I don't know who needs to hear this, but you need to check-in with your strong friend today; unless of course your strong friend is you, and in that case, it's time that you check-in with yourself. As a black woman in this world, you are royalty and it's important that you take the time to adjust your crown when needed. You should plug-in emotionally as often as you recharge your phone, and Meghan Markle is proof that even queens need time for self-care.
The actress-turned-royal had one helluva year after marrying her Prince Charming and giving birth to her now 5-month-old son, Archie, but along with her whirlwind of blessings came a hurricane of chaos. Toxic family drama accompanied by incessant violations of privacy by the media has not been easy for the 38-year-old Duchess, who says that while the past few years of her life have been life-changing, they have also been quite a challenge.
Recently, in a rare interview for the British documentaryHarry & Meghan: An African Journey, Meghan opened up about life as a new mom and revealed that her new life has been more stressful than she could have ever imagined. In the documentary, she explained:
"Any woman, especially when they're pregnant, you're really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging. Then when you have a newborn, you know. And especially as a woman, it's a lot."
Meghan is a royal reminder that you never know what someone is going through and that sometimes the kindest thing that you can do for someone is just listen. She went on to thank the interviewer for actually asking if she was okay, because, throughout this process, that question has become a rarity for her.
"So, you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed. It's um . . . yeah. I guess, also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I'm okay, but it's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."
While Meghan may be having a hard time adjusting to life as royalty, her partner-in-royalty has had her back in a major way, even suing a local media publication and issuing a very public and equally direct clapback in honor of his wife. In a statement, Prince Harry wrote:
"There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behavior, because it destroys people and destroys lives. Put simply, it is bullying, which scares and silences people. We all know this isn't acceptable, at any level. We won't and can't believe in a world where there is no accountability for this."
In the statement, Harry went on to compare his wife to his mother, Diana, and the relentless scrutiny that she faced in the media:
"My deepest fear is history repeating itself. I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."
Remember queen, taking time to unplug and adjust your crown is essential, and having people in your corner who can help you do that is key.
Featured image by Ben Stansall-WPA Pool/Getty Images