There are those who love Christmas, and then there are people who think it’s the most annoying of all the holidays. Christmas happens to be my favorite holiday, but after watching the most recent animated version of the movie, I quickly realized that I am the Grinch. He is me. I am him. We are one and the same. Spoiler alert, I'm going to be talking (typing) all about how this movie is basically my life so if you don't know the story by now… good luck!

disclaimer: the images used throughout this post are not my own and solely for entertainment purposes

1. He’s got some childhood trauma to work through

Dark, I know. Ripping the band-aid off here.

Unfortunately, many adults still struggle to reconcile with things that happened to them when they were kids, so when the movie touched on his age I couldn't help but take notice. This is a topic for another day, but I’m glad this detail made the cut. This serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to start the healing process.

2. He knows that kids are smarter than we think

As an ex-substitute teacher, I can tell you that the conversations those little “Whos” were having are 100% accurate. The way Cindy Lou and her friends were plotting to catch Santa Claus had me nodding in hilarious agreement. Because yea it was kid logic, but their extravagant arrangement made a lot of sense in the grand scheme of things. Don’t underestimate the little ones in your life!

3. He struggles with depression

The guy is sad, obviously. Emotional eating is one of the most obvious signs of depression, especially when reaching for food is the default method for handling difficult emotions. I can definitely relate, no judgment here.

4. His depression leads him to believe that isolating himself is a viable solution

I mean he literally lives in a cave, at the top of a mountain, by himself. He damn near loses his sh*t once he realizes he’ll have to leave his oasis in search of more sustenance.

I don’t live in a cave, but I’ve definitely had my moments when I’d rather go without eating before considering the possibility of interacting with other humans. This is a tough cycle to break, but there is light at the end of that tunnel. #keepgoing

5. He has a false sense of reality

He can't seem to understand why people are so excited about Christmas. He is blinded by his own emotional turmoil and has been living like this for so long that he can't even begin to fathom any other way of being. This is something I really struggled with when I was younger. I used to think the world was out to get me which, of course, is never the case. This perspective had me angry and anxious pretty much 24/7. Meditation and journaling have helped me tremendously with getting a handle on my personal narrative. There is always hope here.

6. He's guilty of projecting

He’s unaware of what's really eating away at his heart and lashes out at anyone that threatens his beliefs. He thinks that ruining Christmas for everyone else and stealing their happiness will make him feel better.

*see reason #5

7. He shuts people out

I think we’re all guilty of this from time to time.

The Grinch has a number of “Keep Out” signs leading up to the entrance of his residence. While I do enjoy welcoming my loved ones into my space, I tend to close myself off from people I care about in an attempt to keep myself “safe” when I’m going through a tough time. Newsflash, this doesn't work. Learning to accept support has not only improved my confidence in my own abilities, but this improved my personal relationships as well.

8. He’s an a-hole

I mean this is pretty self-explanatory. I used to be kind of mean… unintentionally. Now I’m mean on purpose, but only to people I really like.

9. He has people in his life that still love him even though he's an a-hole

I have a few Mr. Bricklebaums (the happiest Who in Whoville who the Grinch thinks is his enemy, but is really his bffl) in my life that are so #unbothered by my attitude on certain days that I know they’re heaven sent.

Surround yourself with people who love you unconditionally and are willing to see past the daily offenses of human nature. This will do you a world of good, and help you learn to forgive yourself whenever necessary.

10. Working out gives him a ridiculous amount of confidence

It’s true, no shame in my game or my gains. Scientists have proven time and again how beneficial daily exercise can be for overall health and wellness. Incorporating thirty minutes of movement into my routine has done wonders for my mental and physical health.

But seriously, my mans was FEELING himself.

#MOOD

11. Family is important to him

Truly, the whole reason why the Grinch was so messed up in the first place is because he was abandoned at such a young age. Research proves that self-isolation can actually make preexisting conditions worse. Family, whether by blood or bond, gives us a group to call our own. These are the people that will be there to support and love on us when we need it the most. At the end of the movie, we see how much of a difference gaining a tribe makes for Mr. Grinch's overall happiness. We love a happy ending.

12. He has a dog

If it weren't for Max, the Grinch would not only be very lonely, and sad, but he’d probably be dead. Let’s keep it a buck. Max was holding it down in the kitchen for 53 years!?!! Sheesh... I don't have a dog, but I definitely see a fur baby in my future.

Don’t worry, I have no intentions of turning my future pup into a personal chef.

13. Music is life

Playing piano seemed to be the Grinch's go-to method for getting a little relief in the midst of his own storm. This is what singing and dancing does for me. My love of music has saved my life more than once, and I know I’m not alone in this.

Side note: If you don't watch the movie, you should at least listen to the soundtrack cuz it’s fire.

So really what I’m saying is… we’re all the Grinch, and all we need is love! 💗

Corny I know, but someone had to say it.

