The more Saweetie prioritizes her mental health, the more gems she drops in the process. The “Icy Chain” rapper has been open in the past about her mental health struggles due to being overworked and not properly taking care of herself. After having a few mental breakdowns, she has been on a mission to put her health first and focus on self-care.
In Jubilee’s Recipe for Change: Amplifying Black Women video, Saweetie opened up to Kelly Rowland, Angelica Ross, Elaine Welterorth, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms about her self-care steps and her three B’s which stand for balance, breaks, and boundaries.
"Balance, not only do we work hard, but we need that love, that girl time, that support because if we're always working, we're not watering that other side of us,” she said. “And I feel like everybody is like plants — we all need to be watered. And if we're not watered, we'll wilt."
Saweetie, whose real name is Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, went on to explain the importance of taking breaks.
"Breaks, I always tell the young entrepreneurs, the young go-getter ... team no sleep? No, that's not cute. No, please get your rest, drink your water, replenish yourself mentally physically, spiritually, all that — cause I've done it before."
Lastly, the rapper touched on boundaries and gave an example of how to set them even if it means upsetting others.
"And then, boundaries. Set your boundaries. I'd have a long workday and if it was someone's birthday, I'd feel like I had to go, but I had to create boundaries. Whether you're mad or not, just know that I love you. I respect you, but I can't do it. Because if I'm drained, I won't be able to serve you — and I love serving people. But those are things that I learned 'cause I was burnt out."
In previous interviews, the newly named global cultural consultant for Champion has also shared some other ways she prioritizes her mental health. She believes in meditating and remaining centered. She even chopped off her hair to reflect the woman that she is today. In an interview with The Real, she said. “I just feel like I’m at a very transitional point in my woman life, my human life, my artist life and I wanted to start fresh.”
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Featured image by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic