Yooooo! it’s fucking wild work going on out here. Healthcare took a huge L so ICE can have the 15th most expensive military budget in the world. Concentration camps are being built and they are trying to eliminate birthright citizenship. It’s only July! That’s the big shit, I can’t even imagine what’s going on interpersonally with everyone but I do know that there are a lot of things that happen in our daily, weekly lives that now feel normal. 

However, just because it’s normal or you’re “used to it” doesn’t mean that it is natural or as things should be. There is a lot of bullshit that happens within our community that has become normalized and we have somehow convinced ourselves that it is natural. This is not true. You have a duty and ability (as an adult) to recognize when something has become normal but not natural and move accordingly. Normal doesn’t always mean good or beneficial. Whether that means setting boundaries with yourself or speaking out against injustice even if it’s only at the dinner table, or a monthly newsletter, the decision on what you choose to do is yours to make. No one else can make it for you and no matter for good or ill, the consequences of not acting will be yours to live with. I’ll get off my soap box now.

Sidenote but kinda related: Check out my tiktok video here.

So what should you do?

I can’t answer that for you. I can tell you what I do. 

1. I take a deep bracing breath or two and I curse out loud (FUCK!!🤬). Try it, it’s surprisingly cathartic. If you didn’t know but there’s research that says yelling or cursing reduces feelings of pain. You can google that if you don’t believe me.

2. I do the best I can with what I have. I show up to work and see my clients, I work for the future because rent is unfortunately still due! (fuck rent and fuck these grocery prices, $400 at Costco for 2 people is such BS!)

3. I try and acknowledge my feelings of helplessness. Once I do that I move to focusing on what I can control. I do those things.

4. I spend time with my wife, I speak to my good friends and try and stay tapped in to what’s going on.

5. I also am not afraid of trying to have some fun. I refuse to allow joy to be taken from me so I still hop on the PS5, I still workout multiple times a week.

6. I curse MAGA in my mind and sometimes out loud somewhere between 1-10 times a day 🖕🏾. I also curse the Democrats just so I can stay fair and balanced.

7. I try and get 8 hours of sleep but to be honest that’s a hit or miss for me. Am I the only one that keeps waking up at like 4am for no reason? I have a podcast or audiobook on deck for those times tho so it’s not all bad.

8. I eat great tasting food. Don’t underestimate the power of a good meal. Have you ever tried to argue with someone on a full stomach after a great meal? You don’t because it rarely happens.

9. I tap into the community either through local events or organizations.

10. See #1 or #6 or #8.

Sometimes, if I can be all the way real with yall….

📢WeUp Community Announcements📢

WeUp has plans to set up a community event in Houston very soon.

Step into a room full of people who get it.
Mind & Mingle is a connection-first networking event designed for Black mental health professionals, practitioners, and advocates. Whether you’re a licensed therapist, graduate student, coach, or community healer—this space is for you.

Come build authentic relationships, share resources, and strengthen our collective presence in the mental health field. Let’s stop scrolling and start connecting—in real life.

That being said, if you know any black folks looking for a therapist or you know a black therapist in the Houston area who may be interested in either participating or sponsoring this event, forward them this newsletter. Click here and fill out the interest form so you can be notified once the event has been finalized.

Share Your Wins and Your Questions with Us!

We celebrate YOU! Whether it's a small win or a major breakthrough, your story matters. Share your accomplishments or mental health wins with us at [email protected]—your journey might inspire someone else. Got questions about therapy, mental health, or self-care? Send them our way! We’re here to offer support or help point you in the right direction. And if you know someone who’d fuck with this newsletter, forward it along—let’s grow this community together. 💪🏾✨

Also, check out the merch store:

It’s small but it will be growing. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see in store.

Before I let you go about your day. Something for you to think about.

 🤔 When you wake up, do you expect today to have many joys or many frustrations?