How I'm Investing in Myself During this Time of Uncertainty
Updated: Sep 10, 2020
The pandemic and the atrocity I've seen regarding Black lives has brought on a mixture of emotions. These days I find myself focused on my emotional well-being now more than ever. To keep me sane and my brain sharp during this crazy time of uncertainty, I've been reading A LOT of books (both fiction and non-fiction), taking free classes online, and blogging. Did you know I started Life by Shay back in 2019? I posted sporadically with no clear direction or plan of attack. However, the last few months I've taken the time to do some serious self-reflection on why I wanted to rejoin the world of blogging in the first place, my first blog back in 2012 was a disaster, but hey you've got to start somewhere.
The overwhelmingly positive response I received from a guest post I wrote recently, inspired me and gave me the courage I needed to give this blog a real shot. This time around, I'm more organized and determined. Writing has always been somewhat therapeutic for me.
I also recently took an online Intro to Digital Marketing class via General Assembly. I've had an interest in digital marketing for a while now and have a basic high-level understanding of how it works, but this class took it to the next level. I enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it!
How are you investing in yourself during this time of unpredictability? What exactly does that mean to you? Whether it's learning a new skill, eating healthier, or something as simple as watching less TV, consistently investing in yourself is one of the highest forms of self-love. No matter what life throws at us, we must continue to grow, learn, and take care of ourselves.
Below are a few of the books I'm currently reading, I have a terrible habit of reading 3-4 books at a time. I need to cut it down to just two, so it doesn't take me as long to finish. Does anyone else have that problem? Happy reading!
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett has quickly become a best seller and will be made into an HBO series! I don't usually read a lot of fiction, but the reviews piqued my curiosity; it's a page-turner. It explores sisterhood, black identity, and parenthood.
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker is the psychology book Black Americans need right now. I came across it via Instagram. I was going to therapy before the pandemic but stopped to cut down on spending. I love Dr. Walker's conversational approach; she uses a combination of academia and real-life scenarios. I highly recommend it for anyone needing tools for emotional wellness.
As of late, I've been working a lot on personal branding. As an ad sales professional, I think personal branding is essential; it allows you to stand out. How you represent yourself online makes a difference. Career Rehab by Kanika Tolver offers some great tips on making a career change and rebuilding your brand. Is it the best book about branding I've ever read? No, but it's an easy read, and I appreciated her simple, practical tactics. I also love supporting Black authors!
There is a good reason The Road to Recognition by Seth Price and Barry Feldman received a 5-star review on Amazon. It's one of the best books I've read so far regarding personal branding. I love the way it's organized; it's an A-Z guide full of applicable advice. I also enjoyed the insightful stories from professionals that have benefited from developing a strong personal brand. Unfortunately, it's only available on Kindle right now; the hard copy sold out.