#fdwrites

[fd-writes]

Queen, Invest in Yourself

Invest; “Putting in the time, money, and energy into making your current and future life better ”

It is time for you to invest in yourself, not looking or trying to invest in someone else but only you. When you invest in yourself, your glow-up is real, taking the time to nurture, care and honor your well-being is love. Loving yourself is pouring into your cup and watching it overflow.

I can’t tell you how happy I am to see so many of my fellow Queens walking the talk, and learning to understand the assignment. Investing in yourself doesn’t make you selfish, narcissistic, or arrogant. It is energizing to your heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit. It brings true wholeness to you and how you choose to invest in yourself is your business (as my fellow Queen Tabitha Brown so eloquently states it). You can’t be a blessing to others if you are not a blessing to yourself, we need to become investors for ourselves. You deserve the trips, the careers, the home, the wealth, health, you deserve it all.

All of this sounds great, right? But unless we learn how to do it, then it will only be words that we read from posts on social media, in books, or listening to podcasts. We have to learn how to become practitioners of investing, meaning we have to start where we are currently. If we have to scour the internet in search of free resources (because only you know what is in your wallet), maybe join online or in-person groups in your area or outside of your area (depending on your geographical location) that are learning to invest in themselves. Community is so key because when you are feeling weak or down, or ready to give up, having your sisterhood come alongside you to lift your arms to help you stand up from your chair is a game changer. We need that, we need the fellowship and those cheering for our wins (no matter the size of them). Let me give you a word of caution because we all need it, don’t allow anyone to minimize or trivialize your growth. Dream killers exist because they were too afraid to go after their dreams and invest in themselves. Be mindful of who you share with as well because everyone is not rooting for you, Queen.

Investing in yourself is not a road to walk alone, pray for God to send Queens your way to help you. Investing in yourself is also not for the faint of heart because we have to unlearn a lot of unhealthy habits, toxic thoughts and become set free from trauma. These are the blind spots that we can’t see because we are too close up in the mirror, not realizing the accidents waiting to happen because we’ve made to believe that everyone else comes before us. So I will say this and then I’m done. If you don’t take anything else from this post, I need you to know that you got it in you and it may be buried deep down inside but it’s there, and it’s high time for you to unveil it.

 Well Until My Next…Invest in Yourself Because You Deserve It!

Photo Credit: Ayo Ogunseinde Surface Logan Weaver Pixabay

#fdwrites #2023 #invest in yourself #investment #glow up #writer #writers on tumblr #content creator #black girls who write #black girls who blog #blog #blogger

[flare-dragon]

“Dave picks up his so-called 'shitty katana' and walks out his bedroom door, walking down the hall to reach the steps. Climbing the steps, he slaps his blade against the wall rhythmically, mumbling to himself in rhyme. It isn't long before he opens up the roof-top door and is met with the sight of the apartment's cement roof, coated in bird poop and leaves that somehow were blown all the way up here in the Texan winds. He stops a few feet from the door as he notices something strange: Bro isn't here. Normally, despite the way he behaves in the apartment, he's never late to a Striderian sparring match on the roof-tops. Yet, somehow, there was no sight of him. Instead, he saw something more bizarre: A floating reflection of him.

Well, reflection might not be totally accurate: Instead of the usual human characteristics of skin, it was a vibrant orange that seemed to bleed into the air around it, with magnificent crow-like wings protruding from what would be its should blades. Its legs seemed normal were it not for its bird-like feet, while its hands seemed to exaggerate human hands, with fingers as long as breadsticks. Most bizarre of all, however, was its face matching Dave's own, right down to the shades (aside from its colour). Holding the katana by his side, Dave simply stares up at the stranger as it looks back. He's not sure if it's just another one of Bro's devilish pranks or if he had just not gotten enough sleep after the beatdown from yesterday, but he decided to play along.“

Wanted to draw an “alien” Davesprite but couldn’t imagine him properly, so I made a few paragraphs to construct the scene. (Feel free to ask about the AU!)

#homestuck #dave strider #davesprite #FDart #FDwriting #AU:HS!Aliens #I've actually got a surprising amount of details for this AU despite only creating it for this scene

[dreamingofmilk]

Sugar Babe Text Convo #2

Hey you guys!!

We are so excited about our Sugar Babe story! Thank you for your support! And welcome to all our new followers.

We would also love your support as we start a new business called Jabali & Co. our focus in on self care and taking care of YOU first. We launch July 16th! We will start off selling candles, crystals, and sage. We have so many plans for this including more writing, but first to get there we need your support. So please check us out and follow us on Instagram: Jabaliandco. Or on our website: Jabaliandco.com.

