Embracing Your Uniqueness ft Vena

Welcome back to another episode of Chronicles of a Virgo Podcast. This week we are joined by Vena Jones host of @thekonfessionkorner where we discuss overcoming having a comparison mindset and embracing our full beauty and uniqueness.

In this episode we discussed:

-The journey of becoming one with self to fully love and embrace your uniqueness

-The stigma around societal pressures for black women and the impact it can have on one to conform to unrealistic realities or self-doubt

-Shifting the narrative to reclaim positive self-image as a Black Woman

-A comparison of the environment of an HBCU vs an PWI and the impact that social environments can have on one’s mindset about self

-The impact of social media and how it contributes to one's self-doubt and mindset of comparison

In this conversation, Vena and I invite you into our experiences as two Black women who’ve confronted life’s challenges to embrace our full uniqueness. We also delve into the significance of self-reflection and the invaluable support of an embracing community.

Our aim with this episode is to empower you, the listener, to stand firm in your individuality, let go of the comparisons and wholeheartedly embrace yourself with pride and confidence.

Ways to connect with Vena:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thekonfessionkorner/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekonfessionkorner


Ways to connect with me:

Website and Blog: https://chroniclesofavirgo.wixsite.com/my-site

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chronicles_of_a_Virgo_podcast

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chronicles_of_a_virgo_podcast

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChroniclesOfAVirgoPodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/___Chiquita___

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chronicles_of_a_virgo

Send anonymous questions for “Ask kita” segment:

https://ngl.link/chronicles_of_a_virgo_podcast

Connect through email at [e-mail]

Disclaimer: "This podcast and website represents the opinions of Chiquita Johnson and her guests to the show and website. Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and website are our own and do not represent the place of any mental health or medical professional.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
Welcome to the Chronicles of a VerbalPodcast, the podcast dedicated to the transformative
journey of healing, mental health andpersonal growth. I'm your favorite favorite verical
host, Shakitha Johnson, and togetherwe'll continue to turn our vulnerability into strength.
As a sexual assault survivor and mentalhealth advocate, I have a learned
to sort through the ashes of mytrauma and turn my pain into power.

(00:26):
And this podcast is representation that healingis possible. And each episode we'll dive
deep deep into conversations about overcoming challenges, find your inter strength and emerging from
life trials like a feelings from theashes. We may even have some friends
drive by from time to time.Get ready to be inspired and empowered as
we embark on a rewarding journey ofself discovery. So sit back and relax

(00:50):
and let's get into some healing,right y'all, Welcome back to another episode
of Chronicles of a Vertical Podcast.And as usual, I can get a
favorite verb a host, Shikitha Johnson, and today, guys, we have
a lovely I mean a lovely guestjoining us. If y'all don't know her,

(01:11):
I truly encourage y'all to definitely gotap in with her her podcast like
everything. I am a fan supporter. I love this person to death.
We have the host of the ConfessionsCorner, M. Vienna Jones herself.
How you doing today's this? Iam doing well and thank you for this,

(01:33):
Like this is so dope, LikeI like I told you beforehand,
like you you've been having a greatrun. I be on the lookout for
all your posts, all your episodes. I really like tune in and I
commend you for keeping strong within thisbecause of course, as a fellow podcaster,
uh and friend and podcast we youknow discussed how like all of the

(01:55):
components of making a podcast, havingconversation is very we have to be very
particular. So I really do appreciateyou, you know, inviting me into
your space. I feel so welcome. I'm excited. Yes, it's no
problem. Like honestly, I commendyou and thank you for your support because
like out of I mean, there'stons of podcasts we come in touch with

(02:17):
like every single day, but likethe support that you give to me and
everyone else that I see its phenomenon. I'm like, how did this girl
keep up with like everybody? Likeit shows that you just have a loving
spirit and you're just you just embraceeverybody. So I will give you your
flowers for just being an amazing person. Yes, all right for real,

(02:40):
No, like you have created awonderful space over there. And I told
you like when I listen, whenI watch, because I have to watch
and listen to your podcast, likeI'm like so in tune because the conversation
topics they're so real. They drawyou in and they have you just like
really sitting there like Okay, Ican look at things from a different perspective,
but like, how can I applythis in my life to be better?

(03:01):
But you have fun at the sametime, you know, so like
I appreciate you and your your friendsand just having that whole platform. Course
and likewise, this is this isa beautiful space, like I said before,
And I'm happy to be here,of course, I'm always happy.
Toll for my fellow people on myphone podcast is creative as artists. Everybody
that's doing dope ass shit, likeokay, yeah people are doing everybody that's

(03:27):
doing dope ass shit like it's amazing. It's amazing, honestly. Yeah.
But yes, and I just saidon like one of my recent episodes that
like community is everything, like Iused to be like, oh no,
we can navigate life by ourselves orno, community is so important, and
like in podcasting, it really iscrucial, you know what I'm saying.

(03:47):
We help each other so exactly,it's imperative. And I think that within
any realm, any type of space, any type of like you said it,
like, it really makes a differencewhen you have others to assist you
or just be on your side orhelping you or even just giving you words

(04:08):
of encouragement, Like it really doesmake a difference. Honestly, Yes,
yes, yes, I love it. So before we get into some things,
because y'all know we'd be getting intosome things when the guests pop up,
we got to do our mental healthchecks. Okay, we got to
make sure that our mind, body, spirit, and soul is in alignment.
So how do we do the mentalhealth checks to anybody that's new that

(04:29):
is joining us. We rate ourmental health on the scaler one to five.
Five band that you're feeling in agood space. One band you may
not be in the best you havesome room for pouring, but you are
managing. So miss lady, howwould you rate your mental health today on
the scale of one to five,Oh my goodness, I would very much,

(04:50):
very much want to go with uhfour and four I'm gonna stick before
Okay, I'm gonna stick with forjust for leaving space for growth. This
week, little mother Nature came onthrough and visited your girl so along.
And I've always embraced you know,the cycle or whatever, and it's it

(05:15):
brings a lot of emotion. Ithink throughout this week I call like my
reflecting week because I'm so emotional duringthis time and whatever the case may be,
but specifically this week, I reallyit really called in a space of
just feelings and allowing myself to feel, especially the feelings that I usually push
this sid I'm like, okay,well, I'm gonna sit down with this

(05:36):
in like two weeks or maybe aweek or whatever. Like I really do
schedule that out sometimes because sometimes Ijust don't want to feel certain things at
a certain point in time, buteventually I'm gonna have to face them.
And I think this week I wascourageous enough to sit down and do that
and evaluate myself, not only myself, people within my circle, within my

(05:59):
tribe, and understanding the gaining andlike the grieving of it all, Like
it's it's such a it's such aduality type of thing, like some things
I'm grateful for that I've gained,and the knowledge and the insight not only
with self, but like I said, with others, and then also the
grieving some of the things I haveto let go within myself, and then
with repositioning and letting go some ofother people, you know. So I

(06:24):
would say it's it's at a four. I'm in a little vulnerable space right
now, but it's it's all good. I'm feeling I'm feeling less. Is
a beautiful time to be alive.But yes, well, thanks for sharing
that with us. You know,I know that womanhood thing, it can
definitely take you one way or theother, you know. But something you

(06:46):
said, you are you've just courageousenough to embrace like all of your emotions
and flow at this time. AndI think that's important because I am an
advocate for sitting in your shit,but you can't stay there right and sitting
with the intentions to figure out what'sgoing on, so you can like apply
it and apply something positive to helpyou move forward and navigate those orders.

