Meet Nashira Funn Kayode

We recently connected with Nashira Funn Kayode and have shared our conversation below.

Nashira, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
I have spent the last 17 years as a professional in the mental health field as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). After years of working with some of the most challenging clientele I was burned out and overwhelmed. I knew I had to pivot. Therefore in 2022 I decided to work my private business full time and left my position within county organizations. I refocused what was important to me in life and create a life that aligned with those purposes.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I teach people how to take care of their mental health by being educated about the systems that negatively impact us (medical, pharmaceutical, and Criminal Justice systems) and developing the skills needed to overcome the negative impact of these systems in their daily life. I do this by creating fun, simple but effective products such as journals and cards that people can use in their everyday life to stay mentally on top of their game. These tools are unique as I used my 17 years of experience to develop them while focusing on ease of use.

All of my products are down to earth and made for the everyday person. My favorite item is the Self Love Affirmation Cards. There are no other cards like this on the market! Each card features an affirmation and is perfect for girls and women of all ages.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
It took me awhile to figure it out but self-confidence, having a positive outlook on life, and reframing my ideal life proved to be the qualities that made the most difference. The things I wish knew earlier in life are now my affirmations like “I deserve a soft life” and ” I have everything I need to succeed”. I wish I would have had that mind frame earlier on to not believe I needed to struggle in order to succeed.

In short, I learned to always bet on YOU. Do the work. Handle your business. But always bet on you. Don’t think for one second someone else is smarter than you, or richer than you, or has something you don’t because it’s not true. Everyone is faking it until they make it. And even a lot of people that you think have made it are just faking it. So, keep going!!!!! But because people are faking it always check your sources. Investigate… research… investigate more. Don’t take anything at surface value.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
As a psychotherapist it’s easy to get burned out and overwhelmed. We spend so much time pouring into others that we often forget to practice what we preach. In order to combat stress, I am big on affirmations pour some of that love into myself. There are so many subtle and not so subtle negative images and things coming at us that we have to battle in this world have to be fought off! There is plenty of research that demonstrates that the way we speak to ourselves can be extremely impactful to our mental health. Throughout my career I have seen the increase in ability to handle stress when people speak and think positively so I use this skill in y own life as well. Positive affirmations are one of the most impactful tools we can take advantage of to beat stress.

The other strategy I employ is to set time aside for myself. I have found that just like you get to know someone else by spending time with them, you get to know yourself by spending time with yourself. Often women are the caregivers for so many people then we go into professions where we care for other people and the last person, we have cared for is ourselves. I set aside half an hour a day with phones off and no distractions where I can pour into my mental wellbeing either journaling or meditating.

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