the most personal essay I've ever written 📝

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#WednesdayWisdom

"Give yourself grace as your grow through grief. Be patient with your pain. There is no rush to mend. Take care as your healing ebbs and flows." — Alex Elle

Morning Musings

Toward the end of last year, I tweeted about submitting the most personal essay I'd ever written. Pitching it was one thing, writing it was another and now having it live out in the world is ... whew, it's a lot.

I've spoken candidly about our (in)fertility journey here and in social media posts, but sharing it with the world at large on a platform as big as SELF.com. Well, that's different.

So why bother? Why write it? Why share at all?

Because I know there's someone else out there going through the same thing ... heck, maybe you're even reading this right now. 

Writing has always been cathartic for me, dating back to my middle school days when I first started journaling. It's the best way I know how to express myself, my thoughts and emotions. It's how I make sense of the world and my place in it. And when I got to high school and starting writing for the student newspaper, I learned that my words, my stories could help others.

So that's why. Throughout the last several years, I've built a brand and a following based on these core values: authenticity, diversity, transparency and vulnerability. And while I know I don't *owe* anyone my story, I do feel a moral obligation to use my words and my platform to shed light on topics not a lot of people are talking about; to be the change I wish to see in the world -- a higher calling, if you will.

That's why I write. That's why I share -- so that somewhere someone will feel a little less alone and a lot more love.

Love,
L'Oreal

Cool Opps

Jan. 30 & Feb 1: LinkedIn & Leveled Up: A Masterclass. My digital friend-in-my-head and career coach Latesha Byrd is hosting a masterclass to get your LinkedIn ready for the new year. I hired her to revamp my LinkedIn profile last year and I have to say, it's never looked better. Take the next step in securing the job of your dreams by registering for her webinar.

What I'm Reading

1. We Can Only Process Kobe Bryant's Death By Being Honest About His Life. For days now, I've been trying to process the untimely death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gigi, and the seven other people who perished in the helicopter crash on Sunday. In this essay, Bitch Media editor-in-chief Evette Dionne finds the words that I could not... (TIME)

2. How Much Racism Do You Face Every Day? I'm not one for Oppression Olympics; however, there's no denying that some of us have it better than others. I'm talking about privilege, my friends. Researches spent two weeks with 101 Black teenagers and well, the results speak for themselves. (New York Times)

3. Lego Sets Its Sights on a Growing Market: Stressed-Out Adults. Raise your hand if you have a Lego set at your desk (you can't see me, but I'm raising mine ... thanks, sissy!). Whereas coloring books were once the go-to nostalgic stress-relief activity from our childhood, Lego sets are coming for the crown. (Washington Post)

My Latest Obsession

I love icebreakers, just ask my team. I'm charged with finding a new one for our weekly team meetings. And because Instagram is basically stalking our lives, coincidentally I started seeing sponsored ads for Best Self Co.

Curious, I checked them out and, well, I ended up buying not only their Icebreaker set, but the Intimacy one as well, which features 150 prompts to connect with your partner in "surprising ways."

Jeff and I have been married for five years, and yet I've learned something new about him every time we've opened the deck. It's fun to break away from the typical "hey, how was your day?" convo every once in a while, and I learn loving about friends and coworkers with the Icebreaker deck.

If you're looking for a relatively low-lift party game, or set icebreaker questions for your next team-building exercise, I'd give these a try. Use the promo code LTINTHECITY to save 15% off your purchase.

*Note: This review contains affiliate links, which means I may receive compensation if you make a purchase. But rest assured, all thoughts are my own.

Now Hiring

1. Digital Director at Caring Across Generations

2. Women & Congress Reporter for The 19th

3. Race Reporter for Vox Media

4. Part-Time Youth Workshop Facilitator for Polished Pebbles

5. Community Engagement Coordinator for Kids First Chicago

6. Executive Assistant to the CEO for A Better Chicago

7. Senior Writer for Harvard Kennedy School

8. Global Communications Manager for Guttmacher Institute 

9. Communications Director for Abortion Access Front

10. Publicist for McSweeney's Publishing

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