Single Time Of Year

Winter break is finally here! I’m so excited to finally relax from school. Time to catch up with friends, read novels and push through this cold weather. Finals week had everyone I know on the edge of his or her seat.

It’s the Holiday Season! Christmas and New Year’s are just days away. In my younger days before college, I used to get happy when Christmas came around. As I grew up older, it became dull. The importance of this time of year shifted from receiving gifts to spending time with loved ones. Time is essential because it is an element of life you could never regain once lost and wasted. 

I'm certain no one likes to waste his or her time. Fear of wasting my precious time is one of the reasons I am not in a relationship. It's been a while since I've spoken about this particular topic. Like a person on a diet being in front of a cupcake store, it could be tough being single during the holidays.

I could honestly admit being single during the holiday season has its pluses and negatives. Conversations with friends spark my urge to speak this topic. So I thank them and constantly reminding me that I am an independent and single!

 We all have what I would consider as "nosey relatives" who happens to make your relationship status at times conversation starters. I've witnessed this happen to friends of mine and even had a first hand experience with this. It's normal at this point of my life especially being in college for a few years. Coming home and going to events to hear aunties and uncles ask me about how is college and what am I majoring in along with the instant response "Why not nursing?". Relatives would grill you on your love life and ask why you haven't brought a guy or a girl as your significant other home. Dodging the awkward conversations and wanting to dip when being around couples kissing on New Year's Eve. 

Brace yourself and always be ready to respond properly to certain pressing questions when you're single around the holidays! Pressing questions like, "Are you dating anyone?" "Seeing anyone special?" "So who is your Bae?" 

Suddenly old friends, relatives, and family friends become so interested in your love life especially when you are by yourself. How to resolve answering those pressing questions: Smile and explain to them there's no one special at the current moment. Add in there some hopeful words so they don't think you're miserable being alone. At this point of my life, I believe that being single during this holiday season is beneficial. Of course, those in relationships may disagree or low-key agree with me. That's completely fine!

Why do I say that being single could be a benefit during the holiday season? It may suck to be on social media especially Instagram around this time of year, when those in relationships will post images of gifts received by their lovers or share New Year's Eve kissing photos. Trust me, everyone will eventually get there at one point of his or her life. When you're single around the holiday season, you could spoil yourself and spend time loving yourself while living it up! Focus on building a better you, health, and maintaining healthy relationships. You could easily catch up with friends, meet new people at events, and volunteer to help those in need.

Who knows you may run into an old fling from your hometown or meet an individual that's worth building a relationship with. Hit 'em with "How You Doin'?" and exchange numbers.

Whether you're single, in a relationship, married, or uncertain on your love life (the clip below is for you) 

Just remember to spread LOVE this holiday season. Lots of people need love in their lives. It is a key to thrive through singleness and this holiday season. Love others at the point you would want to loved. Be there for those in need and considerate of how they may feel. To my singletons out there: Reminder just because we are single right now, doesn't mean we will be single forever!

If you could get through this holiday season, best believe you will be able to get through Valentine's Day in 2017. February will be here before you know it!

On that note, I'm dancing my way out of this post. Happy Holidays to all! I will be looking forward to the beautiful Instagram posts & Snapchats :)

- Isabella B., Truth By Bella

America, How Sweet

As I sit back, I read and listen to people who are like me and in similar shoes of my own talk about how they are scared. I find this whole situation from the election to people speak out of their mouths to say words such as "Nigger" or "you don't belong here". As a black female, I will not sit back and be scared of what might happen if I open my mouth respond to a person with such negative intent. That couldn't have been me! 

As a blogger, I thought about how could I phrase things in this post about the country I live so I wouldn't paint it terrible. Truthfully, it is bad! No matter how the media tries to sugarcoat what's happening. To be experiencing the reality of the situation, I have realized that there is still a chance to become better and prevail pass the negativity of some people in this world. 

America, how sweet the sound of your name to those who don't know what is happening with you. I am still in shock that Donald Trump was elected as President! It is what it is. The only problem is the supporters of him. I must say that this election shined light on those who find it hard to accept a diverse America. There is a slight fear on how January 20, 2017 will be for the Presidential Inauguration.

I will never forget being apart of a silent march on November 15th hosted by an organization on my school campus Black Men Unified. So much controversy the guys had to deal with due to the fact the timing was after the Election. Also tying in the fact, we are students at a PWI (predominantly white institute). As families and students silently marched, we overheard some students yelling on the sideline saying "Trump 2016, Trump 2016" and running away like some punks. Ignoring that because the main focus was to remember the Black Lives lost due to police brutality. What made the march stronger in that moment was how none of the individuals marching responded to that absurdity that was happening. We maintained focus and did not react.

