I've decided to start sharing a mini self check series. It will document my thoughts in a repeatable format and take stock of the past 3 months. It's called Taking Stock.
Over the years, Sharon Mundia of Thisisess and Pip Lincolne of Meetmeatmike's have inspired me with their own accounts of taking stock. I particularly enjoy how fluid the format is and so I thought I'd try my own version.
For this season in my life, I'm:
Making a deeper assessment about something I heard someone say: 'revelation is just alignment to the original journey God had initially mapped out for you' Wow!
Watching and enjoying how educational and entertaining MTV Shuga Down South is. It is set in East, West and South Africa and the writers and cast of this show are just phenomenal. They've taken great care in crafting a story and characters that not only resonate, but also highlight and sensitise the younger generation in Africa about HIV, rape, domestic violence, drugs, broken families amongst many other things; things that I never really fully understood when I was growing up.
Wondering about Beyoncé's personal creative spurts. Are they regular? Do they come as one huge epiphany? How does she work through bringing her vision to life? How does she channel her creativity ever so beautifully and effortlessly? Imagine the magic she and Riri would create if they teamed up!
Looking continuously for different ways to get real deep inspiration so that I can become a better version of myself
Liking that more and more, my experiences are confirming that the way I truly inspire others is by being myself. Not what I think people want me to be, or what the people that inspire me are.
Considering writing a blog post on music. I like how it just is. How it allows me to never to dial down the care of my thoughts, nor the fervor of my emotions. It inspires, comforts and challenges me to experience life, reflect, think and feel in ways like nothing else can.
Hoping to always remember that everything I do matters - always! No matter how small, it will have a ripple effect. If I always keep my word, I will always be known as dependable. If I'm always 10 minutes late for work, lunch with my friends or dinner with my family, that's not only confirming to myself who I am, but it's also telling people who I am and what they should expect from me.
Marvelling at how brown women all over the world are continuing to shine no matter their histories and circumstances - see what I mean in this complex conversation
Noticing now more than ever how the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental parts of me are all inter-connected. I can't be whole if one part of me isn't functioning as it should. My goal is to be more intentional about being unabridged
Knowing and continuously confirming that my home is a safe space. One where I can be vulnerable, and be comfortable enough to open myself up. This allows those closest to me to express their own vulnerabilities without fear of judgement and shame. We shouldn't care too much about what our homes look like, we should direct our focus instead on how home should make us feel.
Sorting a lot of my items using the konmari method. I don't look at messes in the same way ever since I discovered the legend that is Marie Kondo
Remembering that I am worthy, not because of where I am, who I am, who I know - but because I am made in the image of God, therefore I am meant for greatness!
Wanting to invest in my relationships more. It's no fault to anyone in particular as to why we don't keep in touch as much; because as we grow, our time is taken up by responsibility. We all evolve. Work, children and life happen. It's no excuse not to try, and it's not that I haven’t found time to reach out; it’s that I haven’t made time. So, I will do more to proactively nourish my relationships, so that ultimately we can flourish. That aside, I continuously experience great relationships, so I'd like to keep them strong and nurture the few that have great potential.
Reading The Third Space by Adam Fraser because everyone needs their sanity, right? Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams because I like the occasional emotionally dark story. Im especially looking forward to getting my copy of I miss you when I blink by Mary Laura Philpott
Considering re-reading one on one of my favourites of all time Am I There Yet? by Mari Andrew Learning that mistakes are a brilliant teacher because they add value and remain significant in our lives. That -- is more important than focussing on the mistake itself.
Buying nothing I don't need because - Marie Kondo. Feeling more confident in knowing that when you do your part through hard work, dedication, commitment, God comes through. Also, that I need to change my mindset from being that 'prayer is a tedious chore' to working on remembering that He's ever-present and just waiting for me to get out of my own head and work on ways to constantly engage Him. It doesn't have to be by constantly sitting in isolation, kneeling down to pray, but by awakening my conscious to this.
Loving that I'm constantly reminded by those around me at home, at work and generally that life is too short for us to do the bare minimum. Working on how to fix the things (see above) that I require to live it to the fullest Wearing warmer clothes and playing with my makeup now that summer is done. It also allows me to have a little 'me' time, in the morning, which I absolutely love. Come through spring!
Yearning for a trip to the ever so beautiful Morrocco. I want to enjoy all the beautiful scenery, tasty food, hospitable people, and a quality and simplicity of life that is rare in our days.
Enjoying podcasts so much. They're the best. Do you listen to podcasts? If so, please share so that I can add on to a few of my faves which you check out here
Deciding not to wallow in self-pity when things aren't going my way. Im learning to see the bigger picture and be more objective. I'm looking beyond 'i'm in pain now' 'I'm hurting now' 'God fix this now' I'm working on understanding what God wants to strip from me so I can come out of it better; a more rounded version of myself; more equipped to receive even more blessings and favor. (Thank you for attending my TED talk)
Drinking more and more Bengal spice tea. I recently discovered this herbal tea and I thoroughly enjoy it because the cinnamon, roasted carob and ginger flavours are intense but they keep me from reaching for some sugar loaded treats when the urge hits.
Waiting on God's timing - always! There's nothing like His love. Pondering on the fact that I am where I am supposed to be in every moment that I am, and when the time to move comes, I will move to the next phase. Thinking about how much setting boundaries helps me maintain sanity and clarity. It teaches people how to treat me, and I'm (slowly) starting to understand that 'No' is a complete sentence. Basking constantly in God's love. There's also nothing like it.
Following phenomenal digital illustrators. <<you may have noticed, I'm showcasing their art in this post>> Mari Andrew and Eeni Edit are next level. However, one can't ignore the beauty that is anxiety_wellbeing and this borderless creative Awele Emili. So dope! Almost feels like I'm in a parallel universe whenever I see their work. Morgan Harper Nichols' delicate words always make me feel like God is talking directly to me. Veronica Dearly constantly confirms that she just gets me! Wishing Pearson could start airing ASAP Hearing, feeling, seeing and continuously witnessing just how beautiful my little family unit really is. How blessed I am to be a part of it.
Needing to watch the latest episodes of Chef's Table.
. Admiring the inner beauty of sunflowers: I read somewhere that on a cloudy day, when the sun is completely covered by clouds, it's easy to assume that sunflowers wither or turn their heads to the ground. Well, they don't! They turn towards each other to share their energy until the sun comes back out again. Nature's perfection is unmistakeable.
Playing Mereba and Jhene Aiko via Spotify
Disliking the negative impacts of social media to our generation. Words fail me. Smelling imaginary gardenia flowers. I wish more florists stocked them. Wishing you everything that brings you better energy.
Do you occasionally take stock of your own life too? If you'd like to try and make it more 'tangible', here's the original list :-)
Making:
Cooking:
Drinking:
Reading:
Wanting:
Looking:
Playing:
Deciding:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Waiting:
Liking:
Wondering:
Loving:
Pondering:
Considering:
Watching:
Hoping:
Marvelling:
Needing:
Smelling:
Wearing:
Following:
Noticing:
Knowing:
Thinking:
Admiring:
Sorting:
Buying:
Getting:
Bookmarking:
Disliking:
Opening:
Giggling:
Feeling:
Snacking:
Coveting:
Wishing:
Helping:
Hearing:
Love and Light,
Fiona
