I just want to thank the young men who have participated in my dating life from 2015 to 2018. It's because of you that all the life – and fun – has single-handedly been sucked out of texting. In fact, I'll even go as far as to say that I indeed hate texting now. And that's a strong word… so yeah, thanks a lot, guys.
There was a time when the act of texting would generate butterflies in my lady parts. I'd grow eager with excitement at the thought of exchanging witty banter with a potential suitor, sharing in the joys of birthing our own inside jokes together. Then, with no forewarning, texting became a menial task of decoding the male vernacular.
And believe you me, I am no etymologist.
What was once a tool used for quick and snappy conversation to hold one's interest in suspense until the next date or phone call, has turned into drawn-out discourse, never going beyond the blue and grey bubbles.
At the turn of the millennium, texting became the maximum verbal effort for many young men, as if sending a "Good morning, beautiful" message every morning for a week is supposed to send my affection for you into overdrive. In actuality, texting is the bare minimum anyone could do when it comes to getting to know someone. Yet, somehow, it's become a badge of honor that's supposed to be rewarded by a pat on the back or a gluten-free cookie.
Dudes really don't know how to text, and even worse, they use it as a mind-control device to inflict their self-crafted games on women. I want to be very clear: spitting game and playing games are two very different things, my dear friends.
Can we all just agree on the fact that you cannot, I repeat, CANNOT, get to know someone simply by texting them? More specifically, by texting them: "WYD."
For a good three months, it seemed like everywhere I'd turn, a "WYD" would be there, lurking around every corner. If I was working on a blog post, "WYD" would come floating into my inbox, rudely interrupting my creative flow. If I was just waking up from a sound rest, I'd turn over to "WYD" at the start my day. If I was simply trying to enjoy a morning pee, "WYD?" would be there with the toilet paper in its hand, inquiring about my whereabouts.
I'm like, "Danggggg, can a sista pee in peace??" I'm about to confiscate all y'all phones, keep playing with me.
It's like I have a house-arrest bracelet on my phone and every move I make, there you are checking on my doings. RELAX. If you don't have anything to talk about, then just text me when you do.
What most guys don't understand is that when they send girls a "WYD" text every 30 minutes, her "He might be unemployed, sitting on the couch, sending these texts in between every few rounds of videogames" radar kicks into overdrive. Do you have any hobbies? Where are your friends? Nah, as a matter of fact, what are YOU doing, sir?
Getting a "WYD" text lowkey flares up my anxiety.
Unless you're planning some spontaneous "Put on something nice, I'll be there in 15 mins" kind of trip, there's really no reason for you to know what I'm doing at this very moment.
If you're just checking up on me, say that. No, like literally say, "Hey, just checking on you, hope your day is going well," and be on your way. I'm not asking you to inquire about every waking moment of my day, every moment of the day.
If you want to know for real, I'm in my bag. I'm working on some projects, drinking my lemon water, and minding my business.
It's time to level up our conversation skills, ladies and gentlemen. Pick up the phone. What are afraid of? I know people are busy, we all are, but if you're looking to really catch up with someone to see what they've been up to, a conversation with actual words is usually the best place to start. The best way to a woman's heart is to make her laugh, ain't nobody taught y'all that?
Let's come together as a united front to actively put the FUN back in the fundamentals of texting. Now go, young grasshopper, and prosper.
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Featured image by Shutterstock
*Article originally published on aleyarion.com; Originally published on xoNecole on July 26, 2018
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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
