The new year has a way of stirring things we thought we tucked away neatly. For me, this year isn’t about bold resolutions it’s about reconnection. Specifically, reconnecting with God after being angry with Him for a very long time.


Three years ago, my Dad passed away unexpectedly, and my faith took a hit I wasn’t prepared for. I didn’t lose belief overnight, but I did lose trust. I was mad. Hurt. Confused. I prayed less. I questioned more. And if I’m being honest, I kept God at arm’s length while still trying to move forward with life. Grief does that it reshapes how you see everything, including your relationship with God.


Coming into this new year, I felt a quiet desire to return. Not dramatically. Not perfectly. Just honestly. I didn’t need fire-and-brimstone faith. I needed something slow, steady, and safe.
Then something happened that I can only describe as divine intervention.


I was at Cream & Sugar Coffeehouse just existing, minding my business when I randomly ran into Pastor Joel from Endeavor Church. What makes this moment wild is that we had never met in real life. He didn’t know me personally. But he did see my LinkedIn post about Herald BeautyCON and felt called to support it as a logo sponsor. No agenda. No expectations. Just a genuine desire to help.


And somehow, out of all the places in the city, we bumped into each other over coffee.


That moment stopped me in my tracks. It felt like one of those quiet reminders that God doesn’t force His way back into your life—He gently places Himself in your path. Exactly where you are. Exactly when you’re ready to notice.


What I appreciate about Pastor Joel and Endeavor Church is that they don’t rush faith. There’s no pressure to “snap back” spiritually or pretend you’re okay when you’re not. It’s about community, reflection, and taking the journey one step at a time. And for someone like me who’s rebuilding trust with God after loss that approach matters.
As Black women, we’re often taught to be strong, faithful, and unshakable. But grief doesn’t always leave room for that. Sometimes faith looks like showing up tired. Sometimes it looks like asking hard questions. Sometimes it looks like sitting in a coffee shop, unexpectedly reminded that God never stopped paying attention even when you did.


"A new year doesn't begin with a change in the calendar.  A new year begins when you respond to the voice of Jesus inviting you to Come."- Pastor Joel McCauley


This year, I’m choosing to reconnect slowly. Gently. Honestly. And if you’re entering this new year feeling distant from God because of loss, disappointment, or unanswered prayers, know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not wrong for feeling the way you do.


Sometimes faith doesn’t come rushing back. Sometimes it meets you quietly with a cup of coffee, a conversation, and a reminder that grace has been waiting for you all along.

As we step into 2026, I’m not interested in “new year, new you” energy that feels rushed or unrealistic. What I am interested in is release. Gentle, intentional release. Because sometimes the glow-up isn’t about adding more it’s about letting go of what’s been weighing you down.
Here are three things I’m inviting you (and myself) to leave behind this year.


1. The Pressure to Heal on a Timeline
Healing is not linear, and it doesn’t operate on a calendar. In 2026, let go of the pressure to be “over it” by now whether that’s grief, heartbreak, disappointment, or a version of yourself you had to outgrow. There is no deadline for feeling better, no gold star for rushing your process.


You are allowed to take your time. You are allowed to feel joy one day and heaviness the next. Both can coexist. Growth doesn’t always look loud or visible; sometimes it looks like choosing rest, choosing therapy, choosing yourself again. Release the idea that you’re behind. You’re exactly where you need to be.


2. Guilt Around Rest and Softness
So many of us have been conditioned to believe that rest must be earned that we have to hustle ourselves into exhaustion before we’re “allowed” to slow down. In 2026, let go of guilt around rest, softness, and choosing ease.


Rest is not laziness. Softness is not weakness. Pausing doesn’t mean quitting it means preserving yourself. Whether it’s saying no without explanation, taking breaks without apology, or choosing routines that nourish instead of drain you, you deserve a life that doesn’t constantly demand survival mode.


Your worth is not measured by how tired you are.


3. Relationships and Expectations That No Longer Fit
Growth often requires honesty especially about what and who no longer aligns with the woman you’re becoming. In 2026, give yourself permission to release relationships, dynamics, and expectations that feel heavy, one-sided, or rooted in who you used to be.


