Wednesday Wellness | And Still I Rise – Proven Collection
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
This Wednesday Wellness post has such power and incredible emotion embedded within it. This week we’re talking about mental health, coping, and our ability to rise. Our lives are paved with battles past and those unforeseen. While some of those struggles may be fully visible to those around us, like a death in the family or a severe illness like cancer or multiple sclerosis – many of our battles are invisible and silent making them all the more potent and debilitating.
Living with a mental illness or even disregarding your own mental health is like carrying a loaded weapon. I suffer from major depression which in the past few months has become an unwelcome visitor in my daily life. The word major really doesn’t even seem to cover it sometimes. Words like exhausting, smothering, crippling – seem a little more relevant when it comes to describing a disease capable of overpowering your entire state of being.
My depression began as a teenager, heavily seeded in a raging eating disorder that stemmed from ballet. I obsessed over ballet the moment I was old enough to walk (seriously) but once puberty struck so did the negative backlash from my instructors. Weight was something we were constantly criticized on, even when you were stick thin as it was. Seeing girls throw up their food was as common as leotards and leg warmers for me, so naturally I thought nothing of it. As I grew older, my eating disorder stayed with me – showing itself in times of extreme stress.
It’s strange how hormones and body chemicals like to function (or not function) – I cannot begin to name my endless blessings and opportunities and you’re probably thinking, what the heck does she have to be depressed about? But that’s the thing – invisible/ personal battles. When times got really low and I found myself crying in uncontrollable fits almost every day, I decided it was time to visit the doc and find a therapist. Both have monumentally helped me find my way back to the person I recognized as happy go lucky and fun loving. Depression, according to my therapist, is like a warm blanket that wants to suffocate you. It’s so comfortable and easy to settle and wallow in – but can swaddle your face when you’re not looking and smother you entirely.
Each and every day I make the decision to move forward and delight in the day I’ve woken to, but each day is a choice. I’ve shared my “stuff” with you all in hopes that you know it’s okay to have “stuff” too. I’ve stated before I believe in being transparent and human with you all, which is why i’m sharing these delicate and personal battles of my own. Mental health has become such a passion of mine, especially after losing my young cousin to suicide/PTSD this past November.
No matter what your struggles are, no matter what your “stuff” is, I hope you choose to rise. Rise above the ugly, the bitterness, the awful and embrace the lovely that exists.
Now .. onto the exciting news. All of the shirts that i’m wearing are for sale y’all! I have partnered with the incredible ladies at Proven Collection to create my own line of shirts that mean everything I have just poured out to you all. They’re available in sizes small through XL.
You can shop the pink tee here.
Shop the white open back tee here.
Shop the black side slit tank here.
Photos by Megan Weaver
July 26, 2017 @ 12:01 pm
“Cause I laugh like I have gold mines”
Nice post! 🙂
July 26, 2017 @ 12:14 pm
Love this! So important to still rise! And great collection of inspiring tops!
July 26, 2017 @ 12:25 pm
OK Love this post and that tank and those leopard shorts! you go girl!
xoxo Christie
http://icanstyleu.com/blog/
July 26, 2017 @ 12:43 pm
Thanks for telling us about your depression. And this top is perfect! I love how you styled it in the white version.
July 26, 2017 @ 11:10 pm
This post is so perfect! I love everything you said, so well written, and not to mention those shirts are so perfect! I might have to snag one up!
XO-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
July 27, 2017 @ 2:06 am
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Tara – you’re very bold and courageous to do so! Actually I think it feels therapeutic when you let it go and share your story with others. You’re such an inspiration and I didn’t know you learnt ballet! It was my dream to do ballet but guess I’m too old for it now *LOL*
July 27, 2017 @ 10:18 am
Aldora- thank you! and you’re NEVER too old! I wish we lived closer, I would teach you myself 🙂
July 27, 2017 @ 11:49 am
Thank you for having the courage to share this. Your transparency and openness is a breath of fresh air. It’s so important to talk about mental illness and not keep it under the rug. Adore your post and sending you support!
July 28, 2017 @ 3:30 pm
I truly love the honesty of this post. I know a lot of people who would rather sweep depression under the rug and not deal with it. It’s really hard to face sometimes, especially with the negative connotations that go with it in society. I’m glad you’re doing well, I know it’s a constant struggle. Also totally love the shirts!
July 28, 2017 @ 3:35 pm
This was a very moving post, Tara. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. It’s good to know there are others out there who are battling invisible battles, and you’re not alone. Thank you, again!
P.S. Those shirts are amazing. 🙂
July 28, 2017 @ 6:10 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this! You are absolutely amazing! Beautiful inside and the outside!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
July 28, 2017 @ 7:13 pm
Love this post so much…. You give strength to others….
July 28, 2017 @ 8:20 pm
Beautiful words! Thank you for sharing your story! It empowers others. Love your t-shirts and the look you got going on! Super cute! Rise above it all!!!
July 29, 2017 @ 8:45 am
That is such a cute top. Love it in the pink.
July 29, 2017 @ 6:35 pm
Love, love, love the shirts!
Continue to be brave and “rise up” each day.
You are a beacon of hope for others.
July 29, 2017 @ 6:47 pm
The strength you have just to post your memories! I fully agree that our mental health is crucial in our day to day lives. Love the clothing! Such cuteness!
July 30, 2017 @ 8:50 am
I love that simple meaning of the top! You definitely have rock all the outfit in it.
July 30, 2017 @ 11:07 am
LOVE how you started with Angelou’s poem and your overall theme:) Great message.
July 30, 2017 @ 12:15 pm
Tara,, that’s such a cute tee! I love how you styles each one. Happy weekend.
Xx, Nailil
July 30, 2017 @ 12:54 pm
Tara this is such a great message. I know full well the pressure of depression and trust me it is not fun at all. I really love these tops and might have to pick one up. Thank you for letting me know about Proven Collection.
July 30, 2017 @ 3:18 pm
You have overcome so much! You go girl! Love it!!
July 31, 2017 @ 1:20 am
Very inspiring post and also your photos! You did it well 🙂
July 31, 2017 @ 8:44 am
I absolutely love Maya Angelou. She is such an incredible writer.
August 3, 2017 @ 3:32 am
I really love this post. I’ll definitely check your other posts.
August 3, 2017 @ 10:59 am
thank you Sarah, glad to have you stop by!