Rising Singer-Songstress Zonnique Pullins Pushes Her Pen To The Paper For Self-Care
In xoNecole's Finding Balance, we profile boss women making boss moves in the world and in their respective industries. We talk to them about their business, and most of all, what they do to find balance in their busy lives.
Stepping out of the shadow of two well-respected and highly accomplished parents in the music industry can be tough. Especially when they're Xscape member, Tameka "Tiny" Harris and Grammy-award winning rapper, actor and podcast host Tip "T.I." Harris. However, Zonnique Pullins has managed to quiet the noise of the haters and step into her own limelight as a solo artist.
Recently releasing two singles, "Winner" and "#FTCU", Zonnique has made a name for herself since her days on BET's Tiny and Toya and as a member of the OMG Girlz with besties Bahja Rodriguez and Reginae Carter. The Atlanta-bred princess is now recognized as a soulful songstress with the ability to throw a vibe to anyone who is willing to catch it. From her trap-inspired single "Nun For Free" with Young Thug to sexy R&B vibes in "Should've Been", Zonnique is a name for you to watch out for in 2020 if she hasn't been already.
The Growing Up Hip-Hop: Atlanta alum shares with xoNecole about how she finds balance between music, family and relationships with thanking God for seeing another day, journaling and working out with bae, Bandhunta Izzy.
xoNecole: At what point in your life did you understand the importance of pressing pause and finding balance in both your personal and professional life?
Zonnique: Taking the break I just took from putting out music was something that I didn't plan, but realized it may have been something I needed. I've been making music since I was 8, so stepping back for a while and taking time to myself to grow was helpful for me.
Courtesy of Zonnique
"Taking the break I just took from putting out music was something that I didn't plan, but realized it may have been something I needed."
What is a typical day in your life? If no day is quite the same, give me a rundown of a typical workweek and what that might consist of.
A typical day in my life is different, but I try to combine a little bit of work and family time together. I usually start my days off with what I have to do first, whether it's filming, studio, interviews, and/or meetings. I like to record at night, but I've been getting into doing it earlier in the day and when I finish I'm not so tired. I [also] go visit my family or my friends, who are really family.
What are your mornings like?
My mornings are always chill. [I] always thank God when I open my eyes, maybe just lay there, look around and think about my dreams for a minute. [I also] see what notifications I have on my phone and take it to the bathroom with me. When I open my eyes, I thank God first, do the regular routine of brushing my teeth. I honestly don't wash my face every day and I usually eat a bowl of cereal because I don't enjoy cooking. If I have nothing to do, I lay and watch something good to start off the day like Cheaters.
How do you wind down at night?
I love to watch a good movie or show until I get sleepy, then I turn on something I don't care to watch until I'm in a deep sleep - just to wake up in the middle of the night and turn the TV off.
When you have a busy week, what’s the most hectic part of it?
When I have a busy week, the most hectic part of it would just be the [act of] moving from place to place to get everything done [because] then you don't get a good amount of sleep because my nights end late and mornings start early. Probably, the most hectic part is traveling from one place to another [and] not being able to eat or rest except in between the little car rides. Especially on a press day in New York! I don't have an assistant but a person from my team is always with me to keep me on schedule.
Do you practice any types of self-care? What does that look like for you?
I never looked at it as practicing self-care until maybe a month ago when someone made me realize how much joy I get in writing in journals and reading. I've always enjoyed doing both since I was a little girl and still enjoy it now. I would say that is a form of self-care for me.
What advice do you have for busy women who feel like they don’t have time for self-care?
The advice I have is to just find time even if it's for five minutes. Sometimes it's just taking a breather and giving yourself the tiniest moment to step back from everything.
Courtesy of Zonnique
"Sometimes it's just taking a breather and giving yourself the tiniest moment to step back from everything."
How do you find balance with:
Friends? Family?
I find balance with my friends by visiting them when I'm not busy and talking to them on a regular basis. I honestly have such a big family and sometimes it can be difficult to make time for everything and everyone. I visit my family a lot as well but my friends and I like to meet up at least a couple of times a week.
Love/Relationships? Dating?
My boyfriend and I live together, so we're always together and do a lot including visiting my family. I don't really have to find a balance between being with him and doing my own thing and when we both have a free day we'll do stuff together and we also work together sometime.
Exercise?
I usually start my day off by going to the gym (before quarantine), so that's how I make sure to exercise. [My boyfriend and I] also work out together!
What about health? Do you cook or find yourself eating out?
When it comes to health, I like to work out as much as possible and I drink mostly water. Those two are the easiest things for me to keep up with, but the eating part is the hardest. I don't really eat pork or beef and in quarantine, I just learned how to cook. I still eat UberEats and DoorDash almost every day.
When you are going through a bout of uncertainty, or feeling stuck, how do you handle it?
I just take time to myself. I don't really like being around people when I'm feeling down, so I sit with my feelings and think of ways to solve my problem and then get back up again. I went through a lot of uncertainty while starting my career as a solo artist coming out of a group, and I just continued to work on myself and find myself more. When I have a creative block, I step back from the situation for a second to give my mind a break from overthinking and come back to the idea when it feels right.
What do you do when you have a creative block when writing music or creating in the studio?
When I have a block, I always ask the people around me for input. I love to create with other people and that helps me get back into the groove whenever I feel really stuck.
And honestly, what does success and happiness mean to you?
Success to me means being happy with the things you have done and/or accomplished [and] simply doing things you're proud of. [Being] happy to me is loving yourself, being happy with the person you are within, loving your own pretty and ugly side.
For more of Zonnique, follow her on Instagram.
Featured image courtesy of Zonnique
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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