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Read more: Kinship Care Diaries, Part 4: Learning to Live Again
Choosing to live again has been one of the most joyful experiences of my life—but it all started with a single decision: to actually want to live. At the beginning of 2024, I was anxious, depressed, and wondering if happiness was even possible for me. Then, one day in late May, I decided I wanted…
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Read more: I Had No Idea Where To Start With Makeup! Let’s talk!
Growing up, I didn’t have a mom who taught me about makeup. She didn’t wear much herself, so I had to figure it out on my own. And to be honest? I was terrible at first. It wasn’t until college that I stumbled across my first makeup tutorial by It’s MyRayeRaye on YouTube. I felt…
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Read more: Sometimes, You’re Going to Be Upset—And That’s Totally Okay
I told myself that earlier this week when I started missing someone who used to be in my life. It wasn’t so much that I missed them—it was the memories. The moments that once felt safe, warm, and familiar. And then, just as quickly, I remembered the neglect. The way I sacrificed my dignity and…
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Read more: What Does Your Perfect Day Look Like?
If I asked you to describe your perfect day, what would you say? A perfect day doesn’t mean everything goes right. It means you did what you wanted to do, and despite any obstacles, when you sat down at the end of the night, you smiled and felt at peace. For a long time, I…
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Read more: How Does the Nervous System Regulate When You’ve Always Been in Fight or Flight? And How Does That Connect to Adoption? Part 1
Hey y’all, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. But before we get into it—how have you been? How’s January treating you? Are you taking care of yourself? Okay, let’s get into it. If you’ve been following Adopted Black Girl for a while, you know I’ve been on a journey to regulate my nervous…
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Read more: Argh- New Wellness Techniques and Zoloft?
Hey, y’all! As I’ve gotten older (p.s. my birthday is coming up) life has felt more routine and nuanced. Or maybe my nervous system finally decided to chill out—who knows? Anyway, how has the start of your year been? My students come back this week, and while I’m geared up and ready for the classroom,…
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Read more: What does it feel like to take your mask off?
When do you take your mask off? 4th grade- let me take you to a specific moment: I remember coming home that afternoon and going straight to my room. I had just been humiliated in front of my entire class. Everyone knew I was going to Japan for a while, so when my teacher asked…
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Read more: The Question Still Had To Be Answered.
Who Do You Want to Be in 2025? The way he asks me these questions makes me feel… seen. My younger self feels seen, too, and I’m not sure if I welcome it or if it scares me. I put down the magazine I was flipping through, took a sip of my tea, and looked…
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Read more: Kinship Care Diaries Entry #2: No Christmas Text
11:16 p.m., and still no text. I waited all day, hoping for a simple “Merry Christmas” or even a call from the contact saved in my phone as “Mommy.” But it never came. Maybe it was a glitch in the service from her latest vacation spot. Maybe she just forgot. Either way, here I sit—feeling…
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Read more: Kinship Care Diaries Entry #1: The Weight of One Question
What do you want to do in this life? Well—that’s a loaded question, isn’t it? “That depends. Do you know what you truly want? I know you think about it.” I stared at my friend as he sipped his coffee shake, his gaze intense. We were sitting in this cozy diner in Brooklyn, and Kanyon…
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Read more: Navigating Kinship Adoption During the Holidays
Hey, y’all! Welcome back to Adopted Black Girl! It’s been a minute, but I’m so glad to be here with you again. Life has been busy, but I’ve missed connecting with this amazing community of Black adoptees—especially those of us navigating the complexities of kinship adoption. Today, we’re talking about something real: the holidays. They…
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Read more: No Topic – Just Flow.