(07:08):
But it's also important to also knowthe grieving process of letting go, like
letting go of parts of us andpeople, especially people that are still alive,
you know, like those friendships thatdon't serve you know, no justice
anymore. So I'm glad that youwere able to have that moment with yourself
this week, because, like yousaid, you push it off sometimes because

(07:30):
you don't want to feel it,but it's imperative that we do. So
I'm glad that you did that.I didn't do it my mental health today
on scale of one to five,because I've been very like vocal about my
struggles these last couple of months andgetting back in the swing of things.
I am at a probably a fourand a half today, okay, just

(07:50):
because I'm cold, Like you know, you're here in the stage with me,
okay, so you know that thisweather is like snowing and it's and
it's windy. So it's just likeI'm okay with being cold, but I
don't like to be freezing, andI have been like shivering cold. But
otherwise I feel like I have finallyfound some type of balance to just like

(08:13):
get myself going and doing things.I'm still on my break from work.
I guess you'll say, but Ihave to prepare to go back in another
week. So trying to like getmyself mentally prepared to move back and back
into that office, professional setting.I think I'll be okay now because I
really needed to get myself together andbe healthy, you know, and that's

(08:37):
important. Yeah. Yeah, AndI was just explaining to somebody yesterday,
like they were asking me, likehow were you able to get off?
And I'm like, you guys reallyneed to check your benefits, your corporate
benefits if you were for nonprofits whatever. Check the underwriting of things, like
if you're paying for certain things anddon't know, really find out because sometimes
there are certain clauses and benefits inyour package that may help you in those

(09:01):
moments, like you don't got totell everybody your business, you know,
but you may be able to getoff of work for that time. And
I listen, I took it,you know, like you yeah, you
know a little bit more than aboutwhat I was what I had, you
know, transpire. But moving forward, I'm in this space now where I
just like it's a new year.I want to just expect new new energy,

(09:26):
new vibes, like all of thatstuff. If it don't apply.
I'm letting it fly and I'm justgoing to keep pushing, you know,
absolutely, I love that. Yeah. So I do these mental health checks
as a way to hold myself accountable, to continue to check in with myself
because I needed and as well aslike people that's listening, guests that come
on, because life be life inbe moving fast paced. Sometimes a lot

(09:50):
of us hold a lot of differentroles and titles and wear different cakes,
and sometimes we just need a reminderto just sit for a second, breathe
and really check to see how we'refeeling before it gets too late, but
before we get to that burnout pointand we're just like crashing and burning.
So that's my reason for doing thesechecks. So thank you for participating.
I appreciate it. I like that. Yeah. So I hope everyone else

(10:13):
out there is doing your checks too, you know, making sure that you're
okay, and check on your friends, strong friends, you know, friends
that are not so strong, Checkon your family. Ain't nobody saying you
gotta get in their business hold ofconversation. Just hey, how you doing,
You're feeling all right today? Justmake sure people are good. Sometimes
people really need that, you know, but don't do it if you don't

(10:35):
really care. That's the whole notherthing, all right, GARYLS, So
let's get into this conversation. I'mexcited for this one. I feel like
it'd be something that a lot ofpeople can resonate with, especially women,
maybe men too, But we wantto talk about embracing our uniqueness and just
celebrating our wholeness as black women.And yes, girl, because I feel

(10:58):
like I know I can speak forme too, but I know other people
would say it, like, wego through a phase, especially like when
you're on social media, you're ina podcast, in space, public figure
or whatever, you go through thiswhole comparison phase where you see other women
and you're like, well, damn, I wish I looked like this,

(11:18):
So I wish I had that,and you know, you start doing things
to yourself that is not healthy,trying to ricochet the same thing that you're
seeing on social media. So Ifeel like holding these conversations are important because
A is saying like, well,hey, you're not the only one that
thinks and have felt this way,and then B maybe these are some alternatives

(11:39):
on how you can embrase your uniqueness. I feel like We're all unique,
you know. Of course, ofcourse we have our own style, we
have our own culture, we haveour own like thing about us. And
I really do appreciate this topic becauseit's right right on't fine. If anything,
it is divine Alignmentcause I did havea conversation, especially with my sister

(12:01):
today, you know, just abouthow I was spending like a couple of
weeks ago versus like how I'm feelingnow, and I feel so much better,
especially being as a creator, beingas a podcaster, and also just
being a black woman as a whole. Some things that I've been trying to
obtain, the path that I'm on. And then also like how I was

(12:22):
comparing myself and my sister very much, you know, gave the insight that
everybody's path is different. And eachtime I kept like, you know,
reiterating how I was feeling, howI wasn't sure about something, how I
had these doubtful thoughts. She kepttelling me, like, but you have
to understand being a everybody's path isdifferent, you know. And I just

(12:45):
recently had my latest episode was justyou know, embracing the journey and staying
on your own destined path. Itit's a lot of it's a lot of
mental obstacles, I would say,and specifically being a black woman, and
we do experience a lot of howcan I say this comparison enjoy whether it
be like you know, either whetherit's body, body image, or whether

(13:09):
it's like success or anything for thatmatter. It's a lot to digest and
to actually filter out. But Iwill say the best thing about that is
like really taking the time to understandwho you are and what you like,

(13:30):
and especially like you said, Ilike your uniqueness. Like I know for
myself, I'm a very My personalityis it's very different. It's very different.
Not trying to say it's too muchanything that did, but I think
my personality is what's unique about me. I get a lot of mixed reactions

(13:50):
from like how I present myself,you know, versus like how I Once
people get to know me, itstarts to think like oh wow, I
didn't expect this, or and it'sit's the it's the funniest thing. But
I really really encourage everyone to likeembrace like what makes you you, because
that's ultimately like what defines like whoyou are and what you do, the

(14:13):
people that you attract and things thatyou attract, you know, so it's
very it's very important, I wouldsay, you know, just to sit
with self and really figure it out, not trying to say it's all rainbows
and daisies and stuff like that.It's sometimes a dog fight, yeah,
it low key is. And Ithink specifically for black women, the thing

(14:35):
about like comparison is more so likeif it's not success, it's body image.
You know. I remember being likeyoung, and I was skinny,
I was I was very I wasvery skinny, but then also like heavy
chested, so like it kind oflike messed with me a little bit seeing
everyone else developing the way that theydeveloped and da dada la, and it

