Culture + Lifestyle

7 Ways to Fight Homesickness

Cindy Okereke

No Comments

2 Mins read

The sparkle wears off. And you’re left with the what the f— am I doing here feeling?

Los Angeles can be a really isolating place. You experience everything through a glass. Everybody drives. If you don’t, you get wrapped up in this haze of heat and loneliness. It’s enough to make anyone homesick. I’ve found a few ways that helped me cope.

1. OMG FaceTime Someone
You’re in a new place with unfamiliar faces. Sometimes just having one conversation with your best friend, your mom, or even your childhood mailman (okay maybe not that last one) will do you a world of good. Don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch.

2. Find a Familiar Place
There’s a reason you go to Europe and somehow end up at McDonalds. Those golden arches are never different. That mustard and ketchup color scheme as abrasive as it may be, feels like home. #Merica.

For me a familiar place is nature. Sit in the middle of a park and close your eyes. It’s basically the same anywhere you go: People on blankets, runners, children screaming, and people laughing. It may not be my park, but it still creates that at home vibe.

3. Get the HELL Off Social Media
I’m serious. Nothing makes you more homesick that seeing all the perfectly curated fun your friends are having without you. Nothing makes you feel more isolated than knowing that you’re doing this in your underwear eating air popped popcorn on a Friday or Saturday night. So stop. Just take a social hiatus and thank me later!

4. Workout
“Endorphins make you happy and happy people just don’t kill their husbands.” In the wise words of Elle Woods, seriously, you can’t spiral into despair when you’re pumped with endorphins. Get up and move. It’s enough to give you a positive outlook.

5. Cry
I give you total permission to cry. Big boys and girls are allowed to cry. Sometimes a good cry is cathartic and if that’s your release. Let. It. Out. I cried on and off all day once. I even played one of my favorite Dane Cook skits and laugh cried.

6. Make A To-Do List
Establish normalcy! Having a plan makes you feel like you’re getting somewhere. Even if one of the boxes was “consider getting bangs again”.
I considered it and decided it’s better left in the past.7. Get Creative!
Paint, write, dance, or sew together some drapes a la Sound of Music—whatever expression of self you need. Do it. But make it tangible. It grounds you.Please, share yours too! I want to know how you deal with homesickness. It’s always a good idea to have more tools in the arsenal.

Culture + Lifestyle

Start Small So You Can Walk Tall: You Don’t Need Goals You Need a Purpose!

3 Mins read

August 22, 2025

We are almost three months into the new year. This year is full of a celestial charge. Some have noted that 2019 is “The Year of Perspective” or “The Year of Creativity” either way creativity provides perspective. As 2018 concluded, there was move towards honing in on one word for the year. This creates a very narrow and focused way of being and doing. No matter where you are in living your “Best Life” here are some tips that can help move into a more lasting change. Goals don’t get it but a deep soul stirring push towards purpose will create a whole new paradigm shift for your life. As Dr. Michael Beckwith would say, “Sometimes you have to be pushed until your soul can pull you.” Sacred Step Number One: Honor your faith or spiritual practice. No matter what is, create a morning routine that starts without social media or checking your email. A book of devotionals is great or sacred text of your choice can help ground you. Create a playlist of inspirational or sacred music on your favorite music source. Sacred Step Number Two: Honor where you are! We can sometimes overwhelm our senses with creating a multitude of goals and things to do. Look at one area of your life you want to focus on and start there. It is amazing how focusing on one area of your life translates into other areas. Focus, clarity and discipline can go a long way. Sacred Step Number Three: What is your word? If you have not selected your word already, think about a word you want to carry with you this year. Look up the definition of that word and develop ways to practice the traits of that word, for example: Authenticity. By definition the word means: to be in true alignment, the quality of being authentic. Create ways to exhibit the trait. For example, Saying “no” to things you don’t want to do and committing to causes, people and or groups that speak to your heart. Sacred Step Number Four: Your mind is comfortable in the current state of your affairs. In others words your mind is comfortable in the discomfort. Changing your behavior means changing your mind. You may think your mind\’s made up but after years of your subconscious mind programming you are hard wired to thoughts. For example, we start the year off with the idea of losing weight, starting a new business or getting a new job. Your mind freaks out and starts sending you messages that become a distraction and can sabotage your new direction. So what do you do? Create new neurological pathways. Yes you can pray but if your beliefs don’t change, neither will you. YouTube has great mindset hacks and affirmations that can help you reframe and heal your life. Sacred Step Number Five: Self Compassion. No matter what, forgive yourself. Love yourself and be gentle with yourself. In the process of change, there will be upsets and path altering. Regroup and start again. Don’t stop and if you can, find an accountability partner to help in your process and preferably with someone who is just a few steps ahead of you. This way you have perspective and a fire starter to fuel you along. These are just a few steps to help you on your path to a lifestyle change in all areas. Don’t compare your progress to that of others. Comparison is the killer of joy. Keep in mind starting small leads to walking tall. Ber-Henda Williams is a bilingual poet and femolutionary + visonary empath coach from the metro-Detroit area. She helps visionary women build lives and business that they love. She is also the founder of The Power of Girlhood, a girl’s leadership institute. For more information, log on www.ber-hendawilliams.com

banner-black-women-are-the-fastest-growing-group-of-entrepreneurs-but-the-job-isnt-easy

