Chapter 1: The Dream of Writing

As I sit here typing away nearly every day, it feels surreal—not the chaotic dream filled with vibrant colors, but a warm, comforting one, reminiscent of lounging on a beach with a mimosa in hand. It's an authenticity that feels almost whimsical, yet grounded.

Growing up, my family held a conventional view that art wasn't a viable career. Generations of military and teaching professions marked a path that seemed secure and dependable. Yet, I always identified as a writer, where every scrap of paper became a doorway and every pen served as a compass to my future.

As a Black woman and now a mother, I recognize the roots of my family's perspective. It's been a challenging journey for Black individuals to forge a stable living in this country. Those before me fought hard—whether it was ancestors learning to read and write in a foreign language or relatives navigating subtle discriminations at work—only to reach a certain threshold. Stability was a precious gift, one to be cherished.

Like many young adults, I set aside my dreams to embrace practicality. I sought careers that would not drain my spirit, exploring fields related to creativity, such as communications, literature, and psychology, until I eventually returned to the family tradition of education. While I had always excelled in this arena, my college experience, compounded by untreated depression, was far from fulfilling.

Consequently, I entered education, capable of every role except teaching, clearing obstacles from the stability path laid out for me. I dabbled in tutoring, mentoring, and substitute teaching, experiencing more satisfaction than I had in years. Then came motherhood, a journey marked by the harsh realities of postpartum depression, which shifted my perspective. I felt compelled to create something meaningful—something that would support others grappling with similar mental health challenges after childbirth. Thus, I became a postpartum doula and established my own business.

The societal and familial expectations surrounding that choice were overwhelming. Coming from a traditional background, I was expected to work for someone else—stability was paramount. Yet, while my clients appreciated my support, I found myself unpaid and still struggling financially.

My child and I deserved more; we needed it. As we entered a post-COVID world with soaring bills, I again distanced myself from my passion, stepping into the corporate sector.

Fortitude: the mental strength that empowers individuals to face danger or endure hardship with bravery.

For the next 20 months, I mentored young girls and women in the largest organization dedicated to their empowerment in the U.S. I found joy in this role, but still sensed an unfulfilled longing for something deeper that I had been chasing for the past decade.

As my child approached Kindergarten, with societal movements gaining momentum yet facing resistance, I faced a pivotal choice: enroll her in public school or use my teaching skills to educate her at home. I chose to unenroll her, initiating our home-based Kindergarten journey. This required a significant lifestyle shift as I transitioned to full-time remote work to support her education. After two years of investing in the education of others' children, I decided to leave my corporate job. My ancestors would have been proud, even though it felt like I was straying from their carefully laid plans.

With passion, fortitude, and the groundwork laid by my ancestors, I took the plunge I had always dreamed of and returned to writing—the love I had almost forgotten.

And so, here I am at 30, rekindling my relationship with writing, rediscovering how to articulate myself in a language I once knew well. Finding my voice has brought me more fulfillment than I could have imagined.

Let's see where this writing journey leads me. Despite the doubts others may have about my path, I finally feel at home.

Video Description: In "How I Finally Felt Permission to Write…and Became a Published Author," I share my personal struggles and triumphs on the journey to becoming a writer.

Video Description: "HOW I BECAME A FULL TIME WRITER: MY AUTHOR JOURNEY" captures my transformation into a full-time writer, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs along the way.