Reflection...
To what's behind {+ yet to come}...
We made it! Can you believe it?
If you have a heartbeat, you realize this year has been a wild ride and a whirlwind of events! I will spare you from listing all the torturous happenings we’ve all been exposed to, but if you’re like me, you’re ready to wrap this year up!
Nonetheless, this has also been an EXTRAORDINARY YEAR!
And as it ends, I’m giving myself a HUGE F***ING high-five!
I committed to WRITING + SHARING my work publicly, and that’s what I’ve done this year. YAY ME!
I am incredibly proud of myself for resisting the traps of overthinking, perfectionism, writing to please everyone, or giving up because of a lack of confidence! There are writers on this platform whose work I deeply admire—every word is thoughtfully chosen and placed, their themes seamless, and their professional polish so impressive that I question if they are all Marketing Agents or Public Relations SMEs {subject matter experts}!
My SUBSTACK SUBSCRIBERS are few, but MIGHTY!
One prominent Substack writer said, “If you don’t hype you, then who will?”
This is me HYPING MYSELF!
What I’ve written in my 1st year on Substack has been:
Intimate
Thought-provoking
Vulnerable
Engaging
Intentional
Messy
Tear-jerking
Funny
Teachable
Quirky
Authentic
Honest
+ imperfect.
A FEW NEWSLETTER FLASHBACKS:
Womaning While Black - The Creation + Trademark
Earlier this year, I watched an interview with a Black Woman that left me unsettled and deeply frustrated. It was a stark reminder of how the cautionary phrase Womaning While Black™—a term I trademarked to highlight the unique aggressions and challenges Black women endure, often unnoticed by others—was tragically overlooked. Womaning While Black™ is more than just a phrase; it’s a powerful narrative and image that captures the lived experiences of Black women. It sheds light on our distinctive struggles, obstacles, and triumphs, offering a voice to stories that too often go untold.
This has grown from a term to a full-blown business idea, and I’m excited to see where it goes in 2025!
Another cool thing happened…
I turned 50!!!
{Thank you, God, Universe, Dirt, Air, etc.}
I traveled both near + far to celebrate, visiting:
London, England
Cardiff, Wales
Dublin, Ireland
Paris, France
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Brugge, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
Cologne, Germany
Zurich, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
Obilia, Sardinia
Cagliari, Sardinia
Rome, Italy
Milan, Italy
Barcelona, Spain
Ibiza, Spain
Cannes, France
Dominican Republic
The Bahamas
Miami, Florida
New York, New York
Denver, Colorado
…and counting!
For me, traveling is a transformative experience that opens doors and offers a refreshing shift in perspectives and ideas. It’s my way of stepping outside the familiar, immersing myself in new cultures, and discovering inspiration in unexpected places. It fuels my creativity, revitalizes my spirit, and allows me to reconnect with my sense of purpose and well-being. It’s how I fill my creative cup and recharge, returning each time with renewed energy and a broader vision of what’s possible for my days ahead.
As 2024 comes to an end, maybe you will be dressed in loose and easy-to-expand clothing, taking a deep breath, plopping down on a comfy sofa, feet up, and with a book or remote in hand {only fun stuff}, taking a much-needed break from it all!
Or, like me, traveling across the country as nothing beats a change of scenery and brings a good dose of inspiration better than a fun-filled road trip!
LESSONS LEARNED in 2024:
All writing is writing.
‘Womaning While Black™’ is bigger + better than I imagined!
Keep writing, + they will come.
I am POWERFUL + WORTH the investment.
Save my best YES!, being sure not to give them away so freely.
LOOKING FORWARD:
‘Womaning While Black™’ - Let’s GO!! Book + Documentary in the works!
Continue writing on Substack because I LOVE IT HERE!
Gift myself an annual subscription to a Substack from which I want more.
Attend more opportunities offered by AWR membership.
Continue intentionally building my tribe.
Water + Walking + Writing…these are my focus.
QUESTIONS FOR YOU:
Thank you for reading this!
1} If a friend might enjoy this, would you consider sharing it? Just click the button below.
2} Or, perhaps, would you consider recommending ‘Journaling with…’ on your page to help more people discover my writings? I promise to continue fulfilling my end of the deal by submitting weekly, and though they may not be perfect, you and whomever you recommend will see my effort!
I am eager to grow + develop more as a writer in 2025, so your help would mean the world to me.
Now, go wrap yourself up in something cozy + enjoy a slow burning fire, or, if you’re in a warmer climate, with the most potent fruity drink you can find in hand, put your feet in the sand + just be!
Until next time…+ 2025…happy writing!
Oh this is full and rich. Self-hyping looks good on you and had a profound effect on me. When you wrote about what you did this year, particularly the part that included not buying into perfectionism, you birthed a greater space for yourself. You chose to be seen just a little bit more. Okay, a lot more. Your space became vast. Now, I am going to spread out. Thank you, Benivia.
“Water, walking, writing.” Love it!! 🖤🤟🏽