This week, I didn’t follow my own advice and came to the same tough lesson once again: sometimes, being kind without boundaries will leave you overlooked. Not just by others but by yourself. You start to think – what was going on? Like forreal – what was going on? There’s a line in Roddy Ricch’s…
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Read more: Let’s Talk About Shame
As adoptees, we’re often told how grateful we should be. From a young age, we hear things like, “You’re lucky someone took you in,” or “It could’ve been worse.” Those words can feel heavy—especially when you’re still trying to figure out who you are, where you belong, and what parts of yourself to embrace. I’ve…
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Read more: What You Should Be Asking: Thoughtful Questions for Kinship Adoptees
Growing up, I didn’t know how to ask the tough questions. You know what I mean? I just wanted to feel welcomed, to have opportunities, and to not feel guilty about wanting those things. Even with the love and opportunities I had, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing—validation, affirmation, all those complicated…
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Read more: Rest Like You Mean It: Lessons from My Time Off
I didn’t realize how much I needed this two-week rest until I took it. Believe me when I say that rest is essential—not just for the body, but for the mind as well. I had all these plans to do this and that, but instead, I found myself diving into my Bible, listening to sermons,…
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Read more: Let’s Chat For 5 Minutes
Let me pour into you for five minutes with some affirmations and a quick quick story time. Happy end of September and start of October. What are some affirmations that you have for yourself this week? Let me know below. From my room with love, Teisha
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Read more: Weekly Chat with Teish
Hey babes, how’s everyone doing this week? September is flying by! I filmed a video for you, but guess what? The camera was out of focus the whole time. No worries though—I’m still uploading the video but I have also added just an audio version for you! Join me as I check in on my…
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Read more: Are You Listening To Yourself?
Sometimes, I get frustrated when I don’t know how to listen to myself. It feels confusing at first, but then I take a step back and realize—of course, I struggle with this. It’s a new skill, and like anything else, it takes time to learn. This blog is for my fellow adoptees, especially those in…
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Read more: Gut Check – Lesson From August.
‘Sure, I don’t mind’—those words signaled the start of a month that spiraled out of control. If only I knew what I knew now – I would have listened when my body froze at that moment. But I didn’t – and you know what – it cost me. August has taught me a powerful lesson:…
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Read more: Boston’s Not That Bad: A Journey to Finding My Place
I never thought I’d say this, but Boston’s not that bad. As I drove home from an evening filled with laughter and connection with a new friend, I realized maybe that’s what I’ve been missing—a friend to help make this city feel a bit more like home. Have I been too quick to judge? Has…
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Read more: Reframing Mother’s Day.
Hey y’all – I’m back with another video. Mother’s Day as an adoptee can cause many feelings to brew- join me as I discuss how I have reframed Mother’s Day through a lens of understanding and grace despite it all. Let me know if you resonate with anything said in the video. I love you…
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Read more: Finding Clarity – Audio Post
Am I anxious or do I feel lost in life? Am I depressed because I’m learning how to be still or am I grieving the chaos that I am used to? In this podcast post, I want to talk about clarity and how being frozen in feelings can hinder your growth or even different parts…
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Read more: Life changes? Turning 30? Anxiety- whoa?
I need the person who said the 30 somethings were more welcoming than the 20s to come to the front – IMMEDIATELY😂 It’s been quite a journey these last few months. Staring over isn’t easy but it is essential to the next levels in your life. If you’re currently going through this type of season,…
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Read more: 15 Affirmations for Black Adoptees
Growing up, I found myself navigating a household where verbal expressions of love were sparse. At the time I didn’t realize how it would affect me in the long run, but now I am finding out. While my adoptive mother showed her affection through actions, I longed to hear the words “I love you.” This…
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Read more: Anxiety as an Adult Adoptee?