(15:00):
kind of messed with me. Theyalways say comparison is a thief of joy.
So for for a long time,like I was not accepting of selfs
Like it was a point in timewhere I was like if waiting mirrors,
like it does come a time whereyou know, there are like some dark
days. But then ultimately I reallyhad a simple self understand that, like

(15:22):
my sister said, everyone has theirown destined path. So I do believe
like what comparison, and specifically forblack women, we we go through a
lot. We go through a lot. Yeah, a lot. So it's
funny you said that, because Ithink like for me, as I got

(15:43):
older, I realized like what Iwas actually going through when I was like
younger, I went through like awhole like identity crisis in elementary middle school
because and I spoke about this likebriefly on the podcast, but not like
as much as I'm about to getin and death today, but like about
my complexion, I was either toldthat I was like, oh, you're

(16:06):
not black because you're too light skinned, or you're not white because you're black,
Like you know what I'm saying.Yeah, Like I remember going home
telling my mom, like what amI like? Because all of my family,
like I'm the lightest person in myfamily. Okay, so like seeing
like my grandmother and my aunts andlike cousins and stuff, everyone is darker
than me. Still to this day, I'm like the lightest person in my

(16:30):
family, and I'm like, darn, like I don't have none of y'all
last name, and because I havemy father's side last name, and I'm
like, I don't look like theshades of any of you guys. So
for a long time, like Iused to be like, oh I'm white.
I'm white because that's what people inschool, like kids were bullied,
you tell me that. So,like I never embraced my blackness until maybe

(16:53):
like a few years ago. Likeand that may sound crazy, but like
I knew I was black, likeyou know, be real, but but
I really like embraced like my blackness. And it was to the point where,
like I when I came to highschool and like going to choose colleges,
I didn't want to go to likeHBCUs because I didn't think that I

(17:15):
was Yeah, now, if Iwas to do it all over again,
I would definitely have one to aHBCU, but I didn't want to do
it because I felt like I stilldid not fit in with black people.
I always felt like the like theoddball out because I was lighter than a
lot of my friends and stuff.And even in high school, like my
nicknames were like I have my nicknamesand stuff, but like the main one

(17:37):
was like break you know, redbone, like yeah, things like that.
And I think at that age whenyou're teenager, you think it's cool
and stuff, and I'm old,I'm like nah, like it's okay,
yeah, like not Okay, it'snot okay. I have people calling me
like snow white and oh girl,yeah it used to be and like you

(17:57):
know, back then, even likeit all because again, for some reason,
I think I felt like, well, hey, it's me, so
I don't fit in, but they'recalling me this so that I do fit
in. But I did not realizethe disconnection with me and me just embracing
myself, you know. So besideslike my complexion and me really getting like

(18:18):
embracing my full blackness, it wasthat I was big tested. I was
like the only probably one of theonly kids in like middle school wearing like
bras, like not just sports bras, but like braus. I can I
remember the traumatizing experience of my momtaking me the JC Pennies getting fitted for
adult bras, like I skipped overthe training broad period yeah same, you

(18:41):
know, And it was just likethey sat me down, like Okay,
things are going to look a littledifferent now, like you just can't wear
this, you have to wear thisand this Everything was changing so fast for
me in like middle school, youknow, and I'm like, how am
I supposed to embrace this part ofme? And I don't even know if
I even want those there, right, even as an adult, I tried

(19:03):
to do I try to get abreast reduction because oh yeah, like this
is like back in like maybe liketwenty thirteen, twenty fourteen is. Yes,
I wanted them taking DK y'all takesome of this because again, I
felt like people only look at thatas an adult. Now that's when you
see me. I felt like thatwas the only thing you saw, the

(19:25):
physicalness, and mind you, I'mnot even fully bursting in my physicalness,
so I don't want you to evensee me for that, you know.
Then I found out it's a wholeit's a whole process to even get like
a breast reduction. So I wasjust like, I don't know, Yeah,
it's a lot. I've just lookedin research. It's a lot.
Yeah, I'm like physical therapy whatlike, they make you do a whole

(19:48):
lot of stuff because they're going topay for it. They're like, listen,
you better fit all this criteria,you know, But like I try,
I battle with that, like myweight has been like up and down.
Then I found out like the womengo through the worst hormone shoes whatsoever,
you know. So yeah, honestly, like a few years ago,
I felt like it's when I reallyreally stepped into accepting of my full blackness

(20:11):
like everything, and I was justlike, man, I wish I would
have had an HBCU experienced like Iwish I could have just been more like
doing advocacy work, just being aroundand if I had had someone that that
was like encouraging me to do that. Had they known that I did not
like I disconnected myself a little bitfrom like my black counterparts because I didn't

(20:34):
feel like I fit in, Iprobably would have pushed myself to my limits
to actually explore, you know,other parts. Like my friends that I
have now, I didn't know themback then, you know, so they
also helped me. And like yousaid, there are times when I feel
like it I just like, youknow what I'm saying. I think that's
a normal feeling, you know.But then it's just like, oh my

(20:56):
god, do I look good oncamera? Like it's this ring like you
like, like it's gonna make melook pale. I deal, No,
Yes, I still deal with thecolor, the complexion, the complexion stuff
a lot. I will I willadmit that I still deal with it a
lot. But I feel like Istill am also embracing my blackness. You
know, I love being black.I love being a black woman. Clearly

(21:22):
it's lit. But but like yoursisters, like your sister said, like
it's a journey, but it's justlike, well, how do you navigate
the waters of these journeys. It'sso I appreciate you for being transparent because
a lot of people have had likea You're not the only person that that
has like light skin, that's lightskin that's told me like, yeah,

(21:45):
you know, I'm too light forthe blacks and I'm too black for the
white you know, and especially inlike middle school and like high school,
there was a sense of like isolationversus like isolating, like they would get
isolated by you know, the whitesand stuff like that and the blacks,
and then also they would like inturn, not try to associate themselves with

(22:07):
any type of culture. And Ithink more so it starts with like it
starts, like I said before,just knowing's self. But even in your
situation, you know, it wasa little difficult. It's a dog fight.
It's like a mental dog fighter.Got to tell people that, like
it's so hard to entangle certain thingsin certain concepts about ourselves so easily,

(22:29):
you know. It's it's so hardto get out of certain like ideals about
ourselves, like when I was younger, especially being a black woman, you
know. And I'm glad that youwere able to, like, you know,
start to embrace your blackness, becausethat is something that that's who you
are. You are a black woman. Very what's her name sand Beyonce a
song fluorescent Beage like we could bebut bitch, you're black, Like that

(22:52):
is one of my favorite parts,probably because of that, Like I've expeamed
that to the top of my longLike it's not in all different shades,
it's all different shades, and Ithink it's very important to it's very important
to like notice that. But evenwith noticing that, digesting that, it
takes a lot of courage to evensit with self and be like, oh

