Life Changes | Life with EssieB

Almost There! Celebrating Progress, Jamaica Reset, and Spring Break Plans

Stepping into Spring with Milestones, Jamaica Vibes, and Birthday Cheers!

Hey everyone! Things have been feeling particularly vibrant lately, and I wanted to share a little life update from my corner of the DMV. Spring is officially here, bringing with it a sense of renewal and a few exciting milestones on the horizon!

First off, I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I’m so incredibly close to hitting my first significant weight loss goal! It’s been a journey of intentional effort, as well as getting my health together in many, and seeing the progress has been incredibly motivating. I am not ashamed to say I am using a medication to help in my weight loss and it has been so instrumental in my progress so far. The recent increase in my Zepbound or compound tirzepatide (depending on when I take it) dosage seems to be settling in well, and I’m feeling really good overall. This whole process has really kickstarted a deeper commitment to my health, and I’ve become a bit of a data geek, diligently tracking all sorts of metrics on my phone through various apps. It’s empowering to see the numbers reflect the positive changes I’m making.

Speaking of feeling good, I recently had the immense pleasure of escaping for a second international trip in my life, taken this year – a much-needed reset in beautiful Jamaica. The sunshine, the vibrant culture, and the sheer relaxation were exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries. It’s amazing what a little time away can do for the mind and spirit, and I’m feeling refreshed and ready to tackle what’s next.

And what’s next? Well, for all my fellow DCPS parents out there, you know spring break is just around the corner! While my work schedule means I won’t be taking a full week off, I’m definitely carving out some precious time to spend with my youngest boys. We’re planning a fun day (or at least a glorious half-day) exploring some of the many kid-friendly gems right here in the DC area. Stay tuned for potential adventures!

On a slightly less glamorous but equally important note, my quest for new walking shoes continues! I’ve been putting it off (oops!), but my knees are definitely reminding me that it’s time. My loyalty lies firmly with Brooks – as a plus-sized woman with, shall we say, substantial legs and thighs, the stability and support they offer are non-negotiable for keeping my knees happy. While I sometimes wish they came in a wider array of colors, function absolutely trumps fashion when it comes to comfortable and supportive footwear. If any of you have favorite Brooks models for stability, especially for us curvier folks, I’m all ears for recommendations!

In other exciting news, I’ve been diving headfirst into the fascinating world of AI prompt generation for imaging. It’s like unlocking a whole new level of creative expression, and I’m really enjoying honing this skill. Who knows, maybe you’ll start seeing some of my AI-generated artwork popping up here on the blog in the future!

Finally, and this is a big one – by the time this post goes live, we will have officially celebrated a major milestone in our family! My oldest son will have turned 19 years old on April 22nd! It feels like just yesterday I was navigating those early years of motherhood here in the DMV, and now he’s on the cusp of adulthood. It’s a bittersweet but incredibly proud moment for me. Happy early (or belated, depending on when you’re reading this!), birthday to my amazing young man!

My son’s room decorated, courtesy of his girl bf

Life here in my corner of DC is a beautiful blend of progress, relaxation, family, and new discoveries. Thanks for being a part of the journey with me. What are you looking forward to this spring? Let me know in the comments below!

Warmly,

To Future Me at 50: A Decade of Purpose, Lessons, and Resilience

Posted on April 13 by EssieB

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

To my future self, the woman who has reached the milestone of 50 in (what will be) 2035:

As I sit here in the spring of 2025, 40-year-old navigating the beautiful chaos of life in Southeast DC and DC in general; juggling motherhood to three incredible young men in training; the pursuit of my education with dreams of law school, and the ever-present hum of neurodiversity, I look ahead to you with a sense of hopeful anticipation.

I see us, future me, walking even more deeply into our purpose. The seeds of that purpose, nurtured through late nights studying after the kids are asleep, fueled by a desire for justice and understanding cultivated in my liberal arts journey, will have blossomed. Perhaps you are indeed an attorney, advocating for others with the tenacity I know you possess. Or maybe your path has taken an unexpected, yet equally fulfilling turn, still guided by that inner compass pointing towards meaningful contribution. Your past experience as a small business owner/notary public – a testament to your responsibility and attention to detail – will have undoubtedly informed your professional journey in valuable ways.

I see us leaning even more profoundly into the hard-won lessons of our 20s and 30s. Those years of navigating divorce, raising my children, and the constant balancing act of personal aspirations and familial responsibilities will have forged an inner strength and wisdom that guides your decisions. Even these current 40s, with their own unique set of challenges – perhaps the ongoing management of my ADHD and other conditions, the evolving dynamics of raising teenagers, and the personal weight loss journey – hold lessons yet to be fully understood. But I have faith that you, future me, will have met those challenges head-on, learned from them, and owned those lessons with the same resilience that has carried us this far.

This next decade, the one leading to you, feels pregnant with possibility. I envision significant accomplishments – perhaps academic milestones achieved, professional goals realized, and personal growth that continues to surprise and delight us. The drive that led me back to school, the ambition to pursue a challenging career change, the unwavering love for our sons – these forces will propel us forward.

And through it all, the underlying truth remains: no matter what joys or hardships this next decade brings, good or bad, we will survive it, the Lord willing. We are survivors. We are mothers. We are learners. We are resilient. The spirit that allowed me to navigate the complexities of life in my 30s, that fuels my current endeavors, will undoubtedly continue to sustain us. You, future me at 50, are a testament to that enduring strength.

I look forward to meeting you in the years to come, eager to witness the woman we have become.

With love and anticipation,

Me (at 41)

My lifestyle changes so far……

Posted on April 7 by EssieB

Daily writing prompt

Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

View all responses

Whew chile, the last few years have been a whole situation. But lately? Lately, something different has been brewing. As of late, I have been on a health kick. I turned 40 in 2024 and have been battling health issues from chronic stress and just life in general. Life has been lifing like crazy with me. Life straight up threw hands with me for the past five years. From the never-ending chaos of the pandemic and all that civil unrest, to the gut punches of losing family back-to-back-to-back, navigating a divorce after all that time, and then my health throwing its own tantrums? It has honestly felt like one continuous battle.

Earlier this year, I decided to improve my health and committed to doing what I really needed to in order to get to where I needed in my journey. As time marches on and my sons get older, I am reminded that I want to have the energy to move and grow and just BE. My pastor cousin dropped that truth bomb years ago in marriage enrichment – ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’ It sounds simple, right? But for so long, I was running on fumes, always putting everybody else first. It took hitting a wall to finally let that sink in.

I say all this to say: one positive change I made in my life so far was being intentional with any steps that I am making to improve my health. And let me tell y’all something – this new chapter? It’s about being intentional. Every step I take for my health, I’m doing it unapologetically. If my body’s talking, I’m listening. If I feel I need something, I’m asking. And if I wanna do something for my own well-being? I’m doing it. Period. No permission slips needed from NOBODY. Only person judging me is my Creator and we are in constant talks (need to do more consistently and regularly and sometimes their arguments but I digress-LOL). So here I am, about to step into 41 with a clarity that my younger selves could only dream of. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and finally feeling good in my own skin. And honestly? I am absolutely LOVING this journey. I am LOVING IT!