Community Matters

Isolation is the biggest exasperater of any mental health issue like stress, anxiety, depression,
or grief. It’s like the harder things get, the more you pull away. I’ve learned that community is
one of the biggest pillars in our wellness journey.
I didn’t always know how to lean into my community and ask for help. Long before I was the
CEO of Journey Therapy Center, I often found myself tangled (and sometimes still do) l in the
changes and transitions of life just trying to get through it all. In time, with the support of my own
therapist, I learned how to not only ask for help but receive it with grace and without shame.
My community is so full. And I am full because of them.
In times my cup was empty and my strength was depleted, my community held me up
until my capacity increased
They believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.
They reminded me of my purpose when my current vision didn’t match the promise.
They spoke the truth when all I could hear were the lies being spoken through the voice
of insecurity.
They corrected me in love when I was at risk of moving out of character.

They gave me refuge in their homes when I needed a place of peace before I had my
own place.
My community literally fed me when I was hungry. Paid for study materials, vacations,
celebrations, and more when I didn’t have a dime.
Speaking of money, it was honest, raw and transparent conversations with my
community that helped me assess my earning potential; shift how I view finances.
Women, black women in particular, are starting businesses and earning more money at
rapid rates. Still we are underpaid compared to men and black women in particular tend
to be underpaid in comparison to their white female and male colleagues.
Money trauma is a real thing. And it’s not something that we talk about often. As I
grew in my professional career, and in running my own business, I began to
really see the gaps in my own financial literacy. And every day I am working
towards rewriting my story and financial portfolio. It is not easy but it’s become
less taxing and I’ve let go of so much shame as a result of leaning into my
community.
Money matters. You matter. And your community can be one of the safest and
resource-rich places to help you rewrite your money story.

Be Well,
Tiffany

Tiffany is not only the CEO of Journey Therapy Center she is deeply committed to building
mental health literacy via storytelling. She contributes to the Journey Therapy Center blog
regularly by sharing her own stories with bravery and vulnerability in hopes of being an
inspiration and destigmatizing mental health.