Life has been moving fast, and sometimes, you have to take a moment to pause and check in with yourself. Between job transitions, personal growth, and the ever-evolving landscape of life, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting. And if the past few weeks have taught me anything, it’s that we need to make space for ourselves—to rest, to heal, and to set new intentions.
This check-in is about where I am, what’s on my heart, and how I’m prioritizing my well-being. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or trying to navigate a period of transition, I hope my journey resonates with you.
Reevaluating Priorities: Cutting Out the Noise
The last few weeks have been heavy—not just for me but for many people. With everything happening in the world, it’s easy to get caught up in the 24-hour news cycle, but I realized I had to step back for my own sanity.
I made a conscious decision to limit my consumption of cable news. No CNN, MSNBC, or even the occasional curiosity-driven check-in on Fox News. It wasn’t serving me. Instead, I’ve been focusing on things that bring me joy and keep me grounded, like reconnecting with books, spending time in therapy, and pouring energy into my creative passions.
Returning to Therapy: Breaking Through Mental Blocks
Speaking of therapy—I’m back at it weekly, and let me tell you, it has been necessary. Sometimes we think we’re “good” until we realize we’re just pushing things down. Therapy is helping me work through challenges from the past few years, as well as the ways I’ve held myself back. Growth requires honesty, and I’m committed to doing the work.
One major realization? Healing is not just about getting better; it’s about understanding why we struggle in the first place. It’s about unlearning the patterns that no longer serve us and stepping into our fullest selves. This process isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.
Finishing Grad School: What’s Next?
In just a couple of weeks, I’ll be finishing my grad program, and that reality is both exciting and slightly terrifying. For so long, school has been a major focus in my life, and now that it’s ending, I’m faced with the question: What’s next?
One thing I know for sure is that I want to use this extra time intentionally. One of my goals? Reading more.
The 2025 Black. Girl. Iowa. Reading Challenge
Books have always been my escape and my education. So, I decided to put together a reading challenge for 2025 featuring books I already own—because let’s be honest, I don’t need to buy more just yet!
Some highlights from my list:
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- American Royalty by Tracey Livesay (a fiction romance!)
- Almost There: A Twisted Tale by Farrah Rochon (a Princess Tiana retelling!)
- A Promised Land by Barack Obama
I’ll be posting the full list on my blog, and I’d love for others to join me in this challenge. Whether you want to read more for leisure, learning, or both—let’s do this together!
Social Media Growth & Community Building
Something exciting that’s happened recently? A TikTok post of mine went viral! With nearly 80,000 views and thousands of likes, it really showed me the power of using my voice.
The post centered around a conversation on how white people can actively support Black communities in the coming years. The discourse was interesting, to say the least. But it made me even more committed to creating content that uplifts, informs, and sparks real conversations.
I’m currently just shy of 10,000 followers on TikTok, and I’m embracing this growth. More content, more discussions, and more connection—because the Black. Girl. Iowa. community is only getting bigger.
Protecting the Black. Girl. Iowa. Space
This podcast has always been about celebrating and amplifying the experiences of Black women connected to Iowa. And that’s something I will always protect. This space is for us—to rest, to reflect, to have hard conversations, and to uplift each other.
As Black women, we deserve rest. We deserve peace. We deserve joy. And as I move forward, that’s what I want to continue to cultivate—not just in my own life, but in this space I’ve built.
Looking Ahead: Intentions for the Future
With grad school wrapping up and more free time on the horizon, I’m setting new intentions:
- Getting back to creative projects—including writing more, journaling, and expanding the podcast.
- Curating more intentional content—especially on social media, where I can engage in meaningful conversations.
- Prioritizing my mental and emotional well-being—because healing is an ongoing journey.
And, of course, continuing to build this community. Because this is bigger than me. This is for every Black woman who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or undervalued. This is for us.
Closing Thoughts
This check-in was necessary—for me, and hopefully for you, too. Life moves fast, and it’s so easy to get caught up in everything happening around us. But we have to pause. We have to reflect. We have to make space for ourselves.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Step away from the noise. Give yourself permission to rest. You are not alone in this journey.
I’d love to hear from you—how are you checking in with yourself? What are you prioritizing in this season? Let’s continue this conversation.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok (@blackgirliowa), check out my blog for the 2025 reading challenge, and stay tuned for more episodes of Black. Girl. Iowa.
Until next time, take care of yourself. You deserve it.
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