SZA Getting Pulled From The TDE Tour For Swollen Vocal Cords Is A Reminder To Take Care Of Self
I have developed an undying loyalty to my work ethic.
One of the earliest lessons I learned was to take pride in my work. My reputation as a go-getter is my first impression to the world, and as a woman of color, it's important that people know that I walk it like I talk it (cue Drake and The Migos).
As a bonafide workaholic, I can respect the intensity that goes into being an entertainer. If you work hard, you play hard, but women like me seem to only focus on the work part. Social media can never really depict the work that goes into creating a masterpiece, but even Michelangelo had to take a nap from time to time. And women like Oprah and Beyonce didn't become worldwide icons without taking a few hours a week to focus on self-care. Even legends have to take time for personal maintenance. Even if that legend is you.
One of the top female R&B artists in the industry just gave us a lesson in self-care and is a reminder that we have to listen when our bodies speak to us. It was recently announced that SZA would sit out the next few shows of the TDE Championship Tour and the singer subsequently wrote a message to her fans that read:
"I've been touring for 11 months. This didn't happen overnight. I've been troubleshooting for a while now and usually steroids and pushing through help. They don't this time. I'm not sick my voice just won't f*cking work. If I don't pause now I'll be forced to pause permanently. I'm genuinely sorry for every face, voice, and energy field I won't be touching! I'm literally taking as many steroids as I can to speed this up!! It's a waiting game and super weird to be blamed for stuff outta my control but I get i! again .. I'm sorry..I'll be right back. Pray for me or don't. Preciate u either way ❤️-S"
The singer was understandably devastated and as a woman of color especially, I feel for her. Sometimes your mind says go harder when your body is saying wait a minute, now. It's so easy to ignore the messages that our body sends us in pursuit of our dreams, but this blind ambition can be crippling.
Your body is your first and only home, so when it says you're tired, take a nap. When it says you're hungry, eat, f*ck that diet. When your body tells you it needs a break, you have to make the choice to happily oblige because the inevitable alternative is self-destruction.
If hard work and intense ethic are as orgasmic to you as they are to me, these tips might help you optimize your productivity while helping you find the time for self-care:
Schedule It Out
The Eve app has been a lifesaver for me. As women, our bodies work on cycles, which for the most part are consistent each month. By cycles, I don't just mean your period. Even when you're not menstruating, your body has a predictable routine that you can monitor to see how you'll feel each day of the month. Some days, I'm super active and can knock out a ton of work at a time. Other days, I have to use a rule where I work for an hour and break for thirty minutes because my hormones are wonky, my attention span goes to sh*t, and my anxiety is high. I used this app to get to know my body and schedule out a routine that works according to my needs for self-care.
If You Tired, Be Quiet, And Go to Sleep
"I have one more hour in me," I said six hours ago.
One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn is to go to sleep when I'm tired. I personally don't believe that my level of fatigue is an indicator of how hard I can go today but who am I to say. Really, who am I to say?
I've noticed that I work harder and better when I'm not tired, so my remedy is to take a f*cking nap. SZA teaches us that sometimes what our mind and our bodies feel don't align. When all else fails, evaluate your physical. Are you well rested enough to operate at your full potential?
Don't Sweat the Small Sh*t
The TDE Championship Tour is a huge event to be a part of, and I can understand SZA's pain in having to withdraw. And for self-care, pshhh. Who needs it?
You. You need it. And so do I and so does SZA. Having to take a break now means ensuring the security of her career for a lifetime, and that's a choice a lot of women have to make. Self-care takes time, that same time that you could be using to blissfully pursue your dreams and ultimately crash and burn because you weren't really looking out for you. Though SZA having to sit out for part of the tour is a bummer, we have to keep in mind that she may not even be able to use her talent if she doesn't take heed of the messages her body has given her.
There will be more opportunities but there is only one you.
Don't Call it a Comeback
Taking time for self-care doesn't mean giving up your dreams. SZA said in her message that it sometimes feels like a waiting game and we can all relate to having a period in life when we were ready to get back in the game but the coach said no.