Navigating anxiety for the first time has thrown me for a loop, honestly. Anyone else been there? It all kicked off back in December 2023, and like many things, I figured I could just sweep it under the rug. But that strategy didn’t fly. Why now, and why me? These questions kept swirling in my…
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Read more: Chili’s Ultimate Cajun Chicken Pasta and Conversations About Family
February always brings about a sense of reflection for me – it’s my birthday month, marking another year of growth, questions, and curiosity. This year, as I transition into a new decade, that introspection feels particularly poignant. Approaching the big 3-0, I realized I no longer want to speculate about my family dynamics; I want…
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Read more: 3 Years of Adopted Black Girl & Navigating Personal Voids
Three years ago, the notion of exchanging motivational quotes with my birth father would have prompted a chuckle and a swift change of subject. What changed? Time Three years. It went fast. If you’ve just stumbled upon my blog, welcome! This post holds a special significance as it marks three years since the inception of…
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Read more: Navigating Adult Reconnection: 5 Activities for Building Bonds with Your Birth Parents
Reconnecting with your birth parents as an adult is a rollercoaster of emotions. Unsure of how to navigate it? Take a breath and remember: you only need to tackle this journey one step at a time. Don’t feel the need to replace lost time; as my birth father wisely said, “we can only catch on,…
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Read more: 2024 INS/OUTS
Explore the latest TikTok trend sweeping through 2024—what’s in and what’s out. As a trend girly (don’t judge me), I couldn’t resist joining in on the creativity. But let’s take it a step further and delve into my 2024 Ins/Outs -Kinship Care edition. The conversation around kinship adoption/care must continue to shift forward this year…
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Read more: Elevating Black Women Adoptees’ Voices: Challenging Gaslighting and Fostering Understanding
In the echoes of silence surrounding Black women adoptees’ experiences, I’ve noticed a pattern – a pattern of gaslighting and demands for proof of trauma. When Black women adoptees speak out, we often encounter skepticism. If we remain silent, the risk is the erasure of our experiences and the constriction of our narrative. This blog…
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Read more: Vibe with Me: National Adoptee/Adoption Awareness Month Thoughts.
Hey y’all, I wanted to do something different this week and get more personable. The message is in the vlog. Oh snap – we have a vlog…on the blog?!! *chuckles* Anyway, let me know what you think of this format in the comments. HERE IS MY TWITTER THREAD REFERENCED IN THE VIDEO. From my place…
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Read more: Practicality Works.
I can’t believe it’s about to be November. Did 2023 even let us breathe? This is the time of year in my 9-5 when my students get antsy, overwhelmed, and mentally tired. Meetings are building up, roommate conflicts are brewing, and lunch never semes to be an entire hour. (Reminder, please eat your lunch). *Great…
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Read more: Identity and World Conflict
I am sending deep love to my Palestinian and Israeli communities. The loss of loved ones, attacks on innocent lives, and the seizure of basic needs (water, food, healthcare supplies etc) is a humanitarian crisis. To have a heart is to know that this cannot be ignored especially for my fellow adoptees who are feeling…
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Read more: A Love Letter to Adopted Black Girls and Women
I can completely understand why you chose to not advocate for yourself when the adults in your life shut you down every time you tried. I completely understand why you hesitate to ask for what you need and fear retaliation when you speak up about what’s wrong. I completely understand the fear behind your eyes…
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Read more: September Recap & Lessons.
September was such a fun month. It included travel, redecorating my new office, photographing a wedding, and finding a new favorite coffee shop. In September I explored. I entertained the lesson of intentional flow and I realized the power to shift and switch patterns when I needed. I have been so intrigued with my self-awareness…
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Read more: Let’s do a Reintroduction..
*giggles* – I know it feels like forever since we have talked. Because it has been. Lots of thoughts and growth have happened since I been away for a few months. When I first started this blog, I knew I wanted more spaces for Black adoptees who identified as young or adult women to breathe, feel…
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Read more: Motherhood Thoughts Be Like…
I have been thinking a lot about family lately, simply because I am entering the stage of wanting to create a family myself. Wow- to think like three years ago I was afraid of motherhood. Time really changes things. Questions like: “How does being a kinship adoptee affect motherhood?” & “Does it depend on the…
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Adopted Black Girl 