JoeyJoelle

A little while ago, I was having a conversation with my bestie -yes, that one– about my trust- and abandonment issues along with my emotional impermanence. Which had me realizing that internally I might have been more blocked than I would like to admit. So, like the true Virgo that I am I went to do my research to help me understand what it means to feel secure and stable within myself. Which led me to the root chakra (cutting off corners here). As I read more, I came to learn how connected it is to everything I’ve had been experiencing; from my need for emotional safety to my recent (unconscious) obsession with the color red. That’s how this post came to life. So let’s talk about it!

What Is This Root Chakra I’m Talking About?

Think of your root chakra as the foundation of your energy system. Like the roots of a tree keeping everything steady. Located at the base of your spine, it’s connected to feelings of security, stability, and survival. When it’s balanced, you feel grounded, safe, and present. Physically, it’s tied to your lower back, legs, feet, and even your immune system. This chakra is all about your basic needs: food, shelter, and a sense of belonging.

How Does It Affect Us?

When the root chakra is out of balance, we might feel anxious, restless, or insecure. Physically, this could manifest in back pain, fatigue, or digestive issues. Struggling with money or feeling disconnected from your body? There’s a chance that this chakra is blocked.

Now talking to black women in particular: the pressure to always be strong, handle everything, and survive in spaces not built for us can throw this chakra into overdrive or shut it down completely. It’s hard to feel grounded when society doesn’t always let us feel safe, but it’s so important to prioritize our own energy.

Say it with me:

It is so important to prioritize our own energy

I noticed that during the winter season I was very much drawn to the color red; from wearing red braids to wearing red lipstick more often . At first, I didn’t think much of it, but in hindsight I realize it’s deeply connected to my root chakra.

A little context: Red is its color, symbolizing power, stability, and grounding. Funny how we sometimes intuitively reach for what we need, right?

For me, feeling grounded means more than just standing firm. It’s about trusting others not to abandon me and believing I’m truly loved as I am. Emotional safety is just as important as physical safety.

The fears and anxiety I was experiencing was indeed triggered by outside factors, but that meant it was up to me to understand what’s at the root (no pun intended…Well, maybe just a little bit) in order for me to heal this wound.

When I looked deep within me, I realized that the fear and anxiety I had been experiencing was because I felt like I wasn’t good enough for people to want to stay in my life. That I had to jump through hoops or be useful for them, otherwise they’d see me as worthless and leave. This came from childhood trauma. But I’m an adult now, so it was time for me to address this with myself in order become more secure within myself.

And here’s where the unblocking came in. There are various ways to get your root chakra back in balance. These are the methods I applied for myself:

Moving My Body

Dancing (duh), yoga, or even just stretching helps you reconnect with your physical self. Especially since trauma is mostly stored in the lower region of the body, moving the hips can allow for the body to process what it has been holding on to for so long.

I would dance in front of the mirror to see my body and be able to connect with her in a mindful manner. Give thanks, and show much appreciation for all that she does to protect me.

Affirmations

As I mentioned earlier, while dancing I would reassure myself. Remind myself that I am enough as I am. That I am safe and secure. I would say it out loud so I could actually hear the words and they could override my insecure thoughts.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, I gotchu. Download my list of 10 grounding affirmations to help you get started.

Stand in front of a mirror like we’ve seen Issa would do and speak safety onto yourself.

Personally, I would suggest doing this every morning and evening, until you experience actual noticeable change within yourself. But there’s no right or wrong way to do this. As long as it works for you.

Use Red Energy

Surround yourself with red (the color of the root chakra). Wear them red boots, put on some red lipstick, or you can take it a step further and dye your hair red. A bit too much of a commitment? You can also opt for visualizing a glowing red light at your spine during your meditation.

To conclude: grounding is about coming home to yourself—feeling safe, steady, and secure in who you are. Whether through movement, affirmations, or that bold red lipstick, every small act matters.

If this resonated, leave a comment or share it with someone who needs to feel more rooted today.

Stay grounded, stay soft babes.