Michelle White

Michelle White is a LMSW and the beautiful and inspiring soul behind gmichelle - a space filled with self-love, care, and healing for anyone who has experienced shame, frustration, difficulty and challenges on their journey to practicing daily self-care.

I love the work that Michelle is doing, and the truth is it’s so needed. She really beautifully combines her experience as a licensed social worker, clinical therapist and statewide trainer to work with people who have survived interpersonal trauma, domestic violence and child abuse. She brings her compassion, warmth, and kindness to her practice, and it shows.

We’re all so busy and so many of us struggle with making self-care an integral part of our lives. (Been there!) Michelle knows first-hand just how difficult this can be, and in many ways this inspired her to start her blog and create her guided self-care journal, Self Explore, Self-Restore. With gmichelle, she hopes to invite people into a caring and supportive space that doesn’t shame or blame, but uplifts and empowers us all to practice self-care our way. On her blog, she shares helpful information, resources and tools for overall wellness. In Self-Explore, Self-Restore, she centers on tapping into your internal strengths and supporting your relationship with yourself (I mean, can you imagine anything better or more needed?!)

I’m so grateful for the work that Michelle is doing and I’m so inspired by what she’s created. We’re all so deserving of a healthy, balanced, and joy-filled relationship with ourselves and others, and in many ways Michelle’s work is an invitation to do just that. I can’t wait for you guys to follow along and learn more!

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

My name is G. Michelle White! I am a licensed social worker, self-care blogger and creator of the guided self-care journal, Self Explore, Self Restore. I host a weekly blog and resources website on gmichelle.com on all things self-care, self-love and how to have a healthy relationship with yourself.

How did you get started? What inspired the work that you're doing?

My professional career began with working directly with survivors of domestic violence in Chicago, Illinois as a domestic violence and children’s counselor. In many of the stories survivors shared, disconnection, shame and blame emerged often in their reflections of their relationships with themselves and others. Self-love, self-care and learning about healthy relationships were key components of the healing work that we would do together.

As my career continued, I noticed many of my clients wanted more accessible resources to support their healing journey. I saw that survivors of domestic violence, as well as many other folks interested in caring for themselves would benefit from more healing resources. This need inspired me to create gmichelle.com and Self Explore, Self Restore.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

I am deeply connected to the belief that self-care should be accessible for everyone. I believe everyone has the right to be in a safe relationship with themselves and with others. At this time in my life, I am fulfilling my passion and living my purpose. As a Christian person, I am now in a place to listen to what God has planned for me and carry out that mission!

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I absolutely love spending time with my loved ones. I like to say I am an extroverted introvert, in that I receive positive, radiant energy from the people that I trust. I love taking on the hostess role, by cooking and creating comfortable spaces for my family, friends and I to enjoy together.

When it comes to what makes me feel alive, it would definitely be being able to be creative. Writing and developing content, resources and tools light me up! It has been a challenge and a triumph to get my website off the ground and getting into the flow of blogging and sharing resources. I am so excited to continue to put my creative ideas out there!

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

It is very important to my self-care to intentionally identify and address my needs. I frequently do ‘check-ins’ with myself and use journaling to express what’s going on with me. For me, it helps to put my thoughts into words, sort them out and self-check on what I need to feel better. Feelings come and go in waves, learning how to manage them has strengthened my relationship with myself.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

Little Michelle would be amazed at where we are now! I have had many passions and career aspirations as a child, but writing wasn’t one that I imagined or believed I could pursue to this degree. I think that my younger self would be so proud of the work that I’ve done, personally and professionally, to get where I am today.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

“Nothing changes, if nothing changes.”

What is your biggest dream?

I hope to become a woman that can support herself and her family as a writer, an entrepreneur and a business owner. My dream is to make self-care assessable to everyone, especially women of color. I hope to create spaces for folks to be able to replace shame with self-love and be able to strengthen their ability to become self-aware.

To learn more about G. Michelle you can connect with her on Instagram @thegmichelle and on her website www.gmichelle.com and via email contact@gmichelle.com and her guided self-care journal, Self Explore, Self Restore is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Joy Corner is a new interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here

Michelle White - LMSW, Self-Care Blogger, and Creator of Self Explore, Self Restore