A Lesson in Wellness with Author and Mental Health Educator Minaa B.

Rip & Tan: Congratulations on your debut book! Can you tell us a bit about your personal journey to publication?

Minaa B.: Thank you so much! The journey has been deeply complex and full of moments of grief and joy. I began writing the proposal for this book in 2020, while experiencing fatigue and grief related to events such as the Coronavirus pandemic, racial injustices, and a major disruption to day-to-day life. The process of writing the book began in 2021, after being signed to Penguin Random House, and was fully completed early in 2023. The book has been a significant accomplishment.

Rip & Tan: What are just a few of the lessons we can look forward to in the pages of Owning Our Struggles? Who do you hope the book ends up in the hands of?

Minaa B.: My biggest hope is that people learn to practice the power of community care. The concept of community care is something that I am deeply passionate about. In my book, Owning Our Struggles, I explore the transformative power of caring for ourselves and others within our communities. Through my work, I hope to inspire readers to prioritize their own well-being while also fostering a culture of care and support for those around them. By practicing community care, we can build stronger, more resilient communities that prioritize the well-being of all its members.

Rip & Tan: So much of the self-help we typically come across feels difficult to employ in practical ways. How does your work, and this book specifically, seek to change that?

Minaa B.: Owning Our Struggles is a practical guide for readers looking to improve their well-being in a meaningful way. It offers a fresh perspective on self-help that emphasizes the importance of community care and the power of collective responsibility.

Sometimes, when people are hurting, they turn inward and forget how to use the power of community as a resource for caring for their well-being. Furthermore, we may inadvertently cause harm to others when we haven’t healed our own trauma. Self-help is wonderful, but as I mention in my book, we don’t heal to exist in a vacuum; we heal to integrate into a community. It’s imperative that we learn how to be social beings and break the cycle of hurt people hurting people.

Rip & Tan: What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about healing and mental health that you wish you could set straight once and for all?

Minaa B.: I believe the false notion that we can never heal from trauma or handle difficult situations is harmful. As adults, we often have to face challenging tasks, but if we take proactive steps toward healing, we can overcome even our darkest moments. It’s important to remember that our trauma is something that happened to us, but it does not define who we are.

Rip & Tan: In your workplace consulting, what are some of the biggest issues you’re seeing in terms of mental health and burnout?

Minaa B.: The main issues I come across are poor work-life balance, inadequate workplace support systems, and high workload and pressure. Although every industry is different, I believe that people need support in the workplace and systems that can help them be productive while also caring for their well-being.

I enjoy teaching my workshops to direct reports and their leaders, providing them with the tools and resources to care for their well-being. I hope that more organizations prioritize workplace well-being because failing to do so will severely impact the workforce.

Rip & Tan: With the launch date fast approaching, what are you most looking forward to?

Minaa B.: I am most looking forward to the book being released and embarking on its own journey in the world. A friend once told me that once a book is out, it no longer belongs to you, and I love that. I am excited to see how readers will receive it and how it impacts them. While I know how the book has made me feel, I can’t wait to see how it resonates with the world.

Rip & Tan: Can you share a few tips for creating an effective self-care strategy?

Minaa B.: The number one thing I recommend is practicing mindful moments daily. These are moments when we engage in activities such as cooking, baking, writing, walking, or drawing with focused attention and awareness of the present experience. During mindful moments, we eliminate all distractions and focus solely on the task at hand.

Personally, I enjoy walking my dog or taking breaks in between work to sit in silence with my eyes closed for sensory rest. This is a practice that anyone can do, even those who are busy and have little time. We must be proactive in making time, whether it’s just five minutes or an hour.

Rip & Tan: You’ve also created this wonderful online community through Instagram check-ins, open conversations, and daily mental health reminders—how do you navigate the world of social media in a way that feels mindful and focused?

Minaa B.: I believe in having clear social media boundaries. In the past, I would take offense to comments from trolls and disrespectful discourse happening online. I used to try to respond and prove my point, but then I realized that the best way to protect my peace and my community is to simply block people who are causing negativity. This way, I can also prevent my followers from being attacked. It has helped create a meaningful online experience versus one that is draining.

Rip & Tan: Self-care has become such a buzzword these days. How would you define true, impactful self-care?

Minaa B.: I have learned to replace the term “self-care” with “self-nourishment.” Daily habits that restore my nervous system are more effective than external practices often promoted in the self-care industry. While going on vacation and getting massages are great, they are typically forms of self-maintenance that do not penetrate deeply into my spirit the way self-nourishment does.

Practicing rest, assertiveness, and mindfulness are the best ways for people to care for themselves. When we practice mindfulness, we become more in tune with ourselves, which allows us to restore our nervous system and maintain mental, emotional, and physical health.

Rip & Tan: Book related or otherwise, what’s bringing you joy lately?

Minaa B.: I’m being intentional about unplugging this season since things have been hectic with the upcoming release of my book. I’m finding joy in spending time with my Godchildren, friends, being social and spending time with loved ones.