We recently connected with Martinique Ilona and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Martinique , so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Self-care is defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, during periods of stress. Taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. Previously I assumed self care was just setting appointments such as manicures and pedicures, salon appointments, trips to the spa and sauna etc. I had a bad habit of working myself until exhaustion then setting massage or acupuncture appointments for “self care”. I would sleep in all day on a Saturday because I did not maintain a healthy sleep hygiene practice during the week. The feeling of “losing the day” would be prevalent upon awakening. Yes was my favorite word and I would end up either overestimating myself or overcommitting to everyone and everything other than myself. As a result, I would feel extremely overwhelmed and constantly eat low vibrational fast foods and snacks because that is all “I had time for”. Honestly, I craved the crunch and the salt from my own feelings that may have not been in the highest of vibrations. The point is I was very reactionary in taking an active role with my well being. I have since gained an understanding that self care has layers and tiers in the categories of Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual
My physical self care consists of the following:
1. Maintaining a clean space in all areas, work space, my home, and my car. When I was younger my mom use to say “ You ain’t going no where until that room is cleaned.” I understand that now. I try and implement having a clean space before I commit to other things.
2. Eating healthy and working out. Still a work in progress. I absolutely love chips! However, I try to limit my intake and choose fruit and food instead of using snacks as a meal. Researching and understanding what vitamins and minerals my body needs in order to thrive. I also partake in dance classes, karaoke, and gym workouts. As of late I have really been in the gym and sculpting my body out in nature.
3. Getting pampered with Hair Appointments, , acupuncture, spa and sauna, pedicures etc. These appointments are necessary in my life because it makes me feel cared for and nurtured.
Mentally to actively protect my well being I practice the following:
1. Maintaining gratefulness by journaling daily in the Gratefully Rooted gratitude journal I created. It helps me to shift my focus and attention on the positive.
2. Saying No. Giving a definitive answer no without an explanation. No longer saying I will let you know or not giving a response at all. It’s just a no. Period.
3. Organization. Creating a small do list and having a schedule with mini breaks keeps my anxiety down. It helps me to feel balanced and accomplished at the same time.
Emotional self care involves the following:
1. Binaural beats- Listening to binaural beats or soft music enhances my mood.
2. Aroma therapy. Essential oil scents keeps me feeling calm. I love the smells of Eucalyptus, Mint, Lemongrass, and Lavender.
3. Practicing mindfulness. Making sure I stay present in the moment and focused on one thing I’m doing in that moment. Even though it has been a challenge, I’m really limiting the need to multi task with everything. I definitely move slower lol but it gives me the time, energy, and focus to give all of my love, effort, and attention to whatever I’m doing in the moment.
Lastly my spiritual self care consists of:
1. Being out in Nature. Nature gives me the ability to recharge and be at peace with myself. I feel so connected in nature.
2. Hibernation Mode. Unplugging and shutting down from technology and social media. Really spending time with myself and enjoying the things that I love.
3. Meditation and Intuitiveness. Whether its walking meditation, listening to my body when its time to eat or rest, or just enjoying the silence. It all helps to rejuvenate my soul.
Self Care is definitely an art and one of the most active ways you can love yourself. These are just a few things that are involved in my process. Uniquely discovering your own and what works for you will be a great act of self love. Self care is work within itself and there is always room for improvement. As the quote says “Self care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” Do all that you need to do to be your best. May your cup of love, wellness, and abundance runneth over.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Peace and Love! My name is Martinique Ilona a.k.a The Divinity Coach. I am the owner and founder of Rooted Connections LLC. How are you? I hope all is well. Such a pleasure to connect. I give thanks for the opportunity.
I started going through a kundalini awakening a few years back.
I have obtained my certification as a Life Coach several years ago. I gained a great deal of life coaching experience at a local high school in the metro Atlanta area while coaching the student lead flag and dance line. I created programs for the young ladies and would host workshops as well. But since my awakening started happening, I just did not want to coach in the same way anymore. I wanted to do something different.
During this time, I was questioning EVERYTHING! I started learning about Ancient Kemet and Kemetic Deities such as Auset, Sehkmet, Hathor, and Ma’at. I really resonated with the story of Sehkmet and the healing modalities that was used during that time period. I began to really dive into nature, holistic healing, the moon and the emotional body, and my very own spiritual gifts and healing.
The research I found inspired me to create an event. At the time, those events were called full moon rituals. I would host an event surrounding the full moon of each month providing my guests with various nutritious foods that were good for the body, mind and soul. Also, foods purchased for the event supported black businesses in the community.
The full moon ritual events were a reflection of ancient times when women would honor the cycles within themselves just as they honored the cycles of the earth. During these ancient times women were so connected that they synchronized during the time of menstruation. The women would then retreat together to release, nourish each other, and nourish themselves. This event was about the attendees and what they would like to release, let go of, and how they could shed what no longer serves them; the shedding of the womb mentally and emotionally.
The event created a safe space for women to cry, to reflect, to laugh, and truly be themselves. All masks were off! All titles were off! It was a true community of sisters supporting each other and connecting on a spiritual level. Men were also invited to release emotionally or assist in the sisters emotional release as well. I also made sure to incorporate the tea to Honor the story of Sehkmet (She who is powerful). The ancient deity who is known as the Goddess of Healing. Eventually, the events became what are now known as Rooted Connections Tea and Talk.
