Black Maternal Health & My Struggle with Postpartum Depression

 

I can’t talk about Black Maternal Health week (April 11th-17th) without talking about postpartum depression because that depression was a big shadow over my life in the early months of motherhood.

So here’s what happened to me: My husband showed me this video for the first time a few months ago and I got so emotional watching it. I didn’t know he was recording it at the time but I’m glad he did because it reminded me of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve healed.

The first challenge I faced after giving birth was postpartum preeclampsia and everything that led up to that, the next challenge was breastfeeding, and then the postpartum depression crept in. I was in pain and didn’t feel equipped for motherhood at first. It was hard not to cry, but thank God for my husband, who was right there in the hospital room, encouraging me every step of the way. I left the hospital a few days later feeling sad and scared about motherhood but I was determined to make it through.

If you have ever been through or are experiencing postpartum depression, know that you are not alone. You have a support system of people who believe in you as a mother and want you to be well for you and your baby. I prayed a lot and cried a lot by myself and in the presence of loved ones. I went back to work when my son was 10 weeks old and cried every day from November 5, 2018, when he was born, until May 2019, when I got so tired of my depression that I sought the help of a therapist. Therapy changed my life for the better, and I’m so grateful for that journey. 

Black maternal health and mental health matters. Let's talk about these things and support women by sharing our stories.

Black Maternal Health & Post Partum Preeclampsia

My first pregnancy was in 2018 and it was healthy and beautiful. After birth was when things got hard and scary. Hours after giving birth, I experienced the worst headache of my life.

My mom has a medical background and asked the nurse on duty to check my blood pressure because she knew that was a sign of high blood pressure. The nurse ignored us. So my mom and husband asked her to give me some Tylenol and the nurse still ignored us. I was lying in so much pain, I couldn’t even hold my baby. Finally, the nurses changed shifts. When the new nurse introduced herself, she was warm and kind. My mother and husband explained what was happening to me. She immediately checked my blood pressure, got me Tylenol, and told us that I was suffering from postpartum preeclampsia. The nurse gave me potassium intravenously for the remaining 2.5 days I was in the hospital to treat it. 

Thank God I’m here to share my story, and I’m grateful that my mom and husband advocated for me and my maternal health.

Black Maternal Health Week means a lot to me because we deserve to have healthy pregnancies, labor & delivery, and postpartum experiences. Having the right advocates in the hospital as a mother is a matter of life and death. We all deserve to have people who advocate for our right to live.

 

Navigating the wilderness season on the road to success

God has to educate you before He can elevate you. I don’t know who needs to read (or hear) this message, but the wilderness season was never a waste of time!!!

The lessons the Israelites learned in the wilderness prepared them to prosper in the promised land. So if you find yourself in a wilderness season and you’re wondering what is taking you so long to elevate to a new dimension of success, just know that you need to learn the lessons God is trying to teach you right now. The faster you learn those lessons and develop the skills He is trying to teach you, the faster you will exit the wilderness and enter your promised land. 

If you want to enter a new dimension of success, you have to be disciplined enough to gain the knowledge and develop the skills that will sustain you and allow you to flourish during your season of success. So if you are working towards something and wondering why it’s taking so long to happen, look around and within. Be open and disciplined enough to master the skills necessary to thrive. I promise you none of this will be in vain. 

Dress-Target x Jenee Naylor for Future Collective

Photographer-Kofi James, taken at the Jersey Shore

Do you use seasons of waiting to learn and sharpen your skills?

To the mom (and anyone else) Going Through a Demanding Season of Life

Hey friends! It's hard to believe it's been over two years since I published a blog post. The last time we spoke on here, I was pregnant and fresh off my Saint Martin Baby moon/family vacation/anniversary trip. Now I'm a mom of two amazing little boys, and my youngest is two years old! I never knew my time and capacity would shift the way it did as I became of mom of two, but that is my reality as I dove deeper into motherhood and learned to navigate the waters with two sons with varying sets of needs. I have tried to come here and write a few times over the past two years, but life offline is so consuming, and it’s so much easier and faster to write an Instagram caption.

