Happy November!! 🧡🍂🍁

I can’t believe 2018 is nearly over.. I know it’s been awhile since my last Blog. I’ve been going through it lately. For the past few months I’ve been going back in forth to Urgent Care, due to being stressed. My immune system is low since I’m always on the GO!

I’m trying to do better far as eating right and sleeping enough at night.  It’s very exhausting to keep up with everything. Truth is I am emotionally and physically tired. When I was growing up my Mom used to always say “It takes two Incomes.” Truthfully it does with the cost of living sky rocking. Working an entry level job isn’t enough to take care of big girl responsibilities. In order to survive, I have to work OT or find a side hustle along with attending college. I say all this to say, I encourage everyone to fully prepare prior to moving.. There’s nothing wrong with staying with family to set your self up for the future. Although, it’s pros and cons living with family and alone.. You just have to pick your poison.

Lord knows I’m trying to do right by him, everything is a process. I am becoming a stronger woman daily.. This is a learning experience in it’s self. A quite of few people ask me how do I cope with stress. Well, blogging is one way I cope. In the mist of everything, I’m staying true to myself and trying to push through the storm.

I wish you all the best. Make these last two months of 2018 COUNT. I know it seems impossible but God can change your situation when you least expect it!! Remember why you started & how far you can GO!! Endurance and ambition and along with faith has gotten me this FAR!! #iHEARYOU –Lauren Denise 💕

The early late 90’s & 2000’s were the best times of my life believe it or not. I was looking at few of my baby pictures, I teared up a little. I remember when LIFE was pretty simple. These days I barely get a chance to take time out for myself. Adulting is very challenging, you have to cook, clean, and take of yourself. I couldn’t imagine taking care of someone else right now, perhaps a baby… Every since I moved from home, I haven’t been able to treat myself. There’s comes a point in life where your NEEDS have to come before your WANTS. I miss going to the nail shop, getting my hair done, and going to the mall to shop for new clothes & accessories. I like to monitor my account every few days, just to make sure I’m not over my budget. For instance, it’s so easy to stop at Chick-Fil-A, Popeyes, Five Guys, & etc. You gotta remind yourself that there’s food at home. Lately, I’ve been struggling with making time for myself. Have you ever felt like 24 hours isn’t enough in a day? On average we all spend most of the day at work five days a week. That’s a lot when you take all consideration in what needs to be done. It seems like we all LIVE for the weekend & dread Monday’s… I’ve been going non stop for a very long time! I’m NOT getting any younger so I need to take time for myself & find balance in life. . BE sure to TAKE care of your self & your well-being. “It’s Rehab time” as Trent Shelton says. #iHEARYOU ✨Lauren Denise ✨

Life is a trip… and it can be very unpredictable. Although, you can’t let it get you down! Over the past few months, I’ve been going through some tough times. I recently ended a relationship, due to the fact I was distracted and I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose 100%. You must know you worth and believe that you deserve more. Some people come in your life for a time, reason, or a season to teach you a lesson. When you know better you do better. I’ve been focused on my well-being and my future. Lately, I’ve been much happier, optimistic, and grateful for how far I’ve made it. January ’19 will make two years since my move to Georgia 🍑. I must say I am a tough cookie. I’m so proud of who I’ve become.. The only one I can depend on is God. He’s got me this far. “It is better to TRUST in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8 KJV God knows our needs and wants, he will provide for us. When I let go and let God take the wheel I started to see a difference in my life. I give all the Glory to God!! I’m just staying in the GRIND and remaining FOCUSED. We all are going through tough times, don’t let it get you down and out! Perseverance is the Key. 🙏🏽 #ihearyou #stayprayedup – Lauren Denise 🌺👑

I know my last blog was a little intense! I can’t lie I am a little frustrated. But I am ONLY human, and strong people get tired too. I tend to be hard on myself at times. As I look back I’ve came along way, yes I struggle and have my days. I believe that it’s making me a better person.. What doesn’t kill you makes you STRONGER! Right 🤗 You know I’m staring to look at things differently. I am positive that God has control of my life and he won’t steer me in wrong direction. He’s literally moving mountains for me.. I understand that I need to work 10x times harder, due to not having any support. I’ve accepted the challenge and I’m going to fulfill my purpose in Atlanta, Georgia. I would love to be a motivational speaker one day. To tell people how I started off rocky. I declare that I will be successful. Yes, it’s going to take hard work, sweat, and tears but it will be all worth in the end. #iHEARYOU #KEEPTHEFAITH 😇

