"None of Fears Can Go Where I'm Headed." -King Bey
Cigna recently did a survey on 20,000 Americans, and more than 47% said that they often feel alone, left out and lacking meaningful connections. So, despite us being more connected - we are more disconnected than ever.
I have been on my healing journey for the last five years. While it has been empowering, it has also been a lonely road. Often when I'm sitting in the room, I'm the fly in the milk. I would have these fantastic breakthroughs, but I feel like no one understood my experience. I would walk out of these rooms high off life, but on the way home, I would always say: "I wish we had something like this for black people."
It got so bad that I began to question my spiritual practices. I found myself praying for a group of black people to know that it was real. Last summer, I found myself sitting in a living room, learning about healing techniques from a black woman, surrounded by black people. The beauty of this moment is that I didn't know anyone in the room. It was a direct answer to my prayers. That night I wrote in my journal, "My life will never be the same." And it hasn't.
Earlier this summer, I got into a debate on Twitter, about the term "influencer." There was a lady who was looking for "influencers" to go to the Essence Festival for free. As you know, that is on my hit list, so I immediately put myself in the running. There was no website requested- no test email to see my work- just an IG handle, which wasn't a problem because that's why I put so much work into IG. It was at this moment; I realized I didn't want to play the social media game. This interaction changed my whole perspective on Honestly Sis. It made me realize I don't want to be anyone fucking influencer. I want to be an encourager, activator, and motivator. I don't know if you can tell or not- but I genuinely want to make a difference in the world; especially in the world of black women.
This year, I celebrated my 30th birthday, and while it's a significant milestone. I didn't mark it in a substantial fashion. I didn't have a big party or even do that 3-0 picture on social media because, to be honest, I wasn't pleased about turning 30. I thought that by 30, I would be married, have kids, financially stable, and living the life of my dreams. But the reality of my 30 has been very different. The people that I thought would be in my life forever has gone, and despite it being one of my biggest fears. I'm learning how to be alone and to love myself, while everyone has been having a Hot Girl Summer. I've been having a healing one, girl. But this Fall will be my coming out party, and I'm ready to celebrate!
Being in isolation turned out to be the biggest blessing. It got me clear on my goals and showed me all the ways that my fears have been holding me back. But like Bey, "My fears can't go where I'm headed." I started this space as a safe place for me to tell stories. Over the past year, I've opened it up to become a safe space for all. That won't stop it will become more consistent. I officially have an Inner Circle, aka a group of women to help me! That means coming this Fall Honestly Sis will be back in its weekly format.
The second is I created the Healing Girl Series, and this will be a series of gathering around Detroit for like-minded women (and men). The purpose is not to have popping events, but to create safe spaces and community. The intention is to share tools and experiences that have assisted me in my healing journey with you. My focus will no longer be on growing Honestly Sis, but on creating bomb content and experiences.
The first event in this series will be Astro-Yoga & Trees. It will focus on connecting the mind and body to your spirit and the current astral energies. This class will be taught by one of my personal and favorite yoga instructors (yes, from lunchtime yoga!). Yelena will use the physical yoga postures in combination with astrological teaching. At this event, we will have an ice-break, plenty of marijuana, and positive vibes. While doing poses, you will learn all about the incoming energies and how you can work with them instead of against them. I don't want to toot my horn, but I'm pretty sure this is the first yoga event of its kind. I even got kicked off Eventbrite. So, come be a part of history! No seriously, come hang out with women who are just like you!
