SophieJ Life Experiences

Did you miss me? Because I missed you all something fierce! I’ve struggled to write lately; there were so many thoughts swirling in my mind, but not enough energy to put them down. Meanwhile, I’m trying to avoid all the heavy and negative topics around me, which is challenging given my line of work, as I speak to people clinically all day long. Who knew that 2025 in the U.S. would be this challenging? Well, Black people did! Loooool! That’s why 92% of Black women and 80% of Black men were at the polls last November. We’ve been through this countless times as a race, community, and diverse citizenship. It’s in our blood to know what needs to be done. But why do we have to pay for merchandise we never bought? That’s the toughest part of this whole mess.

I’m over here dodging the news like it’s teenage pregnancies! Just the thought of tuning into a news outlet is overwhelming. I had to unfollow Aaron Parnas on TikTok because, chile, the breaking news was breaking ME! We absolutely can’t have that. My cortisol levels won’t be rising and causing me all kinds of physical and emotional problems! No ham, no beef, no turkey! Speaking of food, I accidentally fell down the #SkinnyTok rabbit hole a few weeks ago, and now I seem to be stuck there! I liked one or two videos, and now the algorithm keeps pushing those influencers to me. It’s supposed to be tough love, encouraging girls to lose weight and be skinny so they can breathe and go upstairs without feeling suffocated—good things on the surface. However, it can also be dangerous for those already dealing with eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Social media can be a double-edged sword; we must be careful about our consumption.

Easter is coming, and I still don’t have an outfit. It’s still very cold in April, and we’re exhausted by it. I’m ready to complain about the heat, so if it could hurry up and arrive, we would really appreciate it! I’m unsure who’s in charge of fashion these days, but it’s definitely not working! Trying to shop responsibly is not for the faint of heart or for those who earn a typical 9-to-5 paycheck. If you’ve decided to avoid fast fashion and are on a limited budget, forget about dressing up! With the looming recession, fashion may not even be a priority. Between hair and nail maintenance, I can’t be the only one driving myself nuts every time I see those prices! I’ve scaled back to simple styles or no designs to save some coins, but that isn’t helping much. What are you doing if you’re not great at DIY? Getting pampered is part of my self-care strategy, and it’s necessary to remain sane! I already gave up the seven-dollar vanilla lattes, and I’m barely holding it together—just being transparent here.

What are we going to do? What strategies can we employ to survive without looking like Humpty Dumpty or Shrek every day? I believe we feel better when we don’t look like the trials and tribulations we’re going through. Can we snatch some podcast money from relationship gurus serenading us in this economy? I don’t want to hear how to keep someone who doesn’t want to be there; I want to know how to legally earn $200,000 this year after taxes, without exploiting myself or others in the process. Is that too much to ask? You can’t be on the internet without being bombarded by advice givers with few credentials—often just their experiences of failed relationships. Yes, I said it.

Let’s take a moment to do some deep belly breathing while grounding ourselves because that was quite a lot! Friends, perhaps we should have issued a trigger warning for female rage, but we’re in this together, and it shall pass! While we wait, here are some tips: build your community; it’s one of the best ways to navigate hardships. I’m so grateful for mine! Remove the unnecessary drama; every day feels like April Fool’s, so you don’t need more of that. Drink water, maintain a good sleep routine, and move your body. Self-care in times of chaos is an act of rebellion and resistance. Meditate on that. See you next time, bye!

P.S. Millennials have not known a moment of peace since 2000, despite having the most amazing childhood!