Check out our most recent post and let us know what you expect out of a self care company. We appreciate all feedback.

As we said we will be doing text convos that occur between updates. So check it out REBLOG, comment, and enjoy!

This text conversation takes place on the plane from Chapter Three

Taglist: @aislinnsilver @wawakanda-btch @chaneajoyyy @marvelmaree @ljstraightnochaser @raysunshine78 @fdwrites @soufcakmistress @girlsneedlovingfanfics @toniilaney @amira88 @bugngiz @ju5tp34chy @onlyluxx @palmstreesallday @justsaykshawnserenee @meunearthed @lovesunnyandmary @carewornblackgirl @thickemadame @browngirldominion @me-a-hopeless-romantic @momobaby227 @msreshel-blog

#milk fics #milky fics #milkyfics #imagines #erik killmonger #erik kilmonger x reader #blackreaderfanfic #selfcare #blackownedselfcare #blackownedcrystalshop #black panther fic #erik stevens

[z-paladin]

Inspired by the fic Jojo’s Pandorian Adventure part 1: Eridian Blood by @fdwrites​:  Erina the Protector

Speedwagon Version

Jonathan Version

Dio Version

#My Art #Borderlands Au #erina pendleton #HI i love her so much

[trans-maedhros]

)Faves that don’t fit( )Tolkien( )Yuri!!! on Ice(

These are some of the great Ace Attorney fics out there♥

☆ - Not complete |  ★ - Complete 

★ The Art of Bluffing by @metatronis 

Narumitsu fake relationship fic, where they eventually get together, but it’s painful to read the pining. Like, good painful. Anyway. 

(This fic is great, and one of the fics I occasionally reread♥) 

★ Blue Eyes by TianShan 

Narumitsu. 

Naruhoudo Ryuuichi is the merchant son of a tea salesman, ostracized due to his blue eyes. Mitsurugi Reiji, a samurai, comes to shop the wares. Edo period, so hakama, swords, tatami, and bushido abound. 

(I’m always up for historical AU’s)

★ The Coffee Prince by Dienamic 

Narumitsu, Klapollo and LanaMia. 

Coffeeshop AU. (Stylistically it’s labeled with numbers for each scene written. I’ve reread this several times. It’s funny, cute and an all around nice fic.)

★ Damn It All by phoenix_risen 

Angel/Demon AU. This is hilarious tbh.

★ The Death of King Arthur by @lemonmintcoughdrops 

Narumitsu, FranMaya, LanaMia. 

When Phoenix Wright was nine years old, a boy named Miles rescued him from corrupt city guards and bought him a book. Ten years later, Phoenix meets that same boy while working as a servant in the king's castle. Only difference? Now Miles is crowned prince of the land, and he's very different from how Phoenix remembered him. 

(I stayed up until 4 am to finish reading this fic. One of the few 1st person fics I genuinely like. It deserves, like, five hearts. ♥♥♥♥♥)

★ Double Shots by kiyala 

Narumitsu. 

Coffeeshop AU. Miles Edgeworth, a defense attorney, gets his morning coffee from same café every morning. One day, he begins to notice that Phoenix, the barista, has extremely nice hands.

★ Everything Depends Upon How Near You Sit to Me by @dontkillbirds 

Narumitsu. 

Trucy is at a sleepover. With BOYS. Miles comes over to comfort a distressed Phoenix. 

(It’s a very sweet fic. All the kudos for ace and bi inclusion♥)

☆ Of Fake Fairytales and Faux Amour by @offafa (or LyricalRawr and ShivaSan) 

Narumitsu. 

Miles desperately needs a way to get rid of an unwanted admirer, and what better way is there than to pretend to date his very male, straight best friend and rival? It sounded so foolproof in his head... 

(I love this, and I’m waiting sort-of patiently on chapter 17.)

★ Flirting by TrinesRUs 

Klapollo. 

Klavier has this way of looking at Apollo, leaning down with his head slightly tilted and a soft smile on his lips. It's just another way of mocking him. It has to be.

★ A Haunted House by @chicago-poet 

Klapollo, Narumitsu. 

Apollo's house is visited by ghosts. Somehow, this is the least of his worries.

★ The Heart in the Hearth by @organicgold 

Narumitsu.  

Although it had so much love to give, Phoenix knew he had to be careful with his heart. 

(If a work includes ace characters, there’s a decent chance of me having read it. Also, this is cute♥)

★ Hot for Justice by @ikiiceland 

Klapollo

After the events of State v. Misham, Klavier finds himself in a slump, stressed at the prosecutor's office and unable to pen new songs. To his surprise, he finds creative inspiration—and unexpected feelings—spending time with Apollo and is able to write and record plenty of new material. Now if only he could release the new tracks without raising any suspicion as to whom his love songs are for.

