feedback and I was so thankful, so grateful for his input, his encouraging words. My idea, although it was so big, it felt so attainable, because it was.
I had the vision, I had the willpower to take an idea and run with it, and I did. On March 7, 2021, The She-Shed was born. My pride and joy, my baby. From that day forward, I remember researching, brainstorming exactly what I wanted to be created from this vision of mine. I would bounce my ideas off on my partner, family members and friends, I would accept all of the constructive criticism and built my platform upon that foundation that was being created between myself and my village.
The entire purpose of The She-Shed was to create a safe space to allow women to be their unapologetic selves. To speak, to cry, to be happy without restrictions. I remember the day I wrote the very first mission statement for The She-Shed in the notes on my phone. How good did I do? (Read below duhhh lol)
The She-Shed is a space designed and cultivated for women by women. The purpose of this entity is to create a safe space for women to allow themselves to be vulnerable and expressive in the presence of others like themselves. A space where we can all be unapologetically free, at peace and grow. The She-shed is just that, “She”, as in us as women, shedding the layers that scale us back daily. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, racism, mental health disparities, being BLACK, but more than anything, being Black women. This space was created for us as a village to participate in the journey of healing, not only ourselves but together. Who ever said life had to be lived alone? It takes a village, and this right here is the journey to our tribe and sisterhood.
I’m not sure just how much you know me, but if you are a reader that actually knows me, then you know just how important family and friendship is to me. I’ve always been a popular girl. I’ve always had many friends and associates. I remember being the “go to” friend and relative for years. Everyone would come to me for advice, to run ideas by me, to vent. I was that girl. It’s funny because although I was that girl for so many people, I always felt like I never had anyone to be that person for me. Until I found my therapist. Before finding him, I did have my partner to vent to, and he was just as awesome to talk to, I also had a few friends that I knew I could call and dump my shit on, but that was so unhealthy. I knew that it was but so much longer that I could continue doing this because energy transfers and I could end up causing harm to their space and soul if I continued on.
I’ve ventured through many forms of therapy before I settled into what now works for me. My therapist suggested journal writing early on in our sessions because he realized how easy it was for me to express myself through words and writing. The idea behind this new project being a journal club stemmed from my own personal experience with therapy. During the duration of the She-Shed, we will meet every Sunday for 5 weeks. I will send out journal prompts/ writing assignments early on in the week and once we meet on our designated day, we will share our writing in a judgement free, safe and positive environment. How fucking peaceful and anxiety free does that sound? Oh yea, let’s not forget the wine requirement lol. Everyone was highly encouraged to pour a glass of their favorite wine for the session. I keep teasing everyone saying the wine proof should be 14% or higher or it doesn’t count. Now I’m a big dog so 14% or higher is needed for me to loosen up but I can’t speak for others. Lol
Women need other women in their lives who think they are a BIG DEAL. NO competition, NO backhanded comments, NO jealousy, NO hate. Just “I love you, I support you, and there is no one on earth like you” kind of energy. So here I am, bringing all of this and more to the lives of women near and dear to me. We are ONE WEEK from the date of launch for this project and I couldn’t be more excited. Nearly one year to the date of what was once an idea, has now began to blossom. I cannot wait for the FULL BLOOM.
I’d like to thank any and everyone who poured into my cup, who listened to my many rants, who believed in this vision when it was just a mustard seed. Thank you. I appreciate you. Black women have been conditioned to be everything to everyone, prioritizing and catering to the needs of others while neglecting our own, but we’re about to change all of that. Welcome to the village. Let’s make history together. One session at a time.
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