

Wanna Have A Great Day? Start With Asking These 6 Questions.
I've got a girlfriend who is currently serving as her mom's caregiver. When she started, her mom was in her early 90s. Now she's 96, I believe. Anyway, because of our schedules, it's easier for us to get a chat in during the morning hours before her mother wakes up. This means that, sometimes, I am on the phone when her mom calls for her and boy—those first 5-10 minutes are critical. What I mean by that is, little things like my friend's tone of voice or what's on her mom's television screen can determine if her mother is going to have a really good day or a pretty sucky one.
All things work together, right? The pattern of watching how my friend's mom's morning routine affects her mood has taught me to be more sensitive to how I start my day as well. Before doing anything else, oftentimes what I will do is stay in bed, take deep breaths, and ask myself a few questions—ones like the ones I'm about to share with you in just a sec. More times than not, when I ask certain ones and thoughtfully provide my answers, my day ends up going great. I think it's mostly because it helps me to start the day with intention and clarity. That way, I run the day instead of it running me. Feel me?
If you want to try this lil' exercise, just to see if it can get you off on the right foot, here are six questions that have helped me to approach my days with a half-glass-full perspective.
1. “What was the ‘high’ and ‘low’ from yesterday? What can I learn from both?”
Some of y'all might remember the movieThe Story of Us (Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer) from back in the day. One of the scenes that I liked so much that I incorporated it into my own life was how, at dinner time, everyone in the family would discuss their high (the best thing that happened) and low (the worst thing that happened) throughout their day. In fact, this is something that I also typically start my counseling sessions with too. Not only is it a good way to keep life in perspective (nothing is ever all good or totally bad), it's also a good way to determine what you learned from the best and worst moments of the day. When you take a moment to reflect on your "high", it can help you to figure out what you can do to duplicate that experience. When it comes to your "low", you can determine what steps you need to take in order to avoid a repeat performance.
2. “What can I accomplish today that I never have before?”
Believe it or not, the word "bored" is one of my absolute favorites. Why? Because within the definition lies the solution to having a boredom problem. To be bored is to be "weary by dullness, tedious repetition, unwelcome attentions, etc." When something is dull, it is uninteresting. When something is tedious, it's monotonous. Yeah, I'm pretty sure you know what unwelcome attentions are all about. If a part of what keeps you from having as many great days as you would like is because you feel like a hamster who's running endlessly on the wheel of life, something that you can do to break out of that is to try something new. It can be as simple as taking a different route to work or going to a new restaurant for lunch. Or, how about hopping onto a website like Skillshare to take a photography or graphic design class, or reaching out to a person who can help you to start a new business? Maybe it's trying a new color of nail polish or finally getting that new haircut that you've been eyeing.
Something that is dope about the start of each day is it comes with a freshness that beckons us to attempt something that we never have before. It's a clear reminder that if your life feels a little ho-hum, it usually has less to do with your circumstances and more to do with your choices. Why not make it a goal to do something new every day and see how that decision makes you feel?
3. “Whose life can I make better?”
Maybe one day I'll get into how, if "being happy" is your biggest goal in life, that actually could end up costing you in the long run. Yeah, that might sound weird on the surface, but even the famed poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well"; one way to live well is to do something for someone else. There is a Scripture in the Bible that says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) and I promise you, the days when I have made it a point and purpose to bless someone in some way, those are the days when I've had the most joy and peace. No matter what is—or isn't—going on in your world right now, if you take a moment to get the focus off of you and put it on someone else, it has a remarkable way of putting a smile on your face…and theirs.
4. “What do I bring to the table in a way that no one else can?”
Someone who I've been a fan of, ever since I saw her in the movieLovely & Amazing, is actor Raven Goodwin. Whether it's the series Being Mary Jane, the movie Christmas Belles or the upcoming biopic,The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (peep some of the singing here), I've enjoyed watching her evolution as an actor and also the confidence she portrays as a woman; specifically a Black woman. She challenges the myth that skin tone or size can prevent someone from totally glowing up. For me, that's a great reminder that individuality, along with poise, self-awareness and self-assurance can cause you to make a real impact in any room that you walk into.
When you wake up every morning and declare to your own damn self that you are special, relevant, and very necessary, for such a time as this, it can give you the courage and boldness that you need to obtain whatever it is that you desire. And when you know that the world truly is yours, how can you not feel great about the day that is before you?
5. “Does my life look like how it actually feels?”
I must admit that when I first read about Instagram now providing a "false image" warning on the photoshopped images that appear on the platform, the first thing I did was chuckle. It really is kind of crazy how used we've gotten so used to seeing things through a filter that we freak out at the mere thought of seeing them as they truly are. But that sermon is for another day. The reason why I think it's relevant to this particular point is that it's a reminder to remember how important it is to live your actual life with realness and authenticity. You have no idea how many rich and famous people are depressed, right at this very moment, and it's basically because the life you read about is not the life they are actually living—or feeling.
