2023 Year in Review

It’s a new year coming upon us. What a whirlwind that 2023. There have been so many ups and downs to celebrate. From collaborations to mental health advocacy, I have enjoyed so much that this year has had to offer. I hope this year has brought you peace and joy. So, here’s the New Year Run down.

Collaborations that I have enjoyed

There have been many. From self-care to events that I have been a host of and more have taken off this year. One of my biggest collaborations as far as monetary collaboration was with WHYY. I have always wanted to work with them. The local and national programming has always resonated with me. When they reached out, I was floored. Finding out that I was referred due to my work with the Kimmel Center made my heart leap. The biggest take away from landing that collaboration is that anything that you do should be done as if it was a paid collaboration. You don’t get more collaborations from waiting on one to come. Every time you post, show up as if there are millions behind the post.

Another collaboration that has done my heart in swell is the one with Toyota. I have made long lasting relationships with them. I look forward to more in this upcoming year. From the Philadelphia Eagles game, and all the trinkets that came along with it to the fact that I can email them directly and get answers for all things, I look forward to what is to come. Be prepared I see great things happening.

The Kimmel Center

I loved everything about my constant collaboration with them. It led to me going to New York for a brand trip to seeing my first NY Broadway show of Moulin Rouge where one of my favorites, JoJo Levesque as Satine. We had a blast traveling to New York, eating, bar hoping and it all. In addition, the other Philadelphia shows like Samara Joy, Wicked, Mean Girls, Lion King, Paw Patrol, and many more.

The Franklin Institute

Everyone in the Philadelphia area is familiar with The Franklin Institute. It is where you go to explore for people of all ages. In addition, they always have an exhibit like the Disney 100 and more at any given time. I was able to help promote their podcast, So Curious. Their mental health approach to using science to explain, and aid in the way we do life is amazing. Make sure you take a listen.

2023 Personal Wins

My kids are my heart. My oldest nailed her Silver award for Girl Scouts. She is doing well in school adjusting to high school quite well. She is apart of Best Buddies as a mentor, and I am proud watching her do great things. In addition, our relationship is getting better and better daily. It is my work to make sure that she feels supported more now than ever. Often the first girls in black families seem to go through a level of trauma. With the help of my therapist, I am making sure I navigate this and be there for her in the way she needs me to be. Letting her lead me has been one of the best lessons this season. My youngest took on her first musical instrument, the drum. She is doing well. We are working on the fact that she’s the baby of the family but not a baby. My son is doing well as he plays for 2 basketball teams. I am proud of all of them individually and collectively. All of them are honor students.

Therapy Moments

For my personal therapy this year I have been working on a few things. When I get anxious, I tend to get nervous to the point where I attempt to take charge, but it comes with yelling. Doing things like taking a break before I answer. This has helped in all my relationships at home. Being able to keep the tempo in my home in a healthy way has been great. In addition, not only have I been able to decrease sessions but manage myself in between sessions using the tools that I have learned. In addition, for those who have been following that is in addition to using my medication. Not everyone is interested in medication and that’s fine. However, finding what works for me without it changing me has made me happy.

Favorite Family Vacation

We went to Disney this year. This was on our list as a family for quite a while. This is the thing; we wanted to go and make sure that every time we went on a ride that we had the flash pass aka the Genie Plus. We did that. We were there for a week, went to all the major parks, enjoyed staying on Disney property, flew there giving our youngest their first flight, and spent whatever money we wanted because we saved for it and didn’t have to charge on a credit card for the trip. A special thank you to Liz who is available to get your Disney ready for 2024.

Business Lessons or Failures for 2023

Taking charge is a great thing. I missed the mark in making sure that everyone that I work with respects my work ethic. In addition to all that I do I also run social media pages for some smaller companies. They have all been great except with billing. I didn’t send out invoices since we had contracts in place. So when payment would be expected let’s say on the 1st, they would pay it whenever they got around to it.

I don’t have time to find people for payments. So, every month I was having the stress of asking for payment. I ended this towards the end of the year. At the end of November, I sent every one of them a letter explaining that billing would change. Invoices will be sent at the end of the month. Payments would be expected on time. On the 5 days after payment hasn’t been made a late charge would be added and must be paid before work will continue.

Now I have invoicing done for all collaborations but with the social media, I relied on my contracts. Learn from me. Send invoices and receipts. So, January 1, 2024, this is already in place.

2023 Personal Failures

I will be ending some relationships from friends and more. Here is the reason. I have always the one encouraging people that sometimes relationships can naturally fizzle. However, the dead weight isn’t doing anything for me outside of frustrating me. That frustration is ending. Some relationships I have been in long standings. But here are the issues not specifically but in general. I no longer deal with drama or intentional negative behaviors. We all have things that we have to work on. If you have ever been around a person who you see the sky is blue and they argue for the sake of arguing, it gets old. I am done with it. I can’t make people go to therapy and get the help it’s obvious they need. However, I do have the power to end the energy being around me. So, there’s that.

Governor Shapiro

I’ve enjoyed the partnership with Governor Shapiro. I was able to sit with some of the most important boards dealing with mental health. For instance, the PA Mental Health Parity Law that was signed this year. In a nutshell, it states that insurance companies must take responsibility to provide care without overcharging. This means that mental health should be treated at the same level as a break in an arm. Also, things like autism is now apart of mental health. Please make sure you look at these mental health resources. This includes the ability to fill out a form if you need a therapist and have someone get back to you within 24 hours.

It has been fun too but more informative. Look out for more coming in 2024 with him and his administration.

Some goals that people Tend to Ignore

We work on our body, new jobs, and more. However, there are a few areas that we ignore. Some being working on your short-tempered demeanor, berating a spouse, having to repeat situations that you aren’t healed, and so much more. Work on the things that you know about and the ones that people constantly bring up to you. My mom always taught me that everyone isn’t telling the same lie. So, when multiple folks not connected, tells you that you are something, listen to it and see where the truth intersects. When I was in my 20s, I had people mention certain adjectives to describe me. I chalked it up to a hater and the reality, my therapist helped me to explore it. I have sense taken responsibility for it.

In true fashion, see the reel that highlights the year I have had and make sure that you are following along for 2024. You never know where I will be, who I am connected to, and more.

Honorable Mentions

• Beyonce concert
• Staycations: Harrah’s, Live Casino and Fearless Restaurants

2023 was a great year. 2024 is going to be amazing. If there is something you felt you didn’t do, it’s not the time to beat yourself up. Focus on new goals and align yourself with the right people to make it happen!