Dear Alaisha

I’ve had eight jobs in 10 years. 😯 Only three of those moves were by choice — two within the pandemic and one at the very beginning of my career.

It’s my birthday month, and I usually mark it by reflecting on a theme. This month, I want to talk about rejection.

Honestly, we don’t talk about rejection enough. And it seems appropriate as it’s Q2 and media companies are shuttering initiatives and laying off journalists (ahem: CNN+, Netflix and others that haven’t made the news).

Rejection is a part of life. But if you choose to go into media it’s a constant in pitch meetings, brainstorms, copy reviews and interviews. We hear so many forms of the word “no” on a regular basis.

Sadly, no one teaches us how to handle that rejection. They don’t offer a college course on it — that I know of. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Often, we get hurt for a minute then move on because the world doesn’t stop because you get your feelings hurt or loose your job on a random Tuesday.

Is this the healthiest way to cope? Probably not. Personally, that’s why I’m choosing to look back at some of my greatest hits this year. I want to think about how I felt, how I changed and what I can do now moving forward to have a healthy relationship with rejection so that it doesn’t hinder me. And I’ll be dropping germs on social and my blog starting this week.

I’m curious: How do you deal with rejection? ⬇️

When I started out as a writer, it was New York or nowhere. NYC had all of the top media and publishing companies to work for. It was “the city 🏙 that never sleeps.”

A decade and a pandemic 😷 later, yes, NYC still has its culture and all the dreams companies. But location isn’t as important as before. You don’t have to live here to work at a magazine or media empire.

Virtual work has exploded in the past two years, and it’s not going anywhere. Though, there will be ebbs and flows, so if you’re in a transitioning period, now is the time to get that virtual or hybrid job before companies attempt to bring office culture back. It’s coming, but there will always be some form of remote work. And you don’t have to feel any type of way for wanting to work from home—or a city where you can actually afford rent.

Honestly, the magic lives 🪄 wherever you decide.

Who and what are you giving your “yes” to?

I did a meditation last week via the Shine app, and it really made me think 🤔 about how to protect my peace ☮️ more on a daily basis. I definitely have been guilty of letting my work life spill over into my “me time” this past month, and that stops here! Here’s how they broke it down the thought process down to 3 simple questions:

1. Do I have the time?
2. Is it worth my “yes?”
3. What does my gut say?

Talk about some loaded but necessary questions! And it only takes a minute to answer, so I urge you to try it. “No” is a complete sentence that we don’t use enough. Please protect your time, space and energy.

COVID-19 may have plans paused for the next 18 months or so, but whenever we're allowed to travel safely, you owe it to yourself to explore!

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#1: Commit to the grind.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen my nightly meditations. And if you don’t, I’ve decided to share them on the blog. Stay tuned for more reflections on life and getting older.

30 Life Lessons I've Learned That Could Help You | dear YBG My daily meditations on life, work, self love and more, as I turn 30 years old during a global pandemic.

Recognize what was, think about what is and make moves.

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"There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right."

Today and every day remember the life and works of Martin Luther King, Jr. because the fight is not yet won.

The first principle is Umoja which is Swahili for unity. Let’s learn more about Kwanzaa on the 50th anniversary of this holiday.

Embracing Kwanzaa: Why It’s More Important Now Than Ever To Celebrate Blackness A life-long celebrant of the holiday, creative SékouWrites explains why it's important to recognize the principles of Kwanzaa, especially in the...