the prodigal blogger...

where' I've been, enjoying TikTok, and yet another IG break.

girls… 

it’s been a while… probably too long actually, since i’ve checked-in with you and I just want to say, it’s for a few reasons. 

but before we hop into that, how are you doing? (no really, let me know in the comments!) i hope well, but if not, i hope things get better. 

i guess the first order of business is that ya girl has been taking an extended break from IG + Twitter (X) and I’m really enjoying the social sabbatical.

if you’ve been around my corner of the internet for some time, you may already know that I tend to go into hibernation mode around the fall time and into the new year. but this year, the motivation to take a break from IG was brought on by a strange feeling…

i know the topic of “monitoring spirits” (the feeling of being surveilled or watched on social media without well-intended engagement) has been floating around lately and honestly, i couldn’t relate more to the notion.

sometimes Instagram does feel like you’re speaking into a void while you’re tapping your mic to check if “this thing is on,” and it can make you feel hesitate to share and post on the platform. 

but after taking a step back, I don’t think that our followers are entirely at fault for this. i think it’s just a product of the app's ever-shifting layout. it’s somewhat created this environment for observation over community building, making it feel like you’re under a spotlight but can’t see who’s in the audience. 

that’s why I’ve been pouring my time and energy into TikTok during my time away (yes, the clock app of all places). 

i’ll admit that I was a late adopter of the platform because, like most millennials, it can take us some time to warm up to new platforms that challenge us to use different parts of our brains. but I have to say, I like it over there. 

on TikTok, i feel more excited to share my random thoughts. it allows me to practice releasing content without an expectation for how it should perform. and it’s safe to say that my inner perfectionist voice has been quiet for some time now.

TikTok is fun because it’s less aesthetic-driven than Instagram and people seem more open to engagement with the random content topics that come to mind. 

i’ve had a few hitters grace the FYP lately (you can’t check them out below if you’d like), and it’s been both fascinating and intriguing to see what resonated with others on the platform. 

@yagirlaleyi be feeling so seen when it happens 😭🥹🫶🏾

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

i saw all that to say, that I’m just in a place where I wanted to get back into my risk-taking bag.

i’ve decided that I want to use 2024 as a year where I’m releasing my ideas, concepts, and thoughts more freely as I detach from my long-standing relationship with perfectionism. 

i desire for there to be less time between concept > ideation > execution.

i want to be in flow with taking calculated action and leaps of faith. i want to see where boldness and the fearlessness of being seen take me. 

@yagirlaleydon’t thing just always end up working out? 🥹🫂💖 #fyp #wordsofwisdom #innerthoughts #healingtiktok #encouragement #christiantiktok #stopworrying #anxiety #faith

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

it’s almost like you have to come to a point where you’re just tired of your old ways and actions. where you’re ready to divorce the mental loops that have been habitually engrained in your DNA and you’re ready to give yourself a new way of thinking, creating, and existing.

or as the old folks say, “you’re just sick and tired of being sick and tired.” 

idk if you’ve been in the same space, but it’s time to move differently to get different. expect more to receive more. to lay down shame and unworthiness to pick up boldness and confidence. 

so, I say all that to say, you’ll be hearing a lot more from me in this newsletter because I wanted to be an example of what it means to create in flow. i mean, we’re all just trying to live, laugh, and love out here anyway, right? 💖

and if you’ve been feeling stuck too and haven’t gotten clarity on what you want out of 2024, remember that you can take a step back away from the noise, away from other’s perceptions of you, away from judgment and performance, to get clear on your next move. 

and before I go, #FreePalestine 🇵🇸

— ya girl, Aley 

follow me:

ig: @yagirlaley | twitter: @yagirlaley | tiktok: @yagirlaley