Amplify Us Culture + Lifestyle

Holiday Gift Guide: 75 Black Women Owned Businesses to Shop This Year and Beyond!

2 Mins read

December 11, 2020

With women of color being the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs, it’s no surprise that we’re back again with our annual Holiday Gift Guide. We’ve selected 75 of our favorite black women-owned brands to introduce to our community. Some of the brands are tried and true and others have been on our wishlist for far too long. Get your coins together and dive into this list, because we guarantee that there’s a little something for everyone! Want to reach our audience? You can apply to join our new Black Women-Owned Business Directory for a small placement fee here. This year we included more brands than ever due to the surge in Black women starting new businesses. View our bonus list here. Kanti 2. Freedom Apothecary 3. Black Girl Sunscreen 4. Base Butter 5. MegsOrganx 6. AbsoluteJoi 7. Epara 8. Glory Skincare 9. My Topicals 10. Pivot Skincare Makeup: 11. Mented Cosmetics 12. Bossy Beauty 13. Propa Beauty 14. Matic Cosmetics 15. Range Beauty 16. GloGirl Cosmetics 17. Gold Label Cosmetics Haircare: 18. Adwoa Beauty 19. The Most Curls 20. Alodia Hair Care 21. Melanin Hair Care 22. Glow by Daye 23. Kinky Tresses 24. Neo Curly Fashion: 25. Her Favorite LA 26. Joie in life 27. Love Vera 28. Shop Iccon 29. Jumz 30. Love Cortnie 31. All Things Ankara 32. Vavvoune 33. Cheyenne Kimora 34. Marissa Wilson NY 35. From Far And Wide Shop 36. Undra Celeste NY Jewelry & Accessories: 38. Nadirah & Co. 39. Shop Accessorized 39. 84Gem 40. For My Kinks 41. 5Twelve Jewelry 42. Shydiva Co 43. R-Ki-Tekt Home & Body Care: 44. Triple O Polish 45. Good Night Darling Co. 46. Junction 47. Kaike 48. Luv Scrub 49. Peace Love & Scents 50. Made by Rheal 51. Boss Blend Coffee Feminine & Wellness Care: 52. Honey Pot 53. Peachy Pure 54. Femly Box 55. Golde 56. Queenafua 57. Kushae 58. Noirebud 59. Sanctuaire Candles: 60. Forvr Mood candles 61. Erin and Avery 62. Cavo Candles 63. Harlem Candle Co. 64. Spoken Flames 65. Maktub Studio 66. Cadence Candle Co. Stationery & Art: 67. Destiny Darcel 68. Bria Nicole 69. Color Noir App 70. Everything She Is 71. Nicole Updegraff 72. Be Rooted Co. 73. Izzy & Liv 74. Uzo Art 75. Kelsey Dash Marie

