Notes From Auntie's Desk
Hey bbs! Happy 2023! Can I still get away with saying that?! *checks notes* I’d say so for another week. How is everyone’s year so far? Mine is quite slow, and I’m fine with that. I spent NYE down at Palm Heights and had such a sweet beginning to the year with friends and family.
Coming back to New York later that week, with Mercury in Microbraids I decided to just move at a slower pace. A few emails there…a few meetings here… I have big intentions ofc and want to achieve A LOT this year, but I feel like everyone is still in a ruminating and contemplative place at the moment—as am I. So I wanted to send a quick newsletter with my early thoughts for the year. We had a YFA epi this past Thursday on the topic of manifesting and intentions for 2023, so definitely check that out if you haven’t, and continue to read on for more…xx
What Is Auntie Manifesting This Year?
Damn, so much. During that weird purgatory week between Christmas and New Year’s, where one can’t identify what hour/day/week/month/year it is, I sat down and worked pretty religiously on a moodboard. I usually do magazine cutouts, but this year I pieced mine together via Canva because I really needed to ensure I had literal images of what I was calling in. I couldn’t let the universe leave anything up to interpretation. So I combed Pinterest for words, images, and far-flung places I imagined myself materializing and cobbled the vision altogether. Editing and rearranging as I kept getting closer and closer to my true manifestations.
And what I loved about this exercise was how real I got with myself around my heart’s desires–a phenomenon that Mara Brock Akil taught me earlier this year. The director lives her life by following the yearnings that sit deep within, and as romantic as it sounds, it’s a demanding exercise that really helps you confront what you want. You have to go in with no fear and a good dose of delusion so as to keep from editing your dreams or shrinking yourself.
So I sat there in that time vortex and began being honest with myself, and without giving away too much (gotta’ save something for myself) what came up for me was consistency, financial solvency, walking truly in my purpose, and ofc, a book deal.
2022 Highlights?
Becoming a dog mom, finishing my book proposal, finding a new book agent, and traveling to Palm Heights with uncle.
2022 Challenges?
2022 was actually a time of great loss for me. I’m still working through my grief of losing my dear cousin and a devastating friendship breakup that collided within weeks of one another. To say summer 2022 was lonely would be an understatement, but I got through by pouring myself into the friendships that needed more of my care and reconnecting with family that I was detached from.
What Is Auntie Looking Forward To This Year?
I think the thing I’m really looking forward to is turning 40. I feel like this is about to be an iconic era.
What Are Auntie’s New Fave Products This Year (So Far)?
As you know, I love skincare and am currently obsessed with the epi.logic True Calm cleanser and this Saro de Rué Freeze Dried Hylauronic Acid System. You take this little tablet and drop a few drops of activator from a tincture and watch the two dissolve into a super effective serum. My skin is loving it right now. But there’s more…
What Trends Are Auntie Embracing This Year?
I have to say that I have already become addicted to TikTok. A post I did on my 2022 style went kinda sorta viral and I was shocked at the massive engagement and growth the platform allows for. Within a day, I had 2000 new followers…IG could never! It got me thinking, though, about how I’ve really grown to resent and become fearful of my time on IG. Despite the fact that I have been able to forge a community on the platform, I know I’m not alone when I say that I have become frustrated with the suppression. IG’s algorithm makes no sense whatsoever, but we do know it continues to favor certain people and certain content, which makes it feel almost impossible to grow if you don’t fall into certain categories. I often feel defeated and worn out from too much time on there, if I’m going to be honest. Like I said on a TikTok earlier this week, IG is a hater lol
So follow me over on TikTok. I’m going to be playing a lot on the app…
In the meantime, be sure to wish little Oso a Happy Birthday (he turned 1 on Sunday!) and check out Auntie’s Faves, below:
