Collard Greens ⏤ Vol 13
Happy Black History Month and we are having collards for lunch! If you don't clean your collards in the sink, you not doing it right hunnie.
2021 marks the 45th anniversary of America celebrating Black History Month.
Before BHM, there was Negro History Week, which began in 1926 by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson. It was designated for the second week in February to coincide with Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays (Feb 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb 14).
The first documented celebration of BHM was in 1970 at Kent State, and six years later, in 1976, Black History Month was officially celebrated across America.
I hope you are doing something more than just posting “Happy Black History Month” on social; we should be beyond that. One of the easiest things you can do is support a Black-owned business. I list 25 [all women] in Vol 12. Check it out after lunch!
How was January? Did you do anything exciting?
We drove up to Maryland to watch the inauguration with my 95-year-old grandmother (after 3 weeks of quarantine and a Covid test) and see a few friends. She has been counting down the days until Joe Siseman (it’s how she says Biden) is in office.
Like most of us, she couldn’t stand 45 and often would say she wish she had the strength to get him herself. I’ll let you interpret that however you want. Grandma spicy!
If you are in the DMV area or have plans to, visit Oohhs and Aahhs, you will NOT be disappointed. I was dreaming about their catfish, mac, potato salad, and collards for weeks! The collards are the best.
Are you hungry yet?
Ok, let’s get into today’s topics!
90s Black History
Quieting your mind
2021 Goals Checkin
Feb 1, 1993
#28Daysof90sBlackHistory
As a millennial, the 90s were my formative years. Granted, I was nine days into my fifth year of life when the decade broke, I remember it.
The 80s were big for television and entertainment, but the 90s brought Black culture into our homes faster than ever. As a millennial, the 90s were the beginning.
To celebrate Black History Month this year, I have curated and created some great moments from the 90s to share on our Twitter & Instagram. *side note, Twitter might pop more than IG, but I’ll let you decided.*
We are reliving a few of the hottest Black couples of the 90s [some still going strong, others not so much], one-hit wonders of the decades, sports figures, music moguls, and so much more. It's happening on our socials, the right amount of nostalgia, every day.
Nostalgia motivates us to remember our past, helping unite to our authentic self, reminding us of who we have been, who we are today, and what we want to be in the future.
According to a Health article from U.S. News, strolling down a pleasant memory lane can improve your mood and stimulate inspiration and motivation. Here are some other benefits of nostalgia:
Can help with problem-solving
Helps you handle tough situations in healthier ways
Can give a greater sense of meaning to your life
Improves relationships
Throughout this month, when scrolling through our social feeds, take a moment to recall where you were in life when you first heard that song, watched that show, or heard that headline. Write down those feelings, journal them; you will be surprised where it can take you.
By the time we are finished with lunch, the first nostalgia drop will be coming at ya, hot!
Quieting your mind
Answer: Melatonin.
Ok, JOKE, but it does help me get to sleep when my mind is racing with ideas and to-dos. There are other ways to quiet your mind; it starts with developing good habits.
We consume more information than our bodies can handle throughout the day. From reading books, watching tv, and scrolling on social media, it’s information overload. You are the only person who has the power to control it, not some fancy app or book to help you detach your mind. You control this.
Here’s what you should do → Practice doing nothing while doing something.
It’s hard to do nothing when something is always happening, but it's possible. Here are some ways to practice this:
Drink a cup of coffee while listening to jazz or mindfulness meditation. This also works for enjoying a glass of wine or favorite drink.
Listen to an entire album or short playlist without any distractions: no phone, no journal, no nothing.
Cook and eat a meal with zero distractions; music is allowed.
Listen to an audiobook or mindfulness podcast while taking a bath.
Can you pick up what I am putting down?
The goal of quieting your mind is to remove distractions and multitasking, not indefinitely [thats impossible], but for at least 30 minutes every other day. Start here.
And, no, watching TV is not an option. Tap into your other senses; rest your eyes.
I’ll check back in with you next month to see how this is going.
Goals Check-In
The best way to hold yourself accountable to see others do the same. I am doing periodic check-ins with myself and you!
Here are the updates thus far:
Career ⏤ @BlackWifeLife growth. As I am writing this, I am 583 followers away from 100,000 followers. Next milestone is 115,000. Taking my road to 175K in increments.
Ladies, I’m hosting a private yoga event on Feb 11 if you are interested, its FREE and will be lit and sexy.
Health ⏤ I’ve taken a total of 3 baths in January, which is two more than I did ALL of 2020! 33 meditations with Peloton and two therapy sessions.
Self ⏤ I have said no more times in January than ever before. I didn’t apologize for not showing up or doing things I use to do. I chose myself more.
Lifestyle ⏤ I had a 7:30 am breakfast date at The Ritz Carlton last month with one of my besties. If that is not luxury living. *wink*
That’s it thus far! Not a bad start to 2021.
How are you doing with your career goals? Reply to this email or comment so we can hold each other accountable.
Tip: Goals don’t have to be accomplished or worked on simultaneously. Piece by piece is how it's sustainable and achievable.
Feb 1, 1993
On this day in ‘93, Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” was taking over airwaves. She released it as The Bodyguard’s leading single on the soundtrack on November 3, 1992.
It debuted at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Houston's tenth number-one entry two weeks later. The song stayed at number one in the United States throughout January and February 1993.
This week’s #vibe is dedicated to the iconic voice of Whitney Houston. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.
Bonus: Jems 💎
#reads
The Meaning of Mariah Carey ⏤ I listened to this via Audible, and I HIGHLY suggest you do the same, especially if you are in The Lambily.
#watch
The Little Things [ HBOmax until Feb 28]
Charm City Kings [HBOmax]
#moments
A photo a day. Using my DayOne journal app, I’ve begun to add daily photos to visually document 2021. And no they are not just photos of me. Adding photos has helped increase my journaling habit, I get to visually remember moments versus just reading words.
#shop
Himalayan Scrub. If you wanna feel luscious, sexy, and smooth after a shower or bath, grab this. I can’t stop rubbing my body. 🧖🏽♀️
#inspiration
*side note* this tweet is from one of the co-founders of the consulting firm I work with. I love it here so much.
Ok friends! We had a BIG lunch today. Lots to keep you busy until we meet again. Keep up between volumes on Instagram & Twitter + #90sBlackHistory is happening all month.
I appreciate the love and support. Don’t forget to tell a friend how much fun you had at lunch today. *wink*