Tasha Edwards, Health and Wellness Expert

I’ve had a series of not so good days.
Nothing tragic, nothing earth shattering, nothing I can’t handle but just days that made me feel blah. Reached out for support. People were busy. Cooked something new hoping it would comforting. It was nasty. Tried to go to bed early. Mine was up thinking about misspelling civilian in the 7th grade spelling bee.

Having to work all weekend while it was flooding outside didn’t make things better.

Those days weren’t the best but they are not representative of my life as a whole. And even though it started out rough as well, today is a new day.

It’s ok to have a bad day.
But it’s a bad life.

Walk it out.
Write it out.
Dance it out.
Cry it out.
Scream it out.
Draw it out.
Breathe it out.
Talk it out.

Let it out and then let it go.
Today is a new day.

Happy Tuesday! ✨☀️💙

Anxiety will have me like 😳
It makes me second guess everything. I’m thinking about what will go wrong, which way it will go wrong, what I should if it goes wrong, what’s the long term consequences of it going wrong and then think of all the ways to blame myself if it goes the way my mind went.

By the time whatever it is comes up, I am so overstimulated and on edge that I miss the fact that things in fact did NOT go wrong and miss the moment of it actually going right.

If this makes perfect sense to you, let me give you a (((HUG))). Being wired to anticipate the worst is a burden. It’s more than just being “negative” or not being able to see the “bright side.” It can feel like a crisis.

It’s why I need my down time.
It’s why I need consistency.
It’s why I need peace over quiet (because quiet can give you too much time to ruminate).
It’s why I need to constantly give my nervous system time to rest.

I’ve gotten better over the years but if I’m not mindful I can find myself right back here. I practice grounding myself, speaking the truth about the situation, speaking my fear about the situation (fear is usually where my anxiety comes from) and hold space for it. Once I can breathe and feel safe (in my body or in a situation), I can allow myself to just experience whatever is coming (feeling a lack of control can trigger my anxiety as well) and be ok.

I cannot control the future by stressing out over it.

Whew. Now I need some candles and Sade.

Please don’t be ashamed if you’re struggling.
Please don’t be ashamed if you need help; however that looks for you. You deserve the support.

You and your mental health matters.

Happy Wednesday! ✨☀️💚

Depression is a trip.
Sometimes I can feel it coming. Other times it sneaks up on me and grabs me by the throat. Either way, when I am on a functioning level (because there have been times that I wasn’t), I try to make a decision that benefits future me.

And that doesn’t always mean push and “fake it ‘til I make it.”

✨Future Tasha doesn’t want to keep coming unhinged at the same things. This means that when a strong emotion arises, I sit with it. I let it run through me. Pretending like it isn’t happening is not the solution.

✨Future Tasha never wants to experience a burnout that puts her on short term disability ever again. That means when I am tired and overstimulated, I rest. I am ok with telling somebody “no.”

Let’s be real….I’m a GenX’er. If there is one thing I know how to do it is get things done no matter what. I know how to push. But depression pushes back and makes you question everything you thought you knew. On my worst days when I couldn’t get out of bed, I was angry at myself for not being able to get out the bed. When I cried for hours, I was angry at myself for not being able to suck it up.

Being angry with myself is not a behavior I want to carry into my future. Be present with who I am at all times, no matter the state, is what I aim to be.

Does your current behavior support how you truly want to live in the future? Answer that question for yourself and act accordingly.

Happy Wednesday! ✨☀️🤍



If you wan

I am in a that weird state where I don’t know if I’m depressed, tired or uninspired. I’m not sure if I want cake, carrots or kool-aid. I am not sure if I want push forward, pull away or fall out on the ground and let whatever happens happen.

Basically, I’m over here holding myself up, holding myself accountable, holding space for my feelings and holding the remote because I don’t know what I want to watch either. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Here’s what I’m thinking about for the week ahead:

1) No one knows what you need better than you do. Don’t be afraid to put it into words and make the choice to do what’s best. You’re not lazy. You’re not a quitter. You’re aware and you’re taking care of yourself. That’s a win.

2) We deserve the patience, grace and understanding we give others. We deserve to be handled with compassion. We deserve to be handled with compassion. We deserve to be spoken to with love. We deserve the version of ourselves that holds everyone else up.

3) Random but I feel like I’d be REALLY inspired if I won the lottery. I just believe I could work all of this out easier if I was on an island. Just wanted to say out loud that I am open to the possibilities! 🙂

Take care of yourselves, today and every day.

Happy Sunday! ✨☀️🤍

Nothing wears me out like my tendency to overthink….about everything.

It’s why I had to cut down on my scrolling. Not only is the world just heavy in general but people have become so desensitized that all types of trauma are posted, freely and often, on these apps without a second thought.

It also doesn’t help that I absolutely love to indulge in crime documentaries. Watching Dateline has become as much of my daily routine as brushing my teeth.

I am also an empath. Even if I don’t “say” anything, I “feel” everything.

Basically, I could drive myself to an early grave just because of the volume and intensity of my thoughts.