Juggling the demands of motherhood, being a present wife, a demanding career, going to the gym (more on that later), working nights, and barely getting 3-4 hours of sleep on work nights has been consuming so I want to share a message to moms and anyone else who finds themselves in an incredibly demanding season of life: You are doing a good job! The days are long and the nights are short. Sometimes you feel like you’re running on empty, but God gives you just enough grace and momentum to keep going. Like me, you may have had to press pause on some dreams and goals as the demands in your life intensified. There simply doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything you want to do and yet, you are accomplishing so much by meeting the needs of your priorities. Remember that you are a priority, too. Add taking care of yourself and doing things that bring you joy to your to-do list. Even if all you have is 15, 30, or 60 minutes to devote each day. The time you spend pouring into yourself is a worthy investment in your joy and overall well-being. Pick and choose your battles, and always remember that your joy and peace are of the utmost importance and worth fighting for.

May your Dreams Take Flight + Saint Martin Vacation Style

May your dreams take flight and flourish and may your hopes be limitless! I was initially on the fence about going on vacation. The cautious part of me said stay home and save your money because you have a baby coming in a few months. Then the other part of me said book the flight and take the babymoon/family vacation you deserve because you work hard and you've earned it. I'm glad I listened to myself and booked the trip because this vacation and the beautiful experiences my family and I had were so worth it. I took a week off from work and my responsibilities at home to just be, breathe, and luxuriate in Saint Martin. Travel is a luxury I love to enjoy, even if I don't do it as often as I'd like to. 

I am so grateful for this life God blesses me to live each day. This trip made me realize I want my life to feel different, and that is okay. It's okay to enjoy where you are and have a healthy desire for more goodness, abundance, and areas of change. In my experience, the life you want does not get handed to you. You have to work for it, pray for it, and manifest it. Working and praying for a goal or desire is a form of manifestation in my opinion. 

One of the biggest things I want to change is my relationship to work. I want more freedom, flexibility, and financial security for my family and I, and I believe it's possible because of the way God has consistently elevated my life over the past two years. So when I returned home from vacation, I sat down and made a vision board with personal goals and desires, as well as desires for my family. Then I prayed on those things, and I do so often. Something about writing down my vision for my life at this moment makes it feel more attainable. So as you walk through this week, remember that it's okay to enjoy where you are in life while having a healthy desire for more goodness, abundance and areas of change. 

Style:

I saw this Farm Rio dress months ago and fell in love with it but refused to pay full price! Then, I started planning my vacation and searched for it but it was so out. So I went hunting for it on Ebay and got it brand new for nearly half the price! I love this dress because its colorful, comfortable, and I can wear it during and after my pregnancy (although I won't be able to fit it too much longer because mama is still growing this baby). Have you ever found some gems on Ebay?

Bask in Your Blessings + Styling Spring Maxi Dresses

As you walk through this week, I hope you make room to bask in the beauty and joy of all your blessings. You don't have to strive to earn anything God has given you or is preparing to bless you with, just be yourself and walk confidently in your purpose. As a black woman who has now experienced two pregnancies while working full time, I've often felt extra pressure to prove myself. Being a mother doesn't stop me from showing up with excellence but it does impact how I choose to show up. I used to take pride in working myself to the point of exhaustion and then coming home to give my child and husband what's left of me. However, myself has shifted. This pregnancy is very different from my first one and has forced me to slow down and be more present for the people and experiences that money can't buy. 

One life change I've made this year was to release myself from the pressure to show up "perfectly" at the expense of my mental and physical health. I now use my vacation and PTO days regularly and pre-schedule random self-care days because rest is my right and I deserve it. Rest is your right as well, so I encourage you to examine your life and think about ways to make room for your wellness!

This dress is an old favorite of mine! I got it a few years ago from Forever 21 for around $40 if I recall correctly. I was immediately drawn to the colors and how this dress can be easily styled in warmer months as well as layered under a jacket on a fall day. This weekend was my first time styling this dress with my baby bump and I think it's the perfect fit! Maxi dresses are of those things that look great on multiple body types whether pregnant or not and I'm happy to be getting good maternity use out of a non-maternity dress.

The Beauty of Growing Pains: Pregnancy Update

I'm so happy to share that my little family is growing! This pregnancy coupled with the first quarter of 2022 pushed me to re-evaluate my life. When I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited. My husband and I have discussed growing our family and we knew we wanted Avery to have a sibling but we left the exact timing to God. I have many emotions with this pregnancy. I feel joy thinking about the life growing within me, I feel peace and gratitude to God knowing that we are more established financially this time than we were when I was pregnant with Avery, and I'm so excited for this new chapter in our family journey.

