If you haven’t figured it out yet….my name is Yve.

I’m an older millennial. Someday I will post about how it’s SO funny that the powers that be still can’t nail down the birth years that encapsulate this incredibly awesome generation but they are always willing to blame us for everything they deem wrong with current society. Tuh! Didn’t the late, great, 2Pac spit in his iconic “Keep Ya Head Up” song: “Don’t blame me, I was given this world, I didn’t make it”?“ But anyway….

A Lil background about me: I’m what they call a beautiful mess…

I’m a black American, an aspiring author, a recent Florida transplant, a cybersecurity professional, a heterosexual, cisgender woman; a visual, mixed media artist; a Christian, and I’m the primary parent of the happiest 10-year-old girl you’ll ever meet who comes with a small bag of medical terms that make being her mom an ongoing adventure. I also have a host of personal labels that I pick and choose to wear at will.

I love, love, love Nollywood films and fashion. Those ladies know how to DRESS, you hear me?

I’m a huge fan of spoken Word performances, hosting and attending curated art + black culture events, and for the most part, I will engage in any adrenaline activity except for cliff diving and bungee jumping because those two make the least amount of sense…

I have a diverse friend group that includes ladies I meet with regularly for brunch/wine/mimosas and what I call God-girl zoom calls; friends that are small business owners, world travelers, CDL drivers, ministry leaders, teachers, and corporate bosses; friends that are neuro-divergent; friends that are crazy creative with talents in acting, popular Youtube videos, and textile art; friends that are leaders in their communities, CBD gurus, and friends that are into aerobics with those large metal circles (can’t recall the name right now but sis does her thang, ok?), and more.

I got degrees including a master’s….along with a significant amount of student loan debt. I got bills but no mortgage. A used car I’m still paying off. And more obligations than I know what to do with. For six years I had a handmade, self-care product business then I legit got bored with it.

Next!

I got a headful of budding/teen locs—sidenote: I’m nearly one year in, baby! And I ain’t big chop nothin’! I’ve been a natural for nine years and started my own locs last November with a twist out. I since followed up with monthly professional retwists and Boom! Locs to my shoulders and an easy-breezy haircare regime that brings such glorious freedom…

But what’s most important about me is that I’m a writer.

I write. I’ve had a love of reading and writing since I was 8 years old and even though life (and love) got in the way of my pursuit, the desire never fully left me. I aspire to write authentically, consistently, and even more, submit my work to literary magazines, and independently publish my first novel within the next year—prayerfully before my next birthday. (April babies, stand up!)

I chose the name “Aspire” for this blog because:

1) I’ve always liked the elegance of the word. It just looks and sounds fancy and it feels so good to say: “Aspire”…it kinda makes you want to put your pinky up, give the side eye to anyone who dares to look their nose down at you, and sneer: Judge yo’ mama, don’t judge me!

2) There’s a quote that says that whatever isn’t growing, is dying. I wholeheartedly believe that life is a journey full of new seasons, experiences, and lessons that don’t end until you’re six feet under. In between birth and death, we are growing and aspiring to become a better version of ourselves. That “better version” will mean something different for each of us but the commonality of always seeking more is what unites humanity.

3) Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “Aspire” as an intransitive verb (whatever that means…but if you truly care, go on and click the embedded link to learn more) that means:

1: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal

Aspire means to ascend and soar

With this blog, I aspire to not only continually become the woman I was created by God to be, because hey, it’s a process! I also aspire to use my written words as a keepin’ it real ally that inspires other women to live unapologetic-ally, holistic-ally, and authentic-ally.

So as I said…I AM Yve. And this blog is about ME. I will share my journey to becoming a published author, what I learn as I seek to get my finances together (trust, they are mess-sy!), as I lose enough pounds to keep my curves but be a bit less fluffy, as I continue to evolve into the best mom I can be, the best professional I can be, the best friend/girlfriend/daughter/sister, etc that I can be, the best artist I can be, the best socially-conscious human I can be….and frankly, just what goes on as I seek to just be. I will categorize and tag consistent topics just to help folks find what they need because despite what was highly, highly recommended, I refuse to pigeonhole myself by only writing about one thing. I have a lot of interests and passions because I’m a WHOLE person. Get in where you fit in, and put down what doesn’t apply. Y’all smart. Y’all got it.

Hello and welcome to my world. Let’s grow together.