In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley sits down with artist, author, and entrepreneur Melissa A. Mitchell, who turned grief into a global creative career. Together, they explore how art became a source of healing and purpose, the pressure of constant performance in entrepreneurship, and the role of boundaries and honesty in resisting burnout. Melissa shares how she stays grounded in her “why,” protects her energy, and chooses joy while building a vibrant legacy.
Key Takeaways
- Purpose can emerge from even the most painful beginnings—and it can sustain you through growth.
- Boundaries and small daily choices help protect creativity and joy.
- You don’t have to perform for social media or others to be successful.
- Burnout often signals misalignment; pausing and telling yourself the truth can restore balance.
Episode Highlights
- [00:02:11] Melissa shares how grief and a chance encounter with paint transformed her life into a purpose-driven journey.
- [00:05:19] The pressure to “perform” online and how she learned to resist constant visibility.
- [00:07:18] Small acts—like wearing a headband instead of pushing through—show the power of gentle boundary-setting.
- [00:10:44] Signs burnout is approaching and the importance of honoring your true capacity.
A Reflection for You
Melissa’s story is a reminder that your purpose is not about performing—it’s about aligning with what truly sustains you. Where might you be performing instead of living in your truth? This week, choose one small act that honors your capacity.
Support the Show
Are you experimenting with new ways to rest? Whether it’s saying no to one more obligation, shutting your laptop at 5 p.m., or taking a slow walk with no agenda, capture that moment of ease. Share it with us:
@blackgirlburnout
Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com
Watch the episode on YouTube
Drop a review—help us spread the word that rest is not weakness.
Stay In Touch
Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.
Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources to support your burnout-free life.
Our Sponsors:
Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB
Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGB
Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/
Advertising Inquiries: RedCircle
Privacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB
* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.