Well, it's been 6 months since I lost my job and was pushed into Freelancing Full-time and let me tell you, I am proud of myself for only almost quitting once!
Back in 2017, I was just sitting around my studio apartment just sweltering in my own misery. Literally sweltering, but also from my hell-like job at the time. It was tolerable, I was working in Retail and I always enjoyed the act of making people leave happier than when they first came in but I just could not for the life of me keep my mental health together! I felt like I was on a treadmill eating Dunkin Donuts, working super hard just to do what I want, but harming myself in the process. I slapped together my first Wix site and made a recipe style blog post about getting yourself out of a rut. Why did I publish it on to the big wide web? Who knows. But I did and a lot more people related to my struggle than I would've thought. I felt less alone and I grew companions, it was amazing.
It felt so right, so I ran with it; writing and creating things ever so often had become my favorite pass-time and it's stuck with me ever since.
Fast forward to 6 months ago, I was working another job that I didn't loathe, but was just wasting my time. The air that I was breathing felt like it was being thrown right into the garbage. I lost the job, and when I walked out of the doors I was instantly filled with more relief than I have EVER felt. It felt like "What it feels like to chew 5 gum."!
I immediately started working on my personal branding, enhancing my skills, organizing more projects, and building a community. I've learned a lot of things about myself and about working with other people pursuing careers like my own:
+ Boundaries are extremely important.
+ Create a routine for yourself to practice consistency.
+ Do the work, play later.
+ In transitional times, it's okay to separate yourself and take time to reassess yourself and your situation, loved ones will understand.
+ Don't be afraid to ask for help.
+ Cold calling is easier than you think.
+ The law of attraction DOES 10,000% work.
+ Create a work-life balance that allows time for self-care.
+ Youtube is my REAL best friend
AND LASTLY MY FAVORITE
+ Think of others as companions rather than competitors (Shoutout Alan for programming this in my head). Think about how can we help each other? Often we find ourselves comparing our work to others but look inwards when thinking like this and ask yourself: How come I am feeling this way? Should I expand my horizons? Do I need to practice more? Could I contact this person for help or work with them?
I haven't perfected all of these, and it will probably be a long time before I actually do. When it comes to starting up I believe that it will take about a year for me to get all of my systems set in place.. I honestly experiment with everything to find out what works best for me and that process alone is a long one. From social media marketing to sleeping patterns, it's a trial and error process baby. I'm not rushing, and I appreciate you all for going through the up and down moments with me *Heart Eyes*. My goal is to provide my community with resources that will help them to develop and connect them with inspiration and opportunities. I want to give back but I was told you can't help others if you can't help yourself... Well, I am under construction but that doesn't stop me from persevering and that shouldn't be the case for you either! We in this together boo!
An observation I've had when communicating with people in my field and researching trends on social media is that black womxn are constantly being erased or snubbed. As subjects, we are glorified. As creators, we are left in the dark, working twice as hard to get credit and opportunities that we are overqualified for. It shouldn't be like that, so I vow, as I always have, to prioritize the expansion of black womxn and black people, in general, the best way that I can. This is where I come from, I've grown up seeing my mother miss out on moments she should've been acknowledged more because she's an amazingly hard worker. I have been in work environments where my job has been threatened due to the mishaps of my managers. Young girls held up from receiving their education due to their hair. Marketing in my community is filled with the promotion of addictive and damaging substances or products (ie cigarettes, less conscious and ecofriendly beauty products). Black men being pushed into fields that put good money on the table but keep them away from their dreams. Media, constantly portraying us as this or that. The glorification of our culture in different hues than our own. The list of disadvantages, deceit, and discouragement of black folks is a sport. The reward is calculated income sourced from adaptation to trauma.
With all of that being said, I feel a pressure on my shoulders. Maybe even a hug around my body, covered by the wings of my guardian angel. I'm doing this not just for me, but for us. Like so many others, I want to set an example for our posterity and create a space for them to feel comfortable to be them unapologetically and grow limitlessly. When you see 1EvilHousewife, I just hope that you see the challenge for change and are up to it.
It's 2020; what a fine fucking year to start a revolution.
What do you think? How is 2020 treating you? Has black history month opened your eyes to anything new? Have you accomplished anything that your younger self would be proud of yet?
Comment below!