This doesn’t always mean cutting people off. Sometimes it means redefining boundaries. Sometimes it means letting go of the need to be understood by everyone. Sometimes it means choosing peace over proximity.


Not everything is meant to come with you into this next season and that’s okay.


As you move into 2026, remember this: letting go is not loss it’s space. Space for joy. Space for clarity. Space for becoming.


Move forward gently. You’re not starting over you’re continuing, wiser and lighter than before.

As I step into 2026, my approach to beauty feels more intentional than ever. I’m less interested in trends that come and go and more focused on treatments that support longevity, confidence, and feeling good in my own skin. Beauty for me has always been about enhancement—not erasure—and this year, I’m leaning into treatments that align with that mindset.
Here are five beauty treatments I’m prioritizing in 2026—not because I “need” fixing, but because I believe in doing what makes you feel your best.


1. Advanced Skin Tightening for Face & Body
2026 is the year of firm, healthy skin. Non-invasive skin-tightening treatments that stimulate collagen are at the top of my list. I’m especially interested in options that address facial laxity while also supporting body confidence think jawline, neck, arms, and stomach. The goal isn’t drastic change; it’s maintaining elasticity and glow in a way that still looks like me.


2. Lymphatic Drainage & Sculpting Treatments
Lymphatic treatments have become non-negotiable for me, especially with travel and long days. In 2026, I want to be more consistent with sculpting and drainage treatments that reduce inflammation, support detoxification, and help my body feel lighter and more aligned. These treatments aren’t just about aesthetics they’re about wellness, circulation, and recovery.


3. Regenerative Skin Treatments (PRP / Exosome Therapy)
I’m fascinated by regenerative beauty treatments that encourage your skin to heal and renew itself. PRP or exosome-based therapies are on my radar for 2026 because they focus on improving skin texture, tone, and overall health from the inside out. This feels like the future of beauty: subtle, science-backed, and focused on long-term results.


4. Non-Invasive Body Contouring
I’ve always been open about loving treatments that help enhance what’s already there. In 2026, non-invasive body contouring is something I want to explore more intentionally—especially treatments that pair well with movement, Pilates, and strength training. It’s about refinement, not perfection, and choosing options that work with my lifestyle.


5. Scalp & Hair Growth Treatments
Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and 2026 is the year I treat it that way. From scalp detox treatments to growth-stimulating therapies, I want to invest in the foundation of healthy hair. Travel, stress, and protective styling all take a toll, and prioritizing scalp health feels like an essential part of my beauty routine moving forward.

The common thread in all of these treatments is intention. Beauty in 2026 isn’t about chasing youth or unrealistic standards it’s about maintenance, confidence, and honoring the body you’re in. I’m excited to explore these treatments thoughtfully, share my experiences transparently, and continue redefining what beauty looks like at every stage.
Because feeling good in your skin will always be the ultimate glow-up.

If you know, you know. The Pilates Princess isn’t just a girl who works out she’s a lifestyle. She loves movement that feels intentional, wellness that feels indulgent, and gifts that support her soft-yet-strong era. This holiday season, it’s all about items that make her feel aligned, supported, and effortlessly put together on and off the reformer.
Here are five things every Pilates Princess would love to find under the tree.


1. Elevated Matching Sets (Because Effortless Is the Goal)
A Pilates Princess believes in the power of a good set. Think sculpting leggings, supportive bras, and buttery-soft fabrics that move with you through class, errands, and coffee dates afterward. Neutral tones, flattering seams, and pieces that don’t scream “gym” are key. If it looks chic enough to wear straight to brunch, it’s a win.


2. A Grippy, Aesthetic Pilates Mat
Yes, she already has a mat but is it cute and functional? A Pilates Princess wants one that doesn’t slide, supports controlled movement, and complements her clean-girl aesthetic. Bonus points for eco-friendly materials and a thickness that protects her joints without sacrificing balance. This is the kind of gift that upgrades every single workout.


