Emotional support for Black women hits differently when you let go of the "I got it" mindset. Black women carry so much—juggling careers, families, and life while often telling themselves, “I’ve got it.” But what happens when we hold onto the “I can handle it all” mindset for too long?

In this week’s episode of the Shades of Strong Podcast, we unpack the emotional toll of doing it all alone and explore how making space for support can transform the way we live, love, and show up in the world.

Inspired by the stories passed down through generations of Black women, this episode dives into:

Why many of us resist asking for help, even when we need it most.

The cost of carrying expectations we were never meant to bear.

How letting go of hyper-independence creates room for the support we’ve always deserved.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The generational roots of the “I’ve got it” mindset and how it shows up today.

The emotional, physical, and relational costs of trying to do it all.

Why naming your needs is a radical act of self-care and liberation.

How the Support Languages™ framework helps Black women communicate their needs and build meaningful, supportive connections.

Key Takeaways:

Just because you’ve been doing it all doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it.

Asking for help doesn’t make you less capable—it makes space for the support you deserve.

Knowing your Support Language™ empowers you to guide others in showing up for you in ways that truly matter.

Why This Episode Matters:

Black women have often been conditioned to be the “strong one,” but strength isn’t about doing it all alone—it’s about knowing when to let go and let others in.

This episode highlights the importance of emotional support for Black women and how Support Languages™ offers a culturally relevant way to name your needs and invite deeper connections.

It’s an invitation to release the “I’ve got it” mindset and rewrite the story of strength—because, sis, you were never meant to carry it all alone.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Take the Support Language™ Quiz.

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www.shadesofstrong.com

Shirl is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.