this is why I don't leave the house

it's time to clear it!

Literally what the hell is going on?

I mean I know—but still. Last week has been strange, as I’ve been noticing a trend of trigger happy people around the country. It’s no secret that this country would give up oxygen before the second amendment, but it doesn’t make things any easier.

Guns are a huge poison to this country.

Two cheerleaders shot in a grocery store parking lot, a man shot for getting in the wrong car, a teenager shot and killed for pulling in the wrong driveway, a Black teenager shot for being at the wrong house.

The list is infinite.

Working in news and having an interest at a young age meant a front row seat to mass shootings and unfortunate shootings. To the average person, it’s just another day in the news cycle. When shootings are reported, many of them don’t even get a cover photo. It happens so much that it’s not priority. But there was a life lost.

A leader, a sister, a brother, a father, a mother, a teacher, an icon, a student, a friend.

America puts shootings on its content calendar and we wash, rinse, repeat and move on. A lot of us obviously can’t help that this country’s foundation was built on violence and can only hope we navigate our lives safely.

Whether this unfortunate string of events were brought to my timeline through an algorithm or if it was random, it had me uneasy. So I just had to delete the app off my phone. I’ve tried so hard to take social media breaks, but it’s very difficult being that I work in social media. (And I just talk a lot) Sometimes it feels like there’s no escaping the shitty reality.

It’s like we bounce from one hellscape to the other.

According to U.S. News: Inflation, mass shootings, war, pandemic, insurrection: The American people have been left feeling like so many things have spiraled out of control and that those charged with addressing them can't – or won't – fix them.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by general anxiety, work, safety, money, and freedom, here are a few ways I like to decompress or relieve my anxiety.

• Binge watch South Beach Tow. A marathon of episodes are available for free on Youtube. It’s been a HUGE help. I love Bernice, AKA Lakatriona Brunson.

• Go get ice cream. Like a real ice cream shop and try a new flavor. I recently had Whiskey Ice Cream.

• Take a bath. It’s free. Or you could make it fancy with salts, oils, rose petals and scrubs. Water is a great way to reconnect and reset.

• Start watching a new kooky ass reality show like TLC’s Extreme Sisters or Amazon Prime’s Jury Duty.

• Do something artsy! You’re never too old for an arts and crafts day. Paint a tote bag, do your nails, make a bracelet or paint something inspired by your favorite song right now.

• Take a nap in the sun. Incase it’s too hot or too cold, lay down and relax in an area of your home with sunlight. Human beings need the sun and it makes for a great nap!

• Re-listen to a childhood favorite album. We all know nostalgia can motivate—and put you at ease. So play some Young Jeezy, Cheetah Girls, Trina or Prima J. IYKYK!