Name: Melody Davis
Age: 37
Noire Care practice (your self care practice(s)): running, FREE exercise and other activities around the city (yoga, museums, gardens etc.)
How long have you been practicing? 10 years
Who or what introduced you to it? My cousin introduced me to FREE nights at the Brooklyn Museum when I 1st moved to NYC. From there I found that most museums have at least 1 free night a week and that there are educator nights and events as well. I found a website called ClubFreeTime that posted free events at local parks, libraries, museums, etc.
What is the best way for a beginner to get started? Are there low/no cost ways to getting started? Yes! I’m all about the low/no cost activities: running – just lace up and go! find a group like Black Girls Run! or Black Men Run that’s mission is to keep folks in our community healthy and fit, ShapeUP NYC has free fitness classes at local parks and rec centers, check museum webpages, Eventbrite also has a lot of FREE activities.
What kind of personality do you think benefits from this type of practice? ANY! introvert or extrovert! When I 1st moved to NYC I didn’t know many ppl, so I would often go to museums alone. I enjoyed the time to myself. I still do. I also like to share those experiences with others too!
How often do you practice? 3-4 times a week.
Where do you practice? mostly in my neighborhood, but I like to go all over the city! and of course travel and explore new places too!
Is this something you can enjoy with others or do you prefer the solitude? BOTH, I enjoy the freedom to just find something to do and go and do it without having coordinate with others, but I also like meeting up with friends and sharing the experience.
A social life that includes art, nature and fitness helps to make me whole.
How does this practice make you better? my practice makes the big city seem small and cozy. I don’t feel like a small fish in a big pond, but that the big pond really is MINE. This is MY city, this is MY world – I’m here to live and live WELL! My practice refreshes me and helps to see the bigger picture. Life is not just work, life and home life. A social life that includes art, nature and fitness help to make me whole.
Did you grow up witnessing your mother, aunties or any women in your life consistently taking time to do something just for them? My family members are not into physical fitness at all, but my mother did have my brother and I involved in sports and other physical activities. Each summer we took a trip somewhere and went on tours. I love going on TOURS and learning about history and how things work. but, I didn’t see any other family members do those kinds of things. The things I witnessed the women in my family doing for themselves was often education related – taking graduate classes, going to Bible Study, etc. I didn’t necessarily think those things were FUN! My form of self care is FUN and refreshing – a way to relax and release.
What would you like for your future daughter, god daughters or nieces to have learned from you in regards to self care? I would like them to learn that you don’t have to wait on anybody to do something with you. Go out there and have fun by yourself. Learn that being a party of 1 is powerful, freeing, and you can be just as happy enjoying your own company as with enjoying the company of others. It’s okay to not have solid plans, to go with the flow, to just walk around the city or neighborhood with no particular agenda to only have 1 or 2 hours actually planned for a day. It’s ok to just sit and BE!
Where can our sisters follow and learn more about you? IG – writemelody, hashtags: #TempleMaintenance #MelsSensationalSummer #MelsSpringFling #MelsWondrousWinter #MelsMagicalFall