At BGN, we understand not everyone is interested in ballin out on a day that only comes around once a year, investing their hard earned cash on expensive merch and cheap thrills. This holiday gift guide is curated to help shoppers get the most bang for their buck, with the most exceptional anime gifts for buyers on a budget. Instead of putting yourself through financial stress, here are the best anime-themed gifts you can buy for $25 or less.

1. Top Animes of All Time Scratch-Off Poster

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Enno Vatti’s 100 Anime Scratch-Off Poster will inspire your loved one to breeze through their ever-growing anime watch lists. This advent calendar-style poster is a fun, interactive way to keep track of anime bucket lists while also motivating you to discover new anime heroes.  

2. The Anime Chef Cookbook: 75 Iconic Dishes from Your Favorite Anime

Where to buy: Amazon.com

This cookbook is for the foodies who want to bring their favorite tantalizing anime recipes to life. Featuring delectable bites from shows like Haikyuu!!, and Laid-Back Camp, this anime-themed recipe book is a holiday gift that otakus can cherish for years to come. 

3. Anime Inspired Bracelets

Where to buy: Etsy.com

Help your loved one sport their love of anime in style with these anime-inspired bracelets from KireiTrinkets’s Etsy store. For only $17.99, shoppers can choose between one of their handcrafted beaded bracelets or customize one that reflects their fandom. 

4. Crown Anime Bonnets and Durags

Where to buy: Crownlimitedsupply.com

If you want to keep your loved ones’ waves, kinks, and coily tresses tucked tight under something stylish, check out the Anime Crown Durag and Bonnets collection. The headwear is highly reviewed and reportedly fits most heads so they can sleep peacefully knowing their ends are in good hands.

5. Anime Sock Bundles

Where to buy: Crunchyroll.com

Instead of getting your favorite anime fan separate gifts, get them one of Crunchyroll’s decorative anime holiday bundles. This bundle includes an anime-themed mug, ornament, and pair of socks, all for the low price of $19.99. 

6. Anime Themed Makeup Brushes

Where to buy: Amazon.com

The WeChip Store on Amazon.com has a variety of makeup brushes for beauty anime lovers who want to beat their faces in style. Shoppers can choose between five- and eight-piece brush sets with intricate metal designs inspired by anime like Sailor Moon, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and One Piece. 

7. Anime Themed Tea Cups

Where to buy: Boxlunch.com

These ceramic anime-themed tea cups come with a matching saucer and stirring spoon so anime lovers can sip their tea with elegance. With pastel designs inspired by Studio Ghibli and Sailor Moon, anime lovers can bring cozy slice-of-life vibes to their homes this winter with a nice relaxing cup of tea for just $24.90.

8. Anime Themed Ramen Bowls

Where to buy: Boxlunch.com

BoxLunch’s collection of ramen bowls comes in a variety of shapes, sets, and anime themes to adhere to practically every fandom you can think of. For as low as $19.90, anime lovers can enjoy ceramic ramen bowl sets with matching accessories.

9. Anime Kitchen Kits

Where to buy: Boxlunch.com

Add a little spice to your favorite anime lover’s home with these anime-themed kitchen sets. With oven mitts, towels, and potholders designed after popular fandoms like Naruto, Pusheen, and Sanrio, these are sure to be a hit for the holiday season. (Bonus: these are on sale for December across the site!)

10. Anime Mug Sets

Where to buy: Boxlunch.com

BoxLunch is full of exclusive anime box sets that are guaranteed to win the hearts of die-hard anime fans. For as little as $19.90, shoppers can secure a mouse pad and mug bundle with vibrant designs inspired by anime like Fate/Grand Order, Demon Slayer, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

11. Anime Pajama Pants

Where to buy: Hottopic.com

If you want your favorite anime fan to snuggle up this winter in style, check out these officially licensed anime-themed pajama pants from Hot Topic. With unisex sizes ranging from XS to 3X, you can secure a pair for the whole family.

12. Anime 3D Mugs with Lids! 

Where to buy: Hottopic.com

These 3D ceramic mugs from Hot Topic are irresistible to One Piece, Naruto, and Sailor Moon fans who want to sip their drinks out of something more decorative. Featuring vividly detailed designs of Artemis (Sailor Moon), Kurama (Naruto), and Gum-Gum Fruit (One Piece), these figural mugs come complete with lids to prevent spillage.  

