Coming Up for Air: Thriving Through Chaos 

I have missed my fireworks! Let’s catch up. I am successfully leaning into life’s punches and staying calm through the chaos. Life hasn’t gotten easier, but I am stronger and coming up for air. Currently redeveloping my routine, I am taking up space with blossoming opportunities that deserve intentionality.  

This past March, I took a punch to the gut. I slowly watched it come, but struggled to articulate what life was about to throw at me next. My father’s health has been on a journey, and Al-Humduillah, we are officially on the road to recovery. As you all know, I am the definition of a daddy’s girl, but I was determined not to let caring for him consume me or pause my progress. 

I have spent years evaluating and narrating my life, while unconsciously building the blueprint of how to continue thriving when life becomes overwhelming. I stopped talking, put my head down, and handled business, while journaling my emotions and reflections along the way. 

I realized that every time life punches me in the gut, I have two options: sit and cry, or do something about it, and I choose both- duality. I took my intentional lifestyle to the next level by staying true to honoring my time, priorities, and choices. I stopped oversharing, turned inward, and found the tools and skills to care for myself and all of my priorities. I am the eldest daughter, so I will always show up for my family. But now I take care of myself first. I returned to my journals to process and found clarity in the confusion. 

While embracing silence and turning inwards, I was fully able to see who naturally meets me where I am. I am not performing strength or overextending, so no surprise, some people are no longer a part of my life. I feel grounded with my truth, enjoying life, while creating a life of my dreams.

My head is held high, and I am taking a step back and reviewing my past few months. I stayed true and honored my one consistent goal, to make a positive impact in this world, especially within my communities. 

I have officially been blogging for eight years, and kicked off the new season with a Freedom of Movement initiative, encouraging women to obtain or renew their passport. Preparation is self-care, and autonomy of movement is a right. I partnered with Meeka, owner of the Goddess Shop, which is a small black woman luxury self-care business. With an extra spark, she’s an Afro Muslimah like me, and together, the initiative was a success. I still haven’t fully had a moment to embrace the genuine fulfillment of witnessing the evolution of an idea that blossomed into helping over 100 women obtain autonomy of their movement. 

I discovered that, in chaos, there’s always an option for peace, but it may not be initially comfortable. I chose to step away from working with FK+, and no longer desired to be reactive for quick results, but instead become intentional, plant the seeds, and be patient while they bloom. 

I reflected on my interview with Jose Hernandez and his father’s recipe for success. I am currently on step four: “Prepare yourself: If you don’t know how to do something, learn it. Prepare according to the challenge you picked.”

That’s exactly what I am doing. 

On my quest for knowledge, my lifestyle has gone LIVE! The journey of being a Black Girl Vitamin’s Ambassador and TikTok Live host deserves its own blog post. For now, the journey of watching the seeds of trying BGV and sharing my truth has been an honor of self-discovery, while extending our community with tools to improve our overall wellness. 

I have embraced that I am a professional yapper when I am genuinely passionate about something. I take the time to ground myself, write, and then execute my words into action. I haven’t transformed into a new person; I am finally embracing my essence and honoring the entire system of Kareema.  I returned to therapy to help process my reflections. She is a Black woman, and I feel seen in so many ways, and I want to be seen. I am no longer hiding from my past and have discovered my ultimate goal is to be Gracefully Lethal. 

I am excited to see what continues to blossom as I plant my seeds, enjoying and learning this crazy game called life.