Culture + Lifestyle

Breakup Blues? There’s A CHILOMBO Track For That

3 Mins read

March 14, 2020

So Spring is almost here and our good sis Jhené Aiko just dropped her long awaited third studio album “CHILOMBO.” Per usual, it’s EVERYTHING we love about Jhené. She uses her beautiful lyricism combined with features from some our fave artists like Ty Dolla $ign H.E.R, and John Legend to express the intricacies of heartbreak. But one of the other hidden gems lies in the way she structured the 20 tracks. Each section represents each stage of your typical breakup. Anger, Sadness, Regret, Acceptance and Peace. As a matter of fact, I recently went through a tough breakup and found a track for every stage. Stage 1: “B.S. (feat. H.E.R)” “It seem like I give so much and don’t get nothin’ back I really thought it was love but you’re so fuckin’ whack.” B.S. is one of the first tracks on the album.. Jhené expresses all of the typical thoughts and feelings that run through our heads during the initial breakup. We hear so many stories about lack of reciprocation in romantic relationships. We go above and beyond for our man only for him to not remember our birthday, not take us out on formal dates, or sh*t even respond back to our texts. When the rug is pulled from under us or when we finally decide to leave we’re flooded with an overwhelming amount of emotions. But naturally, we put on the facade of being unbothered and eager to hop onto our next lover. Stage 2: “Born Tired” “Dry your teary eyes. I know you are scarred and torn apart inside.” The next stage of a breakup is typically sadness. You know, the crying, stuffing your face with Ben & Jerry’s, and sleeping for 12 hours at a time stage. Born Tired explores the tears and heartache that sets in when you realize your relationship is actually over. The feeling of pain you feel in your chest after leaving or being left by the person you love; as well as the hope of a light at the end of the tunnel is vividly expressed by Jhené on this track. Stage 3: “Mourning Doves” “The doves weren’t cryin’, they only were tryin’ to tell us to try it again” “Mourning Doves” explores that stage of heartbreak where we reminisce over the former relationship we had, the good times and the bad. “Where did I go wrong?” This is the point where we may get the urge to see if there’s hope for reconciliation with our ex. If you initiated the breakup, maybe you feel a bit guilty or lonely because you’re so used to FaceTiming and chillin’ with ur ex boo. If you got the short-end of the breakup stick, you’’re analyzing the shit you may have done wrong and romanticize the perfect relationship you could have if given a second chance. Jhenè explores all aspects of this stage with the beautiful “cooing” sounds of doves in the background. Stage 4: “Pray For You” “But never will I ever not wish you well. Though we’re not together, God bless you still” “Pray For You” is the resolution and acceptance stage of heartbreak. The acceptance stage is where you dust yourself off and look at your relationship from a more logical lens. There is a reason you guys broke up, whether you agree with them or not. You’ve moved into a position of acceptance and even if you still love your ex, you’re strong enough to wish them nothing but the best, even if it’s not with you. Stage 5: “Party For Me (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)” “Look, I’ma need y’all dancin’ And when you cryin’, don’t stop cryin’ ’til you laughin.’” The last stage is the “light at the end of the tunnel” stage and it’s even more invigorating than the acceptance stage. It’s when we finally decide to get back in touch with our wants, needs, and open ourselves back up to life. “Party For Me” is about more than just about “partying in the streets” it represents that exhale and peace of knowing you’ve finally moved on. Listen to Jhene’s album ‘CHILOMBO’ here

7 Ways to Fight Homesickness

The sparkle wears off. And you’re left with the what the f— am I doing here feeling?

Los Angeles can be a really isolating place. You experience everything through a glass. Everybody drives. If you don’t, you get wrapped up in this haze of heat and loneliness. It’s enough to make anyone homesick. I’ve found a few ways that helped me cope.

1. OMG FaceTime SomeoneYou’re in a new place with unfamiliar faces. Sometimes just having one conversation with your best friend, your mom, or even your childhood mailman (okay maybe not that last one) will do you a world of good. Don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch.

2. Find a Familiar PlaceThere’s a reason you go to Europe and somehow end up at McDonalds. Those golden arches are never different. That mustard and ketchup color scheme as abrasive as it may be, feels like home. #Merica.

For me a familiar place is nature. Sit in the middle of a park and close your eyes. It’s basically the same anywhere you go: People on blankets, runners, children screaming, and people laughing. It may not be my park, but it still creates that at home vibe.

4. Workout“Endorphins make you happy and happy people just don’t kill their husbands.” In the wise words of Elle Woods, seriously, you can’t spiral into despair when you’re pumped with endorphins. Get up and move. It’s enough to give you a positive outlook.

5. CryI give you total permission to cry. Big boys and girls are allowed to cry. Sometimes a good cry is cathartic and if that’s your release. Let. It. Out. I cried on and off all day once. I even played one of my favorite Dane Cook skits and laugh cried.

You might also like

Start Small So You Can Walk Tall: You Don’t Need Goals You Need a Purpose!

Holiday Gift Guide: 75 Black Women Owned Businesses to Shop This Year and Beyond!

Breakup Blues? There’s A CHILOMBO Track For That

1. OMG FaceTime Someone
You’re in a new place with unfamiliar faces. Sometimes just having one conversation with your best friend, your mom, or even your childhood mailman (okay maybe not that last one) will do you a world of good. Don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch.

2. Find a Familiar Place
There’s a reason you go to Europe and somehow end up at McDonalds. Those golden arches are never different. That mustard and ketchup color scheme as abrasive as it may be, feels like home. #Merica.

4. Workout
“Endorphins make you happy and happy people just don’t kill their husbands.” In the wise words of Elle Woods, seriously, you can’t spiral into despair when you’re pumped with endorphins. Get up and move. It’s enough to give you a positive outlook.

5. Cry
I give you total permission to cry. Big boys and girls are allowed to cry. Sometimes a good cry is cathartic and if that’s your release. Let. It. Out. I cried on and off all day once. I even played one of my favorite Dane Cook skits and laugh cried.