This is a loooong one, but trust me—it’s a GOOD ONE! 🙌🏾✨

Yeah, so stop side-eyeing your blessings like they come with a catch!

You know that feeling, right? That little voice nagging at you saying, “This is too good to last.” Or maybe it sneaks up on you while savoring a rare moment of peace, or it pops up as soon as you start to feel just a little TOO comfortable.

For so many Black women, this is the soundtrack of our lives—waiting for the other shoe to drop.

OH, IT IS A BAD HABIT ... that has STAYED WAY TOO long. I mean how long are we gon' have to stay ready? FOR WHAT? Calm down—ain’t nobody said it’s time to prep for doomsday!

Ok… ok… I’m not about to play y’all like that—there is something to this hypervigilance thing.

S/N: So, you're probably thinking, "What in the world is hypervigilance?" Well, baby, let me break it down for you. Hypervigilant folk keep their head on a swivel—like they’re always waiting for something to pop off at any given moment.

Hypervigilance makes it hard to "relax" because it feels downright dangerous. Like, for real... who finna sit back and bask in the sun when a  lion chasing them? Who? Ain't no chillin' when you’re on high alert like that—Click here for more deets on hypervigilance. 

The Thief of Joy

And girl, hypervigilance didn't just pop up out of nowhere. It's been serving a purpose... but is it still? 🤔✨ Generations of our Big Mommas and Mommas have been out here watching the world shift beneath their feet without warning. They stayed ready because the ground was always moving—and they warned us to do the same.

We recieved the "gift" of living in a constant state of, "Brace yourself... it's about to go DOWN!"

I mean, yes… this hypervigilance (or fortune telling) has helped us navigate many a' challenges. It’s completely interwoven itself into our sixth sense— Yes! As high-achieving, over-functioning Black women, we be KNOWING—because that’s our God-given intuition at work. But let’s be real, some of that “knowing” is straight-up pattern recognition of the makings of toxicity and chaos. Like, we’ve clocked the red flags so many times they don’t just wave—they shimmy in slow motion now (like a fine frat dude that ain’t no good for you—you mesmerized, knowing full well he’s got “danger” written all over him in Greek letters). 👀🚩

And we be out here thinking, “That’s just the way stuff goes,” so we stay ready—never realizing we’re blowing past all the exit ramps to health, wellness, and emotional safety thinking we understand where we going. 

Like, sis, the GPS been rerouting to that much needed peace for miles! Why ain't you listening! 🚧🛑💔

Hypervigilance may trick us into thinking we’re in control—like we’ve got all the angles covered. But the truth? You can only clock patterns you’re familiar with. The hidden dangers? The ones we were never trained to see? Or the now wild and CRAZY ones nobody’s even dreamed up yet? Yeah, those slip right under the radar. 🧠💭⚠️

The steep cost of hypervigilance is (drum roll, please...) IT ROBS US OF JOY. And when we do run into those unknown dangers, it leaves us feeling stupid—like we should have known better because we were "staying ready." But let’s be real… HOW COULD YOU HAVE KNOWN? You can’t prep for something you’ve never even seen coming. 🌀😩

SO... again, stop LYING and SHAMING yourself talmbout, “I should have known better.” GIRL! How could you? You ain’t ALL KNOWING—you’re just human. Cut yourself some slack! 

So... needless to say, hypervigilance? Yeah, it keeps us from truly being present in the good moments. And that's when we can't fully lean into ourselves. GIRL! That. Is. EXHAUSTING! 

Teaching Moment

For example, take a look at the chart below. Do you see the difference between happiness and anxiety?

Now, happiness (or joy, just for the sake of this example—though they're not quite the same thing, but I’m making a point here) fills the whole body, it's a vibe that takes over from head to toe.

On the other hand, anxiety? Baby, anxiety only takes up about 3/4 of it, like it’s just hanging out in your chest, shoulders, and maybe your stomach, leaving the rest of your body like, “Where the party at?” (click here to learn more how emotions present in the body)

I hear you. You’re probably thinking, “Okay, so how do I fix it?”

First of all, I love that energy—because awareness is step one. Now, step two? That’s where the real work begins. 🛠️✨

Let’s start by letting go of the idea that you have to FIX everything right this second. 

Practicing Mindfulness is a Game Changer

Let me re-introduce you to a tool of JOY that can help—mindfulness. And before you roll your eyes and say, “Girl, I don’t have time to sit cross-legged and chant ‘Om,’” let me explain.

Practicing mindfulness, can help you break free from the hypervigilance cycle. And here’s why… and  I’m about to make A LOT of SENSE too, so lean in real close for this one. 👏🏾✨

Hypervigilance makes us operate on old, outdated software. It’s like running Windows 95 in a world where everyone else is on the latest, fastest system.

Mindfulness, on the other hand, is like being upgraded to AI. It helps us grow, evolve, and process what’s in front of us, allowing us to find better solutions for the challenges we face.

The mantra of hypervigilance is simple: NEVER let the SAME thing happen again. It’s reactive, stuck in the past, constantly replaying scenarios to avoid pain. Mindfulness, though? It’s always updating—like AI releasing a new feature that lets you process your experiences as a whole, integrated, well-oiled machine. Instead of reacting, you’re proactively and appropriately responding to even the smallest signs of discomfort.

Why focus on the small stuff? Because mindfulness doesn’t let discomfort grow unchecked. When you address small discomforts, they never have the chance to grow into a fully functioning, grown-man-sized lion. Instead, you process discomfort as it begins—when it’s just a helpless, newborn cub. Cubs are blind, vulnerable, and manageable—they don’t have to become the roaring lion of full-blown chaos if you handle them early.

Ultimately, it’s about mastering (not suppressing) yourself, your feelings, and how you show up for you. Instead of standing still, watching the lion grow and change, you focus on your own growth. You don’t stare at the problem and let it consume you. You master your response, your mindset, and your peace. The goal isn’t about stopping the lion—it’s about becoming the master of you.

And here’s the kicker… You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to start. That’s it. One small step at a time, and before you know it, you’re rewriting your whole hypervigilant nervous system program. 💡💕

You were DESIGNED to feel the fullness of every blessing—without anxiety stealing the spotlight.

Mindfulness isn’t about focusing on the shoe, the lion, or whatever else might be lurking. Mindfulness amplifies one thing YOU ACTUALLY HAVE CONTROL OF: the power of YOU knowing YOU. 💜✨

#CAPEOFFLIVEON

Sharell D. Cannady, CEO of Docked Ships

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." 

            ✨ The Docked Ships Community ✨

This is so important to me because, let’s be honest—spaces for Black women to truly call our own are rare. And for high-achieving, overfunctioning Black women, having a VIABLE, APPROPRIATE, HEALTHY, and STABLE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY is more than just a want—it’s an essential lifeline.

This space is designed to be that place—the one where you’re seen, supported, and valued in ways that truly matter to your social health and well-being. It’s not just another app; it’s a sanctuary, a movement, and an opportunity to reclaim your balance and joy.

Stay tuned… something transformational, and I promise, you won’t want to miss it. 💜✨