Hello and Happy Belated New Year FLLS Fam! Let’s Catch Up …

Many say that vlogging is the new blogging, and that blogs are slowly but surely becoming obsolete. Moreover, “vlogs are inherently more engaging, shareable, and mobile-friendly than blogs because of the fact that vlogs are video content” (www.stevens-tate.com). I totally agree with this! But at the same time, blogging is where my creativity soared and the excitement to create digital content all began. So no matter what happens, I’ll always come back.

Hello and Happy Belated New Year FLLS Fam! We have a lot of catching up to do.

Lets go …

Like many of you, one of the main lessons 2020 taught me was to be still. Not just physically still, but still in thought and mind. The need to react, plan, change and adapt, in a time of uncertainty, is inevitable. But our ability to sit still, meditate, trust and wait is just as essential. And I took it seriously. An act of retreat, even. I let go of some things and focused closely on more important things – like family, health and my well-being.

During this time, my YouTube channel launched and I found my way back to creating content and finding happiness in sharing the process. I indulged in the joy of holiday season, despite the difficulties and challenges we all faced during the pandemic. I also moved into a brand new apartment before the Thanksgiving holiday. It was an exciting and reaffirming experience (see my “Life Update” YouTube video about manifesting, etc.).

Then right in the middle of my very first “Vlogmas” video series, as a new YouTuber, my MacBook crashed. It was so frustrating, but the magic of the holiday season, specifically the love and support from folks like you, kept me going. It was truly a challenging but rewarding experience, and I was even more elated about taking that leap onto such a larger platform (despite my fears).

Flash forward to January. Hello 2021!

Last year was a huge wake-up call for a lot of people. Simplifying our lives, reconciling the unbalanced, making us pay further attention to the quality of our relationships (versus quantity). It was truly a challenging year, and some would say that it changed them forever. Consider me a part of that group.

So many times, it crossed my mind, whether I’d be okay or when I’d be able to see family and close friends (up close and in person) again. I wondered whether this would be our way of life forever and just how long could I maintain without knowing what’s next and when would life be back to normal. “Would it ever be the same again?” I asked myself.

And then there was January 6th. I couldn’t believe my eyes and I was at a loss for words. The disgusting and horrible acts committed at our nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C. left me wondering “Is this a new year?” Is this really what 2021 has in store for us? At first, I was in shock. Then I was not. I observed, nervously prayed and then reached out to family and friends. Hours later, I simply checked out. Away from communication and from social media. It was just too much. I needed something to brighten my spirits and reshift my energy.

Hello milestone birthday party!

For my 40th birthday celebration, I hosted a very small circle of friends for an intimate southern BBQ-styled dinner at my home (we all attended college in the south). But before the dinner, we laughed it up and virtually celebrated the occasion with 30+ family and friends over Zoom. In my family, we traditionally go around the room, each toasting special words to the birthday honoree. But I changed things up this year. Instead, I took a moment to tell every single person on the Zoom call (as well as those in-person) what they meant to me and how they’ve contributed to the woman I’ve become. Guess who cried? It was a sweet and sappy time.

Special thanks to my amazing village who made it worth the while and some! Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to @cakedbyniqua who created a beautiful custom cake and to @bpilarevents who designed an amazing balloon garland. They were absolutely essential in bringing my intimate birthday soirée vision to life! I felt blessed, grateful and rejuvenated. Mission accomplished.

So much more has happened since then, throughout January and February … a staycation in DC just after the Capitol riots, the Presidential Inauguration, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, YouTube channel milestones, a home office makeover, new followers and exciting collaborations.

Stay tuned and locked in because there’s lots more to come. Thank you for stopping by!

Love and light,