
What The Ciara’s, Cassie’s & Karrueche's Of The World Have Shown Us About Moving On & Moving Up

I have to admit, I'm not someone who obsesses over or relies heavily on celebrity hook-ups, marriages, and love stories as a guide for my own relationships, considering the fact that their lifestyles are quite different from mine. Not to mention, you never truly know what goes on behind closed doors -- whether they're famous or not.
However, we're often reminded of the fact that celebrities are human beings just like us. At times, and unfortunately at their expense, we witness their heartache, loss, and drama for all the world to see. But just as much as we cry and empathize when celebrities experience tough times, we also celebrate when we see them overcoming obstacles, relishing in their success, or even enjoying a new chance at love. Case in point:
Ciara walked away from what she thought was her future, and in walked the love of her life through Russell Wilson.
Karrueche's ex tried desperately to get her attention, but now she's the center of attention -- on-screen and off with former baller Victor Cruz.
Cassie was with Diddy, but now she's blessed to be with child with her new beau Alex Fine.
Hence, from the outside looking in, there is so much we can learn from these ladies' experiences (and so many other non-celebrities including myself) and their willingness to move on.
1.For every man that won’t, there’s another one that will.
I think we can all agree that Russell Wilson was more than ready and willing to be (and do) for Ciara what her exes weren't willing to be. He appears to not only be good to her but good for her. The same is likely true for Cassie and Karrueche…at least I know it was for me when I met my husband also. I've said it a million times, but it's so true: if a man wants to be with you, then he'll be with you. Period.
2.Be courageous enough to walk away knowing that another will come along to stay.
A good man can't occupy space in your life if it's already taken by someone else. Society and statistics will tell you that the odds are stacked against you, and the ratio of women to men makes it nearly impossible to experience true love with a good man. However, don't let societal pressures or the fear of being alone keep you trapped in a toxic relationship just for the sake of saying that you're in a relationship. With God, anything is possible. Besides, as black women (and men), we've been defying statistics since the beginning of time.
3.“But I’ve invested so much time in the relationship” is not a legitimate excuse to remain in a toxic relationship that no longer serves you.
Comfort and convenience aren't substitutes for love. Just because it's comfortable to you doesn't mean it's purposeful for you.
When it no longer serves a purpose for your life, it then becomes a waste of time – for you and the other person. Life is too short to be wasting it on people and things that are toxic to your life. Just like with any financial investment, if it no longer provides a positive return, then it's time to move your money. Similarly, if the relationship no longer provides positive results for your life, then it may be time to move on…just like Ciara, Cassie, and Karrueche did.
4.You can find the good in goodbye.
I know I'm not the only one who can look back and say to myself, "had I stayed…," or "thank goodness that ended," or "I dodged a bullet." There's a liberating feeling knowing that what you once thought was the best thing in your life became the best thing when it was actually removed from your life. You never know – your new and better beginning could be on the other side of that painful ending.
Related: How To Find The Good In Goodbye
5.Sometimes the very thing (or person) you’re holding onto is the very thing that’s holding you back.
Erykah Badu said it best: "Bag lady, you gone hurt your back. Dragging all those bags like that." It's that baggage and dead weight that keep us bound to toxic people and relationships. As my dear friend Natalie once told me, "Some people are tied to your dysfunction, not your destiny." Hence, sometimes people have to walk away in order for you to walk into your destiny.
6.Whoever you give your heart to, make sure they’re ready and have the capacity to receive it.
We are often disappointed when we give our hearts to those who never asked for it. Some people aren't ready for, nor do they deserve, all the love you have to give. The one who is ready and willing to receive your love, will be ready and willing to show you love.
7.“God is never late.”
Timing is everything to us, but there's a quote that says, "God doesn't wear a watch." His timing isn't like ours…and truth be told, we're not always prepared for what we ask for. Nevertheless, we have to trust that even if what we pray for doesn't happen exactly when or how we expect it to, God can still provide exactly what we need, when we need it.
8.You’ll know a man is no longer interested in playing games when it’s obvious he’s not playing with your heart.
There's a difference between a man who only says he's sorry and a man whose words are supported by his actions. Changed behavior is the evidence of a real apology. Moreover, a man after God's heart will take care of yours.
9.For every heartache experienced, God can heal you that much more.
I'm sure at some point Ciara, Cassie, and Karrueche probably thought "when will the tears subside," or "when will this heartache end." It's difficult to see the light when you're in it, but the sun always finds a way to shine after the rain. I can imagine that for them, as it has been for me, their past hurt eventually became like a distant memory once they were able to move on and heal.
10.When we release old stuff, it creates space for something new.
Whether people are removed from our lives by force or choice, it frees up space around us and within us – physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. No longer are we considered "emotionally unavailable;" rather, the extra space opens ourselves to receive and experience more of what God has for us.
Nobody truly knows what the future holds for Ciara, Cassie, or Karrueche (or anyone for that matter), but while they're in this winning season, let's continue cheering them on from the sidelines. May their stories, as well as so many others, serve as hope and inspiration to live your best, purposeful life despite your past hurts, and more importantly, regardless of your relationship status.
Featured image by DFree / Shutterstock.com
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Shonda Brown White is a bestselling author, blogger, life coach, and brand strategist. When she's not jumping out of a plane or zip lining, she's living the married life with her husband in Atlanta, GA. Connect with her on social @ShondaBWhite and her empowering real talk on her blog.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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While I was checking out a video by YouTuber Obaa Yaa Jones on things that Black women can do to keep moisture in their hair (you can watch it here), it got me to thinking about hair masks. More specifically, why hair masks should be incorporated at least every other wash day. Now hear me out.
As Black women, most of us have curls that are tight to the point that it’s difficult for the natural sebum that is on our scalp to travel all the way down the strands of our hair in order to fully lubricate them. If you add to that the reality that some of us also have the type of hair porosity that makes it hard for our locks to retain moisture, it can be a constant struggle to give our tresses the hydration that they need in order to avoid damage and breakage (so that we can retain the hair length that we are after). One thing that can make this less of an issue? Hair masks.
If you’re somewhat familiar with hair masks but you honestly haven’t tried them (yet), take a few moments to read this all the way through. As someone who has high porosity hair and is on her own journey to gain longer locks that are super healthy, I’ve been playing around with hair masks for a minute now — and even though it is an extra step to what can already be quite the wash day sometimes…honestly, I don’t have not one regret.
What Is a Hair Mask?
Okay, so you know how, oftentimes, when getting a facial, a mask will be incorporated in order to treat certain types of skin issues? Hair masks basically do the same thing — only, they’re specifically made for your tresses and they’re usually for the purpose of deeply penetrating your hair with hydration.
What I’ve come to find is if your hair is particularly dry, you color-treat your hair, you’ve been noticing signs of heat damage, and/or you enjoy wearing your hair in its natural state (and you want your curls to have less frizz so that they can really pop), hair masks can benefit you on a few different levels. That’s because the heavy amount of oils and/or butters in them can help to create some real moisture-related restoration.
What Are the Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Hair Mask?
In a moment, I’m going to share with you some hair mask options that are available to you. First, though, let’s talk a bit about how you can receive the most benefits from using a hair mask.
Treat the issue. Not all hair masks are just alike, so although more moisture may be your ultimate goal, if your hair has worn-out ends, seek out a hair mask that treats that. Color-treated? Look for one that is good for that. Frizzing going on? Get a hair mask for that. This is important because, personally, there have been times when I’ve just picked up a popular hair mask that ended up not doing me much good; the reason why is because it was for one thing when I had something entirely different going on with my tresses.
Follow the instructions. If you decide to go with a commercial brand, the instructions are there for a reason. Please make sure to read them and follow them all the way through. Otherwise, your hair may not end up as hydrated, soft, or manageable as you were hoping for.
Not on the scalp; definitely on the ends. A big mistake that a lot of people make when it comes to hair masks is they just scoop up a handful and put it on top of their head. Yeah…naw. You need to make sure that you’ve got enough to coat your freshly washed hair from root to tip; however, keep in mind that hair masks are more for your hair than your scalp. This point is key because many ingredients that are in a lot of hair masks could potentially clog up your hair follicles and/or irritate your scalp, if you massage your scalp with them or leave the product on your scalp for a long period of time.
Cover your hair up. Putting a hair mask on your locks, only to wash it out after five minutes or so, isn’t going to get you the kind of results that you seek. If you’re really going to do this hair mask thing in excellence, be prepared to have your hair wrapped up in a shower cap, warm towel, or steamer for no less than an hour. In fact, some hair masks recommend that you leave them on overnight (although, don’t come to that conclusion on your own; again, read the instructions).
Make it a part of your hair care routine. There is something to be said about the need to “train your hair” in order to get it how you’d like it to be. That’s why it’s important to not just one-and-done your hair when it comes to hair masks. Me? I try to treat my locks to one every other wash day (and I typically wash my hair every two weeks).
How Do You Choose a Hair Mask That Is Best for You?
Now that you know a bit about how to get the most benefits from a hair mask, you might be wondering which one you should use. Honestly, this could require a bit of trial and error on your part; however, there are articles like Shape’s “14 Hair Masks That Will Give You the Healthiest Strands of Your Life, Vetted and Reviewed” and Glamour’s “The Best Natural Hair Masks, According to the Pros” can potentially point you in the right direction. Another hack would be to go to your favorite search engine and put “hair mask for Black women” in the search field to see some natural hair-specific options.
Okay, but what if you’d prefer to avoid as many chemicals as possible? If that is indeed the case, there are a ton of DIY hair mask options for you to choose from. Below, I’ve included five homemade hair mask options along with some of the reasons why the ingredients in them are such a wise choice.
RECIPE #1
1 Tablespoon of Honey
1 Tablespoon of Avocado
1 Teaspoon of Rosemary Oil
Your hair will adore honey becauseit’s a humectant; this means that it absorbs moisture from the air and pulls it into your skin and hair. Some other selling points about honey are it's rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties,it deeply conditions your hair and it helps to strengthen your strands over time.
Avocados are rich in fatty acids that also help to cultivate (and retain) moisture in your hair; plus, the vitamins C and E work together to reduce frizz, prevent free radicals from harming your hair, and reduce damage as well. Rosemary oil? It also conditions your hair while increasing blood circulation to your hair follicles which results in faster and stronger hair growth.
RECIPE #2
½ Cup of Cocoa Powder
2 Teaspoons of Coconut Cream
1 Teaspoon of Coconut Oil
If it sounds crazy to you to put cocoa powder in your hair, you might want to read “12 Ways Dark Chocolate Can Benefit Your Body From Head To Toe.” The reality is there are nutrients in cocoa (like iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and copper) that can help to strengthen your hair and add shine and volume to it as well.
The high amounts of lauric acid and protein in coconut cream (or milk) can help to reduce hair loss and dandruff as it deeply moisturizes your hair for longer periods of time. Coconut oil is similar to coconut milk/cream, the only bonus is it can help to protect your hair’s cuticles (which can reduce breakage) too.
RECIPE #3
2 Tablespoons of Sweet Almond Oil
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
5 Drops of Peppermint Oil
I’ve been using sweet almond oil on my skin for quite some time now. Hair-wise, I dibble and dabble in it with no regrets because the oil has the ability to deeply moisturize my hair and also prevent split ends, thanks to the high concentration of Vitamin E that it contains. Cinnamon can help you out because it has properties that can help with hair growth; some research even says that this spice could help you end up with thicker hair.
Peppermint oil is always going to be a winner because it can potentially help to reduce hair loss, it increases blood circulation and oxygen flow to your hair follicles and it contains antimicrobials that reduce dandruff and dryness as well.
RECIPE #4
½ Cup of Aloe Vera Gel
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
5 Drops of Tea Tree Oil
Being that Aloe vera is made up of almost 99 percent water (no joke), that should already give you enough insight into why it’s a stellar conditioner for your hair. Beyond that, though, Aloe vera is a great hair mask ingredient because it has vitamins A, B12, C, and E that can help to strengthen your hair and properties that can help to improve your hair’s texture.
Olive oil is a great treatment for overly processed hair or if you want to prevent split ends. Tea tree oil is wonderful when it comes to removing product build-up.
RECIPE #5
1 Banana
1 Egg
2 Teaspoons of Plain Greek Yogurt
If any of these recipes is a throwback classic, it would have to be this one; that’s because it’s common for bananas, eggs, and yogurt to go into homemade hair masks. A cool thing about bananas is they contain something known as silica; it’s a chemical compound that reduces frizz. There are also antioxidants in bananas that help to decrease oxidative stress (which can lead to hair damage) and bananas can deeply condition your hair too.
Eggs? Eggs are loaded with protein (which your hair is made mostly of) which means that they can strengthen your hair as well as decrease dryness. Greek yogurt can also give your hair a protein boost as it also strengthens your hair follicles and softens your strands.
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I promise you that, no matter how many articles you read on how to have a head full of thriving hair, especially when it comes to us, maintaining moisture is going to be mentioned. Now that you know that hair masks are top-tier at doing this for you…seems like this needs to be on your next wash-day agenda…right? For real, though.
It’s worth the time and effort. Trust me.
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Featured image by PeopleImages/Getty Images