Despite all the amazing feelings I felt with this new blessing, the first trimester sucked and I feel no need to sugarcoat it. I dealt with nausea and fatigue almost every day between November and early February. I got to participate in some exciting projects at work during November, December, and part of January that were valuable to my career, but also left me feeling exhausted working through constant sickness. Every day I woke up hoping I would feel good only to quickly be greeted with nausea and bouts of vomiting. I wasn't depressed but feeling sick every day with no relief in sight had me feeling down. On top of that, work was extremely stressful during February. I was more stressed out and sleep-deprived during February than I have been in months. Juggling all the first trimester symptoms while pushing myself to perform at a high level at work was hard. PSA, give working moms grace because we are exhausted a lot even when we present like all is well. 

Feeling sick, the pressures of work, lack of sleep all while trying to show up the best way I could for my family was taking a toll on me. I barely found any time for myself during the work week. There was a point in time during 2020 when I felt overwhelmed and I remember my mom asking me, "Ashley, what can you put down?" So at the start of February, I decided to become more intentional about prioritizing my wellness wherever I could make space; I started a tradition of taking off the first Sunday of every month of work for my self-care, I decided to take a break from my beloved Instagram time after work because the hour and a half I was spending the app each day was better spent resting, sleeping and trying to nurture my body through the changes of pregnancy and stress of life. I made time to see close friends I had not seen since last year. I spent more time with God outside of the rushed prayers where I often found myself falling asleep while giving Him my list of requests. I got way more present with my son and found myself often giving in to his requests to sit on the floor and play. 

People-pleasing at the expense of my wellness is something I'm no longer interested in. My big act of self-love in March was resigning from a position I didn't have the bandwidth to perform. I wrestled with that decision for weeks and when I finally made my decision, I felt peace and immense relief. I got even more comfortable saying the word no without further explanation. Work became less stressful, the pregnancy-related sickness lifted and things started looking up. I'm excited for the newness of spring and the warmth this season will bring. I'm excited about continuing to show up in the ways that are best for me while honoring my boundaries. I'm excited about the plane tickets I booked to give my family and I a beautiful and restful vacation experience we have earned. I look forward to sharing more of this journey and my stories with you. Thank you to everyone who thought of me and/or reached out to me during my online absence and for being patient with me during this time. I love you all. Talk soon!

Never Settle for the Bare Minimum in Life or Style + Snakeskin Style

Don't settle for the bare minimum! As you walk through this week remember that you are worthy of the best life has to offer. Sometimes you are blessed with it due to no extra effort on your own part and sometimes you have to work for it. There are times when you only get the bare minimum out of a situation because you don't enter it situation expecting more, asking for more, or with a willingness to work for more. I call that operating from a place of lack instead of a place of abundance. If I decided to settle for the bare minimum alone this past week I would have: missed out on an incredible 7-course meal where I was able to network and spend time with some amazing people (I'm an introvert at heart so networking doesn't come naturally to me but I decided to step outside my comfort zone), missed out on an opportunity to negotiate the terms of a business deal I'm excited about, and I would have spent less quality time with my son. This list could go on and on but I want to make not settling for the bare minimum real to YOU in case you needed some motivation.

When you have an abundance mindset you understand that there is always room for more and more will always make room for you. Remember to be clear on your desires and expectations for yourself and the situations you find yourself in. You deserve way more than the bare minimum so don't settle for it ever in jobs and careers, relationships, your finances, etc.

While we're on the subject of not settling, I don't believe we should ever settle when it comes to the things we wear. Only wearing something one time because you think it only goes with one outfit is settling for the bare minimum in your style. Have fun with your style and if you really want to get the most boom for your buck, buy things that can be styled in a variety of ways. I have so much fun wearing this outfit because I did a monochromatic snakeskin look and this print is one of my favorite neutrals. When I first bought these boots last year, I envisioned wearing them with a bunch of solid neutrals but decided to have fun this time around and pair them with the same print! How do you style animal prints?

Top & Skirt - Zara (sold out) | Boots-Steve Madden | Shop this look below

Standout Sneaker Style + The Power of your Personality

As you walk through this week, stand confident in who you are. You have the power to bring light and color into every room and situation you walk into just by being yourself! There was a time when I was depressed three years ago and questioned that, especially in my career. But God has shown me over and over again in so many situations throughout the years that He has given me the perfect personality to make a positive difference. I know I use career stories a lot and that's because God has taught me so much about me, Him, His power, and the power He has equipped me with throughout my 6.5 year career. Feel feel to read my promotion story from this year to understand more and be encouraged. 

.

