Welcome to ‘What I am Wondering Wednesdays‘ (WWW) where I will share with you weekly thoughts on healing from within.

On this weeks segment, let’s chat about detoxing.

For the past two (2) weeks I started working out-ish (what does that even mean?), I’m glad you asked, it means being intentional about working out without giving it 100%.  If I had to rate my effort it was probably a solid 65% which is not terrible but it made me wonder about what I need to truly focus on to reach my overall health goals which include:

Not feeling winded when I go up the stairs.

Being able to run one (1) mile in eight (8) minutes.

Drink more water.

Getting some sleep (this part is important).

Taking time off (vacation/ staycation)·        

Eating more fruits and vegetables.

I paused my 65% workout efforts after four (4) consecutive days of following the Insanity work out program and realized that I was pushing my body externally for this end result of toning, not really focusing on my actual health goals which were internal. 

As my body recovered from the soreness, I started to research ways to jump start my diet and be even more conscious about what I eat. 

Let’s rewind.

I have been following a pescaterian diet since January 2017 and most recently have been enjoying vegan dishes.  I am somewhere between percatatian and vegan but not exclusive to just one thing (and I am okay with that). 

On 02.24.19, I did beginners juice detox from Bamboo Juices that actually taste GOOD! That week I also had pre-ordered vegan meals prepared for a four (4) day period.  Since then, I have been drinking the juices just to do it, not really with the intention to detox but to have a healthier food intake that is part of my daily routine. 

What healthy eating habits are you being intentional about?

Today, I am feeling good.  I am staying hydrated, minding my business (lol) and focusing on what needs my immediate attention.

Click here for your $10 off your first order of juices

It’s been one year! Un año! ONE FULL YEAR since I birth the idea of Your Natural Hairapist (YNH).  Let me take you back (lol). YNH was created on 08.13.17 (right after the 1st Black Therapist Rock conference) as platform to support black women in gaining confidence to overcome barriers attached to obtaining outward beauty.

So what can you expect in 2019? 

In the past year YNH has highlighted the beauty of being natural as well host  spaces to address psychosocial stressors that women face in their natural hair journey through a holistic lens.  In 2019 expect more opportunities to explore diet/ nutrition, personal style (SLAYYYY) and step-by-step guides to practically implement self care via online challenges, workshops, webinars and live events.

I am EXCITED for all that is to come!

Share below what you want to see happen in 2019 in the comments below.

-Nydia

I am going to be facilitating a panel at the Black Therapist Rock conference in Silver Spring, Maryland on August 3-5th.  As a parallel-prenuer I am LEARNING a lot as as what it means to be a speaker.  Peep my FB live and share your comments below.

-Nydia

I hope you are doing well and thriving at life!

For the remainder of July 2018 I will be interviewing women with natural hair and exploring the journey to building self confidence.  The other side of natural hair is the part most people don’t talk about, we often romanticize the big curls/ kinks and never ask what did she do to feel confident along the way?

Natural Hair Talk (NHT) episode #1 features Reyna Smith, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) from Cincinati, Ohio.

In our candid conversation, we talk about her journey as child of mixed race and having to learn how to care for her hair but most importantly embrace her new confidence in her unique hair journey.  Watch the FB live below and share your thoughts in the comments.

-Nydia

July is minority mental health awareness month! 

According to the U.S Department of Health & Human Service Office of Minority Health, adults who identify as part of the Black diaspora/African Americans are 20{486ea68ac83e9283ffff06e5c863eae233a6ec8af4d778a8ee137023384e0cb0} more likely to report serious psychological distress than white adults. However we make up one-quarter that seek mental health care, compared to 40{486ea68ac83e9283ffff06e5c863eae233a6ec8af4d778a8ee137023384e0cb0} of whites (according to NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Health). 

Stigma plays a huge role in seeking support out of fear of being judged or even being viewed as ‘crazy’, as a result a lot Black people cope in silence. Coping is silence can look like that friend who takes 2-3 weeks to respond to a text message.  It can be that friend who turns up a little too hard than everyone else in the group.  It can be that friend who “has an attitude problem” and is irritable about most things. Additional symptoms as a result of stress can include but are not limited weight loss and/ or increased appetite/ weight gain.  It can be persistent physical symptoms like headaches/migraines, chronic pain and digestive issues. 

For me it was chronic migraines and weight loss.  Late 2015-Mid 2016 was a character building chapter in my life where the level of stress that I carried in my body was indescribable.  I did the best I could at the time to hold it all together and just ‘deal with it’. My sense of self took a HUGE HIT and my hair was shedding in chunks and I was ashamed, I felt that I should have known better.    Extending grace to myself for the decisions that I made and also practicing compassion to start over was how I gradually worked my way to being a better me.  My therapists (I went to a few until I found the right fit) played a huge role in helping me check my own shit and learn new patters that were constructive to my growth from the inside out. 

Releasing, old stuff has made room for all the new blessings in my life like being a co-author in the upcoming anthology ‘Black Therapists Rock- a glimpse through the eyes of experts’ coming soon- August 2018.  This journey has taught me to practice more of what I love: 

1. Eating cupcakes lol, 
2. Pole fitness
3. Reading 
4. Binge watching on Netflix’s 
5. Traveling 
6. Treating myself to something nice-regularly. 
7. Forgiving myself daily 
8. Allowing myself to start again until I get it right (whatever ‘that’ may be).   

For the month of July what are you committed to doing today to heal from your past?

I look forward to haring your how you work towards your own healing.

-Nydia

February 14th can be a good day or a character building one depending on how you view it.  One thing that I have learned is that what you focus on, expands.  For 2018, I made the decision to nurture and guard my peace, well what does that mean?  I am glad you asked (lol) watch the FB live below for details:

Love, peace and kinks,

-Nydia

Go get your favorite beverage and sit back for this storyline haha.

I have been single since August 2016 and it has been the BEST thing I have ever done for myself: spiritually,mentally and physically!  I experienced a series of immense character building moments in the last relationship that I was in (pre order your copy of  “Don’t get it twisted” here for more details) which lead to having to make an executive decision to end the relationship and cut off all ties. Fast forward to late 2017- present, I am looking date/mingle.  Check out the FB live below where I share my peak and pit of dating in Atlanta as well as three (3) things to be mindful of when dating a potential sweetheart!

Love, peace and kinks,

-Nydia

What exactly is ‘happy’, I am glad you asked because I looked it up.  According to the Webster Dictionary, happy means ” enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment” (click here for full definition).  Well, in that case a lot of things contribute to my happiness and they include the follow (don’t judge me lol)

• Long walks down the hair care aisle
• Cupcakes (limit 1-2 at one time)
• Scented candle’s
• Going to the Dekalb Farmers Market
• A Punany wrap from Tassili’s Raw Reality (this place will transform every misconception you’ve EVER had about vegan food)

Watch the FB live below for my favorite happy place, share your comments and tell me what is your happy place

Love, peace and kinks,

-Nydia

Hoy es noche buena! Growing up Garifuna/ Afro-Latina I celebrated December 24th with my family.  We ate tons of yummy food, opened gifts at midnight and then enjoyed the best nap right after.  Tune in for follow up instructions on the give-away; there is still time (deadline 12.25.17 at 12am EST) to win free hair products! Check out the FB LIVE below:

Love, peace and kinks,

-Nydia

Love, peace and curls,

Nydia