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My New Therapy Session: How My Personal Trainer Is Improving My Mental Wellness

3/5/2021

Laqwanda Roberts-buckley mental health advocate

From weight gain due to medication changes and the mystery illness from hell, at the end of the whirlwind that we call 2020, I made a promise to myself. I promised that I would focus on my physical health as much as I did my mental well-being. Since I have been known to put in that work when it comes to my mental health, I did not want to short step the process of working for the body and physical health that I desired. In order to make this a reality, I knew that I could not do it alone. I would need professional help. So, I hired Jonathan Adriel as my personal trainer.

Death to code Switching: No longer being digestIble for the comfort of white folks

2/26/2021

laqwanda roberts-buckley social justice advocate

I remember 2 years ago being in a room filled with Creators from around the world. As a Black male took center stage, the topic of code switching arose. The room was suddenly filled with nods and claps from Black Creators who shared one experience after another regarding switching things up from the workplace to their daily lives. In the mist of this moment of solidarity and comradery, another Black male stood and spoke. I will never forget the words that came from his mouth. He looked at each and everyone one of his Black and Brown brothers and sister and stated, “I feel sorry for everyone of you.”

its time to call out passive white america

2/21/2021

LAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE

Originally Written January 2021
I know I’m not alone in watching the bullshit that took place yesterday with my mouth wide open. My thoughts were like most If these were Black Lives Matters protestors, we would have been slaughtered. We witnessed racism and white privilege in its purest form yesterday. Domestic terrorists attacked the U.S. Capitol, and nothing was done for hours.

As a black woman

2/21/2021

LAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE

Originally Written 2020
It is 5:22AM. As a Black Woman, my mind has been on an emotional rollercoaster all week. I have found myself just looking around wondering how did we get to this point. Then I remember that America has truly never moved from the days of slavery, Jim Crow, Segregation, and the racial brutality from the 50’s or 60’s. Now, America just presents it to us in different forms.

getting back to life after a crisis

2/21/2021

laqwanda roberts-buckley mental health advocate

Originally Written 2020
My mind was betraying me.

I always considered myself as an intellectual of some sort at least. If there was one thing, I could depend on it was my ability to process information and find solutions. I also love helping people. When the opportunity came for me to choose my forever career, I knew that becoming a Mental Health Therapist was a good fit for me.

mommy i didn't know you were depressed

2/21/2021

Laqwanda roberts-buckley mental health advocate

Originally Written 2020
“Mommy, I didn’t know you were depressed”, were the words my daughter spoke one morning as we prepared for the first day of school back in 2018. It was in that moment I realized she saw the mood magnet on the refrigerator. I had forgotten to change it. You see, I promised myself to be honest about my emotions every day. For me, this meant going to the refrigerator to adjust the magnet accordingly. However, I established one exception. Whenever my daughter was present, I would lie.

3 reasons why saying "fuck this" is great self-care

2/21/2021

Laqwanda Roberts-buckley wellness consultant

Originally Written 2019
Sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves. We don’t always have the energy that we desire to have. I found myself over the past few months unwilling to write and pay attention to my blog.

dear depressed black women, i understand

2/21/2021

lAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

Originally Written 2019
My name is Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley. I am the former Director of Outreach for the national office of a mental health non-profit, former therapist, a certified life coach, and Reiki practitioner. I also experience debilitating depressive episodes on a regular basis.

struggling to do LIFE'S small shit, It's okay

2/21/2021

LAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

Originally Written 2019
“Rice. No, she wants rice.”

Those were the thoughts drowning the inner depths of my mind as I watched my 14-year-old daughter’s hand pull the bag of rice from the cabinet. She had been sick the night before and was lacking the strength to make breakfast herself.

5 ways to buidling a bridge to a better you

2/21/2021

laqwanda roberts-buckley certified life coach

Originally Written 2019
There are many things that come to mind when we think about self-care. A lot of them tend to focus on some of the shorter-term activities such as taking a walk or meditating. However, self-care goes beyond the moment and is meant to last a lifetime. In reality, it is the combination of all the little activities of self-care that create something powerful which results in change.