#WednesdayWisdom
“May this October bring unexpected joy and moments of peace.” ~
Morning Musings
I’m extremely biased in my love for October. For one, it’s my birthday month, which I now also share with Violet. Two, it’s the start of “real” fall in my opinion. Yes, I know the autumnal equinox was a couple of weeks ago, but roll with me here. And lastly, there’s Halloween, which is arguably my favorite holiday. September gets a lot of love for being the beginning of the school year and a fresh start for many of us in that sense. But October is that girl.
This October in particular has been off to a rather auspicious start. On the eve of the calendar changing from September to October, I caught a whisper from the universe telling me to stop playing small. Indeed, I set my intention this month to celebrate myself. These last few months (years?) have been a LOT, to say the least, and I deserve. And what better time than my birthday month to go all in?
I started the celebration by enrolling in the #SpookyBooty challenge at Free Mvmt Shop, a dance and fitness studio here in Chicago. #SpookyBooty is a 14-day virtual series of booty-focused workouts. SOLD! (And you can still sign up here if you want to join me).
I completed the first workout after we returned home from a successful family outing to Apple Fest, one of my favorite Chicago festivals. Violet had gone down for a nap and it was time for me to get my proverbial groove on. Inspired my a recent coffee chat with my Gen Z mentee, I decided to document the workout for a potential vlog/TikTok/Reel that I haven’t mustered the courage to post just yet. But hey, filming is a start! The music was good and the moves kicked my butt (literally), and most of all it was FUN. I was having fun moving my (almost two-year) postpartum body for the first time in a long time.
Earlier this year, I wrote about how taking a pole dancing class for the first time in years helped me feel strong and confident in my body. Indeed, movement—especially dance—is intrinsically tied to how good I feel about my body.
Later, while changing out the clothes in Violet’s dresser, I had several mini dance breaks to Beyoncé, Victoria Monét, Tyla and more. There, in my tank top, booty shorts and wall mirror, I was tapping into my younger, more carefree self. It felt good!
That evening (against my better judgment) I stayed up to watch the final stop on the Renaissance World Tour. You may recall I attended the Chicago stop back in July with my bestie Pam and we had a time that night! Admittedly, I feel like the show has grown on me each time I’ve watched it (because are you really BeyHive if you didn’t watch someone else’s livestream from other stops?) and I’m super excited to see the documentary/film in November (finally, visuals!!!).
Sure, we’re only a few days in so far, but I’ve got a good feeling about this month. I had a consultation with a weight-inclusive personal trainer and I’m excited to get started. For a long time I’ve felt like I’ve needed something different as far as my workout routine is concerned and I’m excited (for real this time) to incorporate more strength training and dance into my regimen.
As Nina Simone sang, It's a new dawn. It's a new day. It's a new life for me…
and I'm feeling good.
What intentions are you setting for this month? Let me know in the comments!
Stop Waiting for Perfect is Out Now!
Party with a Purpose
Oct. 18: Chicago Reader UnGala. I love a party with a cause and this annual benefit certainly fits the bill. Come out to support local media and enjoy some of the city’s best art and entertainment as well. Save $5 on your ticket with the code MYREADERGUEST.
Links I Love
A Silvery, Shimmering Summer of Beyoncé (New York Times): I mean, it’s Beyoncé. You know why this is here.
The Outsiders: Why Black Audiences Love Italian American Screen Icons (Vanity Fair): Now personally, I’m not really that into Scarface and The Godfather, etc., but I have vivid memories of watching these with my mom growing up, so I enjoyed Morgan Jerkins’ deep dive into the cultural phenomenon.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Brings the Vibrancy of Black Hair to Broadway (Harper’s Bazaar): If we had more time when we were in NYC this summer, I definitely would’ve made time to see this.
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