(Red velvet cake. Also, I’ve reread this like 5 times)

★ i wanna hold your hand by apollosjustice

Klapollo

The Voice AU where Apollo Justice is a contestant and Klavier Gavin is a judge- and they're both talented idiots in love.

★ Landslide by @przeuszczski​ 

Narumitsu

When Klavier invites his co-librarian, Edgeworth, to a New Year's Eve party, the only reason that Miles agrees might have something to do with the theater major making a cameo in the Gavinners. 

(I cry every time)

★ Legal Partners by  Miggy

Narumitsu, Klapollo, Klema

Miles Edgeworth isn't totally sure how he ended up in this bet to demonstrate the strength of his and Phoenix Wright's (entirely professional and platonic! really!) relationship, but he knows it's Klavier's fault.

(Just, Klavier, no. But also misunderstandings. I’ve reread this.)

☆ Like Planets by Loreley

Klapollo, Narumitsu

Coffeeshop!AU

(space and coffeeshops are two of my favourite things)

☆ Klapollo Roadtrip AU by @popsicleofdeath and sleepcalls

Klapollo

Various stories revolving basicly around Klavier and Apollo stuck in a car together for an unspecified amount of time. Some angst. Some fluff. Some smut. Some of everything.

(Apollo is trans♥ Mentions of past abusive relationship and transphobia. I love this series because it’s so real and honest., and at times painful.)

★ The Man in Daddy’s Photo by Runawynd

Narumitsu

There's this picture by daddy's nightstand. A picture of daddy and some other guy. My daddy was wearing a suit and had his hair all nice and spikey like he used to. Like back when he was a defense attorney; before his job was taken away.

☆ NaruMitsu Fairy Tales by Tarma_Hartley

Narumitsu

Basically a fairy-tale AU, where Miles is an Emperor, and Phoenix is a Phoenix.

★ Only If For a Night by Jayveedee

FranMaya

She was there, all pink and gold and glittering

★ Phoenix by @fdwrites​

Narumitsu

Was he… that Phoenix?

(Soulmate AU)

★ School Daze by @nerdyskeleton​

Narumitsu, Klapollo

They say being a teacher is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your life. New art teacher Phoenix Wright isn't sure who "they" are and what kind of angelic students they must have had, because the Themis Middle School students are really something else altogether.

(This is so good?? But I haven’t had time to finish it yet:(((()

★ Tie A Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree by @awkwardnesstotherescue​

Narumitsu, LanaMia

It's been over a decade since Miles Edgeworth has left his hometown. In between trying to keep track of what's changed and what hasn't, he has to prepare for his arranged wedding to Mia Fey. But there's dark secrets hidden within the town, secrets surrounding both his family and his engagement.

Of course, due to a mishap, he ends up accidentally marrying one of these secrets. That's just his luck.

(Corpsebride AU)

★ Words, Words, Words by @littlebutfiery

Narumitsu

Soulmate AU. Everyone is born with a tattoo of the first words said after their soulmate realizes their love. Phoenix and Edgeworth have spent their lives feeling ashamed of the cruel words on their soulmate tattoos, until the day they finally hear the other person say the words.

★ Working in Watercolours by @milesphoenix

Narumitsu

In his university years, Phoenix goes on a school trip to Europe to study art and art history abroad. But for Phoenix, the trip is about more than discovering Monet's inspiration; it's about finding someone he hasn't seen since his childhood.

☆ Yesterday Upon the Stair AU by @leonawriter

Narumitsu

It started with a glimpse of spiky hair in the library, and then by not-so coincidentally being outside just the right courtroom at the right time, and things start to slip from there.

★ You and Me and My Ghost Roommate Makes Three by @chicago-poet

Miles Edgeworth has a ghost problem. Well, he has a lot of problems. But his apartment isn’t haunted. If you asked, he would look at you sourly as if you had told a particular distasteful joke and say: “No, of course not. The windows have always rattled ominously, and only sometimes do my tea cups float by themselves. It happens to everyone.”

#ficrecdays #ace attorney #gyakuten saiban #gyakuten kenji #fanfic #narumitsu #wrightworth #klapollo #franmaya #lanamia #trinesrus #tarmahartley #jewishvelmadinkley #jane recs fic

[fd-writes]

You Need To Know That You Are Enough

I’m Enough; “You Feel Confident in Yourself and Your Abilities.”

One thing I have found myself repeating a whole lot this year is, “I’m Enough.” When you are no longer looking for validation from others, you are no longer feeling the need for collaboration because you used to believe that you needed others to succeed or be taken seriously, you fear failure is inevitable because you have never seen the level of success that you dream of happen for your family or friends. But there is another side of the coin to this, and that is “You Are Enough” for whatever it is you want to do.