3. A Luxe Water Bottle or Wellness Cup
Hydration is non-negotiable. Whether it’s a sleek insulated water bottle or a chic wellness cup for electrolytes, matcha, or lemon water, this gift keeps her glowing from the inside out. A Pilates Princess loves accessories that feel intentional something she can toss into her tote and carry all day as part of her wellness routine.


4. Recovery Tools That Feel Like Self-Care
Stretching and recovery are just as important as the workout itself. Think foam rollers, massage balls, or even a mini massage gun that fits in her gym bag. The Pilates Princess understands that rest is part of discipline, and she appreciates tools that help her unwind while supporting muscle recovery and flexibility.


5. A Wellness Experience, Not Just a Thing
Classes, memberships, or a wellness-focused experience will always top the list. A Pilates Princess values consistency and ritual so gifting a Pilates class pack, a private session, or even a wellness retreat contribution shows real thought. It’s not about stuff; it’s about supporting the lifestyle she’s intentionally building.


The Pilates Princess Mindset
At the heart of it, the Pilates Princess wants gifts that reflect how she moves through life: softly, intentionally, and with care. She’s not chasing perfection she’s choosing balance, strength, and a little luxury along the way.
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This holiday season, give her something that supports her wellness glow-up because Pilates isn’t just a workout, it’s a vibe.

I’ve been a horrible friend these last three years. Writing that hurts, but it’s the truth I’ve been sitting with for a while now.


The first year after my Dad died, I was a shell of myself. Not dramatic. Not poetic. Just empty. I showed up when I could, disappeared when I couldn’t, and often didn’t have the words to explain why. I wasn’t intentionally distant  I just didn’t have access to myself anymore. Grief took up every inch of space inside me, and there was nothing left to give. I didn’t know how to be a friend when I was barely surviving as a human.
The second year wasn’t much better.


I thought time would magically fix things, but it didn’t. I was still numb, still operating on autopilot. I answered texts days late. I canceled plans last minute. I missed birthdays, celebrations, moments that mattered. On the outside, I was building, creating, and showing up as an entrepreneur but internally, I was drowning quietly. Running a business while grieving taught me how to perform strength while feeling completely hollow.


This third year has been different. Not easy just different. The fog didn’t lift all at once, but slowly, with intention. Therapy cracked me open in ways I didn’t expect. Movement, travel, journaling, and small lifestyle shifts helped me reconnect to my body and my emotions. I started to feel again  and with that came guilt. Guilt for how absent I had been. Guilt for how many people I love that I let down without explanation.


Grief doesn’t just make you sad. It makes you unreliable. It makes you cancel. It makes you withdraw. It makes you protect your energy at the expense of relationships you care deeply about. And as an entrepreneur, the pressure to keep going to keep producing, smiling, leading only deepened that isolation. I was pouring everything into survival and work, leaving nothing for friendships that once felt effortless.


There are people I love deeply who didn’t get the version of me they deserved. Friends who reached out and didn’t hear back. Friends who stopped inviting me because I kept saying no. Friends who needed me, and I just couldn’t show up. I understand how that could feel like abandonment. I understand how silence can feel personal, even when it’s rooted in pain.


Now that I’m emerging, I’m holding space for a hard truth: some friendships may not survive this version of me. And that breaks my heart — but I also respect it. People are allowed to have limits. They’re allowed to protect themselves. They’re allowed to decide they can’t wait for someone to come back to life.


What I hope  more than anything is that there’s still room in some hearts for me. Room for grace. Room for understanding. Room for the version of me who is trying again. And if there isn’t? I’m learning to honor that too. Healing doesn’t guarantee reconciliation. Sometimes it just brings acceptance.


I’m not writing this for sympathy. I’m writing it for honesty and for anyone else who feels like grief turned them into someone they don’t recognize. You’re not broken. You’re grieving. And grief doesn’t come with a rulebook or a timeline.


If I’ve been distant from you, know this: it was never a lack of love. It was survival. I’m learning how to be present again slowly, imperfectly, intentionally. And I’m giving myself permission to rebuild relationships the same way I rebuilt myself: one step at a time.


If there’s still space for me, I’m grateful. If not, I still send love. Either way, I’m choosing to keep healing  and that has to be enough.