Keeping my peace of mind
Songs that inspire boundary setting, organizations to donate to, and Martha Stewart again as an influencer.
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A few weeks ago, I talked with one of my best friends about boundaries. We talked about how I sometimes compartmentalize people I have platonic relationships with for whatever reason. She responded with a simple question I had not necessarily thought of: WHY? And as she continued she said in so many words, why give your energy to people and things if they aren’t serving you. This conversation left me feeling like I had a session with Marie Kondo, and it led me on a journey of thinking of the boundaries I set with people and things and the lack thereof.
A few days after the conversation, I turned on the new PJ Morton album, Watch The Sun, and listened to the song “My Peace,” featuring Jojo and Mr. Talkbox, and let me tell you, it spoke to my soul. I kept replaying the conversation with my friend in my head as I heard the lyrics and thought about boundaries and the importance of setting them. I recommend you listen to the song, but the chorus is a WORD.
“Gotta be all about me before I’m all about you. If I don’t take care of me, I’m not good for you. I can’t sacrifice my feelings no more. Gotta be careful who I let through that door. I’m changing things around this time. I’m doing things that give peace of mind.”
This also made me refer to three quotes I saved from Instagram’s favorite book, Nedra Glover Tawwab’s book “Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself,” which was a pretty good read.
“Paying attention to your needs is self-care.”
“People don’t know what you want. It’s your job to make it clear. Clarity saves relationships.”
“Boundaries will set you free.”
That’s that on boundaries. If you have any tips or tricks on ways you have set boundaries I would love to know. Please shoot me a note, or leave a comment below.
Now let’s take a minute to talk about something very important. I’m sure you have been made aware of the draft Supreme Court decision written by Justice Samuel Alito, which speaks to the possibility of the court overturning Roe vs. Wade. This is a pretty big deal and, honestly, disgusting to me. If this is overturned, abortions would become illegal in 13 states, and around 25 or so states would more than likely follow suit to ban abortions. Here are resources to donate to and some reading material that I found to be very helpful in understanding the severity of this happening:
Here are a few things worth reading this week:
Martha Stewart Welcomes You to Generation Ageless
The Couple That Built Very Different, His and Hers Apartments Side by Side
Cooking on the Frontlines with Chef José Andrés
Black Twitter Is Not a Place. It’s a Practice.
Here are a few things worth listening to or watching this week:
Podcast: Questlove Supreme with Eric Roberson Pt. 1
Eric Roberson is one of my favorite artists. He’s a great songwriter and storyteller. Phonte is also one of my favorite artists and is from my favorite group ever, Little Brother. Eric and Phonte make great music together, and this podcast is filled with gems and great conversation. If you have not yet, be sure to listen to their collaborative album Tigallerro and check it out. Also, I have a great interview I did with Eric many years ago. I have to find it, and I’ll share it here when I do.
PJ Morton - Watch The Sun (Album)
I have realized that I have reverted to the KBLX Stone Soul Picnic type of music festival life more than Coachella. That’s a Bay Area thing but imagine the Cat Daddy’s in Linen Two-Piece sets, hats, salt & pepper beards, outside dancing to Frankie Beverly and Maze's “Before I Let Go.” Maybe this is an auntie statement, but this is the path that I am on with the grown woman energy I am giving (why would I want to be sweating in a desert in Indio), but that’s why I am in love with the new PJ Morton album. All the horns. Festival Season. This album would sound epic at an outdoor venue like the Greek Theatre or an intimate venue like Yoshi’s - again, Bay Area references.
Sasha Keable - “Killing Me” featuring Jorja Smith
One of my favorites, Sasha Keable, released her EP, Intermission, a few months ago, and one of my favorite songs from the project is “Killing Me,” featuring Jorja Smith. The adorable pair released an acoustic version of the song in video format, and here it is. LOVE.
Hablot Brown - “Longest Time” featuring Leven Kali
Hablot Brown keeps releasing new music from what I am hoping is a new album, and I love this song. It’s such a great vibe.
Podcast: Oprahdemics
Have you watched the Oprah show as an adult on YouTube? This show was a lot, and listening to this podcast gives me a good chuckle. I just started listening to it but binged all five episodes in one day.
That’s it for this week.
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Thank you!!! Set boundaries find peace is giving me life!!!! Not without growing pains but growing none the less.