(23:15):
shit, like this is who Iam and really realizing that and nitpicking at
the things that you want to alter, not so much, you know,
drastically, but like all to yourideas of stuff. You know, Okay,
we are a black woman, Likewhat doesn't mean to be a black
woman? X Y and Z.I know, for myself, when I
was younger, I had this thingabout my hair. Of course black women

(23:40):
we weren't represented, or black youngblack girls who weren't represented in the way
that we are now, or likepeople are starting to advocate now for and
I wanted my hair to be likethe Disney princess, like Jasmine and stuff
like that. So I used tofor the longest, I used to walk
around with a towel and like awhat's it called a headband on my head

(24:00):
and pretend like it was my hair, and I looking like when I was
doing it, I'm like, Okay, this is normal. Whatever we look
in my house, I'm doing it. I did it for like a couple
of months, so like maybe wecould hear it, sof and my mom
had to like really sit down andlike, no, this is not your
hair. Stop this. I don'tknow what you're doing, but stop it.
And looking back now as a grownwoman, I'm like, oh,

(24:22):
this is sad, Like subconsciously thatwhat was going on in my head,
And I think it's a lot ofwhat's the word, It's a lot of
reprogramming, a lot of reprogramming,and then also it's a lot of change
of insight because we are now inan age where we especially now on social

(24:47):
media, we see other black women, you know, making alterations to their
bodies, to themselves, especially totheir skin, you know, and if
a cost of concern was it's takento the limits. Now. I'm never
gonna judge anyone for what they wantor what they want to look like,

(25:07):
but specifically, if if I'm everasked for the opinion, you know,
specifically for black women, I dobelieve that we have to embrace our features,
who we are and all the differenttypes of shades and sizes and stuff
like that. As hard as itmay be, not trying to say it's
the easy process. As hard asit may be, I do believe embracing
like the blackness of us. Youknow, it speaks so much volume because

(25:33):
a lot of other cultures try toimitate it, you know, and yeah,
and it's and it's and it's it'ssuch a mind blowing thing to know
that other races and cultures and whatevercase may be, want to imitate who
you truly are and you don't evenyou know, want that. But in
that process, it's it's hard tolove self because you've been told all these

(25:56):
different things. They will call youfreaking life right like girl. I mean,
yeah, my skin. But youknow, it's it's such a difficult
thing. But I think conquering thatmindset is it's not easy, but it
is doable, especially with community.You know, I'm surrounding yourself, like

(26:17):
how you say, you know,I went to HBCU. I went to
the illustrious Morgan State Verse. Butbut being there before I went there because
Morgan was like my dream school.But before going there, I was on
the road, in this road inthis program to go to Buckmeil University,

(26:38):
which is a PWY, and Iwas just going because my mother was like,
you better gets a scholarship. I'mlike, okay, I'm going to
this program. It seems like theylet you know, a couple of black
kids in I might as well tryit. I didn't get accepted. I
was like, oh my god,why, Like whatever the case may be,
but going to Morgan has had tobe the most best decision like I've

(27:00):
ever made in life. I'm notgonna lie. And it's not so much
just because you know, of courseit was my one of my dream schools.
But at the same time, beingthere was was different. Being in
the community of blackness was different togo and experience homecoming to go and experience
like black professors profoundly speaking to youabout the education not only just what we're

(27:23):
supposed to learn, but then alsoabout our culture, the other facts and
the other the knowledge that you knowwas hidden or pushed aside within like the
mainline like school system. Like itbrung so much clarity, and especially from
the household that I grew up inand my father used to we used to
go to church. I was raisedin a Baptist church. But you know,

(27:45):
as time went on, you know, me and my sister had questions
about spirituality and religion. My father, my mother was very you know,
supportive of it. But my fatherused to like sit us down every Sunday.
We would you know, read theBible dissected. But alongside with that
we would watch like black history documentaries. We would my dad used to sit
us down and let us listen.I kid you not. He had tapes

(28:08):
of Malcolm X Malcolm X speeches andMartin Luther King's speeches, and he would
like have us had discussions afterwards aboutlike what's the difference, where's the comparison,
you know, X, Y andZ. So I understand that,
you know, embracing a blackness,especially being a black woman in America.
It's it's a new it's a wholenew world. Basically, it's a whole

(28:30):
new world. Do you feel asif, like the people, like,
when did you start to notice likeyou were like black or like embrace your
blackness or felt when did you startfeeling confident within that this is gonna sound
so bad. I mean, thisis gonna sound so bad, but like,
I'll be real, I'll be real. Like again, I've always known

(28:52):
I was like black. However,just like being bullied in school, being
told one thing for a child,it was conflicting, right, I feel
like I wanted to dive more intomy blackness during COVID, during the height
of like the George Floyd stuff,because I started hearing and saying things that
again, I went to Piw's likeI knew black history, but I didn't

(29:17):
know like the nitty gritty of blackhistory. And I think that was for
a lot of people, right,it was for a lot of people.
Things were happening, like the wholeGeorge Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aurey,
all of those situations just wanted youwanted to just go out there and
you just wanted to rip the nextside off of people, right. But
at the same time, it gaveme a chance to like really dive into

(29:38):
more like history, especially the lossside of it. And I'm just like,
bro, like I'm black and Idon't notice. So I just like
I felt like the more I fedmyself with information and stuff, it just
made me just get more comfortable inmy skin as a black woman. Now
that's not to say that I hatedmyself or anything before COVID. I I

(30:00):
had my imperfections that I didn't like, just like I still do now.
But it made me like really justfully like embrace it. It made me
fully like be okay with like lookingin the mirror and accepting like I am
a black woman. And for somepeople in this crazy chaotic world, it's
not easy, you know. Youknow, It's like you can be a
black woman at home, but thenwhen you go in a professional setting,

(30:22):
you gotta switch that tone up alittle bit. You know, you gotta
put your hair down. I don'tdo that. I don't put my I
don't walk with my hair down anymore. As a black woman. I walk
with my hair. I'm confident inmy walk. You know, I'm confident
in my talk. I'm sorry itfeels like I'm coming at you aggressive,
but that's just the tone that i'mThat's how I talk, you know.
And as far as like my physicalfeatures, I feel like that is just

(30:44):
a daily it's a daily thing,you know, it's a daily thing.
I went through the whole like hairthing too. My mom purnent my hair
at a young age. Okay,so I like getting my hair perm I'm
not natural at all. People thinkI'm natural. I am not natural,
and I like to. I thinkpart of it for me like to wear

(31:07):
my hair out and rhypslize because asa child I want it long, slowy
hair. Well, now I wantthe natural curls, but I don't want
to take the time to tame thecurls. And naturally takes a lot for
it, right, But I appreciatewomen black women that take the time to
really, that's your crown. Youfix your crown. You take the time.
Like all my friends are natural,you know, And I listen to

