A Reminder To Relax And Enjoy It

Put on a fresh pot of coffee and dress it up however you want to.

Or have some eggnog or tea or hot chocolate with a ton of marshmallows on top. And enjoy it.

Go out (or stay in…) for an amazing breakfast filled with whatever you want to eat. I recommend mimosas, waffles, bacon, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, flaky and buttery croissants, or anything else that sounds good. I also recommend savoring every bite. And enjoying it.

After you eat, put on the most comfy robe or pair of sweats you own, get back in bed, cuddle with your significant other, or your fur baby if you have one, and stream that movie or show you’ve had sitting on your Hulu or Netflix account for months and never had the chance to watch because you’ve been working hard all year. And enjoy it.

After you’ve binged on Hulu or Netflix, fall asleep. Take a nap. And wake up whenever you want. And enjoy it.

Then go through any books or magazines or articles you’ve saved and have wanted to read but just haven’t had the time to check out. And enjoy all of them.

Then remember how blessed you are, and all that you’ve moved through this year, and how unbelievably awesome you are too, and just sit with those thoughts. And do your best to enjoy this time and chill.

You’ve earned this. Enjoy it.

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

Stop Saying Stupid Stuff To People Who Are Childless

I’m convinced that many people don’t think before they speak. Especially when it comes to interacting with people who don’t have children. Normally, I’ve held my peace with this and felt the need to solely address women when it comes to this topic, but lately this is a message that men can benefit from too. Stop saying stupid stuff to people who don’t have children . I know this might be a difficult task for those of you who are nosey, have concerns that have nothing to do with you, or may be unhappy in your own life, but stop with the questions, jokes, and reckless comments. Even if you believe you’re being funny, making conversation, or coming from a genuine place, you’re honestly out of line. Because someone not having children and why is none of your business. I don’t have children, and I honestly don’t know if I will, but as a woman, I’m good with my life either way. I’ll always be grateful for what I have instead of lamenting about what I don’t. Which is probably why getting olde...

Ditching Dating And Decentering Men

Today’s current dating climate is bizarre. It’s grown so bizarre, that men barely, if ever in some cases, will approach a woman in person and ask her out on a date. Instead, the new normal has become DM sliding, creeping on social media accounts, and liking photos to build romantic connections, which honestly doesn’t sound too romantic or appealing to me at all. As a child of the 90s and a teenager of the early 2000s, I miss and prefer the time when men interacted with women without hiding behind technology. There was something special about handwritten cards and notes, thoughtful dates, serendipity, and intentionality. After having some unpleasant encounters, embarrassing moments, and failed set ups (from well meaning people who believe I need to be partnered), I’ve decided, that now, at 36, to choose me. I’m ditching dating and decentering men. I’m no longer interested in meeting anyone, dating, or creating space to prioritize a relationship. I’ve never been a male-centered woman any...

Making Waves