find your way back ✨

Aug 21, 2019

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#WednesdayWisdom

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." — Maya Angelou

Morning Musings

So as it turns out, a lot of you could relate to last week's newsletter about overwhelm. I'm happy to say I took the necessary measures, granted myself a Mental Health Day on Friday and I'm feeling MUCH better.

This will come as a surprise to no one, but I've been listening to The Lion King: The Gift on repeat ever since it dropped. "Bigger" is my go-to #MondayMotivation song, but "Find Your Way Back" has been on steady rotation as well.

"Find your way back," Bey sings. "Don't let this world drive you crazy."

This weekend, I feel like I found myself again. I paused, I rested. I did yoga. I journaled. I meditated. I went to the beach with my soul sister, Stephanie (hey, Steph!). And that was just Friday.

On Sunday, we did aerial yoga (it kicked my butt, literally and figuratively) and went to a day party. I was living my very best life, which my friend Anuli also commented on. "I love this carefree L'Oreal," she said. I do, too.

And I've been thinking about how to keep her around for the long haul. It starts with setting firmer boundaries, something my besties Sarah and Marissa have been hounding me about for months now (love you ladies).

It also means choosing one focus area. As my therapist told me, "you can't be the best at everything." For a Type 3 Achiever like me, this one hurt. I'm used to excelling at everything I do, but those expectations aren't realistic. In fact, they're self-destructive and borderline obsessive. In short, my own ridiculously high standards for myself are unhealthy and unproductive.

So I've got to find my way back. What do you do when you need to find yourself again? Reply and let me know ... and then go do that. #SelfCareIsTheBestCare

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

Confession: Sometimes I fail to think of myself of an entrepreneur despite owning an LLC and the fact that I've been freelancing for 11 years. I have a 9-to-5, so I often feel like a fraud when it comes to referring to myself as a founder or business owner. But this interview with Ama La Vida, a Chicago-based coaching company, reminded me that I am, indeed, a badass businesswoman. Huzzah!

P.s. Like my new headshot? My friend Flavia is offering Power Sessions (aka "glorified headshots, but totally feminist"). Check her out and tell her I sent you!

IRL

After taking a much needed break from volunteer work, I recently joined Prismatic's associate board. Prismatic is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to educating young people to be intentional, mission-driven leaders.

Next month, we’re hosting our first fundraiser, Homecoming: Back to the Hustle. Proceeds from the event will benefit a year-long program called The Boss Academy, where young women will learn the essential skills needed to go into a career in film production.

The event will feature giveaways, raffles, food and drink. Learn more and purchase your ticket here (p.s. use the promo code LOREAL5OFF to save $5!).

Links I Love

As someone who frequently suffers from self-doubt, I appreciate this article on how to close the gap between the person you feel you are and the person you aspire to be. Rejection happens to the best of us (truth: I had TWO pitches rejected last week, le sigh), here's . An in-depth take on why we need more Black women workspaces. An inside look into the lives of "extreme larks."

My Latest Obsession

I'm ashamed, as a Black American, to admit that, until a few weeks ago, I was unaware that the first slaves were brought to America on August 20, 1619. The recent revelation is all thanks to The 1619 Project, a multimedia initiative spearheaded by award-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery.

While I haven't had the opportunity to dive into all of the essays just yet, I'm very much looking forward to learning more about this oft-overlooked part of American history. And I suggest you do the same.

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