“you are allowed to take up space. own who you are and what you want for yourself. stop downplaying the things you care about, the hopes you have. own your passions, your thoughts, your perceptions. own your fire. stop putting your worth in the hands of others; stop letting them decide your value. own saying no, saying yes. own your mood, your feelings. own your plans, your path, your success. never back down from expressing yourself, from saying your name proudly. never stop elbowing your damn way into this big world, because you belong here. you matter”
bianca sparacino
dear muse,
this week’s affirmation is a powerful one
one that invites you to stand taller, speak more honestly, and live more expansively
taking up space does not mean becoming louder or harder
it means allowing yourself to exist fully
without apology, without shrinking, without editing the parts of you that feel too much or not enough
this week, we explore what it looks like to inhabit your life boldly and tenderly, all at once
enjoy this week's love letter...
the bookshop.org link is an affiliate link
our meditation
let's begin this week by centering ourselves with meditation
reconnect with the fullest expression of you and your right to take up space in this world
we are often conditioned to dim our light, not speak our truth
this will guide you back to embracing and expressing who you truly are
from insight timer by jessica leigh
our podcast
we’re returning to an episode of therapy for black girls podcast that explores self-worth, boundaries, and unapologetic presence
this week is a short one
10 tips to help you take up more space
session 144: 10 tips for taking up space
by therapy for black girls podcast
our journal prompt
on the journal this week:
what would change if you stopped minimizing yourself?
where in my life have I been shrinking to make others comfortable; and what would it look like to choose myself instead?
let your answers be honest
let them be brave
allow this blog post to help
the danger of minimizing yourself
by nora alwah
our book selection
our book this week is a lush, 1990s harlem coming-of-age story
eight-year-old malaya clondon is growing up in a world, and a family, determined to make her "smaller"
while her mother and grandmother push weight-loss groups and restraint, malaya is hungry for more: more music, more color, and more life
as she navigates the pressures of "ladylike" expectations and inherited insecurities, malaya discovers the radical power of her own voice
by mecca jamilah sullivan
finally, our film selection
a rewatch this week as we are leaving black history month and entering woman's history month
let's rewatch the story of the woman king
a portrayal of a world where female strength and autonomy are exalted by a nation
directed by gina prince-blythewood, starring viola davis, thuso mbedu, and lashana lynch
your space filling ritual
taking up space isn’t about being louder or bigger
it’s about being present
this week, we invite you to practice honoring your voice, your body, and your needs in quiet, intentional ways
these rituals are gentle reminders that you do not need permission to exist fully
reclaim your voice and your right to be heard at least once this week, speak your truth out loud; it can be as small as “i don’t have the capacity for that,” or “i’d like to share my idea” or “i need more time”
remind your nervous system that you are allowed to exist fully for 2–5 minutes each morning, stand with your feet grounded and shoulders relaxed; stretch your arms wide, roll your shoulders back, lift your chin slightly; take three deep breaths without pulling your body inward; throughout the day, notice when you cross your arms, hunch, or shrink, and gently expand again
practice taking up space through decision-making make one intentional choice this week that prioritizes you; say no without over-explaining; take a break just because you need one; wear the outfit you love; ask for what you want, clearly; do not justify the choice. let it stand.
taking up space doesn’t mean dominating
it means belonging to yourself first
in closing
as you move through the week, notice what shifts when you stop shrinking
let ease replace apology, and presence replace hesitation
you deserve room to breathe, to choose, and to be seen, exactly as you are
you'll be hearing more from me soon
promise
tamara charese
as always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
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