Rooted Connections was born out of the Tea and Talk events.. I named my business Rooted Connections because one must be rooted in the authentic true divinity of themselves in order to connect freely to their soul tribe. It also ties into Root Chakra, working with emotions that surround fear, security, safety, and tribe. It is the base, the foundation. And the connections aspect, well that’s everything. We are all connected. The more you do your work the more you will see just how connected we are.
Rooted Connections LLC specializes in goal setting, self esteem challenges, solutions to chronic stress, confidence building, organizing your life, and over all sage advice. What sets Rooted Connections apart is that we always lead the clients back to themselves because they have the solutions. We are using creative unique ways to guide them to their own realizations.
This year the services we are providing are group coaching through various mediums, online classes and workshops, as well as in person events.
When I started this business I honestly just wanted a shared space of healing. I desired to express my own journey in hopes that I may assist someone else in theirs. What I’m most proud of is the positive feedback and gratitude I received for starting Rooted Connections and me being able to share the knowledge I have gained to help others.
The brand of Rooted Connections is living the life you love and being your divine authentic self! And here is the kicker; who you are authentically changes and evolves with time. Giving yourself grace to be an evolution of who you are. Allowing yourself to let go of the old without the guilt. Enjoying the process of re-inventing or re-membering yourself. However you wish to word it 🙂
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?
This is an amazing question. The ability to persist after failure is a quality that has been the most
impactful helping me along my journey. After many so called failures, I had to change my perspective on
the way I see failure. I began seeing failure as a guidance tool. Guidance to either pivot, make
improvements, or enhance the parts that worked. In the end it leads to being better which is always a
successful win. In addition, I only focus on creation. This does not involve competition, defeating or
establishing superiority. More so collaboration, focus, and improvement. How can I make it better?
This the driving force and I’m staying in my own lane.
Learning the skillset of assertiveness has been major for me. My aura is love and kindness but in
business and sometimes in life people will take advantage. In ways such as putting you on the back
burner, giving less than quality work thinking you will not say anything because you are “so nice”, or just
overall mistreatment because it is known you will do “the right thing”. Some people will even hold you
to a higher standard than what they are willing to provide. Even verbally communicating sometimes did
not seem to have an impact. I had to put action and extreme measures behind those words to make a
point or receive quality treatment, goods, or services. Actions speak louder than words.
The ability to learn combined with the desire to learn has gotten me as far as I am now on this journey. I
started with an idea. From there figured out how to make it tangible, by creating the website, the
workshops, the promotions etc. Somethings I outsourced, others I did not due to funding. I have grown
a lot and learned many skillsets just by seeing if I can do it. By focusing on learning one thing at a time
and implementing it repeatedly I can now do so much more than I ever could before. Each day in every
way I’m getting better and better just by the willingness to learn and do something new. I do however
believe in outsourcing and investing in your business. Delegating can also be a learning experience to
depend on your team. Learning has so many beautiful layers if you just continue to be a student of life.
The advice I have for people who are early in their journey is to just do it. Take the risk. Figure it out.
Lose the Fear of Judgement, Rejection or whatever it is. Take a chance. Even if your business does not
meet your expected results, it will eventually or lead to something that does. Trust and believe in
yourself. Be assertive. Believe in your vision. Take it day by day brick by brick. Continue to build. Learn
all that you need to make you vision a reality. Stay focused. Take 5 minutes to do one thing today
towards your business, life goal, or even if it is self-care. No regrets.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed the first thing I do is take a deep breath and say “I am safe” and if I am really trying to convince myself, I say “Martinique you are safe”. I keep repeating the phrase while breathing deeply. Once I’ve calmed down a little I bring myself into the five senses by identifying what I feel, see, taste, touch, and smell. Now in in the present moment. In addition, I follow the steps below:
1. Walk Away – I go outside if I can. If not I will just take a short walk to clear my mind. If leaving is not an option at all. I listen to Binaural beats while breathing in aroma therapy essential oils such as lavender. I find a way to move my body. Whether it is a slight stretch or switching the positioning of my body.
2. Make a list – I write down what is the highest priority and just do that task for the day. I would delegate the rest if I can. If I cannot, I complete what I can and move the less pertinent items for the following day.
3. System Error- I usually have a schedule and a system. I figure out where I dropped the ball. Did I over commit? Did I not factor in enough time? Did I not put it in my calendar at all? Etc. I adjust accordingly.
4. Ask Questions – Out of all the things that occurred what made me feel overwhelmed the most? What about the task cause so much panic and fear in me? Am I overwhelmed or fearful? Did I balance out work and play? Have I danced or did what I love today?
5. Big Up Myself and Sing – I tell myself how great I am. I replay my accomplishments in my head. I sing all the songs that make me feel so bad ass! If I’m in a space where I can’t sing, I will listen to the music that makes me feel that way. It shifts my mood to the highest capacity!
My advice would be to discover all the ways that works for you as the individual. Try different things until you figure out what works. Also to give yourself grace. If you are repeating patterns to get back to the “overwhelmed” state then it could be either habits that are no longer serving you, being in survival mode, subconscious beliefs, and or an addiction to the emotions of being over whelmed. That’s where the true work comes in. From the wisdom of Maat ….Know thyself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rootedconnections.org
- Instagram: rooted_connections
Image Credits
Bee the Sage Erik Harris