My heart grew so much this year, especially after the birth of my 1st niece. I’m at a point in my life where I just want to spread love all over the place, every chance I get. After all, isn't that the true reason for the season?

Merry Christmas y’all!

Update: December 2020, this has quite literally been the craziest year ever (and I have yet another angel of a niece to shower with love). My list of things to be thankful for continues to grow, and I wish the same for you.

Happy Holidays to you and yours…

Xoxo,

D

A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of attending the 4th Annual Fabulously Unique Natural Hair and Beauty Expo in Tampa, FL. Here are just a few reasons why I’m looking forward to attending again next year, and why you should too!

Atmosphere

From the moment I walked in, I could feel the good vibes radiating! I don't know about you, but the atmosphere at a gathering is a key component for me. Let’s face it, if no one else at an event is having fun it's going to be a lot harder to enjoy yourself there.

I know how hard it can be to cultivate a warm and welcoming environment- especially when it's hot and humid outside (side eye at Florida). Despite the odds, FABU had things down pat.

I was greeted with a smile that I wore for the rest of the day!

With over 30 booths to visit, I was happy to find that each vendor was indeed unique. Not only were there products and brands representing all different hair types, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this event wasn't just about hair.

Black Girl Sunscreen, and various other (non hair related) retailers were also present.

After that, I stumbled upon a live tape up session - courtesy of A Cut Above the Rest.

Yes, fellas, they looked out for you too!

If you were like me and didn't intend to make any purchases (lol, a joke), you could plan on attending one of the many educational workshops that were scheduled throughout the day, ranging from topics of how to grow and style your hair to womb wellness and much more.

There was always something going on at the main stage, including a live performance by local artists @pretti_emage.

#blackgirlmagic

If none of that suit your fancy - you could go grab a bite to eat in the concession area, unwind in the pamper lounge or get your creative juices flowing with Yolanda Renee @ETCBlogMag during one of her paint and sip party sessions! (wine sold separately**)

And if you felt like balling out, you could upgrade your ticket and get the VIP treatment. They had cupcakes in the lounge- nuff said.

My point is, there was literally something for everyone which leads me to my next favorite thing about this expo.

FABU luh da kids!

I was thrilled to see so many younger faces floating around at this event, taking everything in with their big, bright eyes.

This is certainly not an event that requires you to get a babysitter, and if anything, I would make it a point to bring your little ones so they can know what it's like to be surrounded by black excellence.

The Expo had complimentary child care services available inside the venue for up to two hours of occupancy. So if you ever needed a break to go explore on your own or your kid needed a break from you, FABU had you covered!

If I had experienced anything like this when I was younger, I'm sure I would have been eager to embrace my natural hair BEFORE it got damaged with chemicals and heat.

Lexi P. from Curlanista

This idea is what young author and CEO Lexi P. shared with me as one of her missions during my time at her booth. Shedding a positive light on natural hair at an earlier age lays a sturdy foundation for the budding naturals of the future. It's never too soon to learn about self-love.

Networking

I met sooo many beautiful people at this event! I also saw a few familiar faces, hey girls heyyy!

From a blogger's standpoint, I basically felt like I was at a career fair, but in the best way. People were exchanging information left and right which reminded me that I need to finally invest in some business cards. Needless to say, it felt great to be surrounded by a bunch of other black creatives and driven entrepreneurs.

I felt this great sense of pride after hearing many of their stories about how they built their businesses from the ground up and how they got to where they are today. These vendors were beaming with authenticity, proudly showing off the fruit of their labor, and rightfully so.

As an added bonus, many of the products on sale at FABU were generously discounted in price, including the founder Rochelle Graham-Campbell’s brand Alikay Naturals which retails at Target, Walmart, and CVS.

Inspiration

My biggest takeaway from this day was the amount of inspiration I received from the bloggers and creators I admire in this industry. Not only did I get a picture with Will @willnotwilly, but I jotted down some gems from the blogger panel that I know ring true no matter what phase you may find yourself in when building a brand.

Thomas Adriana @thomasadrianna1, shout out to Orlando creatives, made sure to emphasize the importance of staying true while on this journey.

Celebrity hairstylist Susy @africancreature, the hands responsible for Beyonce's famous "lemonade braids", shared her experience with doubting her abilities and pushing through anyway.

I love that she talked about embracing your narrative, trusting the process and capitalizing on what makes you unique. People will talk, but as long as you know who you are and do everything in your power to reach your goals, no one can get in the way of you achieving greatness.

So there you have it, a gorgeous day filled with learning, laughs, and empowerment. Did I mention that entry was only 10 dollars??? Though you can't put a price tag on what you gain from an experience like this.

The FABU Naturals Hair and Beauty Expo is definitely an event to look forward to for years to come!

A special thank you to Alikay Naturals for having me and shout to my godmother for attending this event with me. My heart is full, my hair is moisturized, and my skin is glowing!

See y'all next year? Fingers crossed.

Xoxo,

D