The Weight of Being the Strong One

Hey Friend,

Let’s pause for a second. I have a serious question . . .

“Who takes care of the woman everyone depends on?”

For many of us Black women, strength isn't something we chose. It's something we learned. We learned from grandma. We learned from momma.

We learned to keep going when we were exhausted. To show up when we were hurting. To make sure everyone else was okay, even when we weren't.

Somewhere along the way, being strong became more than something we did. It became who we believed we had to be. Our whole entire identity.

But what happens when the strong woman gets tired?

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I've seen how the expectation to carry everything can affect a woman's emotional well-being. And as a woman of faith, I've come to understand that being capable of carrying something doesn't necessarily mean God intended for us to carry it alone.

Rooted Reflection

This month, I invite you to consider asking yourself three questions:

• When was the last time I allowed someone to show up for me?

• Do I feel guilty when I rest or say no?

• Have I confused being needed with being valued?

If you journal (or would like to start), write the answers down in a journal. Don’t forget to write down the date so that when revisiting, you’ll remember what time in your life your answers rang true. You don't have to answer them all today. Just give yourself permission to consider them.

Something Close to My Heart

I'm preparing to release my first book, She Was Never Meant to Carry Everything Alone: The Superwoman Schema, on December 1, 2026.

This book grew from a deep personal journey of faith, reflection, and healing. It's for the women who have carried families, responsibilities, expectations, and sometimes generations of unspoken pain.

My hope is that its pages help women recognize that strength and vulnerability can coexist.

A Scripture to Carry YOU Through

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’”  (Matthew 11:28 NLT).

Your Gentle Reminder

You are allowed to be strong and still need support.

You are allowed to love others without abandoning yourself.

You were never meant to carry everything alone.

Stay Rooted,

Chunichi David, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Author | Mental Health Advocate | Founder, Legend Vision Collective

Healing is rooted — not rushed.

Stay Connected

Website for books and resources: https://legendvisioncollective.com

Website for Rooted in Wellness practice: https://rootedinwellnessmh.com

Instagram: @i_am_chunichi

Facebook: iamchunichi