Even when you think no one thinks of you when you've wrapped up in your own cocoon to sort out everything going on within + around you, you guys show up for me and for that I am overwhelmed with gratitude. This here blog of mine is one way I get to share my passion for writing and connecting with others and I am thankful for those of you who continue to rock with me, "no matterrrr, whatevvvverrrr" (in my Lil' Wayne voice). Here I go again!
Thankful For: ...family + friends and their friends + family, alike. In late September, my family and I our lost our home due to the flooding from Hurricane Florence. All we had were the things we took with us when we evacuated days before the storm hit. And quite honestly, this has been one of the most stressful things I've ever dealt with. The uncertainty in wondering what's next has been overwhelming. Seeing so much devastation in my town and knowing that many are still displaced is heart-wrenching. In these uncertain times, my party of five has been blessed to have friends and family members who have stepped in and helped out in ways I wouldn't have imagined. Though at times I'm not quite sure where we are headed from here, as we are all still recovering from the loss, I'm so grateful for the outpouring of love my family has received. We are all experiencing what I like to call our "restart," and while it is scary to approach the unknown, I thank God for having such a great support system through all of this.
Excited About: ...the Words That Move online writing workshop with GG Renee Hill I just signed up for. I've been working on being more vulnerable in my personal writing, so when I saw the workshop being offered again, I got on it quickly. Words That Move is a 4-week online writing workshop for writers who want to dig deeper into their writing endeavors through self-discovery. I struggle with sharing personal things in my writing for fear of being seen as too sensitive, feeling my introspection and introverted nature were negative traits for too long. Now I want to embrace these things more in my writing and in my life. Reading GG Renee Hill's Wallflower resonated with me so much that I truly believe I was lead to taking her workshop for a reason, hoping this course would equip me with the tools I need to just write (with fear and all in tow). The class starts Monday, November 12, and I can't wait. I'll be updating you guys on my progress on IG, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Reading: Since I've been keeping my head down quite a bit lately, I've been getting into some great reads. It started with buddy-reading I Can't Date Jesus by Michael Arceneaux with my bookish friend Sonia in late August. Then last month, I wrapped up Gabourey Sidibe's This Is Just My Face. And guys, I loved them both. You can't tell me I didn't meet two good friends while reading both of these memoirs. I will be sharing more deets on them both soon, so be on the lookout for that. I also got a chance to read an ARC of Glory Edim's anthology Well-Read Black Girl. And when I tell you I felt right at home in the essays these black women writers shared in the book, I'm so sincere. Look out for a review of that coming up soon, too. I've also been leaning more towards reading books on my Kindle since I lost books on my TBR in the flooding, but it's all good. I got caught up in quite a few romance novels that I can't wait to share more about soon, so stay tuned!
Watching: I haven't been watching as much TV as usual lately. By fall, I'm all tied up in new seasons of my favorite shows. But right now, I'm a bit behind on everything. This weekend, I'm hoping to get caught up on my beloved This Is Us, Chicago Med, HTGAWM, and black-ish. Oh, and how could I forget... You know your girl is all caught up on Empire and Star, right? I will always make time for Cookie Lyon and Star (no matter how much she gets on my nerves). And while we're still on the subject of Star, are you guys feeling Brandy as a main fixture on the show this season? Let's talk about it in the comments.
Listening to: ...so many old bops. Everything I've been listening to lately has been a mood from back in the day. P!nk's Can't Take Me Home and M!ssundaztood albums have been bumping. Young Fresh and New by Kelis has been playing in a loop. Thanks to bae, Jeezy's Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 is back in rotation. And thanks to my bestie, I've put No Doubt's Return of Saturn back in rotation as well. Maybe I've been feeling a bit nostalgic. I don't know. Nothing makes me come back to reality (aka current times) musically except Nipsey Hussle's Victory Lap. And that's because it's the best album that dropped this year (right?). If you've been around me for the past couple of months, I apologize if you're tired of hearing "Double Up" on repeat in the car or on my Spotify. "Never let a hard time humble us." Word to Nip.
Learning: ...to ask for help, to speak up, and to use my voice--- even when it trembles. There are times when I don't speak up when I know I should. Part of that comes from believing that no one will listen to what I have to say, or that my words may be small or insignificant to the ears they fall upon. All my life this has caused me to shrink, putting my feelings and thoughts on reserve for the few people who made me feel my words mattered. A lot of the vulnerability I've been feeling lately has caused me to look deeper into some of my thought processes + behavior patterns and actively work to break those that aren't serving me. In this "restart" I'm experiencing, I'm hoping to get rid of as much mental and emotional baggage as I can.
Meditating On: ...1 Chronicles 4:10, The Prayer of Jabez. Lord, bless me and enlarge my territory. Lead me in all things, keep me and my family from harm, and keep me from causing pain to others. Amen.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY UP TO?
