Choosing Joy is Stressing Me Out

Head Table Energy

This isn’t anti-love or anti-partnership. It’s about releasing the pressure we put on romantic love to carry every need, every wound, and every belonging. We’re talking community, boundaries, and what it looks like to be the center of your own life—whether you’re partnered or single

How Do I "DO" Rest?

If rest makes you feel anxious, if calm feels unfamiliar, and if “doing nothing” triggers guilt… this episode is for you. In “How Do I DO Rest?” on Put Your Bag Down, Aseanté Renee talks with Octavia F. Raheem about the real soft life: nervous system regulation, calm vs chaos, and burnout prevention—without turning rest into homework.

Letting Go, Without Giving Up

What if the thing holding you back isn’t your dream… it’s your deadline? What if sometimes letting go is what faith actually looks like? In this episode of Put Your Bag Down,I sit down with my  dear friend @yesjannine to unpack what it really means to let go without giving up — to want something deeply without clinging to the timeline, the outcome, or the identity you built around it. So, what if: * You can release the outcome without abandoning the desire * You’re allowed to change your mind after you “get” the thing * Your worth is not measured in how long you can suffer for the dream What would it look like to be faithful to the moment — not the expectation? If you’ve ever felt stuck between what you want and what is, this conversation is your invitation to loosen your grip, honor your growth, and remember: sometimes letting go is the most honest form of faith. Share with a friend gripping their timeline a little too tight. CONNECT WITH JANINE IG: @yesjannine  Site: janinebell.com

Choosing Joy is Stressing Me Out

Some days, “just choose joy” feels like pressure, not peace. This episode is for those days. In this solo episode of Put Your Bag Down, I’m talking about what happens when choosing joy feels impossible… and what to do instead. We’ll get into why joy sometimes hides under self-critique, comparison, and disappointment — and how to find your way back to it gently, in your own time. Resources Mentioned: High Functioning by Dr. Judith Joseph  (This link gets you a bonus: https://highfunctioningbook.com/) Nityda Gessel, LCSW, E-RYT: Movements & Meditations https://traumaconsciousyoga.com/psoas/ https://soundcloud.com/nityda-bhakti

Why Do I Like Chaos More Than Calm?

Let's get real about the “soft life”—beyond aesthetics and algorithms. Host Aseanté Renee (@aseanterenee) and guest Latoya Maria (@rootandcrowned) explore what softness looks like offline: calming your nervous system, choosing yourself without guilt, honoring seasonal capacity, and releasing survival-mode armor. If stillness makes you squirm or chaos feels familiar, this episode is your soul’s deep exhale. Plus: simple, accessible rituals to help you practice softness—no spa day required.