Taking stock of my life and life choices, I’m haunted by the three little words that have helped shape my current situation.

Just. In. Case.

Why do I have two sets of Christmas decorations? Just in case. What are you doing with all these plastic bags in your trunk? Just in case. Why are you keeping that huge styrofoam container the food was delivered in? Just in case. Why do you need so many hand sanitizers, school supplies, umbrellas, toothbrushes, wine bottle stoppers (especially since we drink whole bottles at a time), clothes, candles, white face-towels, heart shaped pans, different phone chargers, journals, pairs of shoes? Just. In. Case.

Those three little words have allowed me to accumulate enough things to stock a small town General Goods store.

When I purchased new phones to replace my dying house phones, did I discard or donate the old set? Nope. I still have them…just in case. Most people I know have cancelled their landlines, I probably can’t find anyone to give them to. I’m not technologically challenged either. I have the (once) new iPhone 7 plus AND my old 6 plus. Why do I keep them? You know why. Just. In. Case.

I have my kids teeth I paid for while masquerading as the tooth fairy. My tax returns from 1995 through present. Padlocks I can’t find the key to. Every extra button packet from all those clothes I probably still have. The one earrings left after I lost the other. The 3D glasses from the Wonder Woman movie. It makes no sense to me either.

I started thinking about where else does this bit of nuttiness show up in my life? Am I reluctant to release habits that aren’t serving my highest good? Do I hang on to limited, and negative beliefs? Are there people or relationships whose purpose has passed but I can’t seem to cut the cord? Just in case?

Hmmmm.

So yeah. Epiphany. Time to take inventory on thoughts, things, and associations. To assess the attachment to it/them and free myself. Free myself from ambiguous boundaries and imbalanced relationships. Free my environment from clutter. Free my mind diminished understanding. Time to dismiss lack, fear, and emotional dependence and replace them with abundance, love, and freedom. As Roy T. Bennett once said, “Let go of something old that no longer serves you in order to make room for something new.” I’m ready for something new, are you?

Time to embrace three different words.

Let. It. Go.

Love,
Robin ❤️

“The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go.” ~ Steve Maraboli

I’ve been watching more television lately. I’m not sure why, I certainly don’t have more time, I’m busy showing people how to live their best lives traveling, shopping, and eating like rock stars! Spending hours in front of a TV is not in the equation. Nevertheless… I’m hooked on HBO’s Insecure.

I’ve read so many critical reviews about Issa Rae’s Insecure finale that made me question the self awareness of my people.

First of all, it’s fiction. Seriously y’all, they’re stories she writes for our entertainment. I think the problem is, they’re so hella real, everyone’s saying either ouch or amen, and taking them hella personally.

Her YouTube series titled Awkward Black Girl was hella good, so HBO wisely picked it up and voila! Insecure. The titles alone should lend a clue to the content. She’s NOT perfect, none of the characters are perfect, and that’s why I love it.

I see me and my friends in every episode. I see real life situations in every episode. I see black women facing workplace inequities, relationship difficulties, friendship challenges, and environmental changes, in every episode. I see realistic characters making realistic mistakes IN EVERY EPISODE. It’s all hella relatable.

From where I sit (insecure awkward black girl – still), they’re not so much angry with Issa’s characters choices, they’re remembering making the same or similar bad ones in the past (read yesterday), and it’s painful watching. They want the fairytale…finally. Me? I like knowing I’m not alone in this big scary world. I’m encouraged when I see them grow and work through them, or not.

Who hasn’t dealt with infidelity, racism, lying partners, gentrification, and semen in their eye? Haven’t you ever been ‘tricked’ into a relationship that you felt was wrong…but didn’t wanna be right? And that finale scene so many of you have a problem with. Which one of us Cinderella watching, fairytale princesses, hasn’t wished that guy we’ve poured so much of ourselves into, falls to his knees and professes undying love while begging forgiveness and admitting he doesn’t want to live another day without our black girl magnificence?

I get excited to turn on the box and watch shows with people who look like me. People who are affected by issues that affect me in the same manner. People with real roles, real lives, and real presence.

Who hasn’t been the fall-back person or been that person, licking wounds or getting ours licked – until loser bae calls again. It’s real folks. It might not be you (insert side-eye here), but it’s definitely someone you know. Cause y’all sure mad. And, as my grandmother used to say, the hit dog always hollers.

I’m looking forward to Season 3. I know you are too.