Journey Journal 11.11: A New Chapter in Authentic Storytelling

Journey Journal Entry — 11.11

A New Chapter, A New Rhythm

Today feels like a portal.
11.11. A day of alignment, new beginnings, and choosing yourself on purpose.
So it only feels right that today marks the official beginning of my Journey Journal.

If you’ve been rocking with me for a while, you know I’ve been blogging since 2015. I’ve launched businesses, shifted directions, reinvented myself more times than I can count, from selling hair extensions to creating CBD-infused herbal teas, to helping small businesses grow their brands and online presence. I’ve done a lot, learned a lot, and honestly… each version of me taught me something important.

But when I look back, the things that have always lit me up the most were simple:
creating art, traveling, and helping people feel something.
That’s been my North Star, even when I didn’t realize it.

Somewhere along the way, in this world where everyone is trying to be an influencer, where the trends are loud and the pressure to “keep up” is even louder, I felt myself drifting. I’ll be real with you: bringing the blog back this past year was exciting, but something felt… off. I was writing what I thought I should be writing, not what I truly felt.
I was speaking from the algorithm instead of my soul.

And that ain’t me.

I’m realizing more than ever that people are craving honesty again. Unfiltered thoughts. Real moments. Content that feels like a deep breath instead of a performance. And honestly? So am I.

So here’s the shift:

Welcome to The Journey Journal
a softer, slower, more intentional corner of the Journey of The Traveling Afro.

This is where travel goes beyond a destination.
Where storytelling is less about aesthetics and more about soul.
Where I get to share the parts of the journey that don’t always make the highlight reel: the reflections, the pivots, the messy growth, the lessons, and the little joys that remind me who I am.

Think of this as a feel-good space.
A cozy, barefoot, tea-sipping corner of the internet where I speak to you like a friend … not a follower.
A space to return home to yourself.

I’m shifting this blog because I am shifting.
I’m slowing down, listening inward, and choosing authenticity over aesthetics, depth over doing the most. I’m choosing what truly aligns with who I am and who I’m becoming.

And if you’re reading this, I hope something in here reminds you to slow down and come back to you, too.

A Little Manifestation for This New Chapter

May this Journey Journal be a home for raw thoughts, quiet revelations, and truth-telling.
May it inspire anyone walking their own path to move with intention, listen to their inner voice, and trust the chapters they’re stepping into.
May every word written here remind us that we are allowed to evolve, pivot, and begin again, as many times as we need.

Here’s to new beginnings, for both of us.