It took a long time for me to realize and to say, “I’m Enough.” As a Black woman oftentimes we either weren’t taught or were raised to not even say this because it was perceived as being arrogant, not humble. But as old thought processes and habits are shed, you begin to realize that being enough doesn’t mean anything negative it’s a positive because it quickly notes that you have exactly what it takes to succeed, that you know who you are, you are powerful, smart, beautiful, loving, kind, soulful, oh you get my drift, don’t you? Do you see where I am going with this, I hope you do because for so long our culture has taught women that we need others to be deemed successful but there are other cultures where this is not taught, it’s the opposite, they are taught about being enough from young. This is generationally passed down and we are in a position to break these curses, and shout “I’m Enough.” But don’t think it will not come with pushback from every hotep, misogynistic, and pick-me societal woman. Who would rather remain the same and shame women for no longer bowing down to this disgusting patriarchal society. We see our fellow Black Sisters have risen up and it is time to join the ranks.

If you are hiding in the shadows because you are believing the lie that you are not enough, I am here to tell you that you are more than enough. Come out from under the cover of darkness, out from oppression and depression because of the lie you believed. It is time to take your position. Write it on sticky notes and post them all over your home, journal You are enough hundreds of times until you believe it, perform mirror work by watching yourself say it, get some merch made with “I’m Enough” on it, do whatever you need to do until it sinks into your spirit and blooms out of you every day.

And when you finally believe that you are enough, pull your fellow sisters along with you, this is not a walk for you alone, no, it is for you to make sure everyone is empowered and we are all standing shoulder to shoulder together.

Until My Next Post…We Are Enough!

Photo Credit: Space Joy

#fdwrites #2023 #imenough #confident #myabilities #writer #creative #contentcreator #blackgirlswhoblog #blog #blogger #writerontumblr

[fd-writes]

When Relationships End

Relationship; “a connection, association, or involvement. Connection between persons by blood or marriage. An emotional or other connection between people.”

When a relationship ends, familial, friendships, romance and marriages it is never an easy feat of just getting over it. There is a grieving, a mourning so to speak, (now I am not speaking about those who are getting out of abusive situations, I applaud you and it’s actually a celebration of your freedom) but I am speaking to those who are either currently going through the separation process or you are now a ways in to it.

I had a friend that I had to end our friendship and honestly, it should have ended years ago but it was hard for me because we met at the age of eight years old and have been through the good and the bad times together. But there are things when I looked back on it (as we got older, specifically in our twenties) when I noticed some things about her but as we so often do, we minimize it or say we are just overthinking or just being sensitive. And the truth is because we have known people for so long, we automatically believe that this person/persons will be in our lives forever. But the reality is we grow and often time we outgrow each other, our lives take us down different roads and we meet new people, we experience new things, new friendships and relationships develop. We are so loyal that we don’t want to leave anyone behind, so we bring them with us not realizing they aren’t supposed to go, so we start to drift until the fissure is so huge that we are unable to cross it to get back to our friendship or relationship. And then we become angry because we say, “if you were really my friend, lover, husband, wife, family then you would have fought for us to get back together.” This is when God Himself steps in, and He has been giving us clues all along, that he is closing the door, we ignore it until he allows something to pop off so that we can’t ignore it or sometimes he just slams the door shut by making sure we are unable to open it again.

My friendship truly ended a couple of years ago but I had only just recently acknowledged it. I still love and pray the best for her. I am happy that we have both moved on, there is no animosity at least on my part, so if there is on her part she will need to go to God with it.

When relationships are over no matter what kind it is, do not laugh or talk about the people, give and show them grace and mercy because you never know when “YOU” might find yourself in a friendship/relationship that is over, you will want people to be kind to you as  you go through your grieving process.

Until My Next Post…Be Kind to One Another!

Photo Credit:

Alyssasieb

#fdwrites #relationships #friendships #end #blackgirlswhoblog #writer #contentcreator #blog #creative #photoshop #blogger #love #loss #forgiveness

[fd-writes]

What Does Success Mean to You?

Success; “Success means being able to do the things that make you happy. Success means moving out of your comfort zone and taking on new challenges that can lead to growth and personal development”

There are tons of posts in the world defining what success means, now I found the above meaning of success online, it’s not from an online dictionary but more of a quote. The real question that we need to ask ourselves is what is success to you and me because I can guarantee that our opinions will differ which makes it so unique to the individual. Social media has created a monopoly of what success is, so much so that on any social media site, the language, the posts, the backgrounds, the looks, the tastes, I mean everything is alike. This causes people to believe that their version of success is wrong and that they need to conform to what is posted all over the place.