Okay, let's get back to discussing the power of personality! So about a week and a half ago, I got a message from my director (my boss's boss's boss) to do a short-term assignment. I never saw this assignment coming and definitely never thought I would have the opportunity to do that kind of work, but that's just how blessings work sometimes. When we're busy staying in our lane and minding our business, God decides to bless us with an opportunity to use the skills we already possess. This role allows me to do something I absolutely love so even though it's work, it doesn't feel like work. It really feels like walking in purpose. 

The coolest thing about this assignment is that it allows me to do something I love and have a passion for, connecting with people. When my director and later my senior manager shared why I was chosen for the opportunity they both said my personality and the unique skills I possess. WOW! When they told me that I had to pause and thank God because I prayed for this moment. No, I didn't pray for this specific opportunity, but I did pray for God to allow me to find favor with my superiors, all whom I need to excel and to enlarge my territory. The answer is this temporary assignment. Now, it comes with its fair share of challenges but I know God has placed me there for such a time as this. If God can give a self-proclaimed introvert like me the gift of forming meaningful connections with people and guiding them to see their power and strengths, just imagine what God can do for you!

Now let's talk style! I don't buy sneakers often, but when I do they must be cute and comfortable because shoes are meant for walking! The Nike Dunk Cashmere "Lemon Twist" sneakers are the first pair of dunks I've gotten since high school and I think I'm in love with them lol. When it comes to buying new shoes, one of my main deciding factors is can they be styled with multiple things I already own. Well, these dunks definitely can and that's one of the reasons I'm so excited about them. As you can see, they are the perfect shoe to bring these cream Target sweatpants, sweatshirt, and pink Banana Republic coat together for an easy, comfortable and casual fall/winter look. 

Sweatpants-Target | Sweatshirt-Target | Coat-Banana Republic (old) | Sneakers-Nike sold out but available brand new at Farfetch and StockX

Pink Power Suit + Preparing to Slay Your Battles

Every woman needs some clothes that make her feel powerful, and sometimes a pink suit is the set of clothes to handle the powerful assignment. Needless to say, this suit makes me feel powerful and my favorite aspect of the suit is that the blazer also doubles as a dress. I'm so glad the blazer is long because I have gained a few pounds since I bought this suit early last year when I was a few pounds lighter and definitely ripped the pants while putting them on! Shop my favorite pink power blazers and pants below!

As you walk through this week, remember that batters are won through strategy, not by surprise. So sit down, create a plan, execute your plan and prepare to win! When setbacks and detours come your way, learn to pivot and pace yourself, not quit. If you quit when times get hard, you'll never know all that you are truly capable of.  You may be feeling pressure like you need to do the most because we're in the final quarter of 2021 but remember that constant striving will leave you feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. Take some time this week to reflect on your goals and create a plan to achieve them if you have not done so already. 

I want to encourage you to get more attached to the process of accomplishing your goals than timelines because not achieving something by a certain timeline can be discouraging and downright depressing at times if we're being 100% honest. But one thing I have learned on my journey over the past three years is that our timelines are no match for God's timelines. Sometimes our goals don't happen when we want them because we need to develop in some or many areas first. I felt like I waited too long for my first promotion when I was in my waiting season, but the skills I learned during the period of waiting propelled me so far in my career and led me to my second promotion a year later. So trust your process and the things it's teaching you!

Shop the look here:

Styling Snakeskin Boots + Embracing Change

One of my favorite thing to wear in the fall is boots and these snakeskin boots are the perfect pair to instantly elevate any outfit! I actually got them on sale in Macy's last year for around $50 and I've loved them ever since. Not only are these Steve Madden boots comfortable, they are also functional because of the neutral print. I opted to style these with a utility shirt dress from Pretty Little Thing and Green sunglasses from Asos. How would you style these boots? I linked a few of my favorite pairs below.

Now let's talk about change. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know my post on Monday was all about change and it said: As you walk through this week, remember that you are allowed to embrace change, evolve and grow. You are allowed to change your mindset. you are allowed to adjust or reinstate new boundaries. You are allowed to exit your comfort zone. You are allowed to do whatever you need to do to live your best life. Personally changing my mindset has been one of the biggest things that allowed God to elevate my life and has brought me so much peace and happiness this year. Now what I do not like is when I have no control over the changes that occur in my life. 