13. Anime Inspired Perfume

Where to buy: Etsy.com

Etsy’s Scentsuki is a unique fandom gift shop that sells perfume inspired by anime characters. For as little as $5.25, shoppers can select handmade perfume oils modeled after characters from anime including Attack On Titan, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, One Piece, and My Hero Academia. 

14. Anime Planters

Where to buy: Etsy.com

If your anime lover is also a plant mom (or dad), then one of PropsAndPop’s anime-themed planters may be the perfect gift to support those green thumbs. The California-based shop sells adorable concrete planters that also double as candle holders and desk organizers so they can be repurposed in more ways than one.

15. Anime Candles

Where to buy: Etsy.com

These anime-themed candles come highly reviewed with customizable creations that buyers can’t wait to gift for Christmas. With fragrances inspired by characters from anime like Death Note, Jujutsu Kaisen, Black Clover, and Tokyo Ghoul, this holiday gift can be yours for the low price of $15.

16. Anime Funko Pops

Where to buy: Amazon.com

You can never go wrong with gifting a Funko Pop to your favorite anime fan. With their affordable prices and wide range of options, receiving one will always be appreciated, even if your loved one already has one (or ten.)

17. Manga

Where to buy: Barnesandnoble.com

Gifting your anime lover a manga is an inventive way for them to experience their favorite series in a more detailed light. The manga can act as a companion to their favorite anime, providing further insight into storylines and character development that don’t always make the final cut of an anime series.  

18. Anime Coloring Books

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Rylan Lolo is a group of independent publishers who create anime-themed coloring books for otakus of all ages. Their collection features 11 anime-inspired books whose coloring pages are filled with titles ranging from Anime Fashion to Creepy Kawaii, all for the price of $7.99.

19. Anime Graphic Tees

Where to buy: Hottopic.com

Hot Topic is famous for its wide selection of vividly designed graphic tees. With sales going on site-wide, you can scoop up one of their signature graphic tees for your favorite anime fan so they can wear their fandom loud and proud. 

20. Anime Enamel Pins

Where to buy: Boxlunch.com 

Boxlunch’s collection of anime-themed enamel pins is the perfect stocking stuffer. Their exclusive designs are the perfect compliment to your otaku’s accessories and show their fandom in a small, subtle way.  

21. Anime Christmas Ornaments

Where to buy: Etsy.com 

Etsy’s 3DaesignStudio is the place to be if you’re looking for high-quality custom anime-themed Christmas ornaments. For $8, you can secure one of their handmade 3D-printed products modeled after your favorite kawaii characters from Sanrio, Pokemon, and Studio Ghibli. 

22. Anime Skins

Where to buy: Animetowncreations.com

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, consider getting your beloved anime fanatic one of Animetowncreation’s bold anime skins. For as low as $9.99, shoppers can cop one of their high-quality anime-themed skins for everything from credit cards to next-gen video game consoles.

23. The Boy and the Heron

Where to buy: Fandango.com

If your anime fan prefers events to objects as gifts, treat them to a showing of Studio Ghibli’s latest film, The Boy and the Heron. The film premiered nationwide on December 8, 2023, and is already considered a masterpiece. 

24. Custom Anime Portraits 

Where to buy: animefyme.com

If you’re looking for aesthetics, consider one of Animefyme’s custom anime portraits. The site takes an uploaded photo and translates it to a digitized anime portrait with art styles inspired by popular titles like Chainsaw Man and Spy X Family.

25. Anime Model Kits

Where to buy: Amazon.com

If your anime lover is a DIY’er, consider gifting them one of Bandai’s exclusive anime modeling kits. From Gundams to fighting scenes in Dragon Ball Super, the Amazon shop has plenty of high-quality anime replicas to choose from.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: 25 Anime-Themed Gifts under $25 appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Since the era of slavery, gathering together to sing and move hips and feet to the beat of the music of the rhythm of clapping hands has been an act of rebellion and freedom. 

Black dance, once deemed unappealing, has grown to become an art form that is shared worldwide. However, this international sharing of Black dances has made the art form admired and often imitated. 

In order to honor and preserve Black art, here are 11 Black culture dances that represent joy, creativity, and innovation. 

