the story
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
It was 5:30am, the morning that Cowboy Carter was released. I’d woken up the most eager I ever was to hop out of bed that early. I got myself ready and listened as Queen Bey’s voice floated through my speakers, feeling my excitement build as I prepared for the day.
A few weeks before that I received a text asking if I’d be interested in being featured for a project that amplified everything I was passionate about: movement, community, and writing. In partnership with Nike Well Collective and Well+Good, I’d be interviewed about the benefits of wellness walks, moving to feel good, and shared community. Oh, and there would be a full video shoot (!!!!).
There’s something so meaningful about a moment when you’re recognized for doing what you love and following your heart. As I got dressed, I thought to myself about the early days when I decided to teach barre independently at a cute little studio that just happened to pop up on my IG feed. I thought about how nervous I was inviting people to come to class, posting workout reels on Instagram and wondering if people would even like my content. I thought about how my mom would always pester me to go on walks with her when I was younger, and now here I was, being spotlighted for the simple, daily practice that cleared my head and heart. I’d found things I loved to do, followed the natural pull I felt towards those practices, and now I was here, getting ready for my very first Nike shoot.
“Quiet on set. Well+Good <3” read the sign on the door to the studio where my independent practice had started. I couldn’t help but smile. The studio I began in was now being transformed into a freaking set just for me. I walked into the familiar space, made a quick switch from Cowboy Carter to Renaissance to give me the confidence boost I needed, and took a deep breath.
In my head, I spoke a few quick reminders to myself:
All you have to do is be you. You deserve to be here. Now go have fun.
the lesson
Your biggest cheerleader will always be you. When a big moment like this happens, I tend to look for external validation to affirm how important or real it is. Lately I’ve noticed that every time I received that, I honestly didn’t feel much of anything. That’s when it dawned on me that the reason none of it felt like reality was because I wasn’t taking the time to acknowledge it myself. The night after my shoot was finished I popped open a bottle of champagne that I’d been saving for at least a year, poured myself a glass, and really sat in celebration. Just me, on my couch drinking champagne with cold pizza because it was delicious (stop judging!) and made me happy. It was then that things felt real for me, like I could actually process what was happening. I had to create the moment for myself and it didn’t have to be some big celebration, just something that made me pause and sit in my joy for a little while.
Learning what you really enjoy is the best gift you can give yourself. I recently had a conversation with a good friend over dinner where she asked me how I found my way to doing what I love. I took a little rewind back to the beginning, which started when I began trying new things that made me curious. Yoga, meditation, long walks, barre, writing, being in community and holding space for others. Each one of these activities leaves me feeling energized with purpose. Whenever I share them with others, I find that I can help someone feel just a little better about themselves, more inspired, and less stressed than before. I love that feeling, and leaning into it has led to some of the best moments of my life.
The energy that is manifested through doing what you love will always create the perfect opportunities. Last September I actually had to turn down my first big shoot opportunity and it hurt. I couldn’t make it work given the timing of my schedule, and I had to practice some pretty radical acceptance missing out on it. In the end, I resolved to keep doing what I was doing, trusting that I would have another chance. Here’s the thing: the energy you create through consistently doing what truly fulfills you makes way for doors opening that you may not have ever thought possible. Fast forward to this March, and an opportunity that aligned so much more than the first one fell right in front of me at a time when I really needed to feel uplifted and celebrated. This time it was my turn, and it worked out better than I ever could’ve pictured it.
the light
In the past few weeks I’ve been celebrated as a Well+Good 2024 Changemaker with both an article and video feature! They turned out perfect and most importantly, embodied who I really am, what I love to do, and why I love to share my favorite practices with others. An absolute dream come true!
I’ve had a lot of conversations recently about finding that special thing that makes you light up and feel like you have purpose. Honestly, my belief is that we all have it deep down. It can also look very different depending on who you are and it might not always be the thing you make money from. We live in a capitalistic society that doesn’t encourage the creativity and self-exploration needed to dig deep and learn what is truest to us, so it’s not as normalized to go there with ourselves on this topic. Today I want to encourage you to say f*ck it, be a little rebel, and discover yourself a bit more. What do you love to do? How does it makes you feel? What about it makes you want to do more of it?
Do a little digging and if you feel so inclined, email me back and let me know what you come up with. I’d love to hear from you 💛
my matcha moment 🍵
As I mentioned, yoga teacher training has been taking me OUT (in the best way) so I haven’t really been teaching or doing events lately. There is one, however, that I’ll be leading on Saturday, May 18 at 12pm in partnership with the Pi Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc! Sisterhood Sculpt is a barre cardio class, open to the public, and sponsored by Nike Well Collective. Your ticket comes with a full Nike fit and I know how y’all love those. Tickets go fast, so make sure you grab yours ASAP.
Talk to you in June!