teisha leshea
Bio
Stories (91/0)
Labeled As Queen Mother
As a woman in her thirties, sometimes I sit back and wonder why I can't seem to make friends as an adult. I think I'm just as friendly as the next person when it comes to meeting people. I've allowed my introverted behavior to take a backseat and allowed myself to open up to others. But, after a couple of months, those friendships will fizzle out. After conversations with my therapist and self-reflection, I've finally taken accountability for my role in these friendships. I can't help that I have the prowess of motherly instincts and having everyone's best interest at heart. My concern for others has led to distance and disassociation. In the 21st century, I never thought that that would be considered a negative.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Humans
Unpopular Opinion: F*ck Your Writer Rules
If you've been on Vocal long enough, you ever so often come across an article on how to become a successful writer. Topics "How I Made A Million Dollars Writing About Cats." In the beginning, I attempted to follow these articles like a handbook but, I noticed that I started to lose who I am as a writer. People often slid in my DMs with questions on becoming a better writer and what they should be doing. I don't know what to tell them. I didn't follow any rules; I just started writing. Whatever stuck on the wall is what I tend to write about, and what I mean by that is I write what's on my heart. I want to be a successful writer, and I want millions of people to read and respect my work. Every once in a while, I have to remind myself why I'm writing in the first place. I've joined a handful of Writer's Clubs on Facebook and the internet. I haven't been delighted with what I've seen thus far, which is why I created the Vocal Creators Saloon Facebook group. What I may say might piss many people off, and to that, I say GOOD. This article is about my unpopular opinion on the matter.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Journal
Solo On Valentine's Day?
Let's face it Valentine's Day is a holiday catered to women. If Christmas wasn't enough, it's the ultimate litmus test for spouses and gift-giving. The size of the gift somehow equivalents to how much women are loved. I think it's time to change that narrative. It's also a day for single women to wish they had someone special in their lives. February 14th isn't a day to sulk, to reach out to old exes, to swipe through social media with jealousy and envy. Last year I posted an article dedicated to self-care practices. Consider this self-care 2.0. In honor of black history month, I decided to curate a list of ways to indulge in self-care while supporting black businesses for women by women for Valentine's Day.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Longevity
6 Things Women Should Know About Football Before Super Bowl LV
The world will semi-stop on February 7, 2021, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Kansas City Chiefs for the last Sunday of the 2020 NFL season. Many of us will have safe and socially distanced Super Bowl parties that will include hot wings, pizza, and beer. If 2020 has taught us anything, it would be to enjoy your family and friends while you have them and create memories that will last a lifetime. Around this time, women have become the hostess, butler and, maid when this day arrives. I think it's time we switch it up and call Postmates, sit back, drink a beer, and root for the team you want to win. I know a lot of you are saying that you don't know a thing about football. I am here to help guide you on the six things you should know about football that will impress your significant other and your friends come Sunday. Below are the most repetitive rules you will hear throughout the game.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Unbalanced
- Top Story - February 2021
Black JoyTop Story - February 2021
We can collectively agree that 2020 was a challenging year. People were losing jobs, losing family members to COVID, and children not able to play outside. Racism was a topic over the summer; Breonna Taylor and George Floyd's deaths sparked protests and boycotts. Last year reminded me why I write—it's because I want to remind people that my history doesn't start with slavery and that African Americans aren't monolithic. To continually tell my story about my black experience. I am happy to see that Vocal is allowing us to tell our stories about the black experience. The media continually bombarded us with information about the pandemic and created a ton of anxiety. After turning off my phone, I quickly realized what mattered to me the most. Being with family. After reading the prompt, two remarkable people popped up in my head. They are my nieces Islah, age three, and her sister Nylah 3 mos. These two beauties have two fantastic aunts that love both of them very much. I'm labeled the funtie.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Families
Natural Hair Care Tips: 4 Gems That Will Help You In Your Journey
A couple of years ago, I submitted an article to Vocal providing tips and tricks for natural hair beginners; you can view that here. I've been wearing my hair naturally for almost ten years, and I've had the first-hand experience of the trails and error one woman must endure getting the same hairstyle you have seen on Instagram and YouTube tutorials. After spending hundreds of dollars on products and tools, I've concluded that I wasted valuable time and money. I love to share my current findings with the natural hair community. Let's face it, corporations are here for one reason and one reason only, and that is to make money. Their job is to sell you a product so they can get rich. Your favorite companies do not have your best interest at heart. Having Instagram has changed my life when it comes to caring for my natural hair. I've been following Jennifer-Rose for over four years. I saw her initially collaborating with one of the originals of the natural hair community Taren Guy. I loved Jennifer-Rose because she didn't hold any punches with the truth and how to care for our hair. Her passion exudes through her videos, and she genuinely cares about her clients. After following her on Instagram and using her tips, I've cut down on my hairstyling time. Here are the four valuable pieces of information to help you through your natural hair journey.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Blush
Have I Lost Hope?
