I'm baaack! 👋

#WednesdayWisdom

"Being still is self-care." —Alexandra Elle

Morning Musings

In the words of Ciara, I've been gone for too long, think it's time I bring it back. Thank you all, first and foremost, for the well wishes. The surgery went well and recovery has been coming along slowly, but surely.

I had my post-op appointment on Monday and the doctor informed me that all of the fibroids are benign (thank God!). Fun fact: a normal uterus weighs about 50 grams, my fibroids alone (all 17 of them) clocked in at a whooping 200 grams! That ish cray.

Secondly, I want to thank you for your patience while I took some time to rest and heal. It wasn't my intention to go on a two-week hiatus and I tried to *push through* last week to deliver an awesome newsletter. But I just didn't have it in me -- physically or emotionally.

Then I saw this tweet.
 

if you need rest, give yourself that.
if you need peace, give yourself that.
if you need love, give yourself that.

heal yourself, first.

— Joel (Jo-el) Leon. (@JoelakaMaG) November 21, 2017

And so I decided to take it easy. It can be hard giving ourselves permission to rest and heal...to take time for ourselves. But like Joel said, you have to heal yourself first. You need yourself more than anyone else needs you.

Love,
L'Oreal

P.s. If you're enjoying this newsletter, which I hope you are, would you be so kind as to send me a brief testimonial to add to my website? You can check out some examples here. Thanks in advance, I'd really appreciate it!

ICYMI

Earlier this month, I wrote this piece about what Brandy's Cinderella meant to me as a Black girl growing up in the '90s and, of course, I had to share why I'm TOO excited there's going to be a BLACK woman living at Kensington Palace. Yes, Meghan Markle is Black. I will fight you if you say otherwise. Check out my latest at HelloGiggles.

Links I Love

I'm Good With Whatever...The High Price of People-Pleasing

Stop Absorbing Other People's Negative Energy and Claiming It As Your Own

30 Things People Don't Realize You're Doing Because You Have Self-Respect Now

My Latest Obsession

So I've been watching a lot of TV during recovery (mostly HGTV, Food Network, KUWTK and RHOA, but who's keeping track?). But when "She's Gotta Have It" dropped last week, I cleared the calendar to binge-watch it on Saturday.

Confession: I've never seen the original, but I know enough about Spike Lee joints to know the movie is a classic. And while the dialogue in the reboot can be a bit "too woke" at times (see "Dear White People"), I am OBSESSED with the main character, Nola Darling. 

First of all, I just love seeing unapologetic badass Black women in leading roles. Also, I'mma need her whole makeup regimen because her melanin is #flawless. AND I love that the show is tackling real-life feminist issues and showcasing a multifaceted Black woman owning her sexuality at the same. damn. time.

Now Hiring

Executive Assistant for Phillip Picardi (Teen Vogue, Allure, them.)

Director of People at Chicago Scholars

Community Outreach Manager for PAWS Chicago

Social Media Assistant for Skirt PR

Designer, The Studio for Pinterest

Director of Communications for Adler University

Multiple Positions at Chicago Sun-Times

Director of Content Strategy at Walker Sands

Press Officer for Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Program Coordinator for Chicago Literacy Alliance (psst...deadline is Dec. 1)

Fashion Editor for The Fader (also has a deadline of Dec. 1)

P.s. HarperCollins Publishers is hosting an open house on Jan. 9, 2018. Click here for deets!

Well, that's all folks. I hope you enjoyed this edition of LT in the City Weekly! Be sure to follow me on the Interwebs using the buttons below or simply click "reply" to tell me what you think. Thanks a bunches!