Thoughts From the Notebook

Will I ever be good enough? Will I ever be able to assist people and accept their thanks? I want to be able to see what others see in me. My mama always tells me that I am amazing and that she is thankful for me. Why can’t I see that? I don’t know if

Love Me

I love me I love me not I love me I love me not I don’t know what I love about me What is there to love about a woman who’s mentally struggling? I am so depleted from running away from love I don’t know if I ever loved me Why should I? Love is

Texting Anxiety

*9:00 PM Me: Hey Anxiety. I want to tell you some good news. Anxiety: Good news? What is it? Me: Yes! I got a job!!! After being jobless for 3 and a half months, I got a job! *Read at 10:30 PM *10:50 PM Me: Hello? Are you there? Anxiety: Yeah. Me: So, no good

A Little Pick Me Up for Little Ari

Hey Little Ari!   I know this week has been rough for you, but I wanted to write you something that will put a smile on your face. I hope these words will make you realize that you are loved and valued. Little Ari, you are allowed to cry about losing something that you wanted.

Stupid Girl

Why did I allow myself to think that I could bring back something that was never meant to be? I wish I didn’t care as much as I do about this. It has never been a time when I felt so stupid as I do right now. I am so quick to think that everything

Black Tears on Loop

Black Tears on Loop Yesterday, I saw a piece in the museum by Ebony G. Patterson called ‘…the kings weep…”  that made me cry. The work is a video installation that portrays three men dressing while tears quietly roll down their cheeks. While the three men are dressing, you hear the voice of a young

The Shift

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” — Maya Angelou Going into my 35th year this year, I noticed that I have been shifting a lot in the past two years. And this shift that is taking place is not pleasant.

Self-Love

Rooting For the Girl in the Mirror

Hey Girl,I know that we are on month three of finding your new path, but I want to tell you that I am still behind you. You have everything that you need to make an impact wherever you go. Do not let that nasty thought of you not being good enough because that is not

Gaining Patience

Hi. My name is Ari, and I have no patience (Hi Ari). Seriously, I never had any patience. My Mama said that as a child, I always wanted to rush things along to check it off to say that I did it. So now, as a 34-year-old woman trying to unlearn this horrible habit is