Hey beloved!
Welcome back to this week’s 🌿 Rooted & Rising! If you’ve ever looked at your year and thought “this is NOT what I planned,'“ or realized you’ve been so busy building that you accidentally ghosted the people you’re building FOR - this one’s for you.
We’ve got less than 10 weeks left in 2025, and instead of just Naruto running our way to January, we’re going to process what actually happened, use it as fuel, and make sure we’re not entering 2026 burnt out and disconnected.
This week’s themes:
Self-sufficiency leading to stagnancy
Using reflection as rocket fuel for 2026
Building boundaries that connect, not isolate
Want to work directly with me? I help overwhelmed creators and founders show up confidently online while building systems that actually work for their life. If you’re ready to stop the planning spiral and start showing up for yourself, book time here and let’s chat!
But first…
🥭 A Spiritual Snack🥭
“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement.”
Where I Got Checked Last Week ✅
Last week, I had the jarring realization that my year was not at all going the way I planned.
I handed in my resignation back in March thinking opportunities would flood in within two weeks. Then in August I thought my first client’s success would speak for itself and everyone would just know I was the brains behind it. Throughout it all, I thought building a business meant sacrificing time, but it took me way too long to realize what it actually meant was I’d have to steward that time differently.
What actually happened this year? Months of spiritual purging. Financial drought. My sister telling me she felt like she never saw me anymore. And a humbling realization that I can’t do ANY of this alone- not even the “small” stuff like deciding what to work on each day.
But here’s what I’m taking away from my hot mess and what you can take away too: grieving what didn’t happen is just as much a part of the process as celebrating what DID.
Because while I was beating myself up (unnecessarily) about my failed Frankenstein plans, God was building something I never could have planned if I tried.
How I looked Naruto running toward my Frankenstein plans
Let’s Break It Down: Practical Strategies 🤏🏾
1. Self-Sufficiency Was My Stagnancy
As a Jamerican (first- gen Jamaican- American) New Yorker, self-sufficiency is ENGRAINED in me. In Jamaica, America, and especially New York, your value is often quantified by how much you can do independently. Relying on God for every. little. thing. felt almost irresponsible - like I should be doing more to help. (To “help” the Creator, of the universe- yes you read that correctly * facepalms *)
Here’s how that played out: I thought God would come through immediately after I resigned. I thought by networking, asking around and going to events, I’d be set! When it didn’t work out, I’d trust God’s plan for a week, then when things started to come together, I’d take the “training wheels” off and go back to trying to do everything myself. It would all go to crap (obvi), and I’d have to run back to Him again. Day after day of this cycle until I finally learned: I cannot do this alone.
My stubborn self-sufficiency was leading to my stagnancy.
What shifted everything? Focusing on the things that I didn’t plan that became the biggest blessings to date. My LinkedIn community growing to 4k+ people (?!). People like James Morel, Khadijah Dennis and Guadalupe Osorio, who’s words of encouragement always lift my spirit when things get downright ashy.
Co-launching Royal Authority- a community specifically for Kingdom Builders. A space where we can talk about our businesses, our projects, AND God’s goodness in one breath and no one bats an eye. Our panelist review meetings didn’t feel like work at all. Everything has been so aligned & refreshing.
I’m learning to let go of the plans I forced and celebrate the things I couldn’t have planned if I tried. When I do, everything feels calm and seamless - like a nice e-bike ride on the West Side Highway.
Try this: Write down THREE things that didn’t go according to plan this year. Sit with the disappointment. Then write down THREE unexpected blessings that showed up instead. What would you have missed if your original plan worked out?
2. Reflection as Rocket Fuel (Not a Reason to Shut Down)
Even though we’re still in October, I’ve found myself thinking about the impending holidays.
Since losing my dad in my teens, I’ve always felt apathetic about them. I’d dissociate, need breaks in my room when too much family was around, work hospitality shifts on holidays as an excuse not to be present.
But this year? I’m actually looking forward to them.
All the work I’ve had to do on myself to do business - plus working with a Biblical counselor - ended up healing my relationship with the holidays. I’ve had to humble myself, fast, pray and seek God’s face in so many areas that it cut the noise around what ACTUALLY matters: time with family, whether you have money for a gift or not.
A huge part of this work also includes reflection - which I’ve been avoiding. Even though I have a “Done Book” where I write down what I accomplish each day, I haven’t looked back ONCE. I’ve been too forward focused. What’s next? What am I doing tomorrow?
That forward focus keeps me moving but robs me of celebrating. And honestly? I think when I DO look back, I’ll discover I’ve done way more than I give myself credit for.
So this holiday season, I’m blocking one day each week leading up to the end of the year for reflection and fasting. I’m going through my Done Book and my journals. I’m locking down my calendar more and practicing stillness.