(31:30):
the stories I watched them fix thestuff, and I'm just like, I
don't have patience for it. Butif I did what the natural sad girl
you know, let me know.I got from stop you if you want
to lock your hair, you know, but whatever is your preference, you
know, it's fine. But thejust noticing it is it's a different type
of thing. But the hair thing, yes, yeah, and you know,

(31:52):
so I think I'm to the pointnow because I'm getting older. You
know, I would be thirty fivethis year, so yeah, I mean
thirty five, you look good,you do. I thought you, Like,
I'm like, you know, lastyear, people were like, wait,
you're thirty four. I'm like,how old did y'all think that I

(32:14):
was? I mean maybe eight?At least you'll hear that. I might
have to click that one part andjust post it because yeah, thank you,
sis, thank you, because no, I think it is so.
And that's another thing I think thatmakes people feel like uncomfortable and it's secure
a little about theselfs and when peopletell you that you look so much older

(32:36):
than what you are, like youknow what I'm saying. Like I've had
people that have told me that backin the day that I look super old.
I'm like, well, maybe I'mjust tired. Like, you know,
yeah, people tell me they thinkI'm older than what I am I'm
like child, I am a baby, not a baby, but I'm a
grown up. I'm a grown woman. But in comparison to the woman that
I'm around and like the sisterhood thatI have, I am the youngest.

(33:00):
It was kind of like like Ithought you were older because you are so
mature and wise. So it hadnothing to do with like see, that's
the thing. It's different, hadnothing to do it looks everything okay,
okay, because I heard I don'tknow if I don't know if it was
your podcast or you was used onanother podcast and you said age, I'm

(33:20):
like, wait what I'm like,it's just like your into like has nothing
to do it, like how youlook your physical with your wisdom. Yes,
like so yeah, I feel likeI'm at a point now in my
adult life where it's like it's allor nothing, right, you know.
And like I said, I wishI would have gone to an HBC.
You now, but I also playedbasketball, so like HBC for high school

(33:49):
for did you go to college?I did so? Yeah. So my
freshman year of college, I wentto a school called Potomac State. It
said kinds of West Virginia. It'slike a really small Juco okay, and
then child they got some different theydo. Like my mom set me down

(34:12):
before I left. It was likelisten, they got this is what you
made, this is what you maybe up against. But again, I
did not deal with that much adversitybecause people thought I was biracial, which
is which is horrible. Like Iget that a lot too. I'm like,
bro, why can I just beblack? I'm not. I am
like, I'm not in between.But yeah, I did not have a

(34:35):
lot of issues where it was sucha small town. You really didn't see
anybody unless they went to the schoolI lived in, like the surrounding communities.
Now if you came out of thearea, then you'll see more people.
But I really like didn't leave campusthat much because my mom I had
that talk with me about like,you know, this is what you do
in these type of situations. Youget pulled over, like you had to

(34:59):
like really be perfec hair, youknow. Absolutely. Luckily, my teammates,
the majority of my teammates were white, but their parents were very supportive.
So after I did a year there, I was homesick and I came
back home to Maryland and I dida year and a half at the time,
it was the college in Notre Dameon de Charlle Street. Because I

(35:20):
played ball. All I wanted todo was play ball. Unfortunately, I
frashured my tipia going into my secondyear, so I ended up like having
to like I just left because Icouldn't play ball. I finished my undergrad
at UNUC, so I still gotmy bachelor's and then I went straight back
to get my master's. I didanother online program at Liberty University. But

(35:45):
had I known what I know nowabout that school, I probably wouldn't have
went to Liberty. I probably wouldhave explored like other schools. But I
just wanted to do everything fast track, Like I just wanted to be fast
tracked, and I was still workingand online school was just easier for me.
But again, like it was likemy sister she graduated from Bouie and

(36:06):
seeing her, Yeah, like seeingher whole experience, I'm like, yeah,
what else y'all doing? Who comingto home like I wanted? I'm
like, yo, what, Sonow she is a senior, it's last
year of grad school at find Aand Ty, I'd be like, what's
going on? I'm like homecoming doingwhat? Like I wish not just the

(36:27):
extracurricular parts, but it's like theculture, right, like all the culture
and just now I have met peoplefrom all different walks of life, different
races and things like that. ButI definitely feel like if I would have
went to HBCU, it would havechallenged me to be around more people that
were not like me, and Imay have really fit in. I didn't.
I just like, look, Inever fit in. So I'm not

(36:49):
going to even explore the option.I did apply to HBCUs. I applied
to Howard, I applied to BOUIand everybody had to apply to Morgan back
then where when I'm in high schoolagain, and I was just like,
I don't want to go. Idon't want to go so oh my god,
so much magic there. But Iunderstand it's a it's a it's a

(37:14):
lot with deciding course with college.But what I realize, especially going to
HBCU, that this is a whole. This is constructed for you. You
know what I'm saying. If anybodywants to venture to a PWY, you
know, that's their choice, butspecifically for the black individual, I do

(37:35):
suggest, like, you know,experiencing an HBCU if anything ultimately, because
not only do you get to it'snot so much of like everything's black,
everything's whatever, you know what I'msaying, but it gives you more of
an insight about you, you know. And I've noticed those years are really
crucial to self development and also flowinginto your adulthood. I've noticed that the

(38:00):
things I've carried in college, thethings I've learned in college outside of you
know, the education, but theexperiences, the interactions, the everything else,
it made up so much. Itmade so much sense when I became
an adult and also going on theventure of self discovery. I was in
college and you know, I'm aroundthese black folks, but also I'm understanding

(38:22):
who i am within my black andsome around other black women. I'm understanding
that, you know, black peopleare you know, at the top of
these classes, are profound in thesemajors, in these careers, and yes
they are profound within the real world. And it makes it makes you feel
more empowered, I would say,because you realize a lot of stuff.

(38:45):
You realize a lot of stuff notonly about your culture and the people in
there, whatever the case may be, but then also about yourself, you
know, and specifically how you talkedabout like you know, your your skin
tone and stuff like that, likeit it it really makes I don't know
how to explain it even like howI'm telling you now, like it's it's

(39:07):
a whole different experience. And Ireally did wish you had that experience,
to be honest, because I thinkhaving that would have given you more insight
or more appreciation. That's trying tosay you don't appreciate yourself now. You
know, I amend you for seekingout your community and everything like that,
but it would have made you beenlike, oh, I'm not only a

(39:30):
black woman in America, but likethis is who I am. These are
my people, and you also coulddecipher, you know, some things that
you enjoy about it and also somethings that you don't enjoy about the culture.
You know what I'm saying, it'sit's it's it's a it's a big
experience. But also like tying itinto embracing uniqueness. You know, you
do have a like you said,for a rest of age, but you

(39:52):
are a black woman, you know, and that's and that's something that I
do believe that black women should likeaddress first, you know what I'm saying.
Of course we are women. Wecould get into that, but there
is a much bigger difference for blackwomen. You know, not to dismiss
anybody else's culture, but specifically blackwomen and Black people as a whole.

