Self-Care is a Feminist Issue

self care pic

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde

Last year See Jane Write almost killed me.

I put so much time and effort into building See Jane Write into a business — while still teaching full time and taking care of family matters — that I often sacrificed sleeping, eating, and exercising for the sake of work.

And, of course, I got sick. Very sick. My body is still healing from all the damage done. But I’ve promised my body I will never hurt it that way again.

This year I promise to take care of myself and I’ve realized that to do so is a feminist act.

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My Bad Feminist Fitness Goals

bad feminist fitness goals

Every year in addition to my blogging, business, and writing goals, I set lofty fitness goals for myself, too. You can’t write the next great American novel if you’re dead, right? And I also believe that when you’re a solopreneur your business can only be as healthy as you are.

Some of my fitness goals I’ve conquered; others — not so much. In 2014 I set out to exercise for at least 30 minutes every single day for 365 days. And I did it! I was even invited to appear on Talk of Alabama to discuss this fantastic fitness feat. Last year, however, I tried to run 1200 miles and failed miserably.  Because of my insanely busy schedule, I gave up about half-way through the year.

Regardless of the goal, however, I am quick to say things like “I don’t want to be skinny; I want to be strong” and “It’s not about how my body looks, it’s about how my body feels.” And all that is true — sort of.

I don’t want to be skinny. I do want to be strong. I do want to feel great and healthy. But I also want to be hot. This probably makes me a bad feminist, but I’d rather be a bad feminist than a dishonest one.

So today I’m sharing with you my bad feminist fitness goals for 2016, but will attempt to balance out each one with a goal that focuses on what my body can do and not just how it looks.

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Javacia’s January Goals

january goals

“Finishing things creates momentum.”

2016 is here and if you’re anything like me you’ve been busy planning and goal setting for the year. But I don’t believe that setting yearly goals is enough, and neither is setting 90-day goals. I believe you also need what I call Momentum Moves.

Momentum Moves are monthly, weekly, and daily tasks you complete to create momentum and move closer to accomplishing your long-term goals. And this is why I not only set goals for the year but also for each month.

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The Magic of New Year’s Eve

 

The Year of the Writeous Babe

I believe in the magic of New Year’s Eve.

I believe New Year’s Eve should be spent with friends who are like family and with family members who are also friends.

I believe in making silent wishes during the final countdown.

I believe in kissing at midnight.

I believe in champagne toasts even though I don’t really like champagne.

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A Look Back at 2015

Princess Jai 2

2015 owes me nothing.

I am truly overwhelmed by all the blessings God showered upon me this year.

This is not to say that 2015 was an easy year. It was not.

This spring I suffered several health issues that required so many doctor visits the receptionist at my doctor’s office joked about giving me a key to the place.

This summer the smile I wore at the Bloganista Mini-Con was a mask, hiding indescribable pain because the day before the conference someone I love dearly committed suicide.

And this fall I prepared to completely shut down See Jane Write because I had decided that the work was just too much.

But I changed my mind. And I changed my mind because of you. I changed my mind because I am committed to helping you become the author of your own life.

I’m not sharing these things because I want pity. I’m sharing because I want you to see that even when your world is falling apart you can still succeed in the end.

And I believe that joy is a choice. So as I look back at 2015, I choose not to dwell on adversity and trials. I choose to focus on accomplishments and triumphs.

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