Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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I N - D E P T H 82 SEPTEMBER 2020 CONTACT vickbreedy.com passed down from Breedy's grandmother to Breedy herself. "We are so resilient," Breedy reflected, and the Genetically Resilient Apparel line, which includes products like hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags, onesies, and now, face masks, was launched. She also hosts a Genetically Resilient Experience Gala each year where guest speakers share stories about how they've overcome diversity, and Breedy presents people in the community with the "Bounce Back Magic" award. "Bounce Back Magic is being genetically resilient and overcoming diversity," she says. Breedy's experience with divorce and her grandmother's illness didn't just spawn books and clothing, though. It also made Breedy realize that she was overwhelmed. "I needed a group, and I didn't see a group out there," she says. "I was on autopilot, working full time, a mom, and the healthcare proxy for my grandmother." The solution was to create such a group, not only for herself, but for others. "Let's create a space for women to practice self-care and let's do it for free," she says. Breedy's "Selfish Women's Group" also turns a traditionally negative trait—selfishness—on its head with a knowing wink by offering a safe space for women to learn about and practice self-care. "A lot of them come into the group with guilt, thinking that putting yourself first is selfish," she says. "That's why I named it 'Selfish Women's Group,' to take some of the power away from that being a derogatory term." The three-hour "Selfish Women's Group" sessions bring women together—typically in person, but online during COVID-19—with facilitators who are therapists and experts in fitness and nutrition. The sessions are dynamic and educational but start off with quiet intentionality: Listening to the song "Mirror" by Lalah Hathaway. "I tell everybody that you're probably going to be really uncomfortable: I'm going to force you to press pause, and this may be the only point in your day where you're going to do it or you've done it," Breedy says. "They have to do nothing—put their phones down just be still." It may take a couple of minutes, hours, or even a couple of sessions for women to get comfortable with the idea of self-care. But starting, even just by listening to a four-minute song at home, is the most important thing, says Breedy. "If that's the only thing they do throughout their day that's stopping, if that's their little moment of self-care, then start there," she says. For women, taking care of themselves isn't always easy and it doesn't always come naturally, but it's always necessary. "You've got to practice self-care every day," Breedy says. "Because you will fall apart if you give it all away to somebody else." POOLS • HOT TUBS • SAUNAS 978 - 887 - 2424 Route One, Topsfield Route One, Topsfield STAYCATION! CONCERNED ABOUT TRAVELING? STAYCATION AT HOME!