There is another side of the coin to this, becoming successful does not look the same for everyone, maybe for you, it looks like finally being debt free, becoming healthy, going back to school to finish your degree, or finally enrolling in college, purchasing a home, traveling, moving to another state or country but whatever it is, you are the one that gets to decide what success looks like, feels like and tastes like, that decision doesn’t belong to anyone else but you.

For me success took on many looks, I had all of these different ideas until it became confusing and I had to step back and define what is my definition of it. But first I needed to get disciplined because as an artist we tend to or at least me (let me not lump all of us together LOL) at times I was flighty, I would be on a real creative high and then crash, it would take weeks sometimes months to get back into the seat again. I would battle with myself, trying to desperately make sure that I am not influenced by others so no one would accuse me of copying but in the artist world, you are influenced by many things out here, so your work is bound to show some semblance of another, there is nothing new under the sun. I then realized that a lot of my struggle came from being in places and spaces I had no business being in, whether it was on jobs or relationships, those things stifled me because I was not in line with my purposes. So coming out of that was lifting the fog off of my brain, out of my eyes, out of my heart, soul, and spirit. Being delivered allows me to see what my success is and how to effectively work towards it.

So I challenge you to define what success means to you. I challenge you to understand what exactly is your purpose (maybe people have discouraged you from following it but now the purpose is back and once again burning hot in your heart). I challenge you to take your eyes off what others are saying success is supposed to look like. I challenge you to take your step (and it can be a baby step) toward your success. However you plan to do it, just do it. I’m rooting for you, I’m rooting for your success and I believe in you.

 Well Until My Next…My Success is Perfect!

Photo Credit: nappy.co

#fdwrites #2023 #success #successmindset #growth #development #new challenges #writer #writers on tumblr #creative #contentcreator #blackgirlswhoblog #blog #blogger

[fd-writes]

The Third Quarter Doesn’t Count You Out!

Back in the game; “to become involved or active in something again. Returning to some activity after an absence.”

Returning to something after a hiatus can either energize you or make you feel defeated. Full transparency here, I would have loved to have started rocking out my goals in the first quarter but it came and went, the second quarter I thought, “Oh this is it, let’s get down to business” but again the time passed. But now here I am in the third quarter and I am now energized and I can only contribute it to one thing, I left my contract job at the end of last month. Now don’t get me wrong the job was fine and my boss was amazing, she wanted me to come on full-time I turned her down and told her that the goals that I have for myself do not align with this role. Whew, child talk about growth LOL! There was a time in my life I would have taken the job offer and then been miserable as heck and when you take the time to learn about yourself, I mean going deep within what you will find is that a lot of things, you should have never entertained, got involved with and wasted your precious time plus gifts on stuff that isn’t meant for you. I had to learn that and at times to my detriment. I could have easily wallowed in self-pity because let’s be honest that is one of the easiest things to do, those pity parties be lit. The real question is, do you want to continue to have those types of parties or do you want to do the things you have always wanted to do, if the answer is yes, like mine was a thunderous yes, then let’s discuss how we can take steps toward it.

First, take your eyes off what everyone else is doing and put that attention on yourself. Second, whether you journal, do voice memos, meditate, do yoga, or whatever it is to help you get clarity on yourself, do that. Also, get quiet (no phones, or social media). Third, start removing distractions from your life (I know this is a tricky one for many of us) so you will have to start slow and build your way up. Fourth, be kind and gentle with yourself by understanding that it takes time.

My journey is ongoing, letting go of my fears and doubts, being careful to not self-sabotage, silencing the critical voice in my head, removing myself from the rabbit hole of comparison, and refraining from gossip and slander. These things if I am not careful, mindful, and watchful will keep me from moving forward. As a good friend of mine always says, “Watch and Pray”

Remember if something no longer serves you, or you choose to no longer sit at the table just get up and leave. There is no need to martyr ourselves over people or things that do not light our spirits aflame.

Until My Next Post…Never Count Yourself Out!

Photo Credit: Andrew Wise

#fdwrites #2023 #backinthegame #transparency #writer #creative #contentcreator #blackgirlswhoblog #blog #blogger #thirdquarter

[fd-writes]

No More Compromising

The title speaks for itself! Stop compromising by dulling your light, selling yourself short while the mediocre steps in your spotlight. No Queen, this ends today!

Compromising yourself is a very subtle thing at first, much like the devil. It starts by flying low under the radar, barely noticeable but then it begins to build at an easy pace, still being unrecognizable. This compromise begins with family, friends, your job whether you work for an organization or an entrepreneur, vacations, restaurants, you name it, and compromising is found in it.