Like most people, I like to have control over my life and one of my favorite things about adulthood is that control. So you can imagine how I felt this week when my senior regional manager at work informed me that he decided to make a regional schedule change that would require myself and all the other operations managers at my level to work the night shift. I understood the assignment and that he was making the change because he understands my gift and talent to create positive change and improve processes but I felt so crushed. I've been off of the night shift since August and it had felt SO GOOD to actually eat dinner with my family every night, have bathtime and bedtime stories with my son, and to actually sleep in my bed at night. Like not working nights has brought my family so much in this season. But then I had to remind myself that God has not brought me this far to leave me and I choose to believe this change will be temporary. Sure it may complicate my personal life and limit the time I spend with my son during the work week but I have faith to believe that it's also a setup for a blessing.

Get the look:

Our Moment to Shine: Women are Winning!

Last week Issa Rae said "it's a me season" and I felt that in my spirit, not just for me but women in general. Women are having a special moment right now and I love to see it! I see so many of us living out our dreams, walking in answered prayers, stepping out on faith, thinking bigger, investing in ourselves, letting go of relationships that don't uplift us, and helping each other flourish. 

I personally know several women who are literally living dreams they've been working towards for years this year. I have friends who have left toxic work environments this year and re-claimed their peace while starting their own businesses. I see women expanding their families and living out their motherhood goals. I see women God honoring the desires of the hearts of women and those women are flourishing!

If there is something you want to do, I dare you to write it down and speak it into existence. Imagine yourself living out your wild ideas. You know what's one of my "wild ideas"? Leadership development, specifically developing young leaders and women of color. I always tell my husband how I want to do more in the area of leadership development in the future because it's truly a passion of mine. Well, today I had the opportunity to speak to one of my directors at work and he asked me what I'm excited about. Something in my spirit told me to tell me to share that passion with him and he not only supported my ideas, he also gave me the green light to build upon my wild idea. I say all this to say speak your vision, write it down, you never know who is rooting for you and willing to help you until you speak life into it.

If you see another woman winning, hype her up! If you see a woman struggling, help her out! We are our sister's keeper. Let's pour into one another. 

If this post resonated with you, please share with a woman who needs some encouragement or a woman who inspires you!

Stying Straight Leg Jeans + Slowing Down

One of my favorite fall trends that is part of permanently part of my style staples is straight-leg jeans. At this stage in my life, I'm just not into skin-tight jeans (unless I need to tuck them into boots) and I find high-waisted straight-leg jeans to be extremely flattering and comfortable. I found this pair at H&M in September and they fit perfectly! I love that they are slightly distressed without too many rips and they are affordable at less than $40. The quality is also great and these jeans have some weight to them. I jazzed these jeans up with my favorite Kai Collective Gaia top.

Now let's talk about slowing down. Last week Sunday I woke up with a headache, backache, and no voice. It took two days for my voice to completely return to normal and it hit me, I was burnt out! Now, this burn out didn't happen overnight, it was a gradual thing. Between waking up early for work every day, mom life, wife life, our family social life on the weekends, and working on my content when I can my body was just plain old tired. I'm one of those people that sometimes feel like if I'm not doing a lot then I must not be doing enough. Well I'm here to tell you that is a harmful narrative to have about yourself. My body got sick because it was begging me to slow down and rest and I ignored it. So my body took control and slowed down which left me no choice but to slow down. 

Before facing this particular case of burnout I used to only get burnt out when I found myself in a struggle season and felt extra pressure to go go go. However, I realized that my body can be burnt out when things are going well. I was burnt out trying to keep up with all the good things in my life while unnecessarily adding more to my plate when I needed to be prioritizing rest. I'm in a season where I'm living in my answered prayers and feeling like I need to constantly be working towards the next best thing. Well one thing my good friend always tells me is that "you don't have to strive". You don't have to strive for blessings, God is already going to give them to you. You don't have to constantly be in go mode because rest is essential to your well-being and opportunities will find you even in moments of stillness. Trust that what is for you will not pass you by and it is okay to slow down.

As you walk through this week remember that there is no reward for overworking yourself. If you don't slow down your body might break down and slow you down. Sometimes the most productive thing for you to do when you know you've been going hard on yourself is to rest and rejuvenate. 

Shop my look here:

Slow Down St. John: Pacing Ourselves + Resting in Luxury Swimwear

As you walk through this week remember that it's okay to slow down. Life is not a race or a competition. While Spending last week in St. Thomas and St. John I noticed a lot of people there who are originally from the states or spent years living in the states and chose to make the islands their permanent home. When I asked some of these people what made them choose to live in St. Thomas, they all mentioned the slower pace of life was the key factor in their decision. They felt happier because they weren't rushing or living in a society that prides itself on grinding your way to death. They all had this calm and joyous energy that radiated through them based on the intangible elements of their lives. 

