Every Hoe Ha Dem Tick A Bush

This cheerful Jamaican saying, passed down through generations, carries a deep and uplifting truth: no matter how different or unexpected you are, there’s a place—and people—meant just for you.

Whether you feel like an oddball, a late bloomer, or someone who just hasn’t quite found their rhythm yet, this simple proverb offers powerful reassurance:
You belong.
You are seen.
You are meant for connection.

A Message of Belonging

In a world that often pushes conformity, it’s easy to feel like your unique edges don’t fit. Maybe you’ve struggled to find love, friendship, career opportunities, or a community where you feel truly at home.
Maybe you’ve been told you were too much—too loud, too quiet, too emotional, too ambitious—or not enough.

“Every hoe ha dem tick a bush” reminds us that our differences are not flaws. They are features that guide us to the right people, places, and opportunities.

When you embrace your authentic self, you naturally align with spaces and relationships that are right for you. You don’t have to shrink yourself. You don’t have to mold yourself into something you’re not.
You are already enough.

[This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our work at no extra cost to you.]

As bestselling author Brené Brown beautifully states in The Gifts of Imperfection:

“True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world.”

Brown’s work is a treasure trove for anyone on the journey toward belonging, and her insights have helped millions understand that the path to connection begins with wholehearted self-acceptance. (You can find her book here on Amazon.)

Finding Your Bush

So how do you actually “find your bush”—your place, your people, your purpose?
It’s not about searching frantically. It’s about trusting, staying open, and living authentically.

1. Trust Your Uniqueness

It’s tempting to downplay what makes you different. But in reality, your uniqueness is the map to finding where you truly belong.

In the book Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown talks about standing alone when necessary and trusting that doing so leads to deeper, truer connections in the long run.

“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”

If you feel out of place, it may simply mean you haven’t yet found your “tick.” Trust that it’s out there, looking for you too.

2. Stay Open

Your “tick” might come in unexpected forms.
Love may show up when you least expect it.
Friendship may grow from a random conversation.
A new job or opportunity may appear from a chance encounter.

Staying open allows life’s blessings to flow your way.
Release rigid expectations of what your fit “should” look like. Focus on how you want to feel—valued, seen, joyful, at peace—and trust the forms will follow.

A great resource for nurturing this openness is The Art of Belonging by Hugh Mackay, which explores how personal flexibility and kindness can strengthen our sense of community and connection. (Available here on Amazon.)

3. Move In Your Truth

When you live in alignment with your true values, you naturally attract the people and experiences meant for you.

Pretending to be something you’re not, just to fit in, leads only to hollow connections. But moving in your truth—even when it feels vulnerable—draws authentic relationships and opportunities.

Ask yourself:

What are my non-negotiables?
What lights me up?
Where do I feel most free to be myself?

Honor those answers. They are your compass.

Love, Career, Community: Your “Tick” Is Waiting

“Every hoe ha dem tick a bush” isn’t just about romantic love (though it certainly applies!). It’s about every kind of belonging—romantic, platonic, professional, and communal.

In Love:
The right partner will love your quirks, not ask you to erase them. Stay true to yourself, and you’ll recognize love when it honors your wholeness.
In Career:
Your dream job or career path exists where your talents, passions, and values intersect. You don’t have to settle for spaces that don’t “get” you. Your unique skills are needed somewhere.
In Community:
There are people and communities waiting to celebrate you for exactly who you are. Whether it’s friends, a faith community, a professional network, or a creative group, your tribe is looking for you too.

When things feel uncertain, hold onto the truth of this proverb: Your fit exists.
Keep showing up as yourself, and trust the process.

Closing Reflection

As you walk through life, remember this:

You are worthy of love and belonging.
You are already enough.
Your place in this big, beautiful world is waiting for you.

The Jamaican proverb “Every hoe ha dem tick a bush” is a song of hope.
It’s a reminder that life’s garden is vast, and somewhere in it, your perfectly shaped “tick” is ready and waiting.

All you have to do is keep walking toward it, in the light of your true self.

Product Spotlight:

Celebrate love, self-acceptance, and belonging with our “Tick a Bush” t-shirt or mug!

Additional Resources:

We’re big fans of Brené Brown, especially her work on belonging. Here are a few empowering reads and tools you might love as you continue your belonging journey:

📚 The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
A powerful guide to wholehearted living and embracing your authentic self.
➡️ Find it on Amazon

📚 Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
An exploration of true belonging and standing alone in your authenticity.
➡️ Find it on Amazon

📚 Interested in Creating a Sense of Belonging for Others?
Check out this blog post on Radical Hospitality
➡️ Find it Here

Final Thought:

Every day you walk your path in honesty, kindness, and hope, you are moving closer to your “tick a bush.”
Stay encouraged. The world needs exactly what only you can bring. 🌿

*Note that we may receive a commission on some products promoted on this website.