But how does compromise get into our lives? And by the time we recognize what is happening it has managed to grow into weeds and tares, which have wrapped around our lives, choking and killing our spirit. Well, it starts within our home, the neighborhoods we grew up in, the adults in our lives are our first teachers and we observe everything that they are doing, our brains are photographing and storing it all in high definition. So the exposure has planted the seeds within, good seeds planted within us will produce great harvests, and compromised seeds planted will produce harvests of compromise. And when you are young, you find yourself compromising and not even knowing it and this follows us right into adulthood. For many the behavior is so ingrained it takes them a very long time to come out of it, for the other half there is a real awakening and then deliverance. Now those people who have happily kept you in your compromised state will not like the fact that they can no longer manipulate you, and they will try to guilt you into allowing them to abuse you again, listen, you have been set free and have shut the door on all of it so you can’t go back, ever.

Whatever you have always wanted to do, it’s time for you to do it. If it means leaving a job you hate or you may not hate it, but the field you are in no longer serves you, or you are in it because that is what your family expected you to do, it’s time to walk away from it. Relationships are the same, whether it’s family, friends, love relationships, or marriage, the compromising has to end. We are doing ourselves such a huge disservice and it is time for every one of us to cross the threshold of who we are meant to be, it is time.

If compromise no longer has a place in you, open the door, kick it out and make sure to slam the door and lock it. Freedom is on the other side and you deserve it.

Until My Next Post…No More Compromising!

Photo Credit:

WOC in Tech

#fdwrites #nocompromising #blackqueen #youdeservesomuch #shinebrightlikeadiamond #blackgirlswhoblog #writer #contentcreator #blog #creative #photoshop #blogger

[fd-writes]

New Year - Chapter One

New Year - Chapter One

It’s been a long time since I have written anything and that’s alright. When I write, I firstly write for myself because for me it’s a conversation that starts in my mind and then spills out onto paper. Sometimes as snippets and other times as whole chapters. You see I had to discover somethings about myself, I had to take back control of my life and all that entails (that is another story that is coming soon) but I had to own myself, my creativity, all of it. So I made the decision for a career change, I made the decision to write books as an indie author (I haven’t finished writing them yet, I am working on them), I want to relocate and become a digital nomad, start a podcast, Fall in love with my soul mate and have my HEA. And I will not apologize for any of it because I deserve all of the great things that are coming into my life.

Who said, that “Your New Year has to start in January, the Middle of the Year or the End of the Year? None of it is true, your new year begins when it is time and not before. Your New Year means rebirth, the beginning of your chapter one.

My New Year/Chapter One started last week, in June and not January because it wasn’t time yet. I have been going through some changes, for a better word I am evolving, becoming new again and no longer beholden to things I shouldn’t have been in the first place. Clearing my mind, my heart, my spirit and my soul. Make this new chapter of my life, be about me and no one else.

Stop getting entangled in things that are not for you, drink your water, stay moisturized, get healthy. Take care of yourselves, love on yourselves, yes you deserve all of the greatness that is beginning for you in your new year and now let’s start our chapter one.

Until My Next Post…It’s Time to Begin!

#fdwrites newyear newyou newbeginnings chapterone blackgirlswhoblog writer contentcreator blog photoshop creative blogger

[fd-writes]

Curate Your Own Life

Curate means, “you organize and present it. Curate comes from the word cure, and a curate is supposed to cure that most important part of you - your soul. ”  Are you curating your own life? Or are you emulating another person’s life? Bringing “YOUR IDEAS” into existence will not allow you to copy what some else has because you have decided to open up your gifts to bring them to life. Your gifts and talents are to be expounded upon so you can be a blessing to others. Curating your own life doesn’t allow for you to copy another person, you will truly see that these are your unique blessings given just for you. But the problem we find ourselves in is trying to copy another person’s persona, the person you are trying to emulate has curated their own life which is designed just for them, not for you.

Then the question becomes, “Who Are You?” You need to know who you are to organize and present your life. When you stop trying to be like the people you see in the media, you will have a better handle and assessment on how you are to move with your life. Curating your life will have its ebbs and flows. I know that it’s easier said than done, especially with the way media advertising is all in your face, on your social media pages, even your emails but when you take your eyes off of the distractions, you will be able to oversee your life. Your curation is your evolution, you will not remain the same when understanding your purpose, your posture changes and so does your voice because you have decided to no longer look to your left or right trying to be like the people you see in the magazines, on the internet or videos (TikTok, IG Reels, FB, etc.,)

To curate, your life means, “Showing people who you are.”  It’s time for you to stop hiding and start shining. This is “Your Time” so let’s get to it.

