Meet Elizabeth Armstrong | Wife, Mother, Therapist, Navigator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
Choosing ME with out shame or guilt! Some may wonder what that means, but for me it was very difficult to choose myself. When I say “choose me” I am referencing to all things in life that naturally take me away from myself, including the many roles that I fill; mother, wife, counselor, daughter, sister, friend, auntie, and entrepreneur. In those many roles, both directly and indirectly, I am giving and pouring the parts of me that are needed at that time, in addition to time itself. I am not complaining by far because giving speaks to the core of who I am, as well as the way others see me. However, I had to learn to show up for myself, give myself time for me, take care of my core and wellness, and understand that when I don’t choose me first, I end up not having much left for me after giving what others need me to be for them.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Thought T.R.A.C.E.S., LLC. was established as a means to be a beacon of change in all communities and curve the narrative and negative stigmas in minority communities. These narratives tend to center around negative bias towards mental health therapists, trauma infused surroundings, broken relationships, lack of parental figures, emotional dysregulation, and so forth. The idea for the name aligns with the mission with regard to the notion we can all learn to trace our thoughts and navigate our life’s impressions to be the best version of ourselves. Creating better versions of ourselves, is how we create better communities, one person, one couple, one family at a time. I am able to progress towards this goal by providing mental health services, and speaking/educating on platforms where mental health and wellness is discussed. Whether positive or negative, life’s imprints are what continuously cultivate our character and well-being. Life’s imprints are bigger than us individually. They are however monumental in how we (community) create the change we seek, by starting with us, within ourselves.

I am very proud of the intentionality and efforts put in to the name, the mission, the symbol, and overall meaning because it comes from a genuine place of care, love, and fortitude. I care about the people I service, and if I can help a couple obtain a healthy relationship, then that’s potentially one less child growing up in a single parent household. If I can aid a mother and son’s broken relationship, then maybe that’s one less man who is seeking love in other places, and so forth as it relates to any parent and child. If I can aspire another little girl or boy to grow into themselves and tap in to their emotions, and see them as a strength for communicating better, then those are two less children that grow up having difficulty communicating with people in relationships, and they can pass it forward. I don’t necessarily desire to be set apart from others in the field because we all are important and necessary and needed, but I do aspire to be another guiding light in life’s roadmap that leads in the direction of healthy coping, self-love, empowerment, increased happiness, and love in the total person. Together with others who aspire the same, we can lessen the idea of the “crabs in the barrel” mentality or the idea we can only have a chosen one to two minority ratio when paired in a predominantly white setting. There’s room for us all and that mentality is needed from those who are minority as well as those who are not. We are all navigators trying to figure it out, and we all can use others to get us there.

Getting to this point, with regard to business wasn’t the easiest. Initially, I had to debate myself in my own thoughts: fear of possible rejection or failure once started, whether timing was right for me, how I would navigate it and my primary employment, financial security, and even thoughts of inadequacy with regard to my abilities. Getting out of my own way was my biggest challenge! It took some time, soul searching, affirming, immense encouragement, and me telling myself to make the change or shut up complaining about not knowing what to do. It eventually took me to notice the signs God was placing everywhere for me to set on that path towards entrepreneurship because noone was ever going to pay me my worth! My spirit was also not going to rest until I overcame the fear and just did it. So my sis encouraged me and without asking blessed me with a financial seed, and told me to get it done. I took the next step and contacted Phronesis Group Consulting https://phronesisgroupconsulting.com/ and they walked me through the process and gave what needed to be given!

I have learned a number of things along the way, and am still a novice in navigating this business world. One lesson is that people will only infuse as much minimal effort as you do. If you are not serious and dedicated, others will not be. The dedication is not merely linked to the surface level of inner desire, but the daily occurrences of accountability, time management, role juggling, demands, risk assessment, branding, etc. Another lesson I had to learn is to not be afraid to ask and pay for help. This was difficult for me because there were some things I felt I could do on my own and didn’t want to pay someone else to do. I came to learn peace of mind is priceless and the time you can save is too! The next lesson learned is that not everyone is going to share in the same energy as you. Therefore, it is acceptable to shift your circle and hone in on those who without a doubt will match your energy and be honest with you and want nothing, but to see you win! The last lesson I learned and am still learning is that it’s ok to not be ok when life comes at you in different directions. Superhuman does not mean superpowers in the real world. You can only be as good to others as you are intentionally as good, if not better, to yourself. Self-Care is unequivocally a MUST! Burnout is real, so taking a break is necessary and do it unapologetically!

Overall, if I had to leave any words regarding my brand and my story, they would be this. My life story is what drives my strong passion for fostering positive, individual, and relational connections. It is woven into the very fabric and archetype of my brand. Therefore, it would be impossible to have one without the other. I am the navigator in my life and each person is the navigator in theirs. I am merely here as a compass to aid in direction!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow! This is such a complex question because Nashville has so many hidden gems and great spots to go to. One thing for sure though is that if they’re my best friend then we definitely share a love for music, dancing and eating. With that being said, all of the above would take place, whether in a parking lot or on a dance floor :D! In no particular order, we would have to go to brunch at least twice, one of those will be Sinema. For good food, chill music, drinks, vibes, and/or wings we would definitely have to go indulge to all of the following in no particular order: EG&MC, Willie B’s Kitchen, Slim & Husky’s Pizza, Riddim n Spice, It’z A Philly Thing, Official Wings, and Southern V in case either of us is having restrictions. During the day one of the days, we would have to visit the National Museum of African American Music and experience the energy, culture, love and fun throughout its walls. For more music, if it’s the right weekend, we would have to go to The Boom Bap wherever it is that Friday night and get lost in hip hop and throwbacks! If Lovenoise is having any intimate concerts, we could potentially do that as well. For arcade play/bowling, we could visit Pins Mechanical or Eastside Bowl. To be honest, walking down Broadway or Printer’s Alley can be pure comedy on a Saturday night from interacting with the people alone. On Sunday, after church, we can choose to stop by Monell’s for carryout or a couple of the aforementioned places like Willie B’s. And of course, I wouldn’t be a true friend if I let my bestie leave town without eating some of the Cupcake Collection for the best cupcakes in town. Sweet Potato and Strawberry Lemonade are my favorite flavors!! Those are a must!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout “LIFE” for continuing to leave its imprints on me…some memorable and others I’d rather forget. All in all those imprints forced me into detours, so continued shout outs to God who never stopped keeping me in this journey, my daughter who is my motivating factor, my supportive husband and all my FRamily who show up for me in the capacities I need and those I didn’t know I needed. We truly are as supported as the support we keep ourselves surrounded by and I Absolutely love my support system!

Website: www.thoughttraces.life

Instagram: @thoughttraces

Facebook: Thought TRACES LLC

Image Credits
World Boss Studios