Making Waves

Regret is an interesting thing. Sometimes it can prompt a wave of emotions you didn’t see coming. I’ve personally weathered a handful of regrets of my own and as I unpacked each one, I learned about the value of time and that while you can’t do anything about the past and what’s already done, you do have the gift of today and deciding how you want to move forward with your life. If you do have any regrets, no matter how big or small, I encourage you to be honest with yourself about them. Press into them. Then reflect, process them, and move on. If you have a hard time doing this, I’ll go first, and then hopefully you can go next and decide how you want to move forward too.     Not putting myself first sooner.  Although I just turned 30 last year, one regret I’ve struggled with at times is not putting myself first sooner. During my early to mid-twenties, I was big on being a people pleaser, even if it meant putting everyone else’s needs and wants above my own. I was also t...

There’s great comfort in knowing that you’re not alone, no matter what it is you might be going through. It kind of goes without saying, but 2020 was rough. There was a global pandemic (that’s still occurring), school closings that led to virtual learning, a major Black Lives Matter movement, the unexpected deaths of loved ones and some of our world’s most iconic figures, a hostile election season, and much more that impacted all our lives. So if your mental health feels a bit tense, it’s understandable.   Last year I got better about making my mental health a priority, starting with more self-care. I poured myself into prayer, fasting, meditating on God’s word, writing, resting, exercising outdoors, and adding the  Therapy for Black Girls  podcast to my playlist. And I must admit, the podcast is a game changer I wish I’d known about sooner. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford’s work is incredible. She’s a licensed psychologist and the host of the podcast, and the safe and open space...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you pulled your car ever so slowly into the parking lot outside of your job, and as soon as you parked, you sat for a while and either thought about calling out sick or straight up wanted to pull off right after you arrived? Well, that was me around this time last year. Almost regularly. I was working as an academic advisor and a communications specialist and while I was making an okay living, had great health benefits, worked with some cool colleagues, and was able to afford my essential needs and some wants, I felt broken, discontented, and discouraged inside. I dreaded going to work every day. And I was mentally and physically drained from the hostile work environment I was in. I also grew weary from working on new job applications and interviewing for different positions I wasn’t getting. It seemed like things were never going to change. Plus, with a global pandemic added to the mix, things only got worse before they got better. So, I end...

Anytime you ridicule or provoke someone about an area of their life that you perceive they are lacking, I believe that it will only be a matter of time before life claps back and comes for you. Maybe so much so, that you will learn to think before you speak and exercise wisdom before you ever say something foolish about someone else’s journey. Years ago, I knew of different couples who were engaged and later married. Although some of them didn’t know each other very well or had been together too long, they decided to make things official. Some of the men and women I knew in those relationships boasted and frequently posted on social media about their love lives, made fun of me and others for being unmarried, and often offered unsolicited relationship advice. To this day, I remember every comment, insult, offense, dig, and joke that was shared. In response, I said nothing. I eventually learned I wouldn’t have to. Time would tell how things would turn out. And when time spoke, man, did i...

Sometimes it’s the aesthetic of a dope place that does it for me. And that’s exactly what pulled me into Quirks for the first time one night. The moment I stepped foot into the place, I felt at home with all the eclectic décor and settings. Everything about the location was fun, bright, and inviting. The customer service was excellent too, and the menu options and prices were on point as well -- please try their beans & rice bowl -- it’s filling and delicious. Plus, their tacos are incredible too. I ate three during one of their Taco Tuesday nights and was impressed with their options. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a great place to grab a bite, stop by Quirks and enjoy!