Five Things That Have Been Keeping Me Grounded Lately.

Cause This Sh*t is Getting TOO Crazy.

“You have to keep trying or they will kill you.”

That is the quote that gets me out of bed every day. It’s what gets me through a breathless run. It’s what builds the courage for me to continue to cold email people.

It’s the quote that keeps me, me.

Is it dramatic? Yes and no. I do believe that the moment you stop trying every day, things become easy. Easy to stay in bed all day. Easy to not take care of yourself. Easy to not put yourself out there. Easy to not feed yourself or your dreams. Easy to give up on yourself.

And what’s left once you’ve given up on you? Nothing.

So every day, I get up and choose to keep trying a little bit more than the day before — even when I don’t feel like it, even when I don’t get responses. Every damn day, I try.

Since 2020, it’s felt as if there is something crazier happening and brewing than before. I should be used to this as I haven’t had a “normal” day without war, poverty threats, the “manosphere”, recessions + lay offs, and literally anything else since maybe the day I was born.

It’s hard for me to be optimistic when so many things are out of my control. But at my core, my optimism keeps me alive. This year, I’ve noticed I have to do more to self regulate instead of “things” just being normal.

So, here are five things I’ve been doing to get my mind right.

Watching Soap Operas:

I am my Grandmother’s child, proudly. Therefore, I grew up on Passions, General Hospital, and the Bold and the Beautiful. The older I get, the more I realize not only do I need my grandparents more (another conversation for another time), but I find myself looking for shows to lose myself in. I’m not a Bridgerton girl, but I am a Like Water for Chocolate girl.

I binged watched the love story of Tita and Pedro in about three days on HBO Max. Not only did it help with my Spanish (I’ve been slacking on my classes), but each episode pulled me in enough to keep me off my phone while watching.

Sometimes, you do need to see some drama and multi-layered unrequited love stories to remember who you are again.

Planning Travel anyways:

I usually never suffer from FOMO, but lately, I’ve been feeling trapped. The idea of spending more time in America in its current state is not for me. Coming back to America has felt like I’ve taken a million steps back and I don’t see it getting any better with our current administration.

So what’s the plan? Leaving— this time for longer than three months.

Now, that’s not the easiest plan when I’m a part of the 300,000+ Black women having trouble finding work. (If I have to take another AI interview that leads to nothing, I’m going to lose it.) But, I can still plan as if it is happening.

I’m currently stuck between spending the summer in Brazil or having an European summer, that also allows me to shop at all the brands with a tariff between us.

I’ll keep you posted, maybe.

Whimsical optimism:

There are so many buzzwords in 2026— protein, fiber, cinnamon rolls, GLP-1s, and of course, whimsy. I’m going to be very honest, I’ve had to tap into the depths of whimsy in ways that would probably make people think I’m going crazy. I’m not talking about performative whimsy.

I’m far removed from just touching grass, I need to be one with it. I’m talking about conversations with trees, rolling in the grass, screaming in empty train cars, eft tapping, meditating with different frequencies.

If this were the 70s, you’d call me a hippy. But since this is 2026, I’d call it: Saving the little piece of mind I have left.

Do something weird this week, thank me later.

Music:

Music has always held me and I’ve always been grateful for that.

When Spotify’s algorithm isn’t doing it for me, I go back to the basics. I’ve found myself spending more time on YouTube listening to DJ sets and blends from other countries. My current favorites are Iranian Jazz, Cafe Da Manhã, and Summer School Radio with Lovie.

I’ve also really gotten into Jungle as of lately. Anything, that is a soundtrack to movement, has been a must listen to me.

Keeping art alive:

Every single Friday for the past couple of months, I’ve made sure to put some art into my life. Whether I’m at First Fridays at the Bronx Museum of Arts or I’m gallery hopping in Chelsea, I make sure that I’m doing something art related. Art Fridays, as I’ve been calling them, are not only usually free, but they keep me looking forward to the end of the week.

These nights also help inspire my writing.

@lifewithjrdnThis week in Friday night in the arts the theme is supernatural inspiration. Opening night at the Claire Oliver Gallery in Harlem. #harlem #artnight #harlemartgallery

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I’m currently a week away from my first short story submission and I’ve grown to realize that seeing other people’s work is a part of my writing process too. Get inspired!

Setting boundaries to break the patterns:

This one is harder for me, but I am a work in progress.

I’ve been hearing “This year feels like 2006/2016,” more often than I’d like. Yes, this year feels familiar, but also repetitive. My deja vu has been active in a way that has reminded me that I actually don’t want to live like that again.

To break the patterns, I’ve had to become very strict.

I’m blocking numbers and deleting the threads. I’m asking all the questions instead of passively agreeing. I’m even currently reconsidering my stance with freelance work as well. There’s a life I want to live and a part of that comes with consistency in everything— especially work. I’m also reconsidering the pursuit of a career in streetwear and sneakers as a whole (which is another conversation for another day.)

Regardless, I’ve been working on making decisions that work the best for who I am today and who I want to be— not a decision that makes me look cool or easier to work with. Because to be frank, my anxiety, my dreams and bills do not care about cool.

What decisions are you making to get your mind right this year?