Saturday, August 13, 2022

Amplify August!


"With such unadulterated craziness transpiring worldwide, it's good to remind myself that I can't let any of the chaos break my soul!"

Happy August, folks! Another one of my favorite months is finally here, which also marks a time of transition and fresh starts for a lot of us. Usually, around this time, the soundtrack of my life rings family barbeques; crabs; the beach; new summer reads; cute sundresses and shades; matching colored manis and pedis; and spending time outside, soaking up the sun! Not only does August put us knee-deep in the summer and simultaneously on the edge of falling into fall, it also is an indicator that technically three quarters of the year have gone by, and we are speedily moving closer to the new year, 2023 (can you believe the way time is flying?).

Though 2022 has personally been better for me than the past few years, it has been a challenging one for us as a nation. We are still dealing with the grueling presence of COVID, tragic mass shootings, inflation, Monkeypox and the possibility of being a whole new pandemic, men dictating what women do with their bodies, and the possibility of entering a recession.  And through it all, we are expected to carry on with our lives, unscathed and unothered. Impossible! Well, with such an abundance of catastrophes happening around us, I am choosing to prioritize my mental health even more this month. Let’s face it, the past two and half years have affected everyone negatively in some capacity, and at the is point, we are all at risk of losing a grip on our mental well-being, so it is imperative that we make a conscious effort to do things and be in spaces that offer us some blissful reprieve. Here are some things I am doing to amplify my spirit and help me vibrate higher than the constant buzz of negativity that's ever-present.


  1. Reading--Well, reading is truly one of my first loves. Getting wrapped up in a plot of a good book and living vicariously through the characters’ plights and experiences and escaping from my own is truly euphoric! So far,  my book club has read Rectitafi by Toni Morrison, a thought-provoking short story. We are currently reading I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan. Some books that are still on my summer to-read list include: Love Radio by Ebony Ladelle, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams, and By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. I probably won’t get to all of them, but I can’t wait to dive in a couple and tune out the noise of the world!  







  1. Finding Fun Events--Now that the world is technically open, I am looking for new, exciting things to do cautiously in the city with my friends, family, and solo-dolo! I have done a couple cute things this summer, but I look forward to doing more (the summer isn’t over yet, technically). I am planning a trip to The Black Hair Experience (I still haven’t been!), and I look forward to taking my daughter to some of the Smithsonian museums! Some other cool, low-cost things of interest include brunches (of course! I live in DC, where brunch is a big deal!), open mics, wineries, sip and paints, speed dating (always so fun!), writing and book club events, finding new restaurants, etc. Recently, one of my close friends and I tried out a new spot called Dlena in DC. The food (Mexican) and drinks were delectable, and the vibe was chill and kind of romantic, lol. I’m excited to go back there for date night and also explore some other fancy restaurants in the District. 


                                                  

                                                 


  1. Seeking Decor on Pinterest and Etsy—I moved to a new home earlier in the year, and the past few months haven’t provided me with time to buy new décor and make my new home as decorative as I would like. However, when I have downtime, I look on Pinterest for inspiration for my living area, bedrooms, and pretty much the entire place, lol. I’ve created some boards just for home décor that are comprised of furniture, wall art ideas, etc. I also follow a few Black-owned artists on Etsy who sell Black wall art, décor pieces that I can’t wait to add to my home. Looking for ideas is not only inspirational, it’s also very cathartic and relaxing, as looking at home-related things is one of my passions, and I can’t wait to finish my summer/fall project of decorating our place!


  1. Binge-watching shows---There are so many entertaining and binge-worthy shows out right now!!  After a long, mentally draining day, I love settling down and throwing myself into a game show, a comedy, or a drama-filled series and forgetting about all the heaviness of the world. Some of my favorite escape shows to binge are currently: The Chi, P-Valley, Married to Medicine, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Queen Sugar (I’m getting caught up before the new season starts), and Power Book III, as it is returning this weekend. I also enjoy my game shows: People Puzzler, America Says, Jeopardy (y’all know I don’t play about my game shows!). I also love watching House Hunters, and Grace and Frankie on Netflix. 








  1. Listening to Church/Inspirational Content—Though my church is now having one service in-person on Sundays, I still stream services and sometimes replay them when the Word and worship songs resonate deeply and I’m having a hard week. My pastor is a phenomenal speaker and his sermons have brought chaotic experiences into perspective and encouraged me when I was at my lowest. It’s been six years since I joined my church, Kingdom Fellowship AME (formerly Reid Temple-North Campus), and I still get uplifted and feel lighter after service. Church will always be instrumental to my ability to stay sane and calm amid such disarray in life, and I am grateful that not only do I have my own church to stream, but there are also other pastors/ speakers to whom I listen on a regular basis. Some of my favorite preachers/speakers whom I stream frequently include Sarah Jakes Roberts (fave!), Toure’ Roberts, Joel Osteen, Kanisha Billingsley, Eric Thomas, and Real Talk Kim. Aside from being encouraged by favorite speakers and services, I also find spiritual content on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and through random podcast searches that help me get through the week and tune out negative thoughts and feelings. 






  1.  Having Dance PartiesMy favorite person to listen and have a solo dance party to is Beyonce! I have been turning up my headphones/speakers and throwing Bey parties for YEARS! But now that Renaissance is out, my ears are in proverbial bliss! So whenever my daughter is asleep or I have a break, I blast Renaissance and release the wiggle! Some of my favorite tracks that make me forget about the troubles of the world and turn into Sasha Fierce herself include Cozy, Alien Superstar, Break My Soul, Church Girl…okay, the entire album is an incentive for me to dance until my roots thicken and my hair needs retwisting! With such unadulterated craziness transpiring worldwide, it's good to remind myself that I can't let any of the chaos break my soul!




  1. Spending Time With My DaughterMy #1 favorite thing to do is spend time with my little bestie/aka twin! I never in a million years thought I would be a mommy, and I never imagined having such a sweet, precious mini-me!!! But God knew what He was doing when He blessed me with her. Spending quality time with her is by far one of the most freeing and fulfilling ways for me to let loose and forget about the many trials and tribulations of MY world. Whether it’s having story time, eating together, going for adventurous walks in nature, going to the park, taking field trips to Target (our favorite place), or playing together, every moment is an opportunity for me to remember that even in such uncertain and unpleasant times, small joys still exist! 














September Affirmations

  "I enjoy starting my months with written goals and affirmations; they put me in a positive and confident space and motivate me to be ...