I’ve spent the first six months of 2022 being intentional about taking care of my emotional and mental health. Burned out doesn’t even begin to describe what I experienced in 2021. From working in a DC area airport during the insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021, to putting my 13 year old Pomeranian down on the day my movers came to pack and move me to Texas. Even after arriving in Houston, working at a new airport with a new Team, I was still experiencing the same irate, rude, disgruntled passengers on a daily basis. I am a Leader for one of the most profitable and successful Airlines in the Industry. I am the one who is called to meet an aircraft, along with a representative from the local police department, when someone is acting a pure fool on an airplane or in the gate area prior to boarding. Those are just a couple of my responsibilities. So needless to say, last year I was NOT ok.

All of this took place after the untimely death of my dad in November of 2020. He was a casualty of this pandemic that we’ve been in over 2 1/2 years now. My circumstances forced me to evaluate if I should keep going at this pace or take a break to slow down and recover from all I had experienced. It was a lot. It was stressful and overwhelming. Life can break you and make you simultaneously. If  you don’t take time to listen to your body, get the proper rest, eat the right things and sloooooooooowwwwww down you will never thrive. You won’t fulfill the purpose you were predestined for. You will remain on the hamsters wheel stuck going nowhere. Everyone needs a reset. I don’t care how strong you are.

I didn’t want my story to continue to take on this narrative and a burned out Dalya determine my legacy. What I’m finding out is I am not alone. Many of you have your own life experiences that have left you depleted. You wake up tired, and go to work tired. You are tired on your drive home from work and when it’s time to rest you can’t because there’s so much going on in your head. This viscous cycle, simply put, is exhausting. At the end of the day, what I’ve come to realize is just how important community is. I’ve noticed how valuable it is to have people connected to you, check on you. We don’t have to talk on a regular basis, but if I get a text or a phone call that says “hey, just checking on you, hope all is well” (and they mean it), that can be the very thing I need at that moment. What is even more invigorating is when I am the one sending the text or making the phone call (and I do mean it). I genuinely care.

Most of us have rigorous schedules. With our 9-5’s, spouses, children, work outside of “work” we may find it hard to take time for ourselves, but it is imperative that we do so. Even in self- care you are caring for others. A less stressed you can relieve the stress from those around you. It could be a coworker or a family member. When you take care of yourself by spending quiet time alone to decompress, engage in movement (exercise), read something inspirational etc, you will become an entirely different person and those closest to you will reap the benefits of a better you.

I’ve heard this phrase so many times, “check on your strong friends”. If we’re honest the strong ones may not be as strong as you think. They may navigate through their circumstances differently and appear to be strong, but on the inside anxiety and depression found its way through the cracks. You really never know what’s going on in a persons life even if you feel you are their bestie. Sometimes we only show people what we want them to see and tell them what we want them to hear. Friend, it’s ok to not be ok AND it’s ok to ask for help. Even if you are not yet comfortable with asking, take advantage of the opportunity to be vulnerable and transparent when asked “how are you?”Don’t just say “finethankshowareyou”👈🏽 (there’s intentionality in no spaces)

Pause and think about the question and be honest. Be honest with you first and then with the individual posing the question. Now, not everyone can handle your truth, so pray for discernment when it comes to sharing. Folk be……..well they just be🤣 (excuse my Ebonics), but it’s the truth. When people come to you in confidence, honor their courage by keeping it to yourself. Vulnerability is hard. Don’t make people wish they had never confided in you. Treat people the way you want to be treated. You would think that folks wouldn’t have to be reminded of that, but here you go! Be ye reminded!

On this #FaceitFridayswithDalya let’s continue #NormalizingHardConversations.

Check on your friends, even those who appear to be strong. Your call or text will make their entire day! Humanity needs a face lift, better yet an entire make over. We need to know we have each other. We need to be able to share our innermost thoughts without being criticized. We need safe spaces and judgment free zones in the workplace, in a public setting and at home. We need community. We need love! I Corinthians 13:13 says “there are these three things that endure: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is love”. Love can flow in many different ways, in different circles and on different levels. We just have to be willing to meet people where they are and love on them without condition.

Let’s face it! We can all use more love! ❤️

Thank you for stopping by. If anything here resonates with you, leave a comment. I’d love to know you were in this space.

Thinking of you and praying for you strong friend!

I love y’all! For real

#FaceitFridayswithDalya

#NormalizingHardConversations

Doing all things well,

Dalya