So much is expected from Black women—strength, resilience, and the juggle of personal and professional commitments—that the art of self-care can sometimes fall by the wayside. Recognizing the need for a space where self-care isn’t just encouraged by celebrated, Los Angeles based mental health therapist, author and social media content creator Oludara Adeeyo has beautifully woven this concept into the fabric of her latest work, Mind, Body & Soul: A Self-Care Coloring Book for Black Women. This is the third book from Adeeyo, representing the importance of mindfulness and self-expression while providing a creative outlet tailored specifically to the experiences of Black women.

 

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Home & Texture recently sat down with Adeeyo, a former media professional turned mental health advocate, to dive into the inspirations behind her transformative career shift, the creative process of her coloring book, and her personal self-care practices.

The Journey to Self-Care

Home & Texture: Your career transition from media to mental health is both inspiring and intriguing. What prompted this pivot?

Oludara Adeeyo: It was a combination of burnout and a desire for more meaningful work that drove me from the media industry. I faced workplace challenges, including bullying and racism, which made me question my future in the field. I wanted to do something that felt more aligned with my values and where I could make a real difference. Social work and therapy felt like the right path.

My mom is the driving force behind my switch from journalism to social work. She passed in 2013, and that put life and mortality at my forefront—the need to live my life for me—boldly. So, I like to think that I’m helping further her legacy and mine by creating books and doing work that helps Black women across the diaspora prioritize their well-being.

H&T: What inspired you to create a coloring book as your third project, especially one focused on self-care for Black women?

OA: There has been a rise in adult coloring books, and I think with my books, it’s been a natural progression. My first book was filled with practical tips, introducing people to self-care. And because I am a social worker, I believe in giving people accessible advice. The second book was like—okay, let’s put these tips into practice. Let’s start journaling; let’s start affirmations. Affirmations and journaling were a key part of my own healing and self-care journey. And then with coloring, it’s like, okay, what’s another activity we can give Black women to do? And coloring just made sense.

Coloring is a form of mindfulness that can significantly reduce anxiety. It’s about giving Black women a tool to carve out time for themselves, to engage in an activity that’s both healing and enjoyable.

H&T: Can you share more about the collaboration with the illustrator and how you brought the book’s visuals to life?

OA: The process was deeply collaborative. I provided the affirmations and a vision of what I hoped each illustration would convey. The illustrator, who also designed my first two book covers, brought her unique style and perspective to the project. We went through several iterations, tweaking and refining the drawings until they felt just right. It was a very seamless process, mainly because I also just really trusted her as an artist. I also wanted her to have a free range of expression—it’s her book as much as it is mine.

H&T: How do you incorporate self-care into your own life, especially at home?

OA: Self-care at home looks like having a corner where I can sit down and soak my feet before bed. I have salt lamps near by bed and a journal in my side desk by my bed. Whether in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening, I journal. I make it a point to keep my work and personal spaces separate to maintain balance. I surround myself with calming colors and textures.

I also love tea. I have so much tea in my cupboard, and I have mugs that I specifically like to use.

H&T: What are some of your at-home must-haves when coloring in your book while at home?

OA: I have a Google Home, where I love to listen to flute meditation. I like high frequency music—that’s the type of music that is usually playing all day every day. It just keeps me calm. So that’s on in the background when I’m coloring, reading, or even during my therapy sessions with clients.

H&T: What do you hope Black women take away from Mind, Body & Soul: A Self-Care Coloring Book for Black Women?

AO: I hope that Black women really make time for themselves. That’s the ultimate thing. I think coloring forces you to sit down and spend time with yourself and do something. Black women in this world, especially in the U.S., are always on the go. It’s important to slow down and do something that is mindless, like coloring.

Adeeyo conveys that above all, she wants Black women to see this book as a reminder that they deserve to take care of themselves, to claim moments of peace and joy, no matter how small.

You can keep up with Oludara on Instagram. Find her latest work, Mind, Body & Soul: A Self-Care Coloring Book for Black Women, here.

This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.