(40:17):
I think we have a difficult timesometimes embracing our uniqueness because sometimes we are
told, well majority of the timewe are told like no, this is
ghetto, your hair is nappy,this is too black, too loud,
to a too aggravating, too toomuch attitude, like it's too much.

(40:40):
And it's like, well, whycan't I be too much? I'd rather
be than too much, than less. I rather, I'd rather be And
it's it's so empowering to know thatjust being I think I've heard this,
Like I think I heard this likelast month, an artist has said it.
He said, you know, justbeing black presenting it is like a

(41:05):
statement. You know, just beingblack presenting is a statement specifically okay,
a black person, but a blackwoman, just being within that realm of
work, within the social within whatever. It's a statement. You already come
in the door as a statement.And I think the best way to navigate
that and to embrace that is justto really, like I said before,

(41:28):
sit with self and see who youare. You know, yes, I'm
this black there's light skinned black woman, but also you know, intellectual,
I am creative, I am X, Y and Z, you know,
and don't really give into the labelsthat other people try to put you into.
You know, it's it's it,don't do the nigga no good,

(41:50):
That's all I'm gonna say. Don'tdon't do what's so good? If no,
you're you're completely Yeah, you're completelyright. And it's like you mentioned,
like the whole mindset shift, it'simperative that we really sit with ourselves
and you have to figure out whoyou are as a person and even the
parts that you may not like,your imperfections. I've had to sit with,

(42:14):
well, why don't you like this? Like you know, this may
make like, this may make youunique, you know in some shape or
form, like I have a lotof people won't ever know, but I
have alopecia on my edge, onmy edges. So that was something else
added to the plate that I gotbullied about for the longest time. And

(42:34):
until I got like an adult,when people didn't acknowledge it anymore. I
felt comfortable with wearing my hair indifferent styles and different things. And so
one day one of my coworkers shehad like a short haircut and it was
shaved and she had like designs andit was dope though, like some thing
like black women are so creative withthe hair and they're not afraid to explore

(42:57):
different things. And she was like, girl, I feel yours was like
that. That's why I went andgot mine and got the I'm like,
nah, this is like hereditary,Like it's not even like the inspiration.
The inspiration. It's like damn said, I thought, nah. But it's
good though, that you that shesaw that and the representation she saw that

(43:17):
on another black woman, and it'slike, oh, I'm not as well,
you know, even though it wasyou know, misterprety. But at
the same time, it's like,oh, you got it. I'm gonna
go get it because I see iton you and I can relate to you.
Why because they are a black women. You knows, it makes a
lot of the difference. But yeah, embracing the uniqueness about self, uh,

(43:43):
and even like not really trying tofall into comparison, it takes a
lot. I find myself. Ifound myself doing it last week, and
like I said, my sister hadgot me about out of it because I'm
like, well, dang, youknow, I don't know if I'm this
and I want to be this typeof woman and I can be, but
at the same time, I don'tfeel like that, and it's so much
going on and personally, I justdon't know how to navigate it, and

(44:07):
I don't know if I'm behind orif I need to catch up, And
it's so many things that go intoLike I said, comparison really is the
thief of joy. But it alsolike kind of gives you some type of
push if it's like using a healthyway, like if you're like comparing other
not so much into like a derogatorylike way, like oh my god,

(44:28):
this person is better than me.I can't believe it. You know.
I think that if you're comparing yourselfto let's just say other podcasters or other
creatives, you know, it's like, Okay, I like the way this
person does X, Y and Z. How can I shift my stuff into
my own style and my own uniquenessand really figure out, like what is
my style? So I don't haveto like feel like I'm comparing it like

(44:52):
this person is better than me,you know, I'm using that that thought
process of comparison in a healthy orproductive way, and I think I think
using it in a productive way helpsway much more than using in a way
where it's like, well, ohthis person's better than me, I'll never
be this, and I'll nervy that. And you honestly have to, like

(45:14):
I said before, embrace your ownjourney and brace your own paths. And
like you, the topic is embracingyour own uniqueness, because that is like,
yes, I feel I feel likewhen you when you realize that we
all are unique in some type ofway, whether we have our hair different
ways, our complexions are different,we all have lived different lives, our

(45:37):
paths are different, then that shouldshift your mind. Well, if I'm
unique, then I can start creatingthese different things about myself, you know,
like creating your own hairstyles, creatingyour own your makeup to look a
certain type of way. Like forme personally, I'm not into like a
lot of that makeup and all thatstuff. But I know people that do,

(45:59):
and I'm like, oh my god, like I idolize people to do,
you know. And I had acoworker she told me, she was
like, well, it must beit must It must be nice to feel
like you don't have to wear makeup. And I was like, at first,
I didn't know how to take itright because I'm like, well,
are you saying that I need towear it? Yeah? Or is it

(46:20):
say? She's like no, I'mjust saying, like I wish I was
that confident to feel like I didn'tneed to wear makeup. And I'm just
like, well, think about it. You don't need things to make you
pretty, or do you? Butagain, it's getting to a place where
you know what you just you justknow, like I'm confident in my skin.
I know I'm beautiful. I don'twant anything to alter my complexion or
whatever. And I'm not saying I'magainst makeup, because like people use makeup

(46:44):
for different reasons, but in hercase, like it was just it's the
only time she feels pretty. AndI'm like, I never have been that
girl. I'm sorry, you knowwhat I'm saying. But once you shift
your mind overall and just really livesthat, you know, like, hey,
I'm unique. Let me just workon my confidence a little bit.

(47:05):
And you mentioned earlier about like howpeople like unfortunately feel like they need to
alter their bodies and things, andwith social media now more than anything,
I think we're seeing more people gettinglike all these enhancements and surgeries, and
unfortunately people, it is the demiseof them. You know, there they
are, they they pass away likeyou know, sadly. Like Jackie Oh

(47:29):
like last year, everyone, Ohmy god, she was so beautiful,
she didn't need any to get anythingelse done, but maybe something in her
mind felt like she wasn't enough,you know, And it's just so random,
but like I was listening to ShannonSharp's podcast his recent episode with Country

(47:50):
Wayne, and Country Wayne was talkingabout like he's paid for like breast augmentations,
he's paid for bbls for women thathe's dealt with, and shop was
like why, he said, becausethey wanted it. They felt like they
needed it. And I knew asa man there was nothing I can tell
them that was going to make themfeel like they didn't need it like they

(48:12):
had already had. I can buildthem up, I can affirm them,
but in their minds they felt likethey needed it. So I had to
let them go get it to seeif it was something they really wanted.
And then some of them had tocome back and like yeah, this is
not for me. You have tofind a balance, you know, And
I know some people work really reallyhard on their confidence and their self worth,

(48:35):
and it's just like when you removeeveryone else from that origin of you,
it's so much easier to just aimin and focus on yourself and be
like, you know what, Ithink, I kind of liked me.
You know, I think I'm acool think I'm a cool person. A
person. Now you have to knowI think, and especially like, you
know, the affirmations. Being atherapist, being a social worker myself,

