After years of mourning my great-grandmother’s death, I embarked on a journey to research my family history. What started as an effort to heal became a fascinating exploration into the lives of my ancestors. From discovering handwritten family records in my aunt’s Bible to using DNA testing to uncover over 800 relatives, the journey has been both time-consuming and rewarding. Now, I’m faced with a mystery I can’t let go: my second great-grandmother’s connection to an enslaver’s family and the intriguing Irish origins I’ve uncovered in my DNA. Join me as I continue piecing together the past and uncover the stories that shaped my family.

On Mother’s Day, my daughter’s questions about motherhood led me to reflect on my parenting style, which I’ve coined “supervised emancipation.” I focus on teaching my children essential life skills at their developmental pace, from chores to finances, while also encouraging them to express their feelings and understand their rights. My goal is to create a strong, unique bond with them, guiding them to live beyond me and become the best versions of themselves. Parenting isn’t just about teaching rules—it’s about helping children discover their passions and preparing them for life beyond childhood.

The January 6 insurrection highlighted the deep divides and contradictions within our society. In reflecting on this event, I explore the influence of double standards in our government, the consequences of misinformation, and the importance of understanding our rights. Despite the chaos, I urge us to learn from these lessons—know the rules, understand the facts, and approach situations with caution. By doing so, we can move toward healing and break free from the traps of division and injustice that have been set in place.

Balancing parenting, personal goals, and the need for additional income can feel overwhelming, especially when life constantly pulls you in different directions. In this post, I reflect on the challenge of finding time for myself amid daily responsibilities. Despite completing blogs and other tasks, I often struggle to turn them in due to distractions. Yet, I’m motivated by the reality of inflation and uncertainty, pushing me to seek new ways to create revenue streams. With a change in mindset, I’m determined to overcome these challenges and keep moving forward, knowing things will get better in due time.

Sometimes, silence is the answer to finding balance in life. In this post, I reflect on the importance of quieting the noise around me to address unresolved issues and protect my mental health. By confronting these lingering problems, I aim to create peace and harmony, reducing the stress that drains me. While not all challenges can be resolved, I focus on what I can fix to create a brighter, simpler future for myself.

In 2022, I decided to forgo the typical New Year’s resolutions and focus on one thing: completion. I realized I had a pattern of starting projects and leaving them unfinished, so this year is all about crossing things off my list. From learning how to do a full face of makeup to relaunching my apparel shop, Life’s Small Print, and even reducing my sodium intake, I’m dedicated to wrapping up tasks I’ve put off for too long. Join me on this journey of personal growth and goal completion as I embrace the challenges and successes of this year.

In this reflective post, I explore the patterns in my relationships and why I tend to attract the wrong type of people. Looking back, I realized my struggles with people-pleasing and allowing myself to be mistreated stemmed from unfinished moments from my childhood. Growing up with my father, I always sought guidance and validation from him, but when he was incarcerated, I felt abandoned and left to navigate life alone. This feeling of unfinished business translated into my adult relationships, where I continuously tried to fix things with people who weren’t willing to change. Through this self-reflection, I’ve learned to own my choices, set boundaries, and pave my own path toward healthier relationships.