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We’ve all said things we wish we could un-say. But like a shattered egg, you can’t put it back in the shell. Today on the blog, we’re talking about the power of the "Pause" and how to handle our words (and each other) with care.
🔗 Read the full entry via the link.
#AkuaProjects #SundayMentalHealthCheckIn #WordsAreLikeEggs #Mindfulness #SundayReset
"You worry too much about what goes into your mouth and not enough about what comes out of it." - Chef Leah Chase
Happy New Year, fam! Welcome to 2026.
We made it another trip around the sun. Usually, right about now, the internet is screaming at us to hustle harder, optimize our routines, and set impossible goals.
But honestly? I’m looking at the vibe in this image right here, and that is exactly the energy I want to claim for 2026.
But how do we actually achieve that level of calm in a chaotic world? I think the secret isn't just self-care; it’s community care.
While thinking about my intentions for this year, I stumbled across a beautiful piece of wisdom derived from Zulu culture in South Africa that perfectly captures how we get to that peaceful state together.
It’s a proverb that says:
"The cow licks the one that licks her."
Okay, stay with me. It’s a little earthy, but the meaning is profound. In literal terms, cows groom each other; it’s a social bonding thing. If one cow grooms another, the favor is returned.
The deeper meaning is about the cycle of gratitude and reciprocity. It means we take care of those who take care of us.
In the past, my New Year's resolutions were always about me. My gym routine, my savings goals.
But this Zulu proverb challenges us to look outward. We often take the people who support us for granted—the friend who always answers the phone when we’re spiraling, the partner who cooks dinner when we’re exhausted, the parent who helps with the kids.
We say "thank you," sure. But are we "licking them back"? Are we actively returning that care?
That girl in the picture above looks so peaceful not just because she slept well, but likely because she is part of a herd—a community—that ensures she is safe enough to rest that deeply.
So, here is my proposal for a different kind of New Year's resolution. Let’s make 2026 the year of reciprocity.
Instead of just focusing on self-improvement, let's focus on relationship improvement through mutual acts of service.
If you want to embody the peace in that image, you have to ensure the people in your circle have the capacity to offer it. You have to refill their cups so they can help refill yours.
How to practice "Licking Back" this year:
Identify your "Herd": Who really showed up for you in 2025? Write their names down.
Notice the Invisible Labor: Did someone do something behind the scenes that made your life easier? Acknowledge it specifically.
Return the Favor, Tangibly: Don't just text "thx." If they always drive, offer to take the wheel next time. If they always listen to you vent, ask them how they are really doing—and actually listen. If they cooked, you clean.
Happy New Year, everyone. Let's take care of each other.
"You worry too much about what goes into your mouth and not enough about what comes out of it." - Chef Leah Chase
Happy Sunday, friends.
Welcome back to our weekly Mental Health Check-In. I hope you are finding a moment of stillness today—just like the peace in today's image. Close your eyes for a second, take a deep breath, and let’s center ourselves before the week begins.
Today, I want to share a bit of wisdom that stopped me in my tracks. It’s a proverb from Nigeria (Yoruba/Igbo origins) that says:
"No matter how hot your anger is, it cannot cook yams."
Let that sink in for a minute.
We have all been there. Someone crosses a boundary, a plan falls apart, or life just feels unfair. The heat rises in your chest. You feel ready to explode. That anger feels powerful, right? It feels like energy.
But here is the reality check this proverb offers us: Heat alone doesn’t make a meal.
You can be the angriest person in the room. You can fume, you can vent, and you can radiate heat for hours. But at the end of the day, that raw emotion isn’t going to peel the vegetables, start the fire, or put dinner on the table.
This quote isn’t saying you aren't allowed to be angry. Your feelings are valid. Anger is a natural signal that something is wrong. But anger is just the alarm—it is not the solution.
When we stay stuck in the "heat" of the emotion, we exhaust ourselves without actually moving forward. We burn up all our energy fuming, and we have nothing left to actually fix the problem.
As you move into this new week, you might encounter situations that turn up the heat. When that happens, remember the yams.
Ask yourself:
"Is this emotion helping me solve the problem?"
"Am I just radiating heat, or am I taking action?"
Feel the feeling, acknowledge it, and then let it pass so you can get back to the practical business of living your life. Don't let the heat consume you; use your energy to nourish yourself instead.
Wishing you a peaceful, productive week where you cook plenty of yams—and leave the unnecessary heat behind.
Tell me in the comments: What is one thing you are choosing not to stress about this coming week?
"You worry too much about what goes into your mouth and not enough about what comes out of it." - Chef Leah Chase