Things that help:

1) “CANCEL! CANCEL!” I saw share this with someone when a negative thought was arising. Once I am aware that I’m spiraling into doom, I say “Cancel Cancel” to myself (sometimes out loud) to change the frequency and interrupt the pattern.

2) I journal. A LOT. Sometimes I just need to write my way through to clearer thoughts.

3) Therapy.

4) Movement.

5) Deep breathing.

6) Sometimes I wear myself out so much that I just fall asleep. Naps are often resets for me and especially if I wake up feeling refreshed and have the energy to engage in something I love.

7) I keep a close circle of logical friends who understand my tendencies, let me talk it out and know how to help me reframe without judgment.

8) I name what I’m really feeling and sit in it until the feeling of overwhelm passes (be careful with this one if I haven’t learned how to regulate yourself yet).

I get better at this every day.

What do you find helpful when you’re overthinking?

Happy Thursday! ✨☀️💚

I once remember sitting in church listening to a pastor say depression is a result of lack of faith.

This type of make believe doctrine is the reason why people hide they are struggling.

I’m willing to open the blinds and say:
I believe in God.
I believe in therapy.
i believe in medicine.

I use all three to survive on a day to day basis.

I am not weak.
I am not a moral failure.
I am a woman who has been battling depression for most of my life.

I started taking antidepressants when I was 21 right after I lost my baby. I’ve taken several different types with several different results. These days, I’m mostly regulated and I have more good days than bad days. I’m thankful and I’m mindful.
I know how detrimental struggling with this illness can be and I won’t discontinue what works for me because of what someone else thinks.

Ways I also help myself:
-I eat as healthy as I can.
-I sleep enough hours.
-I surround myself with people I can be honest with.
-I journal.
-I meditate.
-I pray.
-I exercise.
-I do my best.

May is . You don’t have to battle in the dark.

Off to take my meds. Happy Thursday. 💚💚💚

Happy May, Everyone! ✨

Tomorrow is International Pilates Day and I would love for you to come celebrate with me tomorrow at Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, LLC. Class will start at 9 am and is 45 minutes.

The class is also donation based so pay what you can/will. All you need is a mat and an open mind.

Hope to see you there! ✨

I could NOT make an AI image that would have been able to capture all that I am, all that I do and all that I want to do but this was a nice try. LOL.

I am definitely a jack of all trades and a master of none. I have been many things to many people and yet one thing stays the same: I am committed to helping people live their best life….realistically. Everyone’s 24 hours are different. Our access is different. Our understanding is different.

Wanting to feel healthy and whole…not different.

Here’s what I’m thinking about for the week ahead:

1) Candles, yoga and deep breathing can do a lot for your stress….depending on what type of stress it is. You can’t breathe your way out of your bills being due and you’re not sure how you are going to pay them. Sometimes we have to step out of our privilege to know we aren’t all dealing with the same stuff and learn to meet people where they are. Sometimes they don’t need our “advice.” They need us to sit with them through the hard times.

2) You won’t always get what you want. You may not always get what you need. Change happens when we are willing to face what we ended up with and doing our best with it.

3) I know there is still a lot left in me. I haven’t reached my peek yet. I haven’t taught my best class yet. I still have dreams, visions and plans. But, y’all, I’m so tired. Sometimes it’s hard to balance between those two things.

Let’s make it a great week! 🤜🏾🤛🏾
Happy Sunday! ✨☀️🤎

I was the first person in my family to go off to college. I went 500 miles across the country to a school I had only seen on a video to take a chance at a life and a future I had never seen. This decision changed my life as I knew it and I would never be able to go back to what was. No one will ever know what it took for a shy little girl to build up the courage to go against the grain and follow her own dreams.

The 50 year old in me is exhausted from being the first in so many things. The 7 year old me is sitting with me right now reminding me that this what we dreamed about staring out at a world from the 16th floor window of a housing project; living a life that would always require me to break free and do things differently and pay the cost for doing so.

Both of us are crying this morning for different reason. But we both know the assignment is the assignment and we aren’t ready to give up.

Here’s what I’m thinking about for the week ahead:

1) “Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.” -Ray Bradbury

2) Have the courage to be the first and the determination to make sure you aren’t the last.

3) Sometimes you have to leave people, places and things behind to move forward. It won’t always feel good and people won’t always understand but we should never regret taking a chance on ourselves by going for it….whatever “it is.

Let’s make it a great week! 🤜🏾🤛🏾

Happy Sunday! ✨☀️🤍

Come celebrate with me!

In two weeks, we’re meeting as a community at Madison Ballroom at 9 am to share space and do Pilates! Everyone is welcome. That means YOU. Whether it’s your 1st time or 500th, pull up!! The only thing you need is a mat (I will have a few extra if you don’t have one).

Donations are optional (just sharing the love 💕 ) and can be made through Venmo, Zelle or cash the day of the event. Being early or on time will ensure you don’t miss a thing!!!

See you on the mat!!

Happy Saturday! ✨☀️💜