We all have dreams and nightmares. For the past two months, I've been having nightmares about dying children with one child in particular. After talking with my therapist, I finally understand what my dreams mean. I'm still in awe of how I can have unconditional love for someone without knowing them. My niece saved my life. Before she was born, I was experiencing depression, anxiety, and having suicidal thoughts.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Motivation
Subtle Approach To My New Years Resolution- 2021
Dear Teisha LeShea, I hope you are spending the third day of January, well. I won't waste your time reflecting on what 2020 brought. I want to use this blank white canvas to paint a picture of what's to come in 2021. Your vision isn't quite 2020; hence you wear glasses, but you've always dreamed about the possibilities. You've always been a maladaptive daydreamer allowing your gift of empathy to think, feel, taste, and hear the future. Many will call it psychotic I call it having a utopian experience that keeps you centered. This form of meditation has been crystal clear in your life that you could envision it without glasses. If I haven't told you, I wanted to reiterate that I'm so proud of your strength. I can see yourself blossoming into the rose I knew you would become. Reading about your life on paper, you are a representative of a rose that grew from concrete.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Motivation
Shakira's New Video "Girl Like Me"
As an African American woman born with traditional tribal drums pumping through her veins, I find it downright embarrassing that I can't identify my left foot from my right foot. I'm considered the most uncoordinated person I know, from running into doors to hitting my knee on coffee tables. After finishing up an article, I decided to scroll through my Facebook feed to find inspiration. Thirty minutes in, I stumble across Shakira's latest song, "Girl Like Me," with the Black-Eyed Peas. When you think of Shakira, you automatically think about what one two-step she'll present to the world. She makes dancing look effortless while keeping a smile on her face. It could be her childlike personality, or it could be she's teasing her audience with "I bet you can't do this." I still consider myself a fan. Ever since her "Whenever Whatever" video, I knew she wasn't going anywhere any time soon.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Lifehack
Sometimes You Gotta Ask Yourself Part 2
When I suffer from writers' block, I look back on old pieces and dissect my mindset during that time. Three years ago, I wrote an article, "Sometimes You Gotta Ask Yourself," and within that article answered questions I would ask myself all of the time and never knew the answers. After reading those answers, I didn't know who I was; I did not know myself, and it isn't very reassuring. Here I was at thirty-two years old, attempting to figure out my thoughts. The article didn't even have a proper introduction or purpose. During that time, I wanted to use this platform just to let my thoughts control the space. The only creative thing I did was learn how to put a GIF as the main photo. I frequently have to remind myself that I did all of those articles in 2018 on my phone. There was a fire inside of me that needed to come out, and I didn't have the proper tools to express myself and curate the article as I wanted. I decided to answer these questions again from a thirty-four-year-old mindset that has been in therapy for two years and on her healing journey. To view my original answers, I click the link within the article.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Motivation
Cheers, To My Therapist
If the quote "expect the unexpected" was a year, it would be 2020. We went from "new year, new me" to where is my mask? Nine months into this pandemic, I am still unwilling to accept the term "new normal." Celebrating birthdays alone isn't normal; standing outside of a grocery store to buy eggs isn't normal. Reminding my three your old niece to place the mask over her nose isn't normal and visiting our grandparents through a screen door isn't normal. That term, to me, means we have given up. I can openly admit that I didn't complete one new year's resolution, and I'm ok with that. This year introduced a ton of surprises politically, socially, and economically. Days tended to run together, and celebrating birthdays was a task within itself. But, one person who stood the test of time and was with me every step of the way through my surgery, COVID anxiety, re-introducing myself, and continuously talking me off the ledge was my therapist.
By teisha leshea3 years ago in Psyche