Until My Next Post…It’s Time to Curate Your Life! Photo Credit:  LeeAnah

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[fd-writes]

Protect Your Mental Health

Mental Health means, “a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being” Why in our communities (Black. Brown, and Indigenous) space is not held for us when it comes down to our mental health? Could it be because those spaces weren’t made for us while we were growing up and now, therefore, grapple with taking charge of it, meaning not allowing people to interrupt, disregard, disrespect, abuse, use and manipulate us? Why are we perpetrated to be strong and out of this world beings? This is coded language that we must recognize for what it is, this was said to our ancestors when they were enslaved, strong strapping animals (not even recognized as human beings) while white people were called fair, not meant for heavy labor, and must be protected at all times. This dangerous and demonic narrative is still glaringly alive today and it must be destroyed, torn down and burned, to never grow again.

We all witnessed how Tennis Sensation Naomi Osako withdrew from the French Open citing Mental Health reasons. Now if anyone has been paying attention to this young lady, you can tell that she struggles with these preposterous ineffective interviewing that they subject athletes to. In one interview that I saw, Naomi said, “I’m just really sad right now” it wasn’t because of the game, she was having a mental health crisis, and let me tell you I was so broken for her at that moment because it was so clear that they heard her but didn’t care. After all, in their demonic minds, they were saying, “What does she have to be sad about?” For many of us, these are the same questions posed by our family and friends. And here is the crux of the situation, most of us suffer from anxiety, depression, and mental illness, if you grew up in a religious family you were told to just pray it away. Don’t get me wrong prayer is phenomenal and it does work but God also prompts us to seek out therapists. Now He created them so why do we feel shame for even considering it and Lord knows the church makes it worse, (for many people the church is where their trauma stems from) but this is a topic for another day, coming real soon. So let me tell you why? It is because our families were never encouraged to do so for themselves, so how can they possibly encourage us to do it.

I have learned a lot of lessons during the pandemic and being in quarantine. One of my biggest lessons is taking care of my mental health at all costs and by any means necessary. I currently don’t have a therapist but I am looking for one because I am not ashamed to say I want one. When I look back on my adolescence, teen-aged years, and adulthood, I can see faces of people who I grew up with that I now recognize as battling with their mental health. Comments that the elders would make about people being disrespectful, hardheaded, they are going to die young, they are slow, and the remarks went on and on. I know these words were spoken because they heard the very same things when they were growing up, so it’s learned behavior, a vicious cycle, generational curses, and trauma. Healing wasn’t spoken to them, so how could they speak healing to us. So this is why each of us must get help, you can start here; https://therapyforblackgirls.com/ Do command the space for our peace of mind, protect our mental health, allow ourselves to heal, say no, show up as our authentic self, allow ourselves to be planted, pruned, watered, and bloom. Don’t do it for anybody else, “DO IT FOR YOURSELF” - BECAUSE FOR MANY OF US IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

Until My Next Post…We Are To Be Each Other’s Keeper!

Photo Credit:  Isha Gaines

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[fd-writes]

Here Comes The Sun

Here Comes The Sun…Beloved, You are The Sun, please remember that. Too often we get caught up in what everyone else is doing and then look at our own lives, and say we aren’t doing anything. Now I am going to stop you right there, first cut the negative talks and name-calling that you are doing to yourself regularly. Two, each of our journies are very different, we may be in the same fields or have the same businesses but this is where the similarities end. Third, I know that this is easier said than done but for the next 30 days, start speaking positively into your life, even if the negative thoughts and emotions want to rear their ugly heads, speak over them, envision your positive radiance shining as bright as the sun. Even those whom we deem are so successful are plagued with negative thoughts and emotions but the difference is, they refuse to be defined by them, and no longer will we be defined.

Most of this destructive thinking and emotions stem from childhood, let’s be honest it all comes from there. The old children's rhyme we used to say, “Stick and Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Never Harm Me” is a lie straight from the pit of hell, because words do harm us, they harm us in unspeakable ways that we could have never imagined. The healing journey that I have chosen to embark on, is a spiritual and working progress.  Changes come when you put in the grind on time, this means even when you don’t feel like it, even when it hurts, even when you feel like giving up, damn it continue to push through it until you get to the other side. Anything worth having, you have got to work and fight for it, you can not sit by idly and expect for your healing to just happen. The Sun rises because the Lord tells it to, the sun doesn’t rise on its own, there is a word spoken and the sun responds. This is how our healing works, there is a word spoken of no more, then the Lord tells us to get up, we respond and He does the surgery that will ultimately repair every one of us.

