BONUS! What makes you feel at your best?

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Slay Girl Slay, and the host asked: *What makes you feel the most feminine?* It got me thinking—what makes you feel your best? What’s something that puts you on cloud nine, without relying on a substance?  

For me, I had to learn to separate my happiness from being happy for other's. For a long time, my joy came from other people’s happiness. I didn’t have an identity outside of being a daughter, sister, mother, or friend. That realization made me ask myself: What makes Christina happy? What can I do for me, or with me, that brings genuine joy?  

So, I challenge you—as we close out this tough year (it’s been horrible for me; hopefully, you had a better year, chile)—to think about what gives you genuine happiness. What makes you feel your absolute best? And how can you incorporate that into your lifestyle?  

For me:

1. Getting dressed and going out: I love dressing up, especially in the Fall and Winter. I’m obsessed with a good pair of boots—riding boots, in particular. The crazy thing is, I hadn’t had a good, new pair of boots in years. So, I treated myself to some for my birthday.  

2. Perfume: This year, I started buying perfume for myself. I began with dupes from T.J. Maxx and Burlington, then graduated to Ulta, where I picked up two small bottles. I used to stick to light scents from Bath & Body Works, but now, baby, I’m in love with real perfumes!  

3. Hair appointments: Once upon a time, I went every two weeks for my bobs, every 4-6 weeks for a sew-in, and every 2-3 months (with touch-ups in between) for Senegalese twists. Now that I have locs, I like my Rasta look, but I know I could definitely use more frequent touch-ups.  

4. Nails, feet, and facials: This is an area I’ve neglected, chile, but it’s time to get back into the groove.  

Now it’s your turn. What can you do to remind yourself that you are that CHICK? What makes you feel like your absolute best self?  

It’s easy to lose yourself in life. As a single mother, business owner, employee, student, and someone fighting a mental health battle, I completely understand. But let me remind you (and myself): GET YOU TOGETHER! You deserve it. The people in your life deserve to see you at your highest potential, despite life’s obstacles. Life happens, circumstances will pass, but getting back to you is hard. Trust me—I’ve been lost since 2017, and it’s been worse since 2021. But I refuse to carry this version of myself into 2025.  

So, as we enter the New Year, I hope you all stay safe and have a great celebration. I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve in church, then closing out the night at a party with family.