Lenéa Sims doesn’t define herself by titles or labels. This is what has allowed her the space to evolve and find purpose in her work as a spiritual guide, writer, sociologist, and community builder who has also founded two thoughtful membership communities.
Lenéa created Inner Play after reflecting on how quickly she was forced to grow up emotionally while navigating her parent’s divorce as the youngest of four children. A digital playground for adults, the platform guides creatives in unlocking a deeper sense of self and reconnecting with fun through workshops, classes, and events.
Then, last summer, in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement across the country, Lenéa felt drawn to launch Outer Work, a digital community for compassionate conversations and reflection, education on anti-racism, and ultimately action in support of BIPOC members.
Who were you at twenty?
20 was a super magical time for me: I was a student living in London with 3 of my closest friends, I freelanced as a virtual assistant which got me hooked on the work-from-home life, and I spent all of my free time exploring museums, eating and cooking, and traveling around Europe. I know it sounds very charmed (and it really was lol), but it was also a huge education in building my identity – as a scholar, a city girl, and a person of the world – and identity-building always comes with many emotional ups and downs. I struggled with being away from home for so long (10 months straight) and with my self-worth in my romantic encounters. It was a wild year on so many fronts, to say the least.
How have you evolved since?
In about a million ways!! But I think the most profound is learning to trust myself and my instincts.
On building Inner Play & helping people achieve personal growth
I want people to pay as much attention to their energetic health as they do to their skincare, for example. I want people to recognize that certain perspectives + tools serve specific functions. Navigating burnout requires a different skill set than, say, moving through blocks related to feeling unlovable. I want people to know what those tools are and to have the practice of checking in with themselves to know which ones they need. That's how I help people with their personal growth: I offer guidance around the emotional, mental, and spiritual blocks they face and equip them with more tools to process those blocks and move past them. I do that through 1:1 guidance and through the group sessions we hold as part of Inner Play twice a month. Soon, we'll also be doing that through tangible products (shh!).
On launching Outer Work & building a community rooted in compassion
I launched Outer Work because, after George Floyd was killed, I recognized that I had a lot of people in my orbit who were well-meaning but lost as to how to really process their relationship to white supremacy. These people were well-intentioned but not doing enough and didn't know where to start. So, I made a community that, from the outset, was centered around compassion. We prioritize people being able to share openly and honestly about where they're at in their journey because, without that honesty, you can't really grow. The vulnerability and safety we've cultivated have drawn in so many people who all reference how much the compassionate approach has helped them evolve and also face conversations with more bravery outside of the space. I'm super proud of that.
On showing up for herself
I really make a point to practice what I preach. I spend a lot of time with myself, checking in on my own energy to see what I need and giving it to myself without hesitation, taking lots of breaks, and nourishing myself with people that I love.
What advice would you give to yourself at twenty?
Follow your bliss, focus on your faith, and stop pouring energy into people who don't pour into you.
What would you say to a twenty-something-year-old about finding her place in the world?
The key to knowing your place in the world is knowing yourself. If you can find what brings you joy, do more of it, find the people who also love those things, and learn to trust the process, you'll be well on your way.
On showing up for yourself and others
I just want to emphasize how important I believe the self-care and the community-care connection is. When I started Inner Play, I never imagined creating something like Outer Work. But, as soon as I did, I knew just how powerful it was to create an outlet for all the personal growth work. I wholeheartedly believe in focusing on yourself first, but there comes a point where that can't really fulfill you because you aren't living your values by sharing them with the world. So, if anyone out there is feeling lost as to why they feel unfulfilled, I'd say this: Take a good hard look at whether you're really filling your own cup. If you are but you still feel like shit, look at how you're showing up for others and ask yourself if you could be doing anything more to support the efforts of those less fortunate than yourself. That, I believe, is the key.
Learn more about Lenéa and discover her world here