nikkei lamodi on mental health
name | nikkei lamodi
your current mantra | be led by God in everything
on your must-read list | be the bridge by latasha morrison
song currently fueling your soul | somebody up there by amerie
current inspiration | jennifer lucy tyler
COMMUNITY CARE
what do sisterhood and black womanhood mean to you and how has it informed and shaped your mental wellness journey?
sisterhood, to me, means truth, love, and joy! the combination of these provide you with someone who says what you need to hear, the fruits of love (patient, kindness, not keeping records of being wronged, etc.), and the joy generated from creating fun memories. merriam-webster defines womanhood as the distinguishing character or qualities of a woman. when i think about black womanhood, qualities that come to mind are perseverance, resourcefulness, confidence, and exquisite beauty. my mental wellness journey has been a rollercoaster ride. there have been traumas against me i have had to heal from and face head-on. however, the relationships between sisterhood and themes of black womanhood have reminded me that i am enough, worthy, and supported. black womanhood has told me i am beautiful despite the messy journey of heading toward mental wellness.
how has your cultural background influenced the way you take care of your mental health?
my cultural background met two crossroads honestly. my father was born and raised in nigeria while my mother was raised in the united states. black american culture collided with traditional nigerian norms. taking care of my mental health was nonexistent for most of my life. it wasn’t until 24 years of age that i started seeing a therapist.
SPIRITUAL CARE
what piece of advice have you received that has influenced your spiritual journey?
God doesn't give up on you because you’re transforming 'too slow'. this is a journey.
how would you like to see mental wellness addressed more within your faith community?
i would like to see more education, use of resources, and acknowledgment of mental health issues. many christians can feel they aren’t praying enough, fasting long enough, or reading their Bible enough. they believe these are the reasons their mental health hasn’t improved. i would love to see that narrative changed!
PHYSICAL CARE
how has culture shaped your view of physical wellness, and how have you had to redefine it?
culture has shaped my view of physical wellness as believing i needed to have six-pack abs and a big butt. i am thrilled that i have a renewed mindset now. i have redefined physical wellness as moving my body every day because it helps my overall wellness and makes me feel good afterward. this opens up the door to not having the pressure of what that looks like. i can take a walk outside, do yoga, lift weights, or clean the house. just move and get my heart rate up. this has also allowed me to let go of physical expectations and let my body transform into what it was meant to be when i love it fully.
how do you make space for feeling good when so much is not good?
getting away and going back to nature. i disconnect my phone, plug into hearing the birds, feeling the sun, and seeing the beauty of green trees surrounding me. this allows me to reflect on how good God is, and despite what isn't good around me, he is. it truly transforms my heart and mindset.
SELF-CARE
what personal values influence the way you cultivate self-love?
grace, progress, truth, originality, and balance. i am a perfectionist and can be very hard on myself. i experienced some verbal abuse growing up, and i can become hyper-focused on lies from the enemy or my insecurities. focusing on God’s truth and the beauty in my originality helps combat that. i also remind myself of the healthy balance of self-love and loving others. i tend to be a caregiver to many people while neglecting myself.
how are you showing up for yourself when you feel the pain of racial wounds or generational trauma?
i take the time to step away from the news and social media and pause to acknowledge my feelings. abiding in the Word of God, specifically, the hope we have because of Christ. i do things i enjoy like workout, read, bake, or cook myself a delicious meal. with generational trauma, it’s the same three steps, except i dig deeper into asking questions to understand what the root is and how i will allow it to make me better instead of bitter.
share a message from your future self to your present self.
you are worthy. stop trying to overcompensate for what you feel others think you lack. it all works out. no, not perfectly or the way you planned, but as he deemed it. and let me say, it is spectacular. on each new day, think of how far you have come, and let that be an encouragement to keep going. comparison is the thief of joy. you're beautiful, and your love has transformed and helped more people than you'll ever know. practice makes progress. you are worthy.
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*this conversation is about mental health and wellness.
