The importance of reviving our younger selves

If you’re wondering why I call myself a Brown Girl, know that it’s my way of connecting to my younger self and remembering what made her tick: what she liked, what scared her, and what were her secret dreams. It’s my invitation to grasp her child hand so that we can reacquaint, rediscover, and act together. You see, our girl selves never left the picture; she was just silenced and left behind. What better time to bring her back to the table?

As children, many of us had to carry something heavier long before we should have or were too young to understand—excessive responsibility, abuse, lack of safety, survival—which kept us from exploring possibilities, having fun, being herself, even being comfortable in her own skin. I speak to the girl in the hopes that she remembers she’s still alive and can still be heard, appreciated, and loved by our adult selves. And it’s to our benefit to coax her from the shadows so she can express her voice once again or maybe even for the first time ever.

Even if we have many birthday candles behind us, we are still Brown Girls. It’s not too late to breathe life back into her. You could have so much fun together! Besides, aren’t you even a bit curious about what she has to say? I guarantee that she has plenty to share.