A few months ago, I was going so hard that I barely ate or slept and I certainly wasn't taking care of my body. I was so immersed in my work that I didn't realize I was speeding down a path in the wrong direction because even though I didn't know wtf I was really doing or why I was doing it, my goal was to work hard. During this period, a cyst appeared that I was forced to get surgically removed and I was put on bedrest for six weeks.
I didn't have a job, or any form of revenue, and I spent the first two weeks crying about my inability to work. After my tantrum, I took the remainder of my recovery time to check in with me. I focused on making myself feel good, watching things on TV that made me happy, and spending time with people that love me.
During that time, I secured not one but two freelance positions and every aspect my life seemed to fall back in order effortlessly and naturally. I didn't have to rush it, or be #TeamNoSleep to accomplish my goals. But I did need time to check in with me and figure out what I needed before I could resume my regularly scheduled grind.
SZA is a testament to the fact that hard work pays off, but attention to self-care will keep you paid in full.
Featured image via SZA/Instagram
- SZA Temporarily Removed From TDE's Championship Tour ... ›
- SZA on Crucial TDE Tour Break: 'If I Don't Pause Now, I'll Be Forced ... ›
- SZA Pulled From TDE Tour Due to Swollen Vocal Cords | Pitchfork ›
- SZA Pulled From TDE Championship Tour Due to Swollen Vocal ... ›
- SZA will miss a number of TDE Championship Tour stops due to ... ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Struggling With Vaginal Hyperpigmentation? There Are All-Natural Remedies For That.
Recently, while getting my monthly waxing down below, my waxer was commenting on how healthy my vagina — well, technically it’s my vulva — looks for my age. Lawd, where has the time gone when I’m finally at the point and place where “for my age” is following more and more comments? LOL. Anyway, when I asked her to expound, she went on to say that as women get older, it’s not uncommon to notice more sagging (check out “Vaginas Age Just Like Everything Else. You Can Slow It Down, Though.” and “Keep Your Vagina Like A (Literal) Fountain Of Youth”) and some discoloration as well.
As I was on my back, legs open and looking up at the ceiling, waiting for her to finish, I first thanked her for the compliment. Then I let her know that, indirectly, she was gonna help me with my next writing check from this platform — because what she said about vaginal discoloration was going to inspire me to do some additional research. And I did.
That said, whether you glance at your vagina on a daily basis, you only do it while you’re in the process of doing a vaginal self-exam (which is always wise), or you’re someone who doesn’t give how your va-jay-jay looks much thought unless you’ve scheduled a professional maintenance appointment or you’re “prepping” for a really hot night (check out “12 Men Told Me What They Love So Much About Vaginas”) — although this is a topic that you may not have considered before, I think you might find a few of these tips to be quite beneficial. That is, if you want to keep your vagina — well, vulva — looking radiant and youthful for as long as you possibly can, anyway.
Check it out.
Vaginal Hyperpigmentation. What’s the Cause?
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Hyperpigmentation. When it comes to your vulva (the outer part of your vagina), whether you couldn’t care less about it or having some low-key irks you to no end, the first thing that you should know is that it’s pretty normal. Although it somewhat varies from person to person, it is important to always keep in mind that there are certain factors that can play a role in just how dark parts of your skin — again, in this case, your vulva — can get.
Factors like what? Well, for starters, your skin contains cells that are known as melanocytes; they are somewhat sensitive to your body’s natural hormones.
So, as your hormones shift (like during puberty, pregnancy, and the later stages of perimenopause), that can cause your skin to get darker when it comes to your vulva, nipples, and even your anus. Something else that can cause hyperpigmentation is constant friction (which is just one more reason to keep wearing super tight pants down to a minimum).
This is because friction can cause bodily inflammation (I just read that rosemary is the best herb for treating inflammation, by the way), and that can lead to discoloration. It should also go on record that sometimes skin experiences hyperpigmentation wherever “folds” in the skin happen (like your underarms or if your vaginal lips are “meaty”). Oh, and if you shave and get ingrown hairs or pimples, that can be a part of the culprit as well.
