Tag: Sonique Mathis

Chapter 35: the year of the Lioness ♒️

For 35 years my Momma has summoned her strength to support me through all of life’s chaotic and challenging moments. She taught me strength, perseverance, and how to move through life’s fragile chapters with courage. She taught me my people-pleasing era is over. That sometimes you have to be “selfish” to protect your peace, preserve your mental stability, and stand firm in who you are.

She shaped me into a fierce lioness: resilient, protective, and unafraid to claim my space. Focused and locked in. Going after everything that I deserve.

So please, don’t tell me happy birthday. Thank my Momma for giving me life. Because without her, there is no me. My birthday will always be dedicated to you Mommy. I love you.

Bipolar Disorder can get ugly

Let’s talk about the ugly side of bipolar disorder. The parts people don’t like to hear or are too embarrassed to speak about.

It’s losing trust in your own mind. Constantly questioning whether your thoughts, emotions, or decisions are you or an episode forming. The manic highs and the depressive lows. It’s the shame after episodes. The apologies. The mistakes. The decisions that were made that don’t truly align with who you are as a person. The relationships strained or lost. Not from lack of love, but from a brain at war with itself. It’s isolation. Pulling away because you’re afraid of being a burden, while quietly needing connection the most.

It’s surviving moments you didn’t want to be here anymore and then having to learn how to live after that. Medication trials. Side effects. Acceptance. Resistance. Learning that stability isn’t weakness and needing help doesn’t erase strength. Even on good days, bipolar disorder leaves scars, hypervigilance, grief, and a level of self-awareness earned through pain.

I advocate because honesty saves lives. Because romanticizing this illness helps no one. Because survival is something to speak about, not hide. This is the ugly but necessary truth.

And I’m still here. Still growing. Still choosing to live. Walking right with you. Because, we are Stronger Together. 🤍

In mental solidarity,

Mental Health Meds: The Courage People Love to Criticize

Taking Meds Isn’t Weak—Shaming Is.

My Zoloft (Sertraline) helps me stay balanced with Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and panic/anxiety. Mental health medication isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s healthcare. It’s self-care. If meds help you live, function, and breathe easier, that’s strength.

Medication is part of how I survive and thrive. I’m not ashamed of that. It’s okay to need medication to support your mental health. You’re still strong. It’s incredibly courageous facing your mental health.

I’m right here with you.

P.S. ✨️ Oh, next time anyone thinks about pill shaming someone, don’t. ✨️

My big sister Medina

Happy 36th birthday to my big sister! Who has literally always had my back! My role model, my example, my forever inspiration. I love you more than words can hold, and I’m endlessly grateful for the strength, grace, and wisdom you lead with every day. Thank you for loving me when I didn’t know how to love myself. Thank you for loving me through the mental instability and my most fragile moments.

As you step into this new chapter, I hope it meets you with reward, fulfillment, and deep, well-earned peace. You’ve always carried us (myself, Daytwon, Feliciti and Quincy) with love, and you’ll always be our Momma’s first love. You are  steadfast, cherished, and unforgettable. I love you.

Season of Humility and Alignment

This season sat me down and humbled me in ways I didn’t see coming. My season of humility and of alignment. 🩷

It stripped me of ego, status, illusions, and patterns that no longer aligned with who I’m becoming. This was my season where I took accountability for my choices, faced my shortcomings without excuses, and learned that alignment sometimes feels like loss before it feels like peace.

God did not allow this to punish me but to realign me with my values, goals and principles. To show me how powerful and costly mishandling free will can be. I owned my mistakes, released what wasn’t meant for me, and learned that growth requires accountability, not denial. Or delusion.

I’m no longer chasing what looks good or feels easy, I’m choosing what feels aligned. Humbly and with purpose.

This season taught me that I’m not bigger than the program, no matter how much value I hold.

With humility and hope,

Farewell 2025.

2025 hurt. 🥹 Deeply. Loss stacked upon loss, mistakes met consequences, silence replaced closure. But this year also taught me how to sit with myself, own my story, accept responsibility, be more self-aware and to never let this world turn me cold.

✨️ The silver lining of 2025: finally gaining my mental stability. I am the strongest I’ve ever been mentally. Mental well-being. Mental clarity. Mental sharpness. It’s priceless.

God’s word declares:

🙌🏼 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. -2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

With humility and hope,

Sonique Louise 🩷
Founder, Sonique Louise Foundation

Dear Mama

Mommy, my Queen, my everything, thank you for dealing with me for 12,623 days and counting. As a mother you don’t get any paid vacations, no fringe benefits or time off. You have weathered every storm with me. Thank you for your umbrella of love, compassion and support. 👑

Thank you for always summoning your strength to support me through all of life’s chaotic and challenging moments. With no complaints, only love. 🥹

Cheers to you! Today and always. 🩷

P.s.: actual photo evidence of my Momma dealing with my drama, theatrics and emotions. 😂🤷🏽‍♀️🫠