Rediscovering My Voice: Embracing Travel, Culture, and the Joy of Living
Growing up, I was captivated by stories of far-off places and cultures that seemed worlds away from my own. Michael Palin's adventures—filled with exotic foods and strange customs—ignited my imagination. Yet, as I watched him traverse the globe, there was always something missing: none of the explorers looked like me.
There’ll most definitely be some smudges along the way, but it’ll be real—it’ll be me.
My mother, however, was my hero. She was the only Black woman I knew who dared to explore new countries and cultures, showing me that the world was ours to discover—even when representation told us otherwise. Her courage and curiosity instilled in me a deep-seated belief that travel, exploration, and embracing the beauty of life were not just for others, but for us too.
But the truth is, that even in 2024, across Beyonce's internet, there still aren’t enough stories of women like me. There still aren't enough of us showcasing our travels, finding ourselves, and sharing all the trials and tribulations that come from embracing the beauty of life. We deserve to see ourselves in these narratives—to see ourselves in love, in joy, in exploration. Our journeys matter, and our stories deserve to be seen, celebrated, and cherished.
This is a reminder that life is precious and fleeting. We have but one life to live on this beautiful, vast planet. Explore it with passion and courage before it’s too late. And that is why I’m starting anew.
"That was then and this is now, what are you gonna do about it?"
Once upon a time, I found solace in the words I put down. As a voracious reader, a fervent writer, and a lover of living in my own head, writing was my way of connecting with the world. But then life happened. Be it health challenges or heartache, my words betrayed me. I stopped writing down my thoughts and started becoming afraid of what it would mean if I ever fully confronted them.
But no longer. I'm starting my blog.
One of my favorite song lyrics goes: "That was then and this is now, what are you gonna do about it?" So, I'll tell you what I'm going to do... In my 30s, when the naivety of youth is hanging on by it's fingertips, my head has accepted its fate and started unashamedly inviting gray hairs in, and common sense is beckoning me to acknowledge her existence—I’m going to write.
What do I want out of all of this?
To spread joy whenever and wherever I can. If I can make you chuckle at a silly sorry, share a mouthwatering recipe, guide you to a must-see landmark in some far-flung place, encourage you to dine at somewhere you'd have probably overlooked, or show you a neat hack to grow a beautiful garden, then so be it.
It won’t always be neat and Instagrammable. There’ll most definitely be some smudges along the way, but it’ll be real—it’ll be me. (She/me) I’ll be doing the living.
My blog will be a space where the beauty of life, in all its forms, is celebrated and shared. Come along for the ride, because our stories, our joys, and our journeys deserve to be seen.
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