Just remember, as the Sun rises each day, no matter where you are living in the world, you too shall rise because “You Are The Sun.”

Well Until My Next Post…Here Comes The Sun!

Photo Credit:  Vonecia Carswell

Song Credit: Here Comes The Sun by Nina Simone

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[fd-writes]

Encourage Your Truth

Encourage means, “give support, confidence or hope to someone”…Truth means, “that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality”… This pandemic/quarantine has taught me many things, especially about myself, things I have forgotten about or didn’t even realize existed within me. I have always been an encourager of others but never to myself, and I always told the truth to others but never to myself. What a bitter pill that I had to swallow but then I remembered a time, I wasn’t always like that, I remember when I was free and flowing, with my arms in the air, a huge smile on my face, and the sun surrounding me like a halo. So during this time of lockdown, I have had to face some truths and try to figure out how did my life just go topsy turvy and I didn’t even realize it until this deadly disease that was sweeping across the world hit us all. And since I’ve been home I am facing the music about myself.

Being in quarantine has made me look at myself in the mirror, and not just passing it as I often did while rushing to get ready for work. This slow down caused me to look not only topically but inwardly, and I have to tell you I didn’t like what I was seeing. Where did my inward encourager go? Where was my inward truth at? And how did I morph into someone I didn’t even recognize anymore? It was like seeing me for the first time while reaching my hands up to touch my face. And I knew at that moment I could never return to what and who I was before the pandemic/quarantine. I knew that if I truly wanted a life that mattered to me and allowed me to become the person I always wanted to be, I could not return to my former life and that is my truth and I make sure that I encourage myself to move forward into the blessings that God has always had for me and to finally bring my gifts and talents to fruition.

I wonder if anyone else has had this epiphany? And what are you going to do about it? Will you shed the old and embrace the new or will you revert right back to who you were before the pandemic/quarantine. Now that places are starting to open back up (and please take precaution with this because people have already proven that they don’t care about their own lives and they damn sure will not care about yours because the coronavirus is still really out here in these streets). For me going back into an office is not an option, I will not get caught up in that rat race ever again. Now I have become strategic in my life, I am an encourager and a truth-teller for me. My possibilities are endless now, between being a content creator, designer, photographer, and soon to be an author (by another name). I am more ready than I have ever been and to make sure I don’t turn back, I have taken to deep prayer and meditation, journaling, manifesting, affirmations, and a whole lot of self-love. I am ready for my close-up now.

 Until My Next Post…Encourage Your Truth, Beloved!

Photo Credit:  Nappy

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[fd-writes]

Commitment & Consistency

Commitment means, “the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action”…Consistency means, “ability to be asserted together without contradiction”… For whatever your reasoning these two words tend to allude many of us, we will start stronger than a rhino, charging into whatever we are going to do but then halfway through we lose steam, slow down, take a seat, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, this isn’t to shame anybody because we all have experienced it, some have made their way past it and are now going strong, others it’s more like a start and stop, while others have mental blocks, or maybe some mental health issues. And if we are being honest with ourselves most of us get caught in the hamster wheel because we are too busy looking at what other people are doing and then get discouraged. After all, we are not where they are. Listen, each person’s journey is different, just as the arrival will be equally different. Some land quicker than others but that should not diminish whatever it is you are working and striving towards.

Social media for all of its good also has an incredibly dark side.  We love to see other peoples work, cheer them on and in the next breath will come down hard on ourselves, and say, “oh it’s because they have more time to do those things that’s why but I don’t have that much time, and it’s a struggle for me to do anything.” I can tell you one of the greatest challenges is time management, some of us have it down to a science while others are just all over the place, again this is not to put anyone down, I am just stating facts. I have to correct and refocus myself constantly because I sometimes tend to become unfocused, I will start off doing something and then become unglued, so I started to monitor myself, and when I begin to veer off, I can gently nudge myself back on course. Most of the time it works and then other times not so much.

Let’s talk about consistency, which is a harmony of conduct or practice (Merriam-Webster). Consistency takes practice and lots of it, it is not something you can do three times and then you yell out “Ah-Ha” no it doesn’t work that way. Consistency is working at something, not in big chunks but in small bite-sized pieces, when it’s smaller you won’t feel overwhelmed, it will be easier to chew and digest. And just because you start small doesn’t mean you are not making progress, on the contrary, you are moving in the right direction. Consistency should also be celebrated, you don’t need to wait until you do something major, small victories are key in keeping you going and also lifts your spirits. You also need to stop looking to your left and your right, and just look straight ahead because you are moving forward, becoming committed, and learning how to be more consistent. 

Until My Next Post…Commitment and Consistency look great on you!

Photo Credit:  CreateHERStock

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