On May 16, 2019, I turned 25 years old (where are all my stubborn Tauruses at?!) and I started to realize that this aging thing is and never was a game.
Like the infamous Dr. Tykeia Robinson, Ph.D. of Gettin’ Grown podcast once said: “adulthood is the worst hood I’ve ever been to.”
I suppose you could say that I have my bouts of the quarter-life crisis.
But, why the heck isn’t anybody talking about the Black millennial version of this mess?
If you are millennial and you are going through this, it’s tough. But, as we all know, being a Black millennial trying to march through your 20s takes a special kind of patience and reflection – especially when we are chatting about our health.
So, if you are reading this and 25 is right around the corner, let’s sit down and figure this out together.
Do you have any health concerns you’ve been ignoring?
In the hustle and bustle of this millennial life, it’s easy to forget to check in with your body. Between running to work and then to school and then maybe to your next side hustle, it’s easy to ignore those little aches and pains. Or, maybe it’s a suspicious mole on your forearm. Or, maybe we are talking about those constant headaches? Or, maybe you aren’t sleeping well? If there is anything you’ve been ignoring or have been meaning to get checked out, set up an appointment ASAP.
Check-in with that beautiful Black being of yours!
Who is your primary doctor?
I have some unfortunate news: it may be time to leave your pediatrician’s office and find a primary care provider. When I found out that I couldn’t see my pediatrician anymore, I was in my feelings about it (shout out to Dr. M – the realest pediatrician in all of New York. Periodt.) It’s weird to just go out and find a new doctor after you’ve been seeing someone who may have been taking care of you since you popped into the world. This question is even more important if you’ve never had a primary care physician. So, you’ve gone through the first tip and you’ve realized that you’ve been ignoring some symptoms, now it’s time to find a doctor who can advise you.
I found some great tips in choosing a doctor here.
What’s going on with my insurance?
Insurance is a tricky subject and being a Black millennial in America doesn’t make it any easier. We have lower rates of health coverage compared to White millennials. Healthcare policy is always a hot button topic in the political space and then those laws differ from state to state. Do your best to remain vigilant about your coverage and coverage options available to you.
What health issues run within my family?
Ah yes, the Black family. A one of a kind mixture of people that you may love to hate but also hate how much you love them. Every family situation is different but it’s important to know what types of diseases or health conditions run within your family so you can be on the lookout for them.
High blood pressure? Diabetes? A certain type of cancer? It’s an uncomfortable but necessary conversation to have. If you start planning now, you might be worried less later.
How is my mental health?
It’s been a joy to see how much mental health is gaining traction in the Black millennial community. But, it’s hard to know where to start. As Black millennials, we are used to carrying the load because we’ve seen our parents and grandparents do it. But, it is important to note when the load is too heavy for you to bear. Check-in with yourself each day by using a mental health app such as Shine Text, Daylio, or Liberate (which is a meditation app specifically for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color!) which can give you insight into your thoughts during each day.
Not sure if it’s time for therapy? I wrote about that here.
Looking for a therapist as a Black millennial? I also wrote about that here.
What are some questions that you are grappling with during your 20s?
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