You Deserve MORE Than Survival


Hey Reader,

There are moments in life that split us wide open—not because we’re weak, but because we’ve been holding too much for too long. And still, we keep showing up. But survival? That can’t be the whole story.

For so many Black women, we wear the word “resilience” like armor. We keep pushing forward, even when the path is heavy with silence, shame, or systems that were never built to support us.

But there’s a truth we don’t talk about enough: healing doesn’t come through hiding. It comes through being seen. And it’s okay to want more than survival. It’s okay to reclaim softness, safety, and support.

Whether you've endured trauma, carried invisible grief, or simply had to keep it moving when your world fell apart—here are 3 gentle reminders for your healing journey:

  1. You are not what happened to you. Your story holds pain, but it also holds power.
  2. You get to redefine what strength looks like. Crying, resting, starting over—none of that makes you weak.
  3. Your worth isn’t tied to what you can carry. Lay it down. Let someone else hold it with you.

The path to healing won’t always be pretty. But it’s still yours. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

This week, give yourself permission to grieve, to grow, and to gather the parts of you that never stopped believing in more.

Warmly,
'Tine

P.S. If you need a story that mirrors the strength and softness in you, don’t miss this week’s episode of the Getting Black Women Paid Podcast. I’m joined by Naomi Reynolds, an Army veteran, advocate, and survivor who shares what healing, advocacy, and reclaiming identity look like after trauma.

🎧 Listen on Buzzsprout
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'Tine Zekis | Founder & CEO, Getting Black Women Paid

I help Black women professionals advance their careers, dramatically increase their lifetime earning potential, and build generational wealth. Sign up for my newsletter to learn more!

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