(48:57):
I find myself talking to my clientsand you know, not so much of
like unnecessary praise, but really findingthe strengths and certain things about them,
you know, understanding that you knowwe're not and bring it to the forefront
that you are not very You're nota perfect person, but you are very

(49:19):
willing to be in tune with self. And the pursuit of that makes you,
like we're gonna put in quotations perfector makes you It makes the whole
process of it beautiful because you arenoticing your imperfections, but then also you're
embracing them, and then the thingsthat you can change not so much on
the outside, but like in yourwork is what matters the most, you

(49:44):
know, and I like to focusI really do like to focus on that,
specifically with my clients and especially youknow, just regular with my friends.
I like to make sure that youknow people and not just telling you
anything, because I don't like totell people anything, but more so focusing
on the strengths that people will have, because people have unique strengths. You

(50:05):
know, some things I have thatother people don't have, and something that
other people have that I don't have. But what we have to do is
we have to understand that we can'thave it almost all, like you can't.
You're not gonna have everything for everybody. So the things that you do
have you need to build upon,build it on it, and embrace thatt
uniqueness about yourself like you are,like I said, beyond the sad unique

(50:29):
girl, say how long I don'tI am? And then sometimes like sometimes
your imperfections is what, like yousaid, is what makes you unique because
not talk about of sain no oneelse has that, but you no one
does. You know, like youhave that one birthmark that's somewhere that no

(50:49):
one else has it, you know. So my hope is that people really
get to the point, even myself, like really get to the solid point
of just being so comfortable and justembracing your full selves, whether it's embracing
your full blackness or whatever ethnic groupyou fall under, and just embracing being

(51:10):
a woman, bracing being a man, and not feeling like you have to
be someone else. You know,don't get righted up in the whole social
media aside, because it will makeyou feel like you ain't shit half the
time, like oh my god,like my hair, I need more hair,
joy, joy, and embrace allof those areas, you know.

(51:32):
And I feel like part for methat what has really really really helped me
is having a very inclusive tribe likemy I talk about my friends all the
time, you know. They don'tnever lie to me. They only tell
me the truth even though I don'twant to hear it, you know.
But trying to have people around youthat pour into you, you know,

(51:54):
and I feel like we don't haveenough of that. Even people will say,
oh, yeah, we're all inplay silver care. You know.
I'm a girl's girl, like bereal, Like everyone's not a girl's girl,
a child. I've noticed that I'veseen that I truly am a girl's
girl own talking about child. Butno, it's it. I understand.

(52:16):
I understand. Your tribe is whatreally makes you like who you are.
I discussed this like last week theweek before last. Your tribe is really
like your base. You know,you can make you can make things happen,
but are you really making things happenbecause like you simply did it or
like you have the support you havethe like the harmony within like your tribe

(52:37):
to actually assist you with that,And I think that's very imperative moving forward,
like with self. And also whatI also say is like your tribe
is also certain reflections of yourself.There are certain things that I see in
my sisterhoods and my brotherhoods and thepeople that I have surrounded me, Like,
oh, this is something that Isee in you that I either appreciate

(53:00):
or I need to I need towork on, you know, or I've
attracted you in some sort of way, sort of form where it's like you
are a reflection of myself within thisphase of my life, and I want
to decipher, you know what thatis or I kind of already know what
that is, you know. Andone of my good sisters Solas Black ste

(53:22):
Markets. She had mentioned, youknow, people in your life are either
mirrors, magnets or pacemakers. Youknow, there are some people who are
mirrors of you, like I said, some people that are magnets that you
attract them just because of something inyou that, like I say, either
that you admire or something that youneed to work on. And like pacemakers,

(53:43):
some people out there for like thelong haul. Some people are out
there to like assist you in certainrealms in certain phases. Sometimes you will
have to reposition them or sometimes youknow, you continue on with them within
your journey. But it having thattype of mindset really gives really gives you
some insight about like your tribe andlike who you have around and also understanding

(54:06):
that it's okay to reposition them evenas you grow as an individual or you
know, EVACU wait what you gotgoing on? You know, evaluate what
you got going on? You can'tbecause sometimes some people will have certain people
around them just because and it's like, no, you really need to figure
out why, you know. Sothat's sometimes it's an internal thing, you

(54:29):
know. So overall it is ajob of the self, you know,
like your friends are not supposed likethey can't do the work for you just
as well like your family can't.They can pour positive things into you that
can encourage and inspire you to bebetter and to believe in yourselves and to
draw all of those positive affirmations andthings to you. But overall, like

(54:52):
you really have to build up likeyour overall stamina and your mindset. And
again, I know a lot ofpeople don't like to say it, but
like you are a reflection of thepeople you associate with and vice versa,
even though you all are individuals.But at the same time, if I
see you with a group of peopleand they're acting a storty type of way,

(55:14):
I can only assume that you're goingto do the same thing, you
know, unless I know, likeit just it just depends, though it
really depends. But yeah, again, like my hosest is that everybody will
get to the point where they canjust fully embrace themselves. Like you can
get on the internet and scroll anddon't feel like one minute, I feel

(55:34):
good, But now that I'm seeingthis girl, like I feel like I
need to go run ten miles inthe gym, right, you know,
it's a daily work, but thiswas a good conversation. I appreciate this.
Yes, thank you so much.Thank you so much, because I
think I think I needed this morethan what I thought. So it's like

(55:55):
time and divine timon really matches becauseyou know, I'll schedule things, so
this came in the nick of time. So thank you so much for your
energy. Eude, Oh my god. Yes, and before we go,
please tell everyone how about your podcast? Okay, please everybody. My name

(56:16):
is Avenna. I am a licensedsocial worker slash therapist. I am the
Mama and the host of The ConfessionCorner podcasts, a podcast that elaborates and
highlights self awareness, self actualization,and mental health for young black adults.
We specifically talk about, you know, just topics based upon interpersonal conversations such

(56:39):
as like anger management, self awareness, of feminine masculine energy, all the
things that encompass you know, justreally in depth conversations and more so interpersonal
conversations, like I said in highlightingand embracing the radiance and joy of blackness.

