We’re living through an extraordinarily difficult period. Between two wars, political divides, financial issues and the everyday struggles that come with being Black in America, the stress can be overwhelming. At times like these Black women often feel like we have to put on a brave face, square our shoulders and take care of everyone else. However, one of the most influential Black women in the world is letting us know we don’t have to take on the entire burden all the time.
On Tuesday, tennis great Serena Williams took to X f.k.a. Twitter to let the world know that it’s OK to not be at 100 percent all the time.
“I am not ok today. And that’s ok to not be ok,” she wrote. “No one is ok every single day. If you are not ok today I’m with you. There’s always tomorrow. Love you.”
It’s extremely meaningful for someone like the 23-time Grand Slam champion to send out this message. Serena has always been known for her power and strength, on and off the court. When she says it’s “ok to not be ok,” that carries extra weight. It gives us permission to say “if Serena can admit she’s not OK, so can I.”
The four-time Olympic gold medalist followed up her post about her feelings with a photo of herself and her baby girl Adira, captioned, “This makes me so happy.”
Her second post is a reminder that it’s the small things that get us through these trying times. Whether it’s cuddling your baby, playing games with your family, watching your favorite movie, or losing yourself in the finale of a reality show, take time to enjoy the little things.
These small comforts are what keep us grounded and make life more than just an endless grind of work and responsibilities. As Serena says, sometimes you have to allow yourself to not be OK. When you acknowledge that you’re struggling, it gives you space to address the issue and find a path back to a more emotionally balanced place.
