disclaimer: longest post ever.

The Liebster is an award given to bloggers by bloggers to introduce readers to newer or lesser known blogs and to get to know the person behind the posts by answering a few questions. I was nominated by the lovely + talented Joy Josephs for yet another blogger award and, sheesh, it makes a lady feel gooooood! Joy is an amazing writer. [I’m honored to be recognized and nominated by you, Joy!] If you haven’t already, I insist you take a gander at her blog; I guarantee you will be moved.

As I’ve mentioned, I don’t blog for attention. [I’m more of the reach one, teach one type.] I think it’s damaging to one’s psyche to get caught up in the numbers game, so I don’t play it. Blogging is an essential creative release for me and knowing that amazing individuals like you all -my faithful and part-time readers alike- continuously take away something from my works and the works of others that I share, that is why I do it. That is what makes it so special. So thank you.

Ahem, so to answer your questions, Joy:

1. What inspired you to begin blogging? I needed a creative release. I was working at a job that not only took up all of my time, but also hindered my growth. I was dying! Blogging was my escape. Plus I was really into fashion [which I still am], so blogging was a platform to share my ideas and taste.

2. What was one thing you found difficult to write/blog about that you eventually overcame? Heartache. Heartache from not knowing who I was. Heartache from watching a close friend self-destruct. Who wants to hear about those things, right? Before, I prided my blog on being upbeat, but hindsight shows me that it lacked depth. I mean, really, anyone could write what I was writing. I noticed that when I tapped into those deeper, less tangible layers of myself, more people responded because they could relate. That encouraged me to keep on that path.

3. What advice would you give the 13 year old you? Trust yourself. Be kinder to yourself. It’s good to be different. Don’t give naysayers the power to bring you down to their uninspired level. Follow your heart.

4. If you could be any color, what would you be and why? I love love love and have always loved my shade of brown. I don’t know anything different.

5. If you had to give your life a title, what would it be? To keep it simple, I’ll say Growth. I grow up a little more with each impactful experience, good or bad.

6. What is one aspect of yourself that you would like to change? You’d never know, but I overthink. I find it very difficult to just let certain things go or relinquish control due to overthinking. The first step is recognizing that it’s a problem, right?

7. What is your favorite genre of music? What genre of music do you hate? It’s ever-changing. {DMX used to be my jam if you can believe it.} But I think the sultry side of experimental r+b has most of my heart right now; Abra, Nao, Kelela and The Internet get daily play.

I can’t get into heavy metal or the like. It’s jarring. I like snapping my fingers, two-steppin, bobbing my head and singing along, so metal just doesn’t do it for me.

8. What is one quality you look for in a significant other? This is tough! Listing my must haves would have been much easier, but to give one LONG answer, I’d say self-awareness. Being conscious of who you are breeds confidence and confidence breeds honesty. A man that is self-aware tends to stay in his lane [or create his own] because he has nothing to prove. His self-awareness keeps him open to recognize when improvements are needed. He is unbothered by what others think because he knows himself. From what I’ve seen, men like that tend to be happier and find joy in solitude. They aren’t easily swayed by opposing opinions + don’t hesitate to swim against the current.

9. If there had to be one universal truth, what would it be? Spread love. Love comes in infinite forms: Loving yourself. Loving your people. Sharing knowledge. Constructive criticism. Genuine hugs. Quality time. Being your authentic self. Encouraging others. Being present..

And if we have no forms of love to offer, we should just have a seat and be quiet.

and lastly…

10. Who or what is your favorite poet/poem and why? I’m such a fan of many poets that I can’t name just one, but Maya Angelou has a great way with words, giving you a hefty dose of reality in the sweetest tone. Lauryn Hill is an amazing poetess and storyteller. Warsan Shire also has a mighty collection of masterpieces. Joy, your arsenal is impressive, beautifully worded and always felt. And I love Crystal Valentine‘s voice + delivery.

As of late, I like The Period Poem by Dominique Christina. It’s sad, funny, very relatable, heavy, light-hearted and real.

Again, Joy, thank you for the nomination. I always tell myself that I am really not that interesting, but..but maybe I am..

All these rules:

If you have been nominated for The Liebster Award, and you choose to accept it, write a blog post about the Liebster award in which you:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog.

2. Display the award on your blog.

3. Answer the questions provided by the person who nominated you.

4. Nominate 5-11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have less than 1000 followers. You can always ask the blog owner this since not all blogs display a widget that let readers know this information.

5. Create a new list of questions for the bloggers to answer.

6. List these rules in your post. Once you have written and published it, you then have to:

7. Inform the people/blogs that you nominated them for The Liebster Award, and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it.

I absolutely love every blog/ger I follow, so don’t feel slighted if you didn’t make the cut this time; my love for you runs deep. I choose to nominate the lovely Spiritchi, the hometown homie Shanice Sade, my gorgeous twin Sachét, the amazing + kindhearted  Nosy Josie, the super creative Soular Lioness and the hilarious Ashlee over at Pink Gumbeaux.

I read something like the nominees must have less than 1,000 followers.. I didn’t really check on all that. And I promise my feelings won’t be hurt if you choose not to participate; some of you have certain context and a specific flow to your blog-I get it. But if you do opt to partake, I’m wondering..

1). When did you start your blog and why?

2). What is one of your big goals that you have met or hope to accomplish?

3). What’s your favorite season/time of year?

4). What’s the last book you read?

5). Name something you love about yourself.

6). What’s on your playlist?

7). What is one thing people are surprised to learn about you?

8). Describe your perfect day.

9). If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

10). What advice would you give your 13 year old self?

Thanks again for the nomination, Joy! This was fun.

❤