As I stood in front of a candle holding an image of Tamir Rice. I thought how a young, black child lost his life innocently. Imagining how devastated his family and loved ones were by hearing the news. Keeping in remembrance of those who lives have been taken: Sean Bell, Philando Castle, Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray, Mike Brown, Eric Gardner, and many more. May they all rest in peace. The list goes on and on. It saddens me and touched upon my post about my Black Truth from this past summer. If people think that removing and harming other will make this nation "Great Again", they are highly incorrect and blinded by the media. America is captivated and always attracted by corruption. 

"Shard Glass Chapters"

Thought I would share this powerful spoken word piece with everyone!

It's called "Shard Glass Chapters" by Hadja. PRESS PLAY

Hadja will be performing in New York City on October 14th!

Tell me in the COMMENT BOX BELOW what you thought about this spoken word piece

- Isabella, Truth By Bella

Women Empowerment Workshop - Post Event

On July 9th, I had the opportunity of attending an event titled Women Empowerment Workshop at the Hotel Indigo in Newark, NJ. This event was hosted by Sasha Barnes. She collaborated together with her older sister Shennell McCloud to bring this event to LIFE for the second time. I added in this particular event onto my Calendar for TruthByBella. I had the chance in speaking with the  photographer of the event, Sasha Barnes. What was amazing about speaking to her prior to the event, I got to know more about why she wanted to do this event. 

Hearing "Women Empowerment" automatically grabs the attention in wanting to know what's it all about. Let me spill some details on this workshop! The purpose of this workshop was to encourage women to embrace their sense of self-worth and empowerment. Every female participated & worked together to engage in positive affirmation through various exercise and goal sharing. Activities such as self-reflection and drawing a tree of life along with a family talk at the end. What I appreciate the most about this workshop was Sasha offered a makeover sessions provided for emergence. Three were three makeup artists, I had the chance in speaking with all 3 of them. I knew two of the makeup artists, Lucy and Jessica already. I met the third makeup artist Jamillah after the photoshoot was over. It was amazing to gain insights from different women that day. 

Being an event planner student, I couldn't help but give critique and feedback on some aspects of the event. The first thing that was the location: Hotel Indigo in Newark, NJ. I arrived early to see the prep and it's a habit of mine to not be late. The Hotel Indigo workers were not the most pleasant people to interact with in the morning. I could imagine how they are at night. When I got the room, I spoke to Sasha about the location. She informed that the rooms when she checked in was not cleaned. Regardless of how the night was before checking in, Sasha managed to have the location neat and presentable. I had the chance in helping her set up for the event. One room was set up for the workshop and the other was set up for the photoshoot along with makeup stations.

Shennell had the ladies in the first part. We set ground rules for how everything would go. Also we got comfortable with wearing socks. Of course, I chose my favorite color: Purple :). As peaceful instrumentals played, it helped all of the females get comfortable and focus on the questions being asked. We introduced our partners instead of ourselves. I met an Accountant from Audible named Dominique. She was very lively which had lighten my mood. Afterwords we had the chance of reflecting on our lives, drew tree of lives, and shared it with a subgroups. I added onto my tree on how I plan on keeping my life filled with Positive Vibes Only. A lot of the ladies agreed on that. Women staying together is much stronger than competing against each other. Sasha took photos of each lady that was apart of this experience after their make up was done. I caught some behind scene footage for that.

In the video below are behind the scenes footage and recap photos for the Women Empowerment Workshop. It was amazing to be apart of this experience. Having a chance to build bonds through a workshop also. Look out for a possible 3rd Women Empowerment or Men Empowerment Workshop. :)

Check out Sasha's site & portfolio: http://sasha-shalaan-barnes.format.com

Thank you for your time, 

Isabella, TruthByBella

My Black Truth!

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Positive Vibes Only - 2016!

Hello viewers, 

 I must say that 2016 is going by really fast. 6 months in, 6 more months to go until 2017. I'm excited because I have 6 months to go for my birthday month! Before anything, I need to emphasize on the goals I've had set for this year. 

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I missed out on posting my new year goals in January. I made a promise to myself in January that this year should only be filled with Positive Vibes Only! With that being said, it helped me to see the positive in situations instead. If an individual or a situation brought negative energy, I tried myself to not let the person or situation affect me. And I can tell that I've been doing awesome with that so far. 

You know when you're doing good when people randomly point it out to you. Having an optimistic mind will indeed open a lot of doors for you. Staying positive has opened so many opportunities for me this beautiful year.

Looking forward to planning a few events hosted by Truth By Bella coming this Summer 2K16! Blessed to receive the opportunity to be an Event Coordinator for RealisticLinx, Inc. As a Business & event planning student, I've learned outstanding tips to put forward for my upcoming events.

Hope everyone is ready to tune into & join Truth By Bella :)