Remember the stuff our mommas used to say right before we went into the grocery store? Welp! This is my before we step into 2025 stern warning for high-achieving, over-functioning Black women:

GuRRRLLL, before we step into this new year—don’t overdo it, don’t be too hard on yourself, and don’t sleep on God-given wisdom. I mean, we DO be’ knowing… but some stuff? They’re whispers you can only hear as you intentionally create space for peace within.

Now, the real question is—are you taking the red pill or the blue pill? 👀 “You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland. And I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

Before you dive headfirst into new year, new you and all those “grind harder” challenges—pause.

Take a breath.

Let’s expand—not just your goals, but your mind and your heart. Because, girl, life is about more than just checking boxes and chasing accomplishments.

Stop.

Feel the moment.
Honor where you are.
Let’s start, now.

PROCRASTINATION IS NOT A BAD THING.

Now, Imma say it again for the people in the back—PROCRASTINATION IS NOT A BAD THING. You just have to understand it and learn how to work with it, not against it.

Let me explain.
Procrastination ain’t laziness. Read that again and let the guilt sizzle. Turns out, procrastination is less about being unmotivated and/or undisciplined. It’s is about the fight between what you want to do and what you actually feel like doing. (Cue dramatic music.)

Wait, What’s the Difference?

• What you want to do: These are the things you genuinely desire or value like hiit that deadline, crush goals, and live your best Black girl magic life.

• What you feel like doing: These are the things you’re emotionally or mentally inclined to do in the moment like curling up with Netflix and avoiding adulting like it’s an unpaid internship.

See the gap? That’s where procrastination lives. It’s not rebellion—it’s your brain’s way of waving a white flag and saying, “Girl, we’re tired. Or scared. Or overwhelmed.”

Flip the Script—Procrastination Is a Signal, Not a Prison Sentence.

What if procrastination was actually your inner compass? Instead of beating yourself up, what if you got curious? Ask yourself:

• Do I really want to do this—or do I just feel like I should?

• What’s my energy level right now? (Procrastination might mean you need rest and/or excitement, not punishment.)

• Is perfectionism tripping me up?

Instead of spiraling, treat procrastination like that homegirl who always tells you the truth. She not mean—she wise.

I can hear it now…

You’re sitting there like, “Ok, but what do I DO? Just tell me what to do!”

Hold up. ✋ We all know you hard-headed—but umma' tell you anyway. LOL😏

Yes, you’re right—and you’re so right! 😂 (S/N: I be' saying that to calm Black women down — we do be right. 👏🏾  We just be' headed away from the direction of peace in our being right. ❤️

And I can hear y’all in my head already, saying… “Okay, you talked about my personal goals—but some things just aren’t optional.”

Yes, some things DO have hard deadlines and non-negotiables. And also yes, sometimes you wait until the absolute last minute because you didn’t want to do it—or didn’t even feel like doing it.

Then what happens?

1. You grab either salty and crunchy snacks (because you’re mad) or sweet and creamy ones (because you need a hug). 😩

   S/N: Even our taste buds have emotional associations. That’s how divinely designed our bodies are! 

2. You work while annoyed, irritated, and distracted.

3. You lose sleep.

4. Then you show up the next morning, half running on fumes, for that big presentation.

And for what?
For these people to half-listen to what you say, slap your ideas on a shelf, and keep it moving. 🙄 Girl, let’s call it what it is—they treat Black women’s brains and performance like ChatGPT. They throw a thousand questions at you, only to find ways to have you do everything for them.

So What Do You Do About It?

Step 1: Reward Yourself FIRST.
Before you even look at that project you don’t want to do, go have some intentional fun.

Step 2: THEN Work.
Come back charged up, and knock it out.

Think of it like this—you were already planning to wait until the last minute anyway. So instead of dragging through it, give yourself some dopamine hits upfront to fuel the process.

Or even if you planned to tackle it little by little to avoid stressing yourself out… it still somehow leaves you mad at yourself for having to put everything else on hold just to focus on it.

So yeah, the answer is still Step 1 & Step 2. 👏🏾

Remember undergrad?

Friday night = fun.
Saturday = rest/more fun.
Sunday = rest/work.

That’s the flow I need you to have this year.
And if you didn’t do it like that in college? Do it now.

Stop Taking Yourself So Serious.

Because guess what? Everybody else secretly doesn’t. So why should you?

Lighten up, sis. Your worth isn’t tied to how perfectly you execute. It’s time to work smarter, not harder—and have fun doing it.

Now, Tell Me What I Said To You? 

Procrastination doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human. The magic happens when you stop fighting it and start listening to it. 

Girl, what is' you doing?  Just Be Selfish. Stop overthinking it 💜

HERE'S MY PITCH

🤯 You can’t fail at this! 

👉🏾 It’s only $20.

🤑 And even if you don’t got $20 (right now), you can still get in on this. Email me at [email protected]

💜Click here to join the challenge.

PLEASE. PLEASE. SHARE THIS WITH OTHER BLACK WOMEN. AND HAVE THEM SUBSCRIBE:  https://www.dockedships.com/stress-crisis-african-american-women-health

Wanna' revisit a blog/newsletter that had you like, “Wait a minute?”—No worries. Check em' out [click here].

At Dock Ships, we see "a future where African American women achieve social health & enjoy maximum wellness." 

#CAPEOFFLIVEON

Sharell D. Cannady, CEO of Docked Ships