I need a Souljah!

 Life After Death

Have you ever wandered what heaven or hell is like?

Have you ever read a book and been so frustrated with confusion that you want to stop but you keep going cause there has to be a point, you know this author, there has to be a plot twist? LOL. 

I laugh but kept reading. I finally found that plot twist I needed. Let me just say if you haven't read this book, trust Sistah Souljah to do her thing, she's coming. 

What did I learn from this book you might ask? I learned alot more about Winter Santiaga and her evolution as a woman. I learned that certain things happen in life to open up our eyes and our minds. I learned to trust GOD  love myself and honor myself. It was worth it in the end and I loved how the story came together. 

What I enjoyed most about this book was that it was from the black perspective. The words and ways of Winter Santiaga are always entertaining and enlightening at the same time. Her character reminds me of that one family member who we love to hear speak about the facts of life and love. She always knows exactly what kind of man to choose, rich, powerful, a souljah! LOL. Winter gives us life and it's fun to watch her evolution. I also loved that it touched on some black issues like mental health and abortion.

Overall I'd give this book 4/5 stars. Even though I was confused in the beginning, I realized why in the end and it was great. Sistah Souljah is a genius and I can't wait to read more from her collection.

*** KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE BOOKS**

 

Its a Photo Shoot !

 

When I turned 30 I wanted to do something phenomenal to capture my life and these moments where I am finding myself and designing my world. So I started posing for the frame and having photo shoots...

In this photo shoot I was 31. I was 7 years in to my social work career and thriving. I moved into my 1st "luxury" apartment and I felt luxurious. I began cycling and working out consistently as I was very concerned about my weight and staying healthy. I learned the importance of choosing healthy relationships during this time. Even though my life was thriving I was in a very unsupportive relationship which led me into depression. To be honest I have always had trouble in the love department but I have always been grateful for the lesson of each relationship. 

The relationship I was in during this time taught me to value myself. It gave me the opportunity to finally look back over my life and realize how hard I had worked to get there. I began to pour more love into myself as I realized I might be the only one who ever would and I also learned to be ok with that. "31 summers" that's what I named this photo shoot. It took me 31 summers to learn how to love me.

Fast Forward to age 36. I am now 12 years into my career as a social worker, working on starting a business, and focused on becoming financially free. I am still single and happy. I have accepted who I am and I love where my life is headed. I still battle with depression and I am always mindful of my wellness, peace of mind, and surrounding myself with positive energy. The pandemic of 2020 disrupted my healing journey and honestly put me back into survival mode. I don't work out consistently or eat as well as I did in my early 30's. After the pandemic, I lost my mojo and here in these photos I am working on getting it back. I call this photoshoot "Pink it up". I decided to where pink for my 36th birthday photo shoot, to remind myself a woman can do anything and also look fun and flirty. I took this photo shoot in Chicago with IAMAPRILMAE photography. We played music, laughed about relationships and the joys of having children, and we celebrated each other as women. I was reminded that even though I wasn't where I wanted to be on my journey I could still get back to thriving instead of surviving. 

Flirty 30 and Thriving 

7 months after I turned 36 on 2/22/2022 I shaved all my hair off. I asked God for a fresh start and he gave me this vision. I was thinking about starting a YouTube channel before the pandemic but I put in on hold. After I shaved my hair I had another vision to share my growth journey with everyone on YouTube.

Shaving my hair off helped me face my depression. It has given me the confidence to move on from the things that have hurt me in my past. Like the hair I shaved off, I have let the past go. I call this photo shoot "Bald and Beautiful". Growing up I loved sneaking into my room and watching "Young and the Restless". I always pretended I was one of the characters and I had rich people problems lol. I loved how over the top fabulous the women were and how polished the men were. When I began piecing together how I would celebrate my hair cut I thought of capturing it dramatically like one of the rich women I used to admire on that show. 

Diamonds, pearls, nails, and skin. I am giving "Victor Newman's Mistress" honey. Nikki Newman better watch out. LOL

Overall this photo shoot and each one before it helped me learn a little more about myself and life. I am forever grateful for this life and these 30's. I promised myself that from this point on I would live life unapologetically and for me.

***Celebrate Yourself. Have a Photo Shoot***

Check out my YouTube Channel: TTShavedItAllOff for my behind the scenes video of my "Bald and Beautiful" photo shoot.