So as you walk through this week remember to pace yourself and enjoy things that nourish your soul.

If you could spend one week doing anything anywhere in the world and money was no issue, what would you do? Let me know in the comments section.

When I saw this swimsuit earlier in the year, I wanted it but wasn't sure if I needed to spend so much money on it. Well as the months went by and summer came, I decided that I deserved it. Also, the quality of this bikini is incredible. I also have a one-piece Andrea Iyama swimsuit from a few years ago and I have to say the quality is impeccable! I have no doubt this bikini will last me for years to come because it is so well made. It also comes in other colors but this orange spoke to me and I fell in love with it.

Shop the Look:

Life Lessons Birthday Reflection + Blue Dress

Happy new week! I celebrated my 28th birthday on Friday August 20, 2021, and my entire birthday weekend was amazing! On Friday, my parents came over my apartment and we enjoyed some of our favorite Indian takeout food with red velvet cupcakes for dessert. Just being with my family and enjoying so much good food warmed my heart. On Saturday my husband took me and 3 of my closest and oldest friends (whom I consider sisters) to dinner at Suede restaurant in Brooklyn and we had an amazing time! Like we stayed out late as if I didn't have to be up for work at 5:15am on Sunday morning and even got soaked running from the restaurant to the car at the end of the night lol. I can honestly say this was the best birthday I've had yet and I have God and my loved ones to that for that.

God has blessed me abundantly over the past year and I'm so grateful for this life I get to live every day as well as the abundance of love, support and joy in my life. Every day is not smooth and I face my fair share of challenges, but even on my hardest days, I am filled with gratitude when I remember that my whole life is an answered prayer. Like I really prayed, worked hard, sweat, cried, and sacrificed for the life I have now with the level of peace and wisdom I have now.

Dress- Rumours | Shoes-Steve Madden

I have by no means "arrived" because everyone has room to grow and there are always new levels to experience, but I learned some life lessons and had some epiphanies over the past year I'd love to share with you. So here are some life lessons:

1. Celebrate every win no matter how big or small.

2. Write down your goals. Every single big goal I achieved this year started as a prayer and then I wrote it down in my journal, on my vision board, or in the notes app on my iPhone.

3. The most important validation comes from God. You are not always going to get a "good job", "thank you" or even basic acknowledgment for doing something good or great and that is okay as long as God is pleased with you and your work.

4. You will inspire people who never give you credit or express gratitude for your influence. 

Even when I don't publish a blog post, I make it a point to share food for thought on Instagram because my first goal as an influencer is to inspire people. Two weeks ago someone plagiarized a piece of my writing and it really upset me and hurt my feelings. I pour my heart out into my messages and sometimes it takes me a while to think about what I want to say and all my longer thought-provoking captions are always inspired by personal experience and are messages for the both of us. So when this person stole my words I had to remind myself that my mission is to inspire and clearly the person was so inspired that she stole my words without giving me credit lol.

5. Give and accept grace freely. There will be many times when we are in need of grace from others and ourselves and many opportunities will arise to show someone grace. Be kind to yourself and others in those moments.

6. Say yes to opportunities and experiences that have the potential to bring growth and rewards. I said yes to working the night shift for the foreseeable future in July 2020. Working nights was not conducive to my sleep schedule or family time on the nights I had work, but I did it for a year, got a promotion, and now I work daytime hours!

7.  Creating boundaries for how you spend your time and checking your capacity before you make plans to do something is a game-changer. We live in a world where the constant grind to get up and go after things is glorified, but it's also grueling so pace yourself because if you keep going without adequate rest breaks you are bound to burn out.

8. Dream big. Remember that promotion I told you about in point number 6? Well in 2016, the younger silly me told my boss at the time I had no aspirations to do the job I have now. The truth was that I was intimidated by the job and didn't think I could actually develop into the person worthy of that job. Well, I grew over the years and realized that I was playing small by thinking so little of myself.  Somewhere between 2018 and 2019 I went through a major mindset shift, grew a lot closer to God, and decided to start prayerfully going after everything He wants for me by walking in my purpose, dreaming big, thinking big, and praying more purposefully and my whole life changed!

I hope this blog post gave you food for thought and resonated with. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.