Why Did I Stop Writing?

Woooooosahhhhhhh! Ok this is what happened. I didn’t stop writing, I wrote every night in my journal. Writing is soothing to me, it’s like making love when the pen touches the paper and your hands just glide over as you write (hopeless romantic here lol). Anyways, I just needed a year to be selfish and focus on me #selfishNat. I needed a year to experience life, a year where I didn’t feel guilty saying no to people, events and much more.

I needed to make sure that my cup was full before I ran out to help someone else without being drained. I needed my M.I.A session which included not picking up texts/calls from family/ friends (my squad was not having that). I needed a year to being fully honest with myself, my mistakes my actions, my failures, my past. I needed a year to fully immerse myself in everything Nat (my spirituality, dance, books, monthly massage session, full on Bob Marley, Daniel Caesar, Kompa concerts in my room, love,sunflowers everywhere and more). I needed a year to fully speak my mind and communicate my thoughts and feelings. I needed a year to be PROPERLY Dicked Down* by someone .

Gosh I know, you were not expecting that. This might be new to you, but to close friends I am known as the Queen of TMI  or Ms. Ray Charles to BS.

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But as I was saying, I needed a year to preserve my energy, to live in the moment and a time to plan for the future and I got that and more!

This self discovery I experienced in 2018 was scary. I mean gosh where do I start. I wrote down what I wanted out of the year which meant working on myself both physically and mentally. So going to the gym 3 times a week was the first task I had to tackle, and because my gym was 4 minutes away I had no excuses not to be there.
Once that started, it helped me become disciplined in so many areas of my life; professionally and mentally. I mean, who voluntarily wakes up for a 6 am gym session to run and do burpees? On many occasions every time my 5 am alarm rang I felt like throwing up, but I owed myself this consistency and sacrifice so I got up.

I also made it my duty to become financially educated and that was a huge check on my bucket list. So now we are investing, taking risks and shit.

I took the time to focus on my career as well. Recently got promoted to Senior Recruiter at my firm, exceeding my own expectations and more. I was even was featured on Black Enterprise Magazine giving out tips on how to negotiate salaries.

But most importantly I made it my mission to love myself moreeeeeeeeee. I never really had an issue loving myself but when life hits you with individuals and experiences that make you DOUBT yourself, it easy to go on into your little corner and question your worth. Yeah Buddy, not happening AGAIN. With that being said: loving myself instantly brought people into my life that SHOWED me the love I always wanted and deserved.

Spiritually, I became more connected to my body and my higher self. And in many instances God tested me and I did not like it.

Also, I started writing down five things I was grateful for every day. This little task quickly reminded me of how blessed I was. In addition to that, one night after a long day of work, I found myself in a deep conversation with my Uber driver… go figure. He made me realize how wealthy I am to be alive. He told me “Madame, you know you’re worth more than 4 million dollars?… your heart is valued at 1.4MM, your lungs $400,000, and so forth. So Madame, know your worth and take care of your body.” A bit puzzled by his statement, I went on to find an article explaining the prices of human organs and was in disbelief.  Check it out yourself

So, I know you signed up for a career-oriented blog and here I am divulging my personal life and all. I spent the past 4 years interviewing professionals about their lives and careers, and last year I  decided to turn the mic on myself. With that being said, there isn’t a word or a thing that you can tell me about myself that I don’t already know; the good and the bad habits.

So cheers to loving and forgiving. To growing financially and dancing like no one is watching, to having breakfast at Soho House and running naked in The Hampton’s! Cheers to living.

Welcome to my Freshman year of Life2.0

PS. Shout out to my tribe, my group chats for being a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a supportive loving family and calling me out on my BS. I love you!<3

5 Things I Have Learned From Women Who Lunch Brunch  

A couple of weeks ago, I attended my second Women Who Lunch Brunch, which took place at  Benchmark Restaurant near downtown Brooklyn. Women Who Lunch Brunch is a vibrant online community joined by a group of multifaceted professional women who refused to be boxed in.

Curated by Roodelyne Jean Baptiste, Digital Marketer & Owner of RSocks, this event discussed topics ranging from entrepreneurship, finances to relationship, and also self-love. Honestly there is nothing more that I enjoy in life besides pancakes and mimosa then being surrounded by open-minded individuals with not just dreams but set plans to achieve them. Unlike many brunches that I’ve attended over the past couple of years, this one is by far one of my favorite for a few reasons: everyone is welcoming, they give out hugs, and the attendees are very transparent about their experiences.

Guest speaker Lisa Francoeur Mesa of LinkedIn & owner of Fancyfied dropped some powerful gems during the course of our brunch that definitely helped us shaped our mindset for the upcoming year. The passion in her voice when discussing her lifestyle brand Fancyfied was truly inspiring. The crowd came from diverse background; doctors, professional photographers, designers, and real estate agents who despite their busy schedules are looking to grow and achieve more in their life

Check out these gems Lisa dropped during the bi- annual Women Who Lunch Brunch

Lisa Francoeur Mesa & Roodelyne Jean Baptiste

“People within your network can help or diminish your dreams.”

I can’t stress this enough, you are the sum of the people with whom you spend the most time. As  Kanye said, “Too many Urkels on your team, that’s why your wins low.” If you have movers and shakers well trust me, you too will find way to be one as well. However, as Lisa mentioned if your environment is toxic, no matter how long you’ve been friends with them DROP THEM.

“Carve out time to devote to your dream.”

Despite your job, make time for the side thing until it can become your full-time thing. Rome wasn’t build in one day nor will your dreams. We create excuses faster than we create our goals, but if it’s something that you want to achieve make time.

 Procrastination: You eat what you kill.

Is procrastination inevitable? No, however, don’t let it cripple you nor your dreams. Lisa’s solution to procrastination is quite simple: “Think about all the things you’ve achieved in your life and use that feeling to keep you going.” 

“How you show up anywhere is how you show up everywhere.”

For most of us, we tend to hide our personality when we are at work. However, Lisa mentioned that by being authentic to your values, others will be able to see you shine through. As my mom would say, “The right people will be attracted to you and your essence, so go out there and  be you!

Write down your goals.

What have you done to realize your goal today? Let the reminders and goals you set for yourself haunt you. I know it can sound daunting but don’t let circumstances nor time take away from achieving your purpose in life.

Let me know how you’re planning to wrap up this year’s goals and be on the lookout for the next Women Who Lunch Brunch.

I AM BOLD

Just wanted to disrupt your weekend with this little gem I heard this weekend “When you say ” I AM…” be mindful of the words that follows, because it is the first step in manifestation” How many of us have told ourselves ” I am tired,fat, giving up, not enough,a failure. just on the basis because of something we wanted didn’t happen!? I am guilty of it myself and I have realized how it can affect my day.  Well what happen if we breathed lives and positive meanings into our every day life! I might be on to something right.

So this week I am challenging you to write 5 positive ” I AM… ”

 

Here are mines:

  1. I am the girl who would laugh at something that happened yesterday. ( * I know I’m a weirdo)
  2. I am Bold
  3. I am successful
  4. I am capable of receiving the love that I desire
  5. I am Rich ( mentally and physically)

Now it’s your turn!

Let  me know how it goes!