Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Rayborn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lauren, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
If 2020, during the height of Covid, taught me nothing else it taught me to value self-care. During that time my youngest daughter was in Kindergarten remotely, my youngest son was almost 2 but daycare closed down, I was working full-time in education remotely, and my husband was working from home. Initially I was just happy that we were all together and safe but I very quickly felt my mental health declining from being quarantined for so long and not having breaks to just be by myself. Eventually, I began to incorporate daily workouts before everyone else woke up so I had 30 to 45 minutes to myself before starting my day. Over the years, I have not worked out as much but I have incorporated monthly dates with my best friends, monthly facials, and I still wake up before everyone else to spend time in prayer and with myself.
The biggest impact self care has had on my effectiveness is balancing out my mental health. After the birth of my son in 2018, I suffered from PPD (Post Partum Depression) and PPA (Post Partum Anxiety) pretty bad and it felt like I couldn’t shake depression nor anxiety for the next 2 years or more. Once I incorporated self-care habits that worked for me, I felt much more clear mentally. “The unknown” or last minute changes that would normally trigger anxiety, slowly began to decline, the more consistently I made myself a priority. My motto is that I cannot pour from an empty cup so in order to give my children and husband the love and attention they deserve, I have to fill my cup first so that I can pour into theirs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Outside of being a mother and wife full time, I currently own Asé Wellness which is a brand that focuses on herbal products that are intended to provide more natural solutions for common issues. Those common issues may be related to bug bites, eczema, hair loss/thinning, digestive issues, and much more. Initially this brand began as a self-love and self-healing tool for women of color to know that they deserve to feel seen and their needs matter. Within this past year, Asé Wellness has shifted to a brand for the entire family. Family is the root of who I am and why I became so passionate about herbs and what they can do to contribute to our overall health positively. It feels good knowing that when my children scrape their knees, I can grab my own products to protect their cuts as they heal. When my husband was experiencing some thinning in the crown of his head, I could grab my hair oil to assist with healthy growth. During my own menstrual cycle. I can grab my tea blends to reduce the pain I am experiencing.
While the products are the most tangible way to experience Asé Wellness, I have also hosted my “Goddess Picnic” coming up on 3 years. The “Goddess Picnic” is an event for women of color to come together to celebrate sisterhood, dress like a goddess, hear from inspiring guest speakers, and feel safe in a space to be vulnerable about all things womanhood. This event takes place in the Chicago area and I will be hosting for the 3rd year September 8, 2024. It is a way for me to give a piece of who I am to the women in my community who may not otherwise feel celebrated.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful on my journey are my creativity, desire to help others, and passion for positive mental health. These qualities have contributed to my growth, resourcefulness, and allowed me to build some amazing relationships personally and professionally.
My advice to those who are early in your journey is to first discover who you are and what you add to your environment. Often times we look to make outward changes but it always begins with self and doing the internal work to discover your needs and areas where you need to grow. I also highly recommend finding a therapist that can guide you through some of your internal challenges. The moment I found a great therapist, it felt like a light bulb went off that is still burning bright. Once you do all the internal work, be sure to surround yourself with family, friends, and a work environment that supports your current journey.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was allow me to make mistakes and fail without judgement. In my teens and early 20s, I was not focused and was unsure of what I wanted to do career wise but my parents gave me the opportunity to fail as many time as I needed before I finally discovered my passion. They also had impactful conversations with me about hard work, grit, choices, and how my actions/behaviors would ultimately determine my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asewellness.be
- Instagram: _ase_wellness
- Facebook: Lauren Herbalist
Image Credits
Image Credit: Double AA Vision Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