Facades have destroyed many people. One way to ensure that you will have the kind of day that you truly can feel good about is to promise yourself that you will be honest with yourself, that you will speak the truth to others, and that you will be genuine in all that you do. When you can end the day knowing that you can feel good about how your life appears, because you are showing your actual self, that is a kind of high that is truly hard to beat.
6. “What am I going to do to treat myself at the end of the day?”
It happens to the best of us. "It" being how sometimes, we wake up and we already know that the day ahead of us is gonna be an unavoidable trip. It might be due to a staff meeting, a big project, a presentation, a certain conversation that we need to have or some other type of stressor. Even when you know that you are gonna be tried and tested, you can still have a great day. All you need to do is give yourself something to look forward to—a bottle of wine, a mani/pedi, a long soak in the bath…something that can keep you smiling, no matter what life shoots at you throughout the day.
Personally, I think that since no two days are alike, this means that every day, I deserve to treat myself. It doesn't always have to be something big. Just something that reminds me to pat myself on the back for a job well done. What are you gonna do for yourself today, sis? For surviving it, I can already assure you that you've totally earned it.
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
From Cardi B To Mary J. Blige, Meet The Woman Behind Your Favorite Celebrity's Glam Team
What would you do if you just got laid off from your corporate job and you had a serendipitous encounter with someone who gave you the opportunity of a lifetime? Tamara Taylor was faced with that decision in 2013 after she was let go from her sales profit and operations coach job in the restaurant industry and met a then-up-and-coming stylist, Law Roach, on a flight to L.A. She and Roach struck up a conversation, and he shared how he was looking for someone to run his business and was impressed by her skills. While she took his business card, she was unsure if it would lead to anything. But, boy, was she wrong. Two weeks later, after packing up her home to move back to her hometown of Chicago, she called Roach; he asked if they could meet the following day, and the rest is herstory.
Taylor founded Mastermind MGMT, an agency that represents some of Hollywood’s best “image architects” like Roach, Kellon Deryck, and Kollin Carter, who are responsible for creating unforgettable style and beauty moments for celebrities like Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Taraji P. Henson, and more. Taylor and her company possess an array of functions, but her biggest role is to be her client’s advocate. We hear endless stories about how creatives aren’t paid or underpaid in the entertainment industry, but Taylor ensures that her clients get their piece of the pie. The entrepreneur opened up about her company and her non-profit, Mastermind Matters, in an exclusive interview with xoNecole.
“I always say that I'm an artist advocate first, deal closer second. So my primary focus is to just make sure that the artist is getting everything that they deserve, whether it's compensation or, you know, certain accommodations, but just making sure that they have everything that they need to be able to show up and provide the best service that they're hired for,” she explained.
“So you know, in the beginning, it was hard because I didn't have any experience, and the artists who I was working with at the time–we were learning together, meaning neither of us had assisted anyone. We didn't have mentors in our specific fields. So every deal was like a new learning experience for us from the styling side and also from the business side, and so it took, you know, doing some research, using some very creative tactics, to find out information in the industry and just starting to request accommodations that I knew other artists were granted, who maybe didn't look like my artists.”
Photo by Christopher Marrs
Ten years later, there’s still not many people who are doing what Taylor is doing. However, things have gotten easier thanks to the research and connections she made in the beginning. During Mastermind MGMT’s ten-year anniversary celebration, she announced her non-profit, Mastermind Matters, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that focuses on helping young entrepreneurs through a 12-week program. The program is divided into “two routes.” The first route is for aspiring creative artists who want to start a business from their talent and all the things they need to learn about business, such as taxes, life insurance, etc. The second route is for practicing creative artists who are already in the industry but need resources such as how to plan for retirement or how to sustain themselves if they can’t work for a short amount of time, i.e., the pandemic.
“I just feel that I'm able to have a business and be successful because of their art as well. And so there are things that I know, I tried to teach it to them but understanding that I can only do so much because I'm not a subject matter expert in those fields,” she said. “So I at least want to be able to provide the resources, and then if they make their grown decision not to do it, then that's on them. But you know, I could be guilt-free and taking advantage of the resources that I'm also providing to them.”
Taylor continues to be an innovator in her industry by always pushing the boundaries of creativity and thinking one step ahead of everyone else. The Chicago-bred businesswoman is moving into the tech space thanks to a new invention created with her clients in mind, and she is looking forward to bigger collaborations in the future. Follow Mastermind MGMT on Instagram @mastermind_mgmt for more information.
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Feature image by Christopher Marrs