What are you doing for fun? 🎉
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#WednesdayWisdom
"if any female feels she needs anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she is already giving away her power to be self-defining, her agency." — bell hooks
Morning Musings
Toward the end of last year, as we were sharing our goals for 2020 during our monthly accountability call, my friend Anuli dragged me with the following question: "What are you doing for fun?"
I stopped in my tracks. I'd just proudly rattled off my personal and professional goals for the year:
start a family
sign a book deal
complete 100 rides on my PelotonÂ
complete the Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge
And yet, Anuli saw straight through me. Several months later and I'm ashamed to admit I still don't have an answer. The Enneagram Type 3 in me is ... how shall we say this? An achiever. An overachiever, actually, if we're being honest. I am quick to turn everything into a goal, even if it's in the name of "self-care" or relaxing (I mean, please see the last three items on the above list for reference).
The Achiever in me loves a good goal. There are few things I love more than crossing an item off my ongoing to-do list (not gonna lie, sometimes I add items I've already done just so I can cross them off). If you've ever wanted to learn more about me and/or how other Type 3s operate, see Exhibit A (and thank you to my (virtual) friend/fellow book and Enneagram lover Morgan for sharing):
In reflecting on things I like to do for fun (without making it a goal), dancing immediately comes to mind -- especially twerking with my sister and my girlfriends. No matter where I am when "Back That Thang Up" comes on, I will run to the nearest dance floor and proceed to well, back that thang up.
And brunch, I love a good brunch -- specifically the bottomless mimosas kind. Plus lazy days spent reading pool or oceanside and soaking up the sun.
So, in short, I will be scheduling in some fun...because old habits die hard. Got any tips for me? What's your favorite fun activity? I am open to any and all (legal) suggestions!
Love,
L'Oreal
Cool Opps
March 6: March Meditation & Lettering Workshop. My girl Vanessa Flowers is hosting the next event in her Flower Girls Meet series. Learn about different forms of meditation and more.
March 20: Girl Behind the Hustle Book Club. Join me and Girl Behind the Hustle founder Lu'Cretia Thomas for an evening of mingling and meditation as we discuss Shonda Rhimes' bestseller, Year of Yes.Â
March 31: Chicago Women's DiversiTeaTime. This twist on a traditional afternoon tea seeks to celebrate, honor and connect diverse women in Chicago. Use the code LTintheCity for 10% off your ticket.
Links I Love
1. The Original Renegade. I love a good viral dance as much as the next person. Know what I love even more? When the Black people who create said dances get their due recognition because as we all know Black culture IS pop culture. (New York Times) (For extra credit: read the original post crediting Jalaiah in Vox)
2. Issa Rae on Her On-Screen Romances: "There Are People Who Don't Procreate With Just White People." Yes, I, like Issa, am continuing to root for everybody Black. Questions? (Variety)
3. OneGoal's Pam Johnson Davis Says Chicago is Deeply Human. If you follow me on Insta, then you know my love for my work BFF Pam is as real as love gets. There are MANY reasons why she's one of my favorite humans, but this interview dives into a few of them. (Vocalo)
My Latest Obsession
I know Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert has been making the rounds on bookstagram for a while and, after a lengthy waitlist at the Chicago Public Library, ya girl is finally catching up. I'm about halfway through and legit LOL'd at the first email exchange in the book, so yea ... I'm excited to see what happens next. More diverse books by Black women writers, please!
My Latest Obsession
My friend and fellow twerk buddy Stephanie introduced me to The Wrap Life and my life hasn't been the same since. Great for bad hair days and keeping twist-outs under lock and everything in between. Pictured here is the Bordeaux Flow (plus there are video tutorials in case, like me, you need a step-by-step guide). Use this link to save $5 off your next order...you can thank me later.
Now Hiring
Director of Data for Braven
Operations Manager for Ounce of Prevention
Membership Coordinator for BYP100
Deputy Chief of Communications for Sierra Club
Communications Associate for Noble Network of Charter Schools
Public Relations Coordinator for the Field Museum
Director of Marketing and Communications for City Bureau (deadline today!)
Development Associate for Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education
Executive Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Y in Central Maryland
Manager of the Women's Mentoring Co-op for Chicago Innovation Foundation
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