Here’s the difference: Most people (me last year included) shut down completely for the holidays, then go into the new year like a cold plunge - shocked by deliverables, meetings, and proposals. I’m choosing strategic pauses instead. One day a week. Not a full shutdown (until Christmas and New Years ✌🏾🤶🏾), just intentional reflection.
Try this: This week, start a Done list. At the end of each day, write down what you actually accomplished - not what you “should have” done or what’s due tomorrow. At the end of the week, look back. Let it fuel you for the week ahead!
3. Boundaries that Build Connection (Not Distance)
A few months ago, I got slapped in the face with reality: My sister told me she felt like she never sees me because I’m always working.
It stung, because it was true.
And it made me pause - I’m claiming to do this for the freedom to do what I want, which includes the freedom to spend time with family and friends.
I didn’t think building a business required sacrificing relationships specifically, but I did believe it required a sacrifice of time. I still think that’s true, but now I know it also requires better stewardship of that sacrificed time.
The practical shift? Becoming a Google cal & Calendly girlie. I started jokingly telling my friends and family that’s who I’m becoming and I needed things scheduled or I’d forget (which is true). It’s been about 3 months now, and it’s SO much better. My family and friends understand my time is valuable AND that I value time with them enough to block it out.
There are still moments for spontaneity but ONLY because the rest is structured. What surprised me is how easily everyone adjusted. Once you put a boundary in place and stick to it, people will move around it. It’s like a blocked road - after a while, they will find an alternative route.
At the end of the day, I’m building this business to support my family. I want to retire my mom, who worked at a job she absolutely hated for years just to provide for us after my father passed. I want her to be free. I also want to be that example for the young people at my church - that you can live for Jesus AND experience an abundant life.
What’s the point of building a business if it disconnects you from the very people you’re building it to support?
Try this: This week, schedule ONE hour with a friend or family member you’ve been low key ghosting. Put it in your calendar like it’s your most important client meeting. Show up fully. Then let’s see if we can carry that boundary into the new year!
Monday Move 💃🏾
Pop on this playlist, take a moment to stretch, and leave with a reminder for the week ahead
Your playlist:
Your at- desk stretch routine:
* Remember to keep breathing deeply throughout!
Cat-Cow Stretch (1 minute)
Sit at the edge of your chair. Place your hands on your knees. Inhale and arch your back, looking up (🐮). Exhale and round your spine, tucking your chin (🐱). Flow between these movements.
Seated Side Bend (30 secs per side)
Sit tall, reach your right arm overhead and lean to the left. Feel the stretch along your right side. Hold, then switch sides.
Ankle Circles (30 secs each foot)
Lift one foot off the ground and slowly rotate your ankle in circles. This helps with circulation if you've been sitting for a while. Switch feet.
Chest Opener (45 secs)
Clasp your hands behind your back (or behind your chair). Gently lift your hands and open your chest. Roll your shoulders back and breathe deeply.
Eye Rest (30 secs)
Look away from your screen. Focus on something far away (a window, a wall, anything 20+ feet away). Blink slowly. Give your eyes a break from the blue light.
Your Reminder: Self-sufficiency leads to stagnancy - where are some ways you can lean into God more this week? Reflection fuels momentum! (Where can you pause and reflect more this week?) And boundaries build connection - what are some boundaries you can create and maintain? Start small and remember, building with God is always better than going it alone!
“You know what just dawned on me?” 💭
God opposes the proud.
When I think of someone opposing someone, I think of how hard LeBron fights to win against his opponents. That’s a FIGHT. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t want God fighting against me.
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6 NIV)
When we choose to walk in pride, to do things our way, to be disobedient or arrogant, we are making God our opposition instead of our ally. We’re literally putting ourselves on the opposing team.
But heres’s the flip side: when we’re obedient to God, we get favor from Him and a richer relationship. We’re not just His children - we’re considered His friends.
“You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14 NIV)
So the question becomes: do you want God as your opponent or your friend? Because self-sufficiency, pride, and doing things “your way” puts you on the opposing team. Humility, obedience, and surrender? That’s what gets you courtside with the Coach who’s never lost a game.
I’ve walked back to the proverbial locker room with a towel on my head enough times to know I don’t want to be on the opposing team. I want to be on His.
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Forward this to someone who needs permission to slow down and ask for help ✨
Want to work directly with me? I work 1:1 with founders and creatives who want to build an authentic online presence without burning out. If you’re interested in support with building a website, coming up with a content strategy that works for YOU or nailing down your personal branding or messaging - reply directly to this email. I’d love to help!
Stay rooted in who you are. Keep rising in your calling!
Here for the journey with you ✨,
