Welcome To Friday!

It’s time to break up with tying our worth and value to what we accomplish and what people say about us because when the accomplishments slow up and the people start acting funny ( and they will) how will you value yourself? How do you see yourself without trophies, awards, followers, degrees, or certifications?

We live in a world that’s hyper-focused on what you can do versus who you really are, so it’s so important for us, as Black women to define inherent value and worth for ourselves beyond our accomplishments. Sis, the struggle is real. This kind of living takes a huge toll on your mental health and self-esteem, and manifests as you seeking external validation, constantly feeling terrible about yourself, and never feeling good enough.

I struggled with this from an immigrant parent/first-generation daughter perspective up until my twenties and what changed the game for me was defining what was good enough for me. Validating for myself that in whatever it is that I do “my good, is good enough”.

To break free from this cycle, we need to shift our focus inward and understand that our true worth goes far beyond anything or anyone external of ourselves.

Distinguishing between our value as individuals and our achievements is a fundamental step towards reclaiming our power and cultivating a high sense of self. Dr. Angela N. Stone-MacDonald, a leading mental health advocate, explains, "Our worth as women of color should never be tied solely to our accomplishments. Our value lies in our very existence, our unique experiences, and the contributions we make to our communities."

Let’s take small steps toward more self-compassion, self-worth, and self-love. Self-hood is the best hood!

Here are some actionable steps you can start with today to embracing your inner worth and intrinsic value:

💎Mindful Self-Reflection: Take time each day to reflect on your unique qualities, values, and strengths. Acknowledge the beauty in your uniqueness and the resilience you carry within.

💎Setting Boundaries: Establish healthy boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being. Learn to say "no" more and prioritize self-care.

💎Embracing Self-Care: Engage in activities and hobbies that nurture your mind, body, and soul. Practice self-care rituals that honor your needs and promote self-love and allow you to pour into yourself

💎Surrounding Yourself with Support: Cultivate relationships with people who value and uplift you for who you are, not just what you achieve. Seek out supportive communities that empower and celebrate Black and Brown women.

💎Celebrating Small Victories: Shift your focus from major accomplishments to recognizing and celebrating the small victories along your journey. Embrace the growth, resilience, and learning that occur throughout the process. It’s the journey that really matters.

Audre Lorde so wisely said, "If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive." Let us define our worth on our own terms and flourish in the fullness of our being.”

#ICYMI

Here’s what’s going on in tech this week according to Black women….

Here’s a quick reminder from cybersecurity expert Candace Williams about applying for the job anyway and why we shouldn’t let imposter syndrome hold any power over us…

The Eight Biggest Predictors You’ll Be Happy At Your Job- Leadership and Negotiation Coach, Nadia De Ala, is breaking down what it means to be safe at work with eight green flags that signal your happy at your job.

Use these five simple tips next time imposter syndrome creeps up - Struggling with imposter syndrome? Level Up In Tech and Erika Anderson share five practical and actionable tips to overcome the lies that are imposter syndrome today

Check out this community conversation to help Black women beat burn out - Leadership coach, Shanae Brown gave us “The Healing Hour” so that we can finally break up with burnout. You’ll hear tips for breaking up with the standard of black excellence, and breaking up with working twice as hard to get half as much, and breaking up with the superwoman complex.

Script on how to answer a challenging behavioral interview question by Recruiter Guru and Career Coach, Madelyn Machado

#FTW

Here’s a list of Bloomology-approved companies that are hiring this week #techistillhiring

Passport Shipping is hiring an Associate Project Manager  (remote)

National Vision is hiring a Email Strategy + Content Lead (Remote)

Snowflake is hiring an Sr. Content Developer responsible for instructional design (Remote)

Affirm is looking for a Content Designer

Figma is looking for a Community Program Manager

The Home Depot is hiring a Product Principal

#TL;DR

Sharing what I learned from what I read and listened to this week

Just got into the Balanced Black Girl podcast and I love it. Some of the first episodes you can start with are, “Easy Ways To Boost Your Confidence So You Can Level Up” and “Why You Need Hobbies For Self Care”. I’m a self-care and self-love enthusiast, so I am always looking to level up my activities.

Cousin Ke-Ke has a podcast yall, and it’s fire ( I wouldn’t expect anything else from KeKe Plamer). I listened to Baby, This Is KeKe Palmer for the first time this week and it’s a 10 outta 10 for me. I started with “ The Instagram Effect” episiode and I loved the therapist’s and guest’s perspective on the effects Instagram has on our mental health. Hearing KeKe’s POV on how she navigates this as an influencer and entertainer, successfully was so insightful and refreshing. A true Ki-Ki!

#BTW

Today is always a great day to level up or upskill

Need a Free LinkedIn Profile Review - @Lydia Rhode Green is paying it forward with free reviews. Make sure you sign up here

Free Project Management skill-building resources from @Lydia Oshodi. She’s showing us how to become project managers without some an expensive bootcamp

Free Cyber Security courses courtesy of @lydia Oshodi

How did you like today’s email? Would you tell a friend to tell a friend? Go ahead and share this with a woman who could really use it. Appreciate you! 👩🏾‍💻

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