Who’s Pouring Into Me?
I've always been the person who figures it out, handles things on my own, and finds a way forward. But after months of unemployment, isolation, and navigating some of the most difficult circumstances of my life, I started asking myself a question I couldn't ignore: How many times have I poured love into someone, but who's pouring into me? A reflection on hyper-independence, adult friendships, and the uncomfortable realization that being the person who always seems fine doesn't mean you don't need people to show up for you.
The Emotional Toll No One Warns You About
I knew leaving a job that was draining me would come with uncertainty, but I didn't anticipate how much unemployment would affect my sense of stability, independence, and ability to enjoy life. Eight months later, I'm confronting the fear of losing what I've built, the isolation of a prolonged job search, and the emotional toll of navigating a future I never anticipated. Because choosing your peace doesn't necessarily make what comes next any easier.
I QUIT
After years in tech and marketing, I reached a point where corporate America was costing me more than it was giving me. I walked away from a job that was draining my mental and physical health, only to find myself navigating a job market that seemed determined to keep me out. After 1,000+ applications and only a handful of interviews, I'm questioning the rat race, redefining what success looks like, and trying to build a life around the work that actually feeds my soul.
The Last Student of the Game
J. Cole has always been more than just a rapper I enjoy. His music has soundtracked different stages of my life, from navigating self-esteem issues and figuring out my direction to finding an artist whose vulnerability and honesty resonated with me. As anticipation for The Fall Off builds, I'm reflecting on the mixtape era, the artists who shaped my love for hip-hop, and a question I can't shake: Is J. Cole one of the last true students of the game? A look at nostalgia, artistic intention, and what gets lost when today's rap landscape stops appreciating the culture that came before it.
I’m Too Grown For This Shit
Between dating disappointments, friends making choices they aren't ready to change, and the endless discourse on social media, I reached a point where I was simply over it. I was tired of giving advice nobody took, being the wake-up call for people who weren't ready to change, and pouring energy into things that no longer served me. For the first time, I decided to step back, get comfortable with my own company, and prioritize what matters most: comfort, peace, and tranquility.