(56:59):
You know, it specifically is aspace just to feel free, to
feel vulnerable, and to ultimately justtalk about things that are not in everyday
conversations, but things but like Isaid, in depth conversations where we get
to nitty gritty getting your business alittle bit as well, but nothing but

(57:21):
nothing too intrusive, but just highlightingthe self actualization of individuals and being prominent
within that and having good conversation,having good vibes, and creating the safe
space for us. You know,I don't want to do the fooboo thing
for us, for us, forus, it's for us. I am

(57:45):
on all streaming platforms, that's ApplePodcasts and Spotify. I'm also you could
watch the podcast on YouTube at theconfession corner and it's spelt with the K,
so it's th che confession corner.And it's spelt with the K,
so it's k Obsession K corner.So I know it will be described,

(58:05):
it will be put in the descriptionand everything like that. But and also
my personal Instagram is you can findme. It's three underscores in the front
venus. So that's three underscores inthe front V E n A. We
are in the process of closing outseason two. Had an amazing, amazing
season two. I'm looking forward toa few announcements within the months ahead and

(58:30):
then also coming out with season three. Later on within this year. So
everybody, stay tuned, stay intact, and it's going to be a wonderful
time. So yeah, yes,and it has been a wonderful ride.
Like I enjoy, I don't.I don't know how we came into connection.
It was social media. I wantto stay with social media, yes,

(58:50):
but I am grateful because your platformit does challenge the mind. It
has you look at things differently,but you learn something like I like things,
Yeah, I like things that Ican actually learn from, you know,
and like you said, it's forus, by us. Honestly,
look food, don't quote it,Lord, don't quote it. But ultimately

(59:10):
that was the purpose. That wasthe intention, ultimately, and I wanted
it to intertwine with just like mentalhealth, self awareness and like I said,
self actualization and highlighting the radiance andenjoy of blackness because I do believe
that. Yes, that's like wehave these conversations, different conversations, but
I would love to see and that'swhat I love to see in depth and

(59:35):
interpersonal conversation and just the vulnerability ofadults because as we grow, you know,
we've been raised by baby boomers,but as we grow into adulthood,
you know, we start to navigatein different paths and find different parts of
ourselves, and I think it's importantto articulate that within the safe space.
Yeah, I love it. Andyou just never know how something is going

(59:57):
to like help someone else that maybe going through something but can't put to
words, you know, and theyhear it coming from your platform, They're
like, oh, maybe this iswhat I have been dealing with, you
know. And it also helps alot of times to see people that look
like us deal with the same typeof stuff because a lot of I think
now more more so now in society, like we are now talking about things

(01:00:22):
more openly. We are really sittingin our vulnerability back and you know,
I love that for us. Solike she said, y'all all of our
information will be in a description box, So please con tape like I promise
you, Like I got to tellyou this is dope. I love this.
I love no problem. You cancome back anytime, girl, we

(01:00:45):
can get into some other things,you know, because I think you have
a lot to offer, you know, and just being in the community.
So like this last year with youthrough social media has been so joyful,
like you know, so again Iappreciate your platform. I appreciate you for
being the I appreciate your patience tounderstand it. Okay, yes, I

(01:01:12):
know, but just you know,keep doing you, keep working hard,
keep pouring out them positive messages.But definitely, you know, stay grounded
within yourself and intentional with you andyou're gonna be all right. Appreciate that
I received it. Thank you.This is the Chronicles of virgal We we
indulge in emotions. Okay, allright, y'all. I hope you guys

(01:01:37):
enjoyed that lovely conversation with me andMiss Venna. Thank you so much girl
for coming on Chronicles of a Virgopodcast and bracing the platform with your beautiful
spirit, wonderful energy and your wordsof wisdom. And I think that was
a conversation that I needed. See, That's why I was telling y'all,

(01:01:57):
you never know how sometimes conversations andthings are gonna come up just in the
right nick of time. But overall, like I said, the purpose of
the conversation was just to inspire someonefrom another level. Maybe you're someone that's
dealing with the whole comparison thing,or like your self worth worth, or
just trying to get to the pointwhere you can embrace all of your imperfections

(01:02:21):
and truly love yourself finding out whatwhat do self love look like and really
mean for me? You know?And I feel like the main way to
really do that is to block everybodyand everything else social media included, family,
friends, whome ever, and reallyget down to who you are from
the inside out and not from theoutside end. And that would save us

(01:02:43):
a lot of time, a lotof stress, a lot of the self
doubt, depression, all of thosethings when we just get to the point
of figuring out who we are andwe were just like you know what,
I'm gonna stand Tento's down because thisis me and I don't have to change
myself or I don't have to alignmyself a certain way just to fit a
narrative for someone else, because Iam beautifully and wonderfully me and I'm mean

(01:03:06):
you know, like I said,I have had my issues with trying to
embrace my fullness, but I'm ina better space. I am such in
a better space. And whatever youhave to do on a positive note to
do that, do it for you. Always know that you are doing it
for a good purpose and the purposesfor you for you to be comfortable within

(01:03:27):
the skin that you're in, thebody that you're in, you know,
not looking at everyone else on socialmedia and the society people give you.
But again to this point, tojust be comfortable within you and imbrace yourself
and don't look at your imperfections assomething negative. Sometimes the imperfections are what
really make us unique. Like Isaid on an episode with Venna, your

(01:03:51):
imperfections are maybe things that no oneelse has, so that in itself is
unique, you know. So again, thank you Sis for coming on Chronicles
of Verbal Podcasts and talking with us, and you guys make sure you go
check out her lovely podcast, theConfessions Corner. All of her links will
be listed below in a description andsocial media so you guys can tap in

(01:04:15):
with her. Come tap in withme on social media if you have not.
I'm on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, I think that's all. I
love them, Facebook, at Chroniclesof a Virgo podcasts on all of those
lovely platforms. And if you wantto be a guest on the show or
you would like to invite me toyour show, you can either DM me
on one of those platforms, oryou can email me at Chronicles of Virgo

(01:04:39):
twenty two at gmail dot com.Okay, so I hope to hear from
you soon. Whatever you are listeningto this show, whether it is on
Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Spreaker, whatever your listening choices, please buy
me, leave us a a review, let us know, let us let
me know how you like the showand how your girl is doing. If

(01:05:00):
you're watching on YouTube, go aheadand drop down in the comments let me
know what you thought about this episode. And if you're not subscribed to YouTube
channel, please go to YouTube orclick the link below in the description and
subscribe to Chronicles of a Virgal podcast. Okay, we got some footage up
there and stuff like that. Soagain, thank you guys for joining me

(01:05:20):
back for a lovely conversation and weshall chat soon. Okay, So make
sure you guys continue to take careof yourself, body, mind, spirit,
everything. Make sure you're in alignment, but most importantly, please take
care of each other. Peace out. Thank you for listening to an episode

(01:05:44):
of Chronicles of a Virgal podcast withme your fair favorite favorite Virgal host,
Shikita Johnson. Your support me isthe world to me as I want to
continue to see you all proser andgrow. Please join me back next Wednesday.
What we will continue to dive intomore can and empower our conversations that
we'll get you a step closer tostepping into a new killed individual. Remember

(01:06:06):
you're not alone on your journey.Please don't forget to subscribe to us on
social media at Chronicles of a Verbalpodcast on all social media platforms and the
YouTube channel. Check out our websiteand blog at chroniclesovivirgo dot website dot com.
All links will be listed in thedescription box below. Until next time,

(01:06:27):
beautiful souls, keep rising from thoseashes and stay true to here and
know your girl loves you. Peaceout,