Hola! I know I’ve been MIA life has been crazy lately for me. I’m pretty much in a dilemma. Everything is just too DAMN high. I’m trying to look for a roommate cause it’s impossible to continue live on my own. Unless I work myself to death. A lot of people are moving to Georgia, you constantly see construction everywhere. It’s nice to go out to lounges, bars, and site seeing. Other than that it’s just an ordinary place for someone who is just trying to make it. When you struggling you really don’t care about the HYPE! If you want to live in a nice community it’s going to run you about $850 and up. Most people don’t make that every two weeks, when minimum wage is $7.25. It’s really pitiful and these apartments are coming up on us. Think about it. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Atlanta is over saturated with folks and not enough room to grow & not enough JOBS. I’m pushing it to the limit. Trying to survive on a 9 to 5! That’s most of our realities but hey I can’t speak for everyone. I’m not trying to be negative. But I’m just saying try moving here with only a high school diploma. You’ll see the struggle.. I gotta go hard for ME cause nothing in life is for free & no one is giving hand outs cause they don’t wanna see you come up. It’s a dog eat dog 🐶 WORLD 🌎. Stay UP y’all & keep the faith. #iHEARYOU

You really want to hear this because I’m speaking from experience. They say high school is the BEST years of our lives! I agree 100%. As I look back on the class of 2014.. I see a lot of my peers took different paths. Some went off to a four year college, some went off to the military, some went straight into the workforce, and lastly some even went to a community college or local university and worked a part time job.

There’s nothing wrong with any of the choices that we made. Everyone has to do what’s best for them but I will say this much. Don’t let the World, your peers, or even your parents RUSH YOU! My parents rushed me out the house. Yeah, I said it… I’m not going to hold back anymore. On a cold winter night, I packed up boxes and loaded them into my car. The next day I hit the road to drive 10 hours down south to Georgia. It’s crazy because I never drove long distance before. I’m not trying to throw anyone under the bus nor point fingers at anyone. Also, I forgave those who hurt me. I’m just saying what’s real. Our generation hits it hard. It’s not the 70’s or 80’s any longer. The struggle is really real! These jobs don’t pay enough for a single individual to live comfortably. It’s all about the Hustle and Bustle at the end of the day.

Honestly, I wouldn’t rush to move out if I were you. I know everyone wants to be independent but before you leave make sure your good. By that being said make sure your making good money. Most importantly SAVE. Get your credentials prior to moving to a new environment. Take advantage of staying at home if you can. I know everyone doesn’t have have that option. In the African American Culture, some parents feel when you turn 18 that we don’t need anymore guidance. Which isn’t true, in fact we’re still learning, need assistance, and need our parents or Guardian to be patient with us. In fact, when you rush a child out the house you set them up for failure. Two things are bound to happen: Either the child will have to come back home or will be struggling just to make ends meet. The key is to let them go when their truly ready.Whatever you do, make sure you set yourself up in the future! If you peep that your being rushed. You gotta work extra hard 💯                       #iHearYou – Lauren Denise 🌺

You all might wonder why do I hashtag, #ihear you or what does it actually mean. I HEAR YOU is a platform that I created, to let individuals know that I hear them & their not alone. I personally go through a lot so I know how it is. Trust me! I’m trying to beat the odds. I was retained in the first grade, I am a first generation college student, and I currently live out of state. As I mentioned before, everyone has different circumstances. You never really know what someone is going through! I may not know everything or have all the answers to everything. However, I am a advocate for individuals going through real life situations, without any support. I feel like I am doing the best I can under the circumstances. Truth be told, I’m learning everything as I go. Over the past few years, I have grown so much since I moved from Indiana. The old me would be complaining, beating myself up, and comparing myself to others. I’ve learned to stay in my lane, move in silence, and most importantly give my burdens to the Lord. #ihearyou✨