Bino, Where the Hell Have You Been Loca?

I’m looking outside my window, watching the first snowfall of 2024, listening to Twerkulator by the City Girls, and writing my first blog post in a little over a year. Seriously, Where does the time go? I would like to say that this moment is giving Carrie Bradshaw, but I am currently writing this draft on a piece of paper towel, and yup… my noodles just over boiled onto the stove. Welp, so much for my ultra glamorous return! Well, grrrlies, you know what they say: Healing isn’t linear, and real is the new perfect!

I know exactly what you’re thinking or silently thinking to yourself because you are afraid to cause tension! “Bino, What took you so long to return? You made us start a radical self-care journey, and then you ABANDONED US!?” After a year of avoidance fueled by anxiety and imposter syndrome, I’m ready to take the hot seat and spill the metaphorical beans. Just between us grrrlfriends, I may have grrrl bossed a little too close to the sun. The good news is that I actually manifested a new job, a new apartment, and acceptance into a new graduate program. You go grrrl! The bad news is that I was experiencing major burnout, which I hear happens to even the best of us!

New Year, Now What?

I have spent years dreaming about the day my life will magically exceed my expectations, but I have realized that until I have the courage to put my actions where my mind is, that’s all it will ever be, a dream. 40 inch bussdown wig not included! So I have decided to make 2024 my year, and I hope that you will join me. The new year brings change and fills the air with possibility! I realize it’s the last day of the month, but everyone knows that the first rule to New Year’s resolutions is that January doesn’t count! January is for scoping the scenery out, and the real action happens in February. *GloRilla voice* That’s why I Iove tomorrows!

This year, let’s shake that negative energy off like a Polaroid picture and remember that it doesn’t matter if you fell off. Radical self-care is about getting back up and continuing to choose yourself despite past “failures,” which sounds like marvelous advice to me as someone who is self-admittedly what the people call “a perfectionist.” After spending the morning hyping myself up in the bathroom mirror, I can confidently say that my bounce back will be in full effect all 2024 and that I am ready to restart my radical self-care journey. Hollywood, here I come!

The Bounce Back Begins

Last year I would’ve been laying in the dark, listening to my Sad Vibes Playlist™, convincing myself that grrrls like me will never be given opportunities to be their authentic selves. Well grrrls, today I am officially tired of waiting! I am creating that opportunity and thinking to myself that everyone should just shut up and let women live. I’m done worrying about creating the illusion of having the perfect life to justify talking about something I’m clearly very passionate about. I know better than to let these limiting beliefs run my life, so now it’s time to do better!

So, what does better look like? Well… better looks like trying. That’s it. In the past, my goal was to succeed, and while I would still ultimately like to succeed, I think that putting the pressure on myself to always get it right can be overwhelming to the point where I scare myself out of trying, so this year I’m trying this new thing where I start with a realistic step one. One small step for me, one giant leap for womankind! I am waaay behind on my homework, my bills are sky high, and all I want to do is sleep, but I am still trying to actively move forward no matter what it looks like. If you can relate to what I’m saying, or just want to stick around for the show, you can follow along with me or join me as you go on your own journey to achieving happiness in real life.

Starting a radical self-care journey in hopes of creating the life of your dreams is hard, especially when you still have to overcome the obstacles in your current life. Four years in, I am still learning from my mistakes and taking longer than anticipated. It can be a frustrating experience, but just remember that you are more than worth the effort. No matter how long it may seem or how imperfect the experience, the important part is that you are trying and that you are not alone. Now go and restart your journey! What is the first step you’re going to take towards actualizing your goals?