This year I make my 30th trip around the sun. I’ve grown and changed in so many ways, taking shape as the person I need myself to be. I have to remind myself that, as scary as life can be, I am powerful and capable of tackling it all.
Love is abundant; there are infinite ways to demonstrate your feelings. Physical closeness is only one of the many ways to show our affection for each other. It’s not the only way.
“You give the best hugs” and 20+ different compliments to shower the lovely people in your life when reconnecting during the pandemic.
This year, as chaotic as it’s been, has allowed me time for introspection. Today, 7/27, is my birthday; I have a lot to say to my younger self. They should be very proud.
I’ve been weird all my life, not fitting in and feeling pressured to do so. I have a new appreciation for weirdness and being a weird Black kid; this is my love note to all the others.
Black womxn are at the crossroads of all social issues; poverty, racism, sexism, homelessness, homophobia, reproductive rights, and classism are only a few examples. The experiences and stories of Black womxn are unacknowledged and erased, yet, they are expected to bear the emotional and physical labor of pushing these movements forward.
Prioritizing alone time is a precious resource you can give yourself, but it’s not always feasible. If you’re a parent, a partner, a sibling, or just someone with a hectic life, finding a few minutes to yourself can be hard.
Raise your hand if you do not like getting your picture taken ? If you raised your hand either physically or mentally, I am right there with you.
Don’t spend too much time behind or away from the camera that you forget to include yourself.
As an introvert, I don’t look forward to business trips. I used to think business trips were sexy adventures; your boss trusted you to meet with prominent partners, rub elbows, stay in four-star hotels, and eat at gourmet restaurants. I was mistaken. The introvert hangover that follows a trip can be intense. Each time I travel, I realize something new I need to do for myself and my state of mind. They’re often simple little common sense tricks, but when trying to make a mad dash to the airport and keep up with work, they’re easy to forget. Here are a few tips I use to survive my business trips.
When I disappear, it’s not because I no longer wish to write. A scary, familiar feeling makes its way back into my mind; the first sign of its existence is when the writing stops. These words are a reminder to keep trying.
