Happy 2015 ELIXHER readers! 2014 was a whirlwind that ushered in some exciting change and transformative milestones for our community. (Read some of the highlights!) Things were no different here at ELIXHER.
Our talented womyn warrior team worked tirelessly on our third and fourth magazine issues, featuring cover girls Janet Mock, trans author/talk show host, and Ari Fitz, MTV Real World alum/model/filmmaker. Online, we kicked off the kickass “QWoC Chronicles,” which documents the life of queer women living intentionally and hosted a series of interactive #ELIXHERTalk Twitter town halls with brilliant guest moderators. And we got to connect with YOU, our fierce supporters — at our parties, panels, and more. Through the good and the messy, we’re still here, loud and queer, and you’ve stuck with us. That means the world.
As we gear up for another amazing year, I’m excited to launch our Editor’s Corner — a space where I’ll be sharing photos and videos, stories that catch my eye, and other musings. You’ll also be hearing from our guest editors (hint, hint)…so stay tuned. While I push myself out of my comfort zone (you might’ve noticed that I tend to stay more behind the scenes), I want to learn about you too! Tell me what you think in the comments or tweet me your thoughts @KimKMcLeod.
My 2015 New Year’s resolutions…
This is the first year I haven’t created a long list of line items like meditate in the morning or save more money. My one aspiration in 2015: to be happy. Whatever that looks and feels like in this moment, today, or this week…do that. The pressure of achieving perfection is burdensome. And I’m not about that anymore. I’m about play and pleasure and passion — reconnecting with my purpose and what feels good! Obsessing over all that other stuff is just noise. Sure, I have goals and projects that I’m planning and putting in action. But at the core of everything is happiness. It’s a choice and I’m choosing it — realizing that what that can look like will evolve and change, just like me.
The tweet that gave me life…
On Friday, Oprah criticized today’s racial justice movement fueled by the events in Ferguson (and across the country), calling it “leaderless.”
“I think it’s wonderful to march and to protest and it’s wonderful to see all across the country, people doing it,” she told People magazine. “But what I’m looking for is some kind of leadership to come out of this to say, ‘This is what we want. This is what we want. This is what has to change, and these are the steps that we need to take to make these changes, and this is what we’re willing to do to get it.’ ”
I was living for @BrownBlaze‘s Twitter response (the handle belongs to Ferguson activist Ashley Yates of Millennial Activists United).
There are a lot of folks, non-celebrities included, that have expressed a desire for a lone Black savior to emerge. Ashley nails it. This is an antiquated leadership model. Not only is this movement leaderFUL, the demands are crystal clear. This fight is youth-led. It’s Black-led. And it’s queer-led. And that’s not only beautiful, it’s powerful and necessary. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for, as bisexual poet June Jordan once wrote. If more of us operate from that place and let go of outdated ideologies, we might also let go of complacency. Recognize your power people. It’s in you. Stop looking for it elsewhere.
Five things I did to get out of a funk…
1. Had a dance party in my PJs. Put on this Femme Playlist and get your life.
2. Absolutely nothing. If I need a few hours (or a day) to get going, I take it. This is a huge privilege I have with the flexibility of my work as an entrepreneur and consultant. (The downside: I also typically don’t have real weekends or concrete work hours.) I know not everyone can just binge-watch Netflix on a Tuesday afternoon then pick up where you left after dinner or the next day. My point? Be gentle with yourself. You’re human. Allow yourself to act like one.
3. Wrote this Lucille Clifton quote on my dry erase board…BIG:
4. Got dressed up with absolutely nowhere to go. Toss on that lip color, bow tie, or pair of jeans that makes you feel like a million bucks. Then turn on the TV, journal, or take the dog for a walk.
5. Took a bath. Although I’m terrified of drowning and still don’t know how to swim (read all about my fear here), being in and near (very shallow) water is very healing. Sitting in a warm bath relaxes my tight muscles, eases aches, and helps me be still.
What are your go-to practices for a pick-me-up?
xo
I LOVE this section sooo much Kimberley! It’s nice to get an insight on day to day life and struggles outside of your work for ELIXHER.
But if I need a pick me up, I enjoy coloring in my coloring book. It’s a past time that I always enjoyed as a child and I reestablish my love for coloring in high school. I had coloring books throughout college. This is an area that I am working on personally.
Thanks, Jahneil! That means a lot. LOVE that you have a coloring book and still relish in this pastime. Makes me want to grab a box of crayons!
My pick-me-ups are creating artwork while blasting music, meditating and going for long runs in the woods. I’m an introvert so I need moments of solitude to help me unwind and rejuvenate daily.
Hey Alex, I’m an introvert as well. Creating that time to recharge daily is SO necessary to not feel depleted.
I go to the movies and get lost in an amazing story..
YES. That’s how I feel about a great book. I can escape and get lost for hours…be completely transported somewhere. Thanks for sharing, Jerrica!