By Mended Counseling | National Wellness Month | Charlotte, NC, University Area, Mallard Creek, Highland Creek, Davis Lake and surrounding areas. We offer online services in NC. SC, VA, GA, & DC. All therapists are not licensed in all states.
For generations, Black women have been praised for their strength, their endurance, their ability to carry others while quietly holding their own pain. But what happens when that strength becomes a mask, one that hides burnout, unprocessed trauma, and emotional fatigue?
This National Wellness Month, we invite you to step into a new truth: softness is strength. Releasing the weight of “being strong all the time” is not weakness—it is an act of courage, healing, and reclamation.
Unpacking the “Strong Black Woman” Trope
The cultural narrative of the “Strong Black Woman” has deep roots. While resilience is beautiful, research shows that this archetype contributes to delayed mental health treatment, emotional suppression, and a chronic sense of over-responsibility. In fact, studies indicate that although Black women experience similar or higher rates of depression than white women, they are significantly less likely to receive treatment (source).
Why Emotional Wellness Matters
Emotional wellness isn’t just about being happy. It’s about feeling safe to express emotions, process trauma, and receive support. For Black women in Charlotte and beyond, this can look like therapy, but also sisterhood, spiritual practices, rest, and creative expression.
Signs You May Be Neglecting Your Emotional Wellness:
- Feeling constantly exhausted or irritable
- Difficulty asking for help or setting boundaries
- Believing your needs should come last
- Suppressed anger, grief, or sadness
What Does Embracing Softness Look Like?
Softness isn’t about giving up—it’s about coming home to yourself. Here are healing practices to help nurture emotional wellness:
1. Daily Self-Check-Ins
Ask yourself, “How am I really feeling today?” Use journaling, voice notes, or body scans to reconnect with your inner world.
2. Releasing Guilt Around Rest
Rest is revolutionary. Schedule time weekly to do absolutely nothing. That’s not laziness—it’s liberation.
3. Creative Expression
Whether through poetry, painting, or dancing in your living room, creative expression is a powerful way to access and release emotions stored in the body.
4. Seeking Culturally Affirming Therapy
At Mended Counseling, we understand that healing must honor your lived experience. Our therapists offer individual therapy rooted in empathy, cultural awareness, and evidence-based modalities like EMDR, Brainspotting, and IFS.
Local Wellness Resources in Charlotte
- Be Well Therapy Studio – Black-owned wellness space offering yoga and breathwork
- Queen City Staycation – Explore calming parks like Freedom Park and Reedy Creek for nature-based healing
- Soulful Sundays – Guided meditation meetups for women of color in NoDa
Real Healing: A Client’s Journey
“I didn’t realize how much I’d internalized that I had to hold it all together. Therapy gave me permission to fall apart—to soften—and that changed everything.”
This client’s words reflect a deeper truth: we are not meant to carry it all alone.
Book Your Healing Space Today
Ready to reclaim your softness and begin your healing? Mended Counseling offers a safe, affirming space to explore your emotional world without judgment.
Share the Love
If this post resonated with you, please share it with the sisters in your life who deserve softness too. Use the hashtag #SoftnessIsStrength and tag us on Instagram @mended_counseling.
Mended Counseling & Consultation proudly serves Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas including NoDa, University City, Highland Creek, and beyond. Specializing in trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.