Are these the only things that can make vaginal hyperpigmentation happen? No. In fact, if your skin down there is super itchy or irritated (and you know that it’s not due to something like BV or ayeast infection), you should get your doctor to check it out. It could be because of an underlying condition like (possibly) diabetes, an STI/STD, or even PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
However, the other causes that I mentioned tend to be the ones that are the most common. And for those, I have 10 all-natural things that you can do at home to 1) help to prevent vaginal hyperpigmentation from transpiring and/or 2) help to even out your vulva’s skin tone if some discoloration has already taken place.
10 All-Natural Things You Can Do At Home To Prevent Vaginal Hyperpigmentation
1. Make Sure Your Panties Are “Breathable”
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Okay, so for those of you who don’t wear any drawers (check out “10 Women Told Me Why They Stopped Wearing Panties (And They Don't Regret It)”), this first tip won’t apply. For the rest of us, though, just like tight jeans (for instance) can cause friction in your vaginal region, so can panties that won’t let your vagina breathe (whether it’s due to sizing or fabrics like spandex or nylon).
The method to the madness here is air carries oxygen andoxygen helps to give your skin the nutrients that it needs to remain healthy. Plus, looser underwear that’s made out of a breathable fabric also prevents chafing that could cause discoloration too. Now that you know this, if you’re not sure if you’re currently wearing the type of undies that are best for your vagina and vulva, I’ve got you covered (no pun intended). Check out “These Are The Kinds Of Panties Your Vagina Actually Prefers”.
2. Exfoliate Your Pubic Mound
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You know how I mentioned my waxer in the intro? Sometimes, she has some pretty wild stories about what happens when she gives someone a Brazilian wax for the first time (yeah, y’all can keep that). Since she said that it can take a good 4-6 months for 1) it not to hurt as much as it initially does and 2) for a person’s skin to fully recover, something that she recommends doing (2-3 days following your hair removal appointment) is exfoliatingyour pubic mound (the fatty area that covers your pelvic region).
Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and turn over new skin, which can ultimately help to even out discoloration on your pubic mound (if you happen to have any).
Since that part of your body is more sensitive than others, my two cents would be to DIY an exfoliant out of some brown sugar (recipehere) or coffee grinds (recipehere). Natural ingredients reduce the chance of (further) irritating your skin.
3. Massage Your Vulva with Some Vitamin E Oil
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If you want your skin to look fresh and radiant on any part of your body, you’ve absolutely got toinvest in some vitamin E oil. The properties in it help to deeply moisturize your skin, relieve any itching that may be associated with mild infections, allergic reactions to fabrics, or basic-level irritation; help to treat and heal eczema and psoriasis; minimize the appearance of scars over time, and it also can slow down your skin’s aging process — including when it comes to your vulva.
Also, sinceboth vitamin E and ginseng have been proven to boost sexual performance in women (which ultimately leads to more natural lubrication), you can’t miss by applying some of this to your vulva just as soon as you possibly can.
4. Apply Geranium Essential Oil
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As I learn more about the purpose and power of essential oils, I wish I had started studying more than the “common” ones much sooner than I did.Take geranium oil, for example. Did you know that it has the ability to soothe sore muscles, speed up the healing process of certain respiratory infections, reduce anxiety and depression-related symptoms, fight candida, and even decrease nerve pain that comes from things like shingles (pretty impressive, right?)
However, the reason why geranium oil is listed here is because it’s also awesome (and non-irritating) when it comes to skincare. What makes it so divine? It reduces wrinkles, contains antibacterial and soothing anti-inflammatory properties, and naturally deodorizes, too.
Also, since this oil also provides a hormone-balancing effect for women who are perimenopausal and menopausal, when it comes to adding to your own essential oil collection, how could you not want some geranium oil now?
