The Year My Body Told the Truth Before My Mouth Did
There are seasons where your body speaks long before you find the courage to admit what’s really going on inside.
This year was one of those seasons for me.
I didn’t realise how much I was carrying until my body started whispering the things my mouth refused to say. The quiet headaches. The tightness in my chest. The heaviness that sat on my shoulders from the moment I woke up. The days I felt like crying but didn’t know why. The irritation. The fog. The constant feeling of being “on alert,” even in peaceful moments.
African women understand this silence too well.
We grew up learning to swallow our pain and keep moving.
We learnt how to smile through stress, serve through exhaustion, and say “I’m fine” even when everything inside us is shaking.
The Body Never Lies
Stress isn’t always loud.
Sometimes it’s a gentle thief, stealing your joy quietly.
Sometimes it shows up as:
- tiredness you can’t explain
- irritability over small things
- losing appetite or eating too much
- struggling to pray or focus
- back pain, neck pain, jaw tension
- feeling disconnected from yourself
These are not weaknesses.
These are messages.
Your body is trying to protect you by speaking the truth you’ve been avoiding.
And my body was speaking loudly this year.
The Weight I Carried Quietly
I carried the pressure to be strong.
The pressure to hold my home together.
The pressure to show up for everyone, even when my own heart felt bruised.
Sometimes I told myself, “Other women have gone through worse, so I should be fine.”
But that mindset only made me numb.
A woman can only stretch so far before something begins to tear.
Why African Women Struggle to Admit They’re Tired
We were raised to be responsible.
We were trained to survive.
We were taught that being soft makes you weak, that slowing down makes you unserious, and that asking for help means you’re failing.
But the truth is:
You can be strong and still be tired.
You can be grateful and still feel overwhelmed.
You can love people deeply and still need space for yourself.
The Freedom That Comes With Honesty
The moment I whispered, “I’m tired,” something inside me softened.
My body relaxed.
My breath deepened.
My heart opened.
Admitting the truth didn’t make me weak.
It made me human.
Healing begins with honesty.
When you finally stop pretending you’re fine, you open the door to rest, clarity, and alignment. You allow God to meet you where you truly are — not where you’re performing.
A Gentle Invitation to You
If your body has been speaking… listen.
If your chest feels tight… slow down.
If your spirit feels heavy… pause.
If you’re overwhelmed… breathe.
You don’t need to prove anything.
You don’t need to carry everything.
You don’t need to be the strong one all the time.
Your softness is not a danger.
Your rest is not rebellion.
Your truth is not too much.
A Simple Practice for This Week
Try this small ritual once a day:
- Place your hand on your chest.
- Take a slow breath in through your nose.
- Exhale gently through your mouth.
- Whisper: “I honour what my body is saying.”
- Ask yourself: “What do I need right now?”
One tiny moment of checking in can shift your whole day.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this and nodding quietly… I see you.
Your story matters.
Your healing matters.
Your rest matters.
This December, we’re walking into softness together, one truth, one breath, one step at a time.
Thank you for being here.
Your healing journey is sacred, and I’m honoured to walk beside you.
