Self-Care for BIPOC Non-Profit Leaders: Reclaiming Your Energy and Joy
- Eric Lee
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
As non-profit leaders, we often find ourselves embracing the mentality, “I am here to save the world—or, at the very least, my community.” While this mindset is profoundly admirable and rooted in compassion and service, it often comes at a significan
t cost. Without realizing it, we can slip into a pattern of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of our own.
Over time, this can lead to burnout, health challenges, stress, and resentment. Our resentment may extend to the work we once loved, the partnerships we built, and perhaps even the communities we serve. And here’s the hard truth: if you’re running on empty, you can’t give your best to anyone. Your ability to lead with clarity, passion, and purpose is diminished when you’re overwhelmed and depleted.
For BIPOC leaders, especially women, this burden is often compounded by systemic barriers and cultural expectations. We’re not just navigating the pressures of leadership but also confronting societal inequities and the need to prove our worth in spaces that weren’t built for us.
But I’m not here to lecture or add to your to-do list. I’m here to remind you that you are just as worthy of the care and compassion you so freely give to others. You can’t pour from an empty cup. So, consider these suggestions not as another metric for success but as an invitation to prioritize yourself—your health, energy, and joy.
A Gentle Guide to Self-Care
1. Schedule Self-Care Like It’s Your Most Important Meeting
Put self-care on your calendar and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment with your most important client—you. When that inner voice says, “I don’t have time,” push back. Consider the story of Gandhi, who, when faced with an unusually busy day, famously said, “This is the busiest day I’ve had in months. I’d better meditate for two hours instead of one.” He understood that cultivating inner peace creates the foundation for external impact.
2. Find Stillness Through Meditation
Meditation isn’t about perfection or silencing your thoughts; it’s about creating space for yourself. Even a few minutes of stillness can foster clarity, focus, and calm. Meditation can help you better understand the challenges before you and the strength within you to overcome them.
3. Make Movement Joyful
Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Find activities that genuinely make you happy. Do you love walking? Dancing? Hiking? Yoga? Do that. If hitting the gym with weights energizes you, go for it. The goal is not to add another task to your list but to choose a movement that nourishes your body and mind.
4. Ease Into Healthier Habits
When it comes to improving your diet, take small, intentional steps. For example, instead of declaring, “Starting Monday, I’m cutting out all sugar and fried foods,” try something manageable, like swapping a salad for a burger once a week. Celebrate that success, and when you’re ready, add another healthy switch. Gradual, sustainable changes can have a profound impact without overwhelming you.
5. Lean on an Accountability Partner
Sometimes, we need someone to remind us of our worth when we forget. An accountability partner—a friend, colleague, or mentor—can help you stay committed to your self-care goals. They can celebrate your progress, lift you up during tough times, and remind you why caring for yourself matters.
Why Self-Care Matters
As a leader, you are a light for your community. But even the brightest light needs to be recharged. When you prioritize your well-being, you’re not just serving yourself—you’re serving the people who depend on you by showing up as your best, most vibrant self.
Let’s be clear: self-care is not selfish. It’s a radical act of resistance against a culture that tells us we must sacrifice ourselves to be worthy. It’s a declaration that you matter.
Start small. Choose one or two suggestions from this list and build from there. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem. You are enough. You are worthy of care. And you deserve to be at the top of your priority list.
And always remember: You are the one you’ve been waiting for.