1. The Juba Dance

One of the original African American dances is the Juba dance, also called the Hambone dance. It was a dance that started as a rebellion. When enslaved Africans weren’t allowed to play drums on the plantations, they created music and sound through their bodies. By clapping their hands on their thighs and chest, they made a dance that helped them to feel grounded and happy. 

Over the years, this dance was popularized by William Henry Lane, also known as Master Juba. The dance became part of the third movement of Florence Price’s first symphony. It was powerful integration of classical music and the history of enslaved people.

2. Tap

Tap is an African American Vernacular art form that fused Irish dancing, British clogging, and West African dance. It quickly became famous in the 1900s.

Gregory Hines comes to mind when many people think of Black tap dancers. Yet other famous female Black tap dancers were often not credited enough for their contributions.

Jeni Le Gon was a unique tap performing; she wore pants instead of skirts and performed with high-energy kicks and turns. She was a confident performer and not a dainty dancer.

3. The Charlestown

The Charlestown is a fun and lively dance that consists of twisting the toes and heels out while swinging the legs back and forth. Often performed to jazz and Charleston music, many may not know it has roots in African dances. Specifically, dances come from Nigeria, Ghana, and Trinidad.

After appearing in the black musical Runnin’ Wild, this dance spread like wildfire. It became the move that everyone was doing.

There is some discrepancy regarding who started the dance. Still, many contribute Russel Brown, Jenkins Orphanage Band, and the Gullie/Geechie community for creating the dance. 

4. The Lindy Hop

As a mixture of African American dances and European partner dances, the lindy hop became famous at the Savory Ballroom, one of the few non-segregated places in the late 1920s and 1930s.

The lindy hop is a dance performed with high energy, and many moves consist of swinging a dance partner out from a closed to a more open position. This dance also has a level of improvisation, which makes sense since it’s primarily performed to jazz music. 

Some of the pioneers of this dance include Mattie Pernell, Shorty’ George Snowden, Big Bea, Little Bea, and Leroy Stretch.

5. The Twist

The origins of the dance aren’t entirely clear. Still, this dance came from the ever-popular song “ The Twist,” originally sung by Han Ballard and the Midnighters. 

However, when Chubby Checker covered the song, he influenced the world. After his premiere of the song and dance on the American Bandstand, everyone was twisting their hips and feet to the rhythm of the beat.

6. Break dancing

Breakdance, known as one of the five elements of hip hop, started in New York City during the Bronx fires. During this horrific time, Blacks and Latinos came together to create art that is known as hip-hop. An art form that extends from music to dance, to art and spoken word. 

When DJs would play music, dancers would perform on the drum breaks of a song. They would go from fast and intricate foot movement to spinning, flipping, and kicking on their hands, feet, and head. 

Some pioneer break dancers are Crazy Legs, Zulu Kings, and Mr. Wiggles.

7. House

Dance is revolutionary, and House music and dance are evidence of this. 

House dancing is a form of movement that isn’t as acrobatic as break dancing but still has unique intricacies. 

House is a more fluid type of dance where dancers move through the beats rather than on them. 

Other staple house dance moves include jack in the box, shuffle step, stomp, and loose leg.

Key players in house dance are Ejoe Wilson, Tony McGregor, Marjory Smarth, Caleaf Sellers, and Brian “Footwork” Green.

8. Hip-hop social dances

On the hip-hop scene, different dance moves emerged at parties and events, such as the snake, the cabbage patch, Harlem shake, the running man, and various movements. 

These social dances allowed people to connect, vibe, and create a shared experience where everyone was moving their bodies in a similar way. 

Buddha Strech, Peter Paul, Scap, Loose Joint, and Rosie Perez were some of the dancers that set the foundation for Hip hop dance. 

9. Locking

Locking is a dance style that took over the dance scene and was spearheaded by two major dance groups: the Lockers and the GoGo Brothers.

Locking is a style of dance that is composed of very exact movements. This dance form is unique because it consists of fast movements accompanied by freezing or locking in certain positions. 

During the 1970s, the dance started gaining popularity. The GoGo Brothers were the first to perform the locking during a basketball halftime show. Tony GoGo and legendary co-founders James ‘SkeeterRabbit’ Higgins and Edwin ‘Buddy GoGo’ Lombard paved the way for one of the most infamous Locking groups, The Lockers.

