 Seasonal depression, too much on my plate, cold weather, work, and more work, nervous about what was to come. I felt all of that. I looked forward to completing the run for my play (Penny’s Kids) and hopping on a plane to St. Lucia! As time ran down, I felt the stress and anxiety of traveling alone while handling business before I left.  Then, once I stepped off the plane, my heart, mind, and body were in paradise! Ending the month on a great note by visiting a new place really set the tone for finishing the year strong! Upon returning home, I felt rested, happier, and accomplished at trying new things.  So, what did I do while there? Enjoyed the all-inclusive resort, Bel Jou. Beautiful place in Castries, St Lucia with an amazing staff and two pools, and a view to get lost in. Let’s not forget about the food and the nighttime! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were buffet style and the hotel took great measures in keeping everyone safe and sanitized. Fresh tuna, good salads, jerk chicken, omelets, and amazing drinks! I even tried my luck at karaoke which everybody loved! You can do things like that in places where people don’t know you!  Took a boat ride to Sugar beach and tried snorkeling for the first time. The ride there gave an up-close and personal look at the gorgeous deep-blue waters surrounding mountain tops that reached the clouds. I’ve never seen a thing like that before.  Snorkeling time. I’m a fire sign (Sagittarius) and water without a boat isn’t my thing. But I’m happy to have crossed that off my bucket list. I stayed close to the shore and enjoyed the small “fishes” swimming in clusters. I spent a small time there but, it was enough to have an enjoyable experience. (Maybe I’ll try again one day, lol). The boat ride back consisted of rum punch fellowship, dancing, and good music. I had a nice time enjoying the diverse crowd of people from different places taking in the moments along with me.
Spent the day by the pool with endless margaritas and rum punch. Who doesn’t want to leave the cold air of New York and emerge into a place where you can walk around in a bikini all day? The resort provided two pools with bar areas in each section. Soaking up the sun and feeling cool waters was exhilarating. I took a break from hanging out on my room’s balcony and took a few pics. Laid in bed with no worries. On my last day, I wanted to sleep in. I watched the sunrise over my balcony and enjoyed movies.  On the way to the airport, our taxi driver took us on a small tour before leaving Castries. We stopped in a small pub for drinks, and I got to know a beautiful couple from Ireland who spent two weeks there for their honeymoon.
 The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.
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 All last week, and even on Super Bowl Sunday, the Tri-State area had to deal with heavy snow. During these times I visit my weather app to check the temperatures in sunny areas…just dreaming. That’s how I weather storms, taking myself out of the current situation and remembering a time when things were peaceful. I think our happy moments aren’t just for that present time, it's to carry with us when storms come. Hold tight to the happy memories; make room for them by leaving behind bad memories, old arguments, and aggravating minutes that ruined your entire day. Stay warm and safe!  The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey. Just me and my iPhone, and a new Tripod toy!  Back at it again with just me and my iPhone. Keeping my modeling chops going during this pandemic, creating visuals that I like on MY terms. I found a tripod with a LED light, online to help with my auditions and found where I can also use them with my personal iPhone Photography projects. Just because, I love it! Late at night (with my fav show Paternity Court with Lauren Lake in the background), I created an intimate portrait session. For me, its about loving myself and not being ashamed of my body. If people like it, GREAT! If they don’t, they have the option to click away ;) Check out the photo session below. All credits belong to ME:  The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey. A mini-session over the Hudson River  During the months of being quarantined, I was becoming unraveled and suffocated, just to stay healthy and safe. Although the city has begun slowly reopening; there isn’t much for me to do to rid myself of cabin fever. A fever that lasted throughout the Winter, Spring, and seeping into the Summer. Along with being antsy to get out, there were so many emotions traveling through me. Feeling stagnant in my career, overworked, under-served, but still wearing the guilt of “You can’t complain because at least you still have a job…”. I read a tweet that said, it’s okay to be grateful but not satisfied. It gave me a little relief in my mental confusion of what’s okay to feel. My home became my place of work. And who likes being at work 24/7? Not me. Having my laptop in the corner staring me down, reminding me of what to work on the next day clouded every other creative project I planned to work on. It also didn’t help that the creative outlets were shut down and forced to be online only. Though I made a way to be slightly productive, I didn’t feel as if those strides were getting me anywhere. Mornings turned into evenings while my mind became frustrated and completely exhausted.  The Resolution I tried hanging out on the weekends by taking early day walks. It worked, a little, then I got into the routine of overly spending at restaurants because I was so excited that I could at least have dinner and drinks (outside dining only). To me, I didn’t want to create a new habit (or dig up an old one) by trying to move away from being in this unsettled head space. Then, it hit me. Just go to the park, sit down, and BREATHE! I forgot about a habit I wrote about over a year ago, “Hudson Inspirations”, where I sat by the river watching boats. There are no thoughts of what do I need to do, how am I getting it done, or why am I doing this again? Just peace.
I headed over to Riverbank State Park and joined the many New Yorkers who too had the itch to get out (socially distancing of course), to begin a therapeutic process of cleansing my mind. There weren’t many boats on the water but the gorgeous view of New Jersey looking back at me and the river flowing did the trick. All of a sudden, I received a bonus. The sun was at its peak, the sky was clear and my eyes were captivated on its position. Throughout the afternoon/evening, a canvas opened up to the sunset and beautiful colors painted the sky.  I felt peace and a chance to just breathe. Yea, a few stressful tidbits snuck in, but they were pushed out by the warmth of the sun and continuous views of natural beauty. Inhaling and exhaling is more than keeping your body going, it’s for the mind as well. In any physical activity, we’re told to keep breathing. Why not apply that to the mind. That’s what I learned throughout my mini “Sky Therapy” session. I didn’t have to talk and spill my guts to a stranger, nor relive what bothered me in my head. The skies’ movement happening right before my eyes reminded me to keep breathing. (Of course, I did a little “People Watching” at the park as well. New York is FILLED with interesting characters!)  So, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, just look up and allow the sky to help in releasing the mind’s racing thoughts that may have crept in during Quarantine Season.  The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.  The gloom and doom of 2020 have shifted us. Our minds are no longer finding the newness. Yes, we’ve developed creative ways to cope…but is it enough. Are we waking up happy or just rolling over into the next day because the sun is up? This message is for me as well. Since March, I’ve felt as if I were in the “Twighlight Zone”. Uncertain times are scary and it has done a number on my mental health. Finding new (and old) activities have helped me discover a better balance to this “New Normal”. During this time, I’ve found new TV series and movies, perfected my craft in iPhone Photography, stayed connected with close friends/family, along with getting more work done for my book series promotions. While waiting for the world to fully reopen, I’m continuing to rebuild myself mentally and physically. Take this moment to find that zest for life again. What gets you out of bed? What motivates you? What drives you to get through the day? Get that fire back to LIVE and stop simply existing!   The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey. |
"I just like to write and create stuff. These are the diaries of how I'm living in NYC with sprinkles of life lessons I've learned along the way!"
- The Blakk Dahlia Latest book from the Heartbreak Diaries Book Series
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