grow – Black Fervent

Cranes in the Sky – Solange

on May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 By Amani Henry

Dear Diary,

You know those feelings you try to avoid, the ones that are too scary, painful, and real? You drown your sorrows and try to avoid it as much as you can. Whether it’s keeping yourself busy, taking up new habits, running, dancing, or whatever it is that comes to mind. You think that by keeping occupied it’ll just go away. Well that’s wrong. As much as we don’t want to feel it. We need to as that’s the only way we can really move forward. The only way around it is by going through it. Will it hurt? Of course. Will it be scary? Yes. Is it real? Most definitely. The sooner we get through it the sooner we can figure out how to deal with it and not let it continue to consume us.

Written By: @AmaniVHenry

Inspired By: Cranes in the Sky – Solange

Instagram: @AmaniVHenry

Solange performs at Glastonbury Festival 2017. Photo by Harry Durrant/Getty Images.

July – Noah Cyrus feat. Leon Bridges

on April 30, 2020May 4, 2020 By Amani Henry

Dear Diary,

There are relationships that we tiptoe around. We try not to react at certain things and be careful of what we do because we don’t want it to fall apart. Or do we? Change is a big thing and we don’t always want to make it. We get comfortable in relationships we know we don’t want to be a part of or know we shouldn’t be a part of. As this is all you know and having to start again can be a long and difficult process. So we stick around going over the same thing. In the back of our minds we are hoping something will happen to be seen as such a huge reason to part ways or for them to even say something because and you will be happy to go because you have been ready. You may not want to be the one to be seen as breaking up the relationship. But why should you feel shame in leaving something that’s not working? If you’re not enough to try and work things out then it’s better to go through the long process of meeting someone new. At least then you’ll feel better about it. There’s no point lying to yourself because you know the truth.

Written By: @AmaniVHenry

Inspired By: July – Noah Cyrus feat. Leon Bridges

Instagram, Facebook & Twitter: @AmanVHenry

Photo Credit: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC

Quote of the Day – Ava Duvernay

on April 17, 2020April 17, 2020 By Amani Henry

“I’m not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through that.”

– Ava Duvernay

All Day Long – Chance The Rapper

on April 15, 2020September 12, 2020 By Amani Henry

Dear Diary,

You know what can be exhausting? Trying to please everyone. We change ourselves through the things we say, things we do, hold back, grin and bear it and forget that one simple fact: WE CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE. It’s like walking on eggshells! Not that I would ever do that but that’s why it’s called a metaphor. We all have our thoughts and opinions and the way we do things that are not ALWAYS going to be the same. I’ve had that moment I’ve “slipped up” being myself and it was seen as ME not being OKAY. Or ME not being MYSELF. Errr. It’s me but I forgot I had that more acceptable version of myself on. Look the first person I should be focusing on pleasing is myself. The person I see in the mirror everyday, the person I have to live with everyday, the person I have to hear complaints or feel some type of way at the end of the day.

Some of the things I used to do for people was me seeking acceptance until I realised I wasn’t going to get the respect I deserved. The way I acted in specific places was because I didn’t want to be seen as part of a stereotype. The thing is I never gave myself the opportunity to let whoever would accept me for me a chance. It can be tough in certain circumstances. I get that but if we really don’t have to hide who we are… we shouldn’t! And I’ve seen it for a while now and sometimes you can do everything and it’s still not enough! We all know this brave talk can be tough in particular surroundings. All I know is whoever else is out there trying to please somebody that’s not being seen. I get it and I get them, but this cycle needs to slow its roll!!!

Written By: @AmaniVHenry

Inspired By: All Day Long by Chance The Rapper

Instagram & Twitter: @AmaniVHenry

Chance the Rapper, photo by Nolis Anderson

I’ll Be Seeing You – Billie Holiday

on April 14, 2020May 4, 2020 By Amani Henry

Dear Diary,

There’s a lot of people that come and go in our lives and there’s many reasons why. One thing you can’t deny is that they’ve made an impact. It may not always be so obvious but it’s true. I’ll see them through everything I do. The bad experiences left the scars but also taught me to grow and be cautious, it may affect future relationships to an extent but now I don’t let it consume me. The good experiences may make me sad they’re no longer there and I’ll do that subtle chuckle to myself knowing what they would have said. I’ll see them through my worst and best days always remembering that no matter what, I can keep going. I’m stronger for the pain, happier for the laughs and more knowledgeable for the lessons they’ve taught me.

Written By: @AmaniVHenry

Inspired By: I’ll Be Seeing You By Billie Holiday

Instagram & Twitter: @AmaniVHenry

Mental Health

on May 29, 2018May 4, 2020 By Amani Henry

Mental Health is important both personally and openly to others that face it. It’s a topic that can be nervewracking to talk about or may seem embarrassing. Let the conversation start and MAY it continue. I wrote this with mind and heart.