5. Or Frankincense Essential Oil
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Personally, if frankincense oil had no real benefits, I’d still use it because I like how it smells. Kind of like woody-meets-musky-meets-sweet-meets feminine. The fact that it’s got somesolidantioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties in it makes it that much better.For instance, since it’s a stress-reducer, that’s always good to know if you’re doing your best to find holistic ways to keep your hormones as balanced as possible (because stress can put your hormones into influx). Some other notable things about this oil (as far as your vulva goes) are it fights off bacteria, helps to slow down aging signs, and actually balances hormones (and helps to improve fertility), too.
6. Soothe and Heal with Pure Aloe Vera Gel
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So, what if you recently took a look at your vulva and noticed that there is some discoloration due to things like nicking yourself while shaving or your skin getting over a couple of back-to-back yeast infections? One thing that you might want to try is applying some (and this is key) 100 percent pure aloe vera gel to the darker spots. For one thing, its high water content will help moisturize your skin.
Next, its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic will do wonders when it comes to helping to heal your skin.Another perk of the gel is it’s actually a natural source ofsalicylic acid, which means that it can help prevent future breakouts (if you happen to get pimples and acne scars down there). Plus, it also fades discoloration (over time) and slows down the aging process of your skin.
7. Take Vitamin C and D Supplements
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Did you know thatalmost every American in this country is not getting all of the nutrients that they need from their diet alone? Yeah, don’t get me started on what people’s health would look like if the United States actually covered healthcare costs (eye roll). ANYWAY, I’m just saying this to say that if you don’t already take a multivitamin, now is as good a time as ever to start. Or, if you’d prefer to take certain supplements that are specific to this article, vitamins C and D are your better bet.
Vitamin C is bomb because it’s great for skin health overall; it boosts collagen levels, helps to prevent infections, and speeds up the process of wound healing. Vitamin D is great because it helps to maintain your vagina’s pH levels, reduces the chances of vaginal infections, and if you happen to be on the other side of menopause, it can help with your libido and make arousal easier — and since vitamin D deficiency is so common among us (Black women) that is certainly something to especially keep in mind.
8. Use Lubrication During Sex
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The main reasons why your body naturally lubricates your vagina during sexual activity are so that 1) penetration will not be painful and 2) there won’t be a ton of unnecessary friction during sexual acts. Yep, and there goes that word again: friction. Whether you struggle with getting as wet as you’d like due to hormonal reasons (or foreplay challenges; check out “What If The Sex Is Good...But The Foreplay Isn't?”) or you’re simply someone who takes the saying “the wetter, the better” quite literally (check out “The Wetter, The Better: 10 Creative Ways To Use Lubricant”), just remember that when it comes to preventing vaginal hyperpigmentation, all forms of lubricant will always be your friend.
9. Try Some Rose Bush Butter
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It really is amazing, the random things that you can find out on the World Wide Web. Take a product called Rose Bush, P-ssy Butter. I first stumbled upon it whilereading an article about it on Well + Good’s website. The reason why it sings the butter’s praises is that it can do so many things for your vaginal region, from moisturizing and preventing chafing to making it smell great and serving as an all-natural lubrication (if you’re someone who DOESN’T use condoms).
Word on the street is that it can even help to keepyour vagina’s pH where it’s supposed to be (which is always a bonus!). So, if you’re looking for something that can help, and heal your vulva, why not give some rose bush butter a shot? You can cop yourself some of ithere.
10. Sleep Naked
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Last one. Your vagina and vulva don’t want to experience friction, especially not 24 hours a day. That’s why it’s important to at least give them both a break during your sleeping hours. That will give them time to get more oxygen, regulate their temperature, prevent excess moisture from creating the perfect breeding ground for a yeast infection, and it will help to keep your hormones balanced, too. At the end of the day,sleeping naked is one of the best ways to be proactive when it comes to avoiding vaginal hyperpigmentation. No doubt about it, sis. So make sure to do it….tonight.
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Welp. There you have it: 10 all-natural ways to keep your vulva looking as good as (hopefully) it feels. Test some of the remedies out. Let me know how it goes. Especially that rose butter, aight? #wink
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Featured image by TAGSTOCK1/Getty Images