.png)
I created this space because as a first time mom my world got turned upside down with the responsibilities and service that came with being a mom. Like most I was drowning and still find myself in moments of that which, brings me here. There were a few defining moments that lead me to the idea of creating Dope Moms Relax.
The first, was after a year into motherhood I was celebrating my birthday and my husband scheduled a massage for me. Before becoming a mother I indulged in regular massages. During my first year of motherhood I was given a gift card for Mother's Day for a massage. Of course by the time my birthday rolled around in late August, I had yet to schedule that appointment. When the day came for me to get the massage my husband scheduled I could think of a million and one other things to do with my day than to stop and relax. But knowing it was probably a good thing I pressed through and went to get the massage. While on the table I could feel the massage therapist noticing tension throughout my whole body and trying to relax the tight muscles. It was one of those hurt so good experiences. Once the massage was over and I was dressed the massage therapist said to me, you really needed that. You were one of the tightest clients I've seen in a while.
I wasn't shocked by her comment because while she was giving me a massage I remember thinking "I didn't realize I was this tight". Here I was going about life thinking that I was managing and what my body revealed to me in that moment is that I wasn't. I thought that if my husband never set up this intentional time for me, I may have hit a harder rock bottom before noticing I needed to relax. And I thought if I am in need of time like this there are a number of my friends I know who need intentional time to relax but, similar to me find it hard to find the time or know what to do with their free time to relax.
This influenced me wanting to start a wellness group. Where I did all the planning for my friends so that they didnt have to and they can come and enjoy relaxation. Because most of the battle is intentionally planning relaxation and getting there. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for other woman and especially mom to get to experience relaxation. Relaxation that they didnt have to plan or set up.
That desire and passion brewed inside of me to not only provide this one moment for my mom friends but to make it a community. A community where more people can join and have the same experiences. But what if it not only provided time to relax but can serve them as a resource? The resource that I needed but didn't have which, bring me to my second moment.
The second moment that brought me to creating this space wasn't really a moment at all. It is a constant in my life. Once you become a mom there is a whole new world that opens up that you then need to be able to quickly navigate through by research, deciphering, and making the right choices for your family. And boy is that overwhelming! I don't like to put labels on myself because I know I don't fit into any boxes neatly. But, I am a mom who cares about what my child physically ingests (food, milk, snacks), is exposed to through hygiene products (detergent, lotion, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner and more) and cares deeply about how she develops educationally (entertainment, toys, practical life skills). All of this in a nut shell means that I can never just do something but I have to research it.
In the midst of my research I thought to myself that I wish there was a place where all this information was consolidated. That I can view regularly and find some solace that someone who has been where I am, cares about the things I care about is passing down this information through experience. Because I couldn't find that space I decided to build that space. And with any space there are rules that should regulate the space. Below, I share a few principles that I hope can embody this space.
1. I will not tell you what to do but, only give you the information to decide for yourself. There is no judgement on your decision.
2. I like lists and will make them when I can but, also I know that somethings are really nuanced and can't just be generalized in a list
3. The herbal remedies I share are not medical advice and I make no claims that they cure disease or illness
4. I will share what I know to the best of my knowledge but recognize that there are blindspots that I may have. When I'm made aware of these blindspots I will correct what I shared and make it known.
5. I'm black and therefore will highlight and talk about issues in the black or BIPOC community. If you don't want to see that then you might not want to stick around.
I'm really excited for what I want to share here and I hope you decide to come back. And if you are interested in attending one of our relaxation events reach out.
