a funny thing happened on the way to Vegas

that time I unintentionally unplugged

Apr 19, 2023

#WednesdayWisdom

“i’m built to win. the odds are always in my favor. so i’m coming for it all. and I am energetically aligned with every possibility that surpasses my wildest dreams.” ~ @deunivory

Morning Musings

As I wrote last week, I already knew going into this month that it was going to be somewhat of a shitshow. What I didn’t realize was exactly how much shit there would be until I was in the thick of it.

Example: I didn’t finish work until 11 o’clock the night before I was scheduled to fly out to Vegas and I didn’t finish packing until midnight. I was in such a frenzy the following morning that I didn’t realize until I was on my way to the airport that I forgot my toothbrush, toothpaste, my loofah, my neck pillow, and both my phone and Apple Watch charger.

This was so uncharacteristic of me. After all, I’m the one who makes a packing list, but clearly in my rush to get out the door I didn’t check it twice (but I did, however, remember everything I needed for pumping, #MomLife). It was comical actually. I knew I could get everything I needed once I landed, but I was determined not to spend $30 on an Apple Watch charger, so I went without, which is a rarity these days considering I wear the watch to sleep practically every night.

Initially I invested in an Apple Watch as an exercise tracker after years of using (and breaking) one FitBit after another, but I quickly grew to love how seamlessly it integrated with other Apple devices. Since then I’ve used it as a heart rate monitor; an alarm; a walkie talkie when I need backup for a blowout; and for ease of texting when I’m nap trapped and can’t reach my phone.

My point is, I use my Apple Watch a LOT…until I couldn’t. Not having that tiny computer on my wrist this past weekend meant I missed a LOT of texts and notifications and I was surprisingly okay with that. Not constantly being aware of what time it was meant I was able to slow down and enjoy the moment without worrying about rushing to the next thing (I mean, it also helped that I was on vacation, but still).

I’d finished listening to Tricia Hersey’s Rest Is Resistance on the flight to Vegas. I heard her urge for us to take social media sabbaticals, but if I’m being honest, I’m struggling to figure out what that looks like for me—especially in a year when I’m promoting my first book. Especially when I don’t have hundreds of thousands of followers and can all but guarantee my book will become an instant New York Times bestseller.

And I enjoyed how freeing it was not to be constantly plugged in. Maybe next I’ll try leaving my phone on Do Not Disturb outside of my regular bedtime hours. Maybe someday I’ll work my way up to a full-on sabbatical. But until then, I’m going to make more of an effort to unplug when I can and build moments of rest into my daily life. Because I deserve. And so do you.

Listen Up!

In case you missed it, ya girl launched a whole podcast (eek!). Catch up on the trailer and the first interview featuring award-winning poet, singer and songwriter Pam R. Johnson Davis. Then let me know what you’d like to hear next!

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Upcoming Events

April 29: How to Write (and sell) Your Nonfiction Book Proposal. This class will also include the anatomy of a nonfiction book proposal and sample query that will help you land an agent. Participants will walk away with a solid understanding of how to write a proposal and query letter; tips for how to build their audience and information on where to find literary agents.
Save the Date: May 6: Mommy & Me Yoga. I’m teaming up with my girl Nia of Nia’s Nest for a special event for the mamas. Stay tuned, more details to follow!

ICYMI

In my latest for Fortune, I wrote about the loneliness epidemic and how it’s impacting women in the workplace. Plus, my first print article for Fortune is in the latest magazine issue, but you can read it here.

Links I Love

My Latest Obsession

After my girls Melissa and Chasity (and every Black woman over the age of 30) raved about Usher’s Vegas residency, I knew I needed to see it! And let me tell you—he did NOT disappoint. My sister and I made the most of it with a hotel package that included tickets to the show, the afterparty and a $150 dining credit. We had a TIME last weekend and I’m already making plans to go back. Believe the hype!

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Thank You

A special thank-you to April, Cait, Amanda, Harleen, Megan, Najja, Jessica, Priti, Cat, Jenna, Mallory, Rachel, Angel, Sarah, Camesha, Vix, Anna and Stephanie for becoming paid subscribers and helping to fuel this newsletter. I truly appreciate your support!