Growing up, I often observed women saying "yes" more frequently than "no," even when their expressions hinted otherwise. It seemed like they felt obligated to comply, regardless of their existing commitments or personal plans.

As an adult, I question whether we're perpetuating this cycle ourselves or if it's an enduring societal norm. To that, I emphatically say, "NO!" I refuse not only to subject myself to such situations but also to serve as a role model suggesting that this is an unavoidable aspect of womanhood.

February is celebrated as the month of LOVE! This is the time when we, as a society, find ourselves divided – either embracing it as a favorite month or cringing at the onslaught of pink, red, flowers, and hearts plastered everywhere. This month can evoke a range of emotions, both good and bad, but I believe it’s all about how we interpret the meaning and actions behind love and how we apply it.

As we bid farewell to yet another month and find ourselves stepping into the threshold of a new one, I've come to realize the profound meaning hidden within those familiar words. "Happy New Month" isn't merely a salutation; it's a celebration of fresh beginnings, a chance to reset, and a moment to reflect.

We've all experienced those mornings when we wake up feeling energized and ready to conquer the day. The music is playing, we're smiling, and everything seems perfect until we encounter that one person who manages to get under our skin. Whether it's a boss, a stranger, a significant other, a friend, or even a child, their negative words or complaints can quickly turn our bright day into a gloomy one.

As we navigate through the initial weeks of the year, some may already be wavering in their pursuit of annual goals, while others are just embarking on their journey. It often requires considerable mental fortitude to push through challenges and initiate progress.

Life often presents challenges that can feel overwhelming, lasting not just a day or two but seemingly an entire year for some. Have you ever wondered how certain individuals exude confidence, always sporting a radiant smile and possessing the uncanny ability to say the right things at the right time? It might seem too good to be true, but the key lies in understanding the impact of words on our well-being.

Have you ever noticed how we radiate confidence at home but shrink in professional or social settings? The impact of negative words can be profound, making us doubt our worth. Reflecting on 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,' we realize the energy spent ignoring naysayers can be draining.

The Power of Words and Manifestations.

You are the words you tell yourself. Set your words for 2024 and display them where you can see. Envision embodying them daily, and let them guide your thoughts and interactions. Reflect on your chosen words weekly, manifesting positive intentions. This year promises a journey of self-love and care for all. Stay positive, embrace your true self, and let love be your guiding light.

Amidst this whirlwind, our own needs tend to take a backseat, making it crucial to prioritize self-care during this time of the year.

Explore the journey through anxiety in the lives of women, as societal expectations clash with our nurturing nature.

Self-care isn’t just about pampering ourselves; it’s about digging deep into our everyday feelings and understanding how to navigate through the ups and downs. Self-care is a sense of confidence, drive, motivation, and overall happiness. It’s waking up in the morning feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle the day ahead with a smile on our face.

As women, our nature is to give and nurture those around us, but we often forget to do the same for ourselves. For some it’s the feeling of guilt, not feeling there’s enough time, and/or no self-awareness until it’s too late.

It’s so easy to compliment other women and lift our friends up when they’re feeling down, but when it comes to ourselves, we can be our harshest critic.

For me self-care is a balancing act, and when I say balancing, I don’t mean everything is evenly split 50/50 – it’s a balancing act of everything that’s important to me in that moment of time and that brings me joy from within.

We caught up with Fayola Benjamin, lawyer and mental health/self love advocate, to discuss what self-love means to her, advice on helping others find self-love, and why representation in the fashion industry is important.

Self-love is a powerful force that allows us to embrace our uniqueness and radiate confidence. By rebranding LYV.on to align with self-love, we are creating a platform that not only promotes sustainable fashion but also encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being and embrace their authentic selves.

Being cognizant of others will really help you to identify that someone might be going through a hard time. Or maybe that someone is you.

Living with mental illness can be debilitating and it’s tough to know what to say to someone diagnosed with a mental illness when you’re not sure how to support them.

Instead of judging others why not, just try to be there for one another. We don’t have to agree, we don’t even have to understand, we just have to respect each other.

Elusive yet ever-present, we all have different ideas of what happiness is.