What Happens When You Let Go of "I’ve Got It"

Emotional support for Black women hits differently when you let
go of the “I got it” mindset. Black women carry so much—juggling
careers, families, and life while often telling themselves, “I’ve
got it.” But what happens when we hold onto the “I can handle it
all” mindset for too long?


In this week’s episode of the Shades of Strong
Podcast, we unpack the emotional toll of doing it all
alone and explore how making space for support can transform the
way we live, love, and show up in the world.


Inspired by the stories passed down through generations of Black
women, this episode dives into:


Why many of us resist asking for help, even when we need it
most.

The cost of carrying expectations we were never meant to
bear.

How letting go of hyper-independence creates room for the
support we’ve always deserved.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The generational roots of the “I’ve got it” mindset and how
it shows up today.

The emotional, physical, and relational costs of trying to do
it all.

Why naming your needs is a radical act of self-care and
liberation.

How the Support Languages framework helps Black women
communicate their needs and build meaningful, supportive
connections.

Key Takeaways:

Just because you’ve been doing it all doesn’t mean you have
to keep doing it.

Asking for help doesn’t make you less capable—it makes space
for the support you deserve.

Knowing your Support Language empowers you to guide others in
showing up for you in ways that truly matter.

Why This Episode Matters:

Black women have often been conditioned to be the “strong one,”
but strength isn’t about doing it all alone—it’s about knowing
when to let go and let others in.


This episode highlights the importance of emotional support for
Black women and how Support Languages offers a culturally
relevant way to name your needs and invite deeper connections.


It’s an invitation to release the “I’ve got it” mindset and
rewrite the story of strength—because, sis, you were never meant
to carry it all alone.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Take the Support Language Quiz.

Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily inspiration.

www.shadesofstrong.com



Shirl is the creator of Support Languages and host of Shades of
Strong — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black
Woman to Supported Black Woman through language, rest, and real
support.