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Black Panther (2018) — dir. Ryan Coogler

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DO NOT underestimate the power that a toxic friend, family member, or significant other may have on you and your life. These toxic relationships have the ability to hold you back in life, no matter how well you think you’re doing. As long as you continue to entertain these relationships, YOU WILL continue to hold back your potential.

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How to be Productive during Quarantine:

1. Go to bed latest 11:30 PM, and get 8-9 hours of sleep: 

If you do not go to bed at a reasonable time, no matter how many hours you sleep you will feel groggy the next day. Go to bed at a reasonable time and try to aim for getting 8-9 hours of sleep so you can have more energy and be more focused for the next day.

2. Wake up early:

Try to wake up in the hours between 5-8 AM. You will get more done if you wake up earlier, and you will have more time during the day to complete tasks. Plus nothing beats the satisfaction of waking up early and being productive while everyone else is asleep!

3. Drink coffee/tea in the morning for a boost of energy:

Drink your coffee and try to ease up on the sugar, but If you want something light and not too heavy on the stomach, go for some caffeinated tea. Drinking coffee or tea (caffeinated), will give you some extra energy and will help you remain focused longer. side note– do not drink caffeine if your body does not react well to it.

4. Create your new workspace:

Create your own personal little office. Create a place that is only designated for work so as soon as you get there, you know its time to focus. Try to go for a location that has lighting, is quiet, and has minimal distractions. Also try to decorate it with motivational quotes or pictures that inspire you, make it your space!

5. Set a timer:

With any task you are trying to complete, set a timer to help you remain on track and to not spend too much time doing one thing.

6. Put your phone away and limit your time on social media:

This is very important. Put your phone far away from you or on airplane mode while you are working or completing assignments.Try to turn notifications off on your phone or activate your screen time to limit your time on certain apps. Use social media or getting on your phone as a reward. (EX: I worked on my paper for 2 hours, now I can get a 15 minute social media break- set a timer)

7. Make your schedule and block off working time:

Make a to-do list the day before for work or assignments you have to complete. Writing the stuff you have to complete down is stress-relieving. Also block off your working time. (EX: from 1-4 PM I am going to be focused on completing my school assignments) side note– remember to take things one step at a time, if the task is going to take a while, break it down and try to work on it at least 2 hours a day everyday.

8. Do the hard things first: 

Complete the dreaded tasks first! You will get it out of the way and will not have to think about it for the rest of the day because you already finished it.

9. Take breaks:

You are only human. Taking breaks is necessary, it gives you time to refresh and gain some energy back. Staring at a screen all day can be very draining so try to take breaks every 2 hrs, but be ready to get back to work when your break is over. (minimum break: 10 min. maximum break: 50 min., base it off of how long you’ve stayed focused)

Take everything one step at a time, do not stress yourself out, and remember to take care of your mental and physical health.

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How To Grow your Natural Nails Long:

* Even after damage from acrylics and gel polish

Take daily vitamins: helps your nails get stronger

Keep a nail filer on hand at all times: you can file your nails when you have a crack to prevent the nail from breaking

Wash nail polish remover from nails: the alcohol causes dry nails. This is one of the most important tips.

Let oil soak into your nails before applying nail polish: let the oil dry up on your nail bed and after 1-2 hours you can apply some polish. Oil is essential for nail growth, I use coconut oil.

Moisturize your cuticles with oil constantly: this prevents dry nails

Use gloves when washing dishes: long and constant exposure to water drys your nails out

Find your favorite nail polish brand: I love the sally handsen gel brand (I was afraid to go natural with my nails because I didn’t want constant chipping but this brand changed my life)

Say goodbye to acrylics and UV light gel polish: both are very damaging to your nail beds and can cause your nails to be brittle and weak

Be patient: if you follow these tips, your nails will grow very long so just be patient and wait for the results (took me about 3-4 months)

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2022 Mini Makeover (enhance your natural beauty)🤍

Use lash growth serums every night before bed (I recommend GrandeLash serum)

Add vitamin C oil to your nightly skin care routine to brighten your skin and get a natural glow

Gua Sha your face daily to enhance your bone structure

Use rice water on your hair 2X a month to help thicken your hair and make your hair grow longer and healthier

Use honey, sugar, rose oil (or any oil your skin loves) as a face scrub and use it 2X a week

Rub caster oil into scalp nightly (or any oil your hair loves)

Moisturize your ends 2-3X a week for hair growth

Scrub your body 2X a week

Have a weekly spa/self-care day

Regularly moisturize your cuticles (nails and toes)

Take your daily vitamins

Use a turmeric mask to lighten your bikini area and under your arms

Be consistent with your skin care

Whiten your teeth and be consistent with the follow-ups (I recommend Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional White, worked wonders for me)

Do cardio 3X a week

Do weight lifting 2-3X a week

Be consistent and you will notice a difference in your appearance in 3-4 months. You will be flourishing and looking like a baddie by the spring time 🤍 good luck gorgeous

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Hi! My name is Nana and I am 34. I have about 6 months until my next birthday and while I have already made some significant changes in my life in the last few years, there are some more I would like to keep challenging myself on this journey of self-love and leveling up.

I saw a quote on a podcast I watch on YouTube, To my sisters, where they said "leveling up is not a final destination, but rather a life-long journey." I think so often we think we have to reach a certain point before life is good and done and improved, but maybe if you look back to a certain point in your life, you will realize how much better life is right now and it will give you the strength you need to keep going.

I remember when i started therapy, rounding up my second year with this therapist soon🥳. I was at a place where I wanted to quit my job and move back in with my parents because life sucked so much. It felt like nothing I did was helping my situation at work and I didn't feel like I was making strides towards my purpose in life. My savings were in shambles, I had a lot of debt and my body and mind felt so unhealthy. Two years later, my finances are on track, I'm on track for a promotion in January, 2022, and life doesn't feel quite as grim as before.

Am I where I need to be? Absolutely not. I have some health issues that have made my physical health feel worse than it has been in a long time. My health among other things like "will I really get the promotion this time", "I'm losing friends and I don't know why" or "will bae ever come?" get me down sometimes. What's different now is how I cope with these setbacks and thoughts because I am learning when I am to blame that sometimes are not meant for us, that we have to be patient or we already got it, but it looks different than we thought.

Why am I sharing all this you might ask? Well, I'm continuing on the journey and I wanted to share what it's been like for me so far and will continue to share. If anyone wants to follow, join in, exchange ideas, whatever, I just think it's fun to share your experiences and knowledge to give others hope.

Let's talk in the comments. Let's be honest, but let's not put ourselves or others down. In other words, bullying comments, teasing and negativity Will not be tolerated here. You will get deleted and if you keep going, you will get blocked!

Here are some resources that have been helping me along on this journey. Please share yours in the comments as well.

To my sisters (on Spotify, YouTube & Instagram)

Black Girl keto (on Instagram)

Black Nutritionist (on Instagram)

The virtual clinician (on Instagram)

Cece Olisa (on Instagram & YouTube)

The Finance Bar (on Instagram)

Downshiftology (on YouTube & Instagram)

The Financial Diet (on YouTube & Instagram)

Justin Agustin (on Instagram & YouTube)

Writers on Tumblr and Wattpad like @kekefrmthed , @uzumaki-rebellion, @nahimjustfeelingit-writes , @bettybelle & many others who I can't remember right now. Promise to tag y'all later on this journey.

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I am both woman and black, simultaneously!

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Octavia E. Butler

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