They were started by Don Campell and Toni ‘Mickey’ Basil. They cemented the locking in the history books with more exact movements and a signature clothing style.

Locking became so popular that The Lockers performed on the Sout Train, Saturday Night Live, Carnegie Hall, and Radio City Music Hall.

10. Popping

Popping is a dance form that many famous artists, such as Michael Jackson and Chris Brown, have shown off in their videos and performances. Yet this style came into play before these artists were well known. 

Popping consists of quickly contracting or flexing your muscles and moving in a robotic sequence. A form of dance that Boogaloo Sam created. The popularity of popping expanded with the formation of the dance group the Electric Boogaloos, which consisted of Booglano Sam, Popin Pete, Mr. Wiggles. Sitter Rabbit, Suga Pop, Pop n Taco, and Boogaloo Shrimp. 

11. Krumping

Krumping, a dance form that can appear violent and strange to those outside the culture, has served as a saving grace for many young dancers.

Originating from the streets of  South Central Los Angeles, krumping developed from a style of dance known as clowning that Tommy, the Clown, started.  

Clowning became a dance crave where dancers formed groups and performed at various events in their communities. From these groups, younger dancers sought to create something new and original. Thus they developed krumping, a style that used more exaggerated arm and leg movements.

Black history is found within the history books, it’s heard in stories that are told, but it can also be seen within the movement of black dancers.

The post 11 Black Culture Dances That Represent Black Joy! appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

When I was younger, I didn’t have the creative energy or spatial awareness to build anything significant. Building a wall was my best move. Yet, I was always fascinated by what people could create with LEGO bricks. Designs are limitless,and LEGO bricks are so popular that they made an entire theme park, LEGOLAND, around these unique toys.

In addition to their success, these bite-sized toys have been growing in popularity on TikTok, with Black women leading the hype. Let’s talk about why the hashtag #blackgirlsdolego is trending. 

Black women and LEGO bricks 

Recently, Black girls have been trending on TikTok. Why? Because these TikTok users and LEGO architects have been showing off their creations.

One of the front runners of this trend is Alyssa Evans, who first took up LEGO assembling in 2021. Her account is dedicated to LEGO designs. With each video she posts, she encourages Black women and men to show off their collections. 

Don’t be fooled into thinking that LEGO sets are only for specific creations, such as a car and a fire station. There are LEGO sets that replicate art. Evans has created a flower set out of LEGO bricks, a Pac-Man Arcade set, and the famous Starry Night painting by Vincent Van Gogh. 

By posting her creations online, she has gotten over 10,000 views. However, what has been most rewarding for Evans is the community of other women she has gotten to know.

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Along with Evans, another rising star on TikTok is Jasmine Towe, who has been building with LEGO bricks since 2023. Her husband gifted her a set to help her de-stress, and she took to this hobby like no other. She has completed sets including a piano, jazz quartet, and Nintendo entertainment system. Towe and Evans prove it’s never too late to start a hobby. Even singer and actress Chlöe Bailey posted photos of her LEGO sets on X.

So why are so many Black women gravitating to this unique hobby?

Benefits of building with LEGO bricks

What’s so enticing about playing with these toys? One of the biggest reasons you might want to steal your nephew’s LEGO set is because building with LEGO bricks is relaxing. Engaging in creating allows your mind to focus on the task at hand rather than ruminate on the negative thoughts. You become more mindful when you create something because you’re focusing on the present moment. 

Additionally, building with LEGO bricks requires attention to detail. Constantly focusing on which pieces will perfectly snap together and paying attention to shape and structure helps you create new skills. While you may not want to put playing with LEGO bricks on your resume, you can feel confident that your hours of dedication are helping you hone your design skills.

Constructing LEGO sets can also help build your self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment. One of the reasons you might feel this sense of achievement is that putting together LEGO bricks is like a puzzle with many different problems to solve. When constructing your LEGO masterpiece, you’ve also practiced your problem-solving skills.

The importance of Black women pursuing unique hobbies and interest

Women working with LEGO sets is not just a fun fad but a statement. It further widens the perception that society has put on Black women as monoliths. It also inspires Black women to prioritize their mental health by finding activities where they can de-stress, relax, and have fun. All in all, Black women building LEGO sets say to the world that Black women are showing up unapologetically.

If you’re considering getting into LEGO bricks and need inspiration, check out these professional LEGO artists.

Ekow Nimako is a LEGO artist who is making an impact with his work. With his medium of LEGO bricks, he is creating and communicating to the world the stories of Black people, their struggles, and joys. One of his most well-known pieces is named Flower Girl. It has over 25,000 Lego bricks and stands four feet (1.2m) tall. As stunning as his masterpiece is, the girl made out of LEGO bricks represents a poignant monument to the victims of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. 

His piece Cavalier Noir, which stands seven feet (2.1m) tall, is part of Nimako’s mission to promote positive Black narratives.

Mariann Asanuma is recognized as the world’s first female freelance LEGO artist. She runs her own company, Model Building Secrets, is an author, and has written two unofficial LEGO building books: one on building a LEGO ball and another on adding color to your creations. Her building philosophy is simple yet highly effective and inspiring.

Who inspires you? Do the TikTok creators on your feed encourage you to run out to the store to pick up a new LEGO set? Or are you blown away by the artists who create with LEGO bricks for a living? No matter where your inspiration comes from, don’t be afraid to start something new. You never know where it will take you. 

The post Black Women Can Do Anything, Even Build Amazing LEGO Sets appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

We couldn’t agree more.

In 2022, it shouldn’t be a surprise that women have contributed to that progress by inventing everything from coffee to windshield wipers to diapers. Black women specifically have given us their innovation and creativity in ways that we are still learning about.

After the Civil War, it was nearly impossible for Black women to be accepted into universities, have STEM jobs, or be granted patents for their inventions. Intersectional discrimination kept many Black women from being taken seriously as inventors and entrepreneurs. Despite all the hurdles and challenges, they were able to receive patents and sell their inventions to the public.

Although the National Inventors Hall of Fame has existed for nearly five decades, they hadn’t included any Black women until now. Engineer Marian Croak and the late ophthalmologist Patricia Bath have made history as part of the next group of inductees. They are the first Black women inventors to receive this honor, and will be inducted in May 2022.

Croak, who currently leads Google’s Research Center for Responsible AI and Human Centered Technology, has more than 200 patents to her name. Her work on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) focuses on transmitting signals over the internet rather than through phone lines. For those of us working from home, using Google Hangouts and talking long-distance over Skype, we couldn’t do it without her. She’s also the reason why we can give money to charitable organizations just by texting a code. 

Bath was the first Black woman doctor to receive a medical patent, the first Black woman to complete a residency in ophthalmology at New York University, and the first woman to chair an ophthalmology residency program in the United States. She invented laserphaco, a minimally invasive device and technique that performs all steps of cataract removal. Her idea came in 1980 after working at Harlem Hospital and discovering that Black people suffer from blindness at nearly twice the rate of white people.  

The following are 5 additional inventions that wouldn’t exist without the brain of a Black woman:

The Illusion Transmitter

Scientist Valerie Thomas began working at NASA as a data analyst in 1964. While there, she managed a project for NASA’s image processing systems and oversaw the development of “Landsat,” which was the first satellite to ever send images from space. Over a decade later, Thomas began researching and experimenting on an “illusion transmitter,” which would create the appearance of a 3D image using concave mirrors and rays of light. She patented it in 1980, and NASA still uses her invention to this day.

The Feeding Tube

As a physical therapist, Bessie Blount Griffin spent time caring for World War II veterans. She helped them use their teeth and feet in place of the hands that they lost in combat. Blount invented a device that would help amputees feed themselves and give them a sense of confidence. The feeding tube delivered small bites of food to a patient at their own pace. They could bite down on the tube for another serving. What’s unbelievable is that the Veterans Administration denied her invention, so she donated the rights to the French government. She prided herself “that a Black woman can invent something for the benefit of humankind.”

GIF Animation

How many times a day do I use GIFs to communicate on social media? It’s s all because of Lisa Gelobter, a computer scientist. She developed the animation used to create GIFs, as well as pioneering video technology like Shockwave and Hulu. A graduate of Brown University, she is now the chief digital service officer for the U.S. Department of Education.

Home Security System

Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse in New York City and felt unsafe in her home due to rising crime rates. So, she invented a system to offer protection. Her original invention had it all: a camera, monitors, two-way microphone, peepholes, and even an alarm button that would immediately call the police. In 1969, she was granted a patent. Brown’s initial device paved the way for home and business security systems, including closed-circuit television systems used for surveillance today.

Central Heating

When it’s cold outside, there is nothing better than coming into a warm home, right? Alice H. Parker understood this, and in 1919 invented a furnace that provided central heating for homes and businesses. The design used natural gas rather than coal or firewood and featured complex air ducts that allowed heat to travel through large structures. Naturally, her idea was considered revolutionary because it allowed people to keep their homes warm without having to use a wood-burning fireplace. It laid the groundwork for heating systems we use today.

The post Celebrating Black Women Inventors On National Inventor’s Day, February 11 appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Upon reaching adulthood, I stopped using a diary and graduated into journaling. The concept still works; I’m writing down my thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. Journaling has been an important tool toward learning what loving myself actually looks like, healing trauma, and managing anxiety.

If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, or want to manifest your goals, keeping a journal can be beneficial. It can help you gain clarity over your emotions and improve your mental health.

We go through life listening to our inner critic. It’s the part of the brain that’s rooted in fear, self-doubt, and worry. I know this because I have been controlled by my inner critic. At the time, I had no idea that was even a thing. So I went through life thinking those thoughts must be right and true.

But then in college, I survived a sexual assault. I knew that I needed help because I felt like I was living in a nightmare and everything around me became a challenge. I ultimately left school and sought therapy in order to help me cope. One of the things my therapist suggested to me was journaling.

I didn’t want to face those terrible thoughts and feelings. But I did it. Pages and pages of my emotions started to pour out. I would write down every fear, every bit of anger at myself, every bit of anger toward the person who hurt me, including cuss words, prayers, questions, drawings, and I would beg God to help me feel better.

Journaling became my safe space to understand myself and everything that was going on with me. After all those difficult emotions came out, clarity started to settle in. I was able to hear my intuition and God.

Oprah Winfrey hosted The Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years and became a billionaire and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has an entire school in her name and continues to be a force in media. What is the one thing she attributes her success to? Journaling.

“I’ve been journaling since I was 15. It’s a wonder that I’ve managed to be a successful human being considering how pathetic I appeared in many of my daily musings. It’s a testament to growth and grace that I’ve come this far. Keeping a journal will absolutely change your life in ways you’ve never imagined,” Oprah writes in “An Exclusive Look at Oprah’s Journals.”

Make time for yourself

Journaling is a reflective practice. It allows you to sit alone with your mind and have an honest conversation with yourself. So try to set aside a few minutes every day to journal. This will help you develop a regular habit. A simple notebook or journal will do. By writing down your emotions, feelings, and thoughts on paper, you clear all the clutter out of your mind.

If you are confronting feelings that call up fear or anger you may not know how to deal with, a study from the University of Iowa has found that it can be easier to write about difficult events through using third-person pronouns for example, (“she”) rather than “I.”

Meditate on your goals

One central theme in my journaling is how my written goals of the past manifest themselves as achievements. It has happened to me several times over the years.

Once I started to gain control and clarity over my life, it paved the way to start manifesting goals that I wanted to achieve, whether it was publishing my first book, finding the type of relationship I wanted, or traveling overseas. I became laser-focused on these things and wrote specific details down with no boundaries. I also attached practical action steps toward those goals. I held myself accountable for my own journey and documented my progress. I achieved every goal I set.

Track your progress

After years of journaling, I have seen my language change on the page. I have become more grounded, optimistic, and able to work through my feelings and emotions.

What’s more powerful than that is the opportunity to revisit the past. Yes, it is okay to look back. When you can sit down and flip through years of notes you have written, you have the power to literally relive the days of your life. What you discover is: You’ve evolved.

Nelson Mandela used journaling as a way to talk with himself and find light in the darkness during his 27-year imprisonment: “The mere fact of writing down my thoughts and expressing my feelings gives me a measure of pleasure and satisfaction. It calms down the shooting pains that hit me when I think of you [his daughters].”

Journaling has helped me to:

• Regain my confidence and self-esteem.
• Navigate what is right for me vs. what I think I “should” do.
• Sort through my own feelings before projecting onto anyone else.
• Find clarity when I feel confused.
• Assess what’s really the truth of a situation.
• Remind myself that I am okay.
• