May 5

May 5 21 Things You Should Know About Me

Because it’s been years since I’ve posted consistently on the blog, I figured it’s best to reintroduce myself to the readers who’ve been enjoying the content in my absence. I don’t have a valid explanation for my absence from the blog, but I’m happy to be back and it’s my goal to resume posting monthly again…I have to work myself back up to weekly posts. I have two people to thank for encouraging me to start posting again, without their encouragement most of my upcoming posts would sit in the draft section of my Squarespace app. Anyway, enough of my rambling sentimentality, here are 21 things I’d like to share with you about me and since it’s mental health awareness month, I will share my mental health journey to demonstrate that we all have relatable struggles.

My favorite artists/groups are: Jhené Aiko, Paramore, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jill Scott, H.E.R, Usher, Drake, The Script, Yola, Lizzo and Mickey Guyton. Jhené Aiko’s music speaks to me like no other artist has. When I listen to her lyrics, I feel as if I’m reliving the joys and pains of my lovelife.
My biggest regrets in love. I met three men amazing at the wrong time in my life. As a result, I ruined these relationships because I wasn’t ready to receive their love. My regret isn’t the experience of these relationships, it’s being responsible for hurting three people that I cared for deeply. I’m thankful to them for loving me and I regret how I treated them.
I am no longer vegan. When I moved to Virginia, it became too challenging for me to keep up with the lifestyle. I’m now a vegetarian. Don’t judge me for my laziness, I will return to veganism.
I have an benign brain tumor called pituitary microadenoma or prolactinoma. It’s a prolactin secreting tumor which sits in my pituitary gland. It can cause hirsutism, weight gain, optic nerve impairment, insulin resistance, headaches, loss of vision, infertility and a whole host of other conditions. This tumor is why I’m don’t eat meat. A plant based diet has been the most effective way to manage my weight. Not so fun fact: this condition affects men too.
I have anxiety which I used to manage with medication and therapy, now therapy alone does the trick. My anxiety kept me in vicious cycle of self doubt and constant worry. I don’t think most people were aware of my struggles because outwardly I looked like I had my life together, however, on the inside I was suffering. Cognitive behavioral therapy, Xanax and Lexapro helped me reach a better place. I work hard everyday to stay the course. Shout to my black lady therapist who has taught me how to cope and unlearn my patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors.
I love playing Words With Friends and Scrabble. I’m super competitive and usually get pissed off when I lose. Hey, I’m a work in progress.
My most popular blog post is “5 Reasons I Don’t Believe in Role Models”. My stance on this hasn’t changed.
I'm addicted to three things Venti soy extra hot, no foam lattes from Starbucks, dark chocolate with sea salt and almonds candy bars, and Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn. These items, in addition to, good conversations are they way to my heart.
I have two cats: Guster and Bandit, and a Yorkie, named Angel. My favorite kitty girl Daisy May, died in 2020.
I dislike public speaking, which is weird because I do it all the time. I get nervous, self-critical and sweaty every time. Ugh!
I’m a nerd at heart who enjoys reading books and articles about leadership and brainstorming about marketing and business strategies.
My favorite books are: Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell and More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth. All these books are amazing, but the Four Agreements I read often because it opened my eyes to the concept of projection, gave me principles to live by and helped me let go of my expectations of others.
I have a patch of gray hair I refuse to color because I’m trying to convince myself to embrace it. #grayhairdontcare
I am a makeup junkie! I love shopping for makeup so much, I’m at Diamond member level status at Ulta until the year 2022. 👀
Thanks to the skin care website Apostrophe, I have better skin now as a 45 year old woman than I did 20 years ago. I take spironolactone to control my hormonal acne, which caused my the prolactinoma.
Whenever I’ve had a bad day, I watch my favorite TV shows Brooklyn 99 and/or Psych to lift my spirits.
I’ve lived in the following places: Jamaica, Los Angeles, New York, Florida and now Virginia. Virginia is my favorite place so far…I hope to stay here permanently.
I prefer the original Star Wars movies to the prequels or post-Luke Skywalker movies.
I haven’t relaxed my hair in one year. I’ve worn braids, faux locs and Senegalese twists instead mostly due to the covid lockdowns instituted last year. Now, I’ve continued with these styles because their convenient and easier to maintain.
I’m infamous for reading or listening to two or more books at the same time. Right now, I’m reading The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger and listening to When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost by Joan Morgan. When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost touches on subject matters important to me like the impact of hip hop culture on black women, feminism, sexism, self exploration as well as the trials and tribulations faced by the modern black woman.
I start my mornings with a meditation from Shine App, which is a self care app created by and for women of color. After my meditation, I listen to my favorite podcasts, What a Day, Ratchet & Respectable and/or Keep It, while I get ready for work.