EyeRene Lloyd-Peniston shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
EyeRene, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think people secretly struggle with feeling like they have to do everything alone, sometimes asking for help or even having help offered without having to ask, is a foreign concept to some people; simply extending kindness without the desire for anything in return. I think if more people were 1. okay with not being okay, but 2. Allowed the people around them to really support and pour into them, life will flow just a bit easier.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Eyerene, and I am a self-care, wellness, and energy practitioner. I’m also the creator of Brown Girls Heal and a Born Girls Link up. a space rooted in sisterhood, healing, and community. My mission is to hold space and serve as a vessel for my Black and Brown community, to show that safe spaces and communities born from love, sisterhood, and healing truly exist. My journey began when I was just sixteen, in the midst of my own battle with mental illness and depression. It was during that time that I began to understand the raw importance of caring for myself, learning to set boundaries, to honor my spirit, and to prioritize my mental and emotional well-being. Brown Girls Heal came to life from a desire and calling to create a space where Black and Brown women from all walks of life could come together, to connect, to heal, and to grow in love and community. My vision has always been to nurture a movement of women who see themselves reflected, supported, and celebrated.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Truthfully, the relationship with myself most shaped how I see myself, learning to not only love myself but like myself, every part of me. Appreciating my own reflection, my time with self, and solitude. Going through depression as a teenager, you are almost forced to re-learn yourself, how you process emotions, how to express those emotions in a healthy way, knowing when you need to step away from things and people, and learning breathing techniques. These are all things I had to learn and re-learn about myself to continue to thrive and be the greatest me possible. So, with that said, I would honestly say, the relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with self.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Oh, see, this is a good one. I think honoring our inner child is definitely one way to keep celebrating ourselves in the now, but also just keeping joy alive and at the forefront of our hearts. If there was one kind thing I would say to my younger self, it would be to always flow where you feel good and you don’t have to compromise yourself for anyone else, you don’t have to burn to keep others warm, always take care of yourself, rest when you feel called to rest, and always find time for joy. I feel like this was multiple things combined in one, but I’m sure it flows lol.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closet friends, the people who truly know me, who have spent intimate time with me, would say that family really matters to me, and that’s given and chosen. The intention in the way people are with me and how they allow me to love them matters. Recently, two of my closest friends came with my husband and I on a road trip to North Carolina for a mini family reunion my parents were hosting, and just seeing my chosen family mingle, laugh, dance, and cry with my given family, that right there… is what really matters to me. Loyalty, trust, intentional kindness, the things that money can’t buy, and the energy you only find in people who resemble God’s love for me, that’s what matters.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace… There are a few things, actually, interestingly enough, I don’t think I can narrow it down to one, and maybe that’s a good thing, it keeps me grounded in the knowing that peace is always close. I’ll share my top 4 things that make me feel most at peace, you know, just to keep it short. 1. When I am at the beach, the water deeply connects me to my ancestors, the natural orchestra of the waves. It’s extremely peaceful when you allow yourself to be still in that space. 2. The park, one of my favorite grounding spaces, my feet in the grass, connecting to nature, hugging and naming trees, the grounding at parks is unmatched. 3. Solitude brings me peace, being able to be okay, have fun, and enjoy my own space and company. 4. Spending time with the people closest to me, the people who fill my cup by their presence alone, there’s peace there too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://browngirlsheal.com
- Instagram: _browngirlsheal
- Youtube: @browngirlsheal
- Other: Podcast: The Mindful Eye Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/2tm5bkLARQg6kIZAWGdXXo?si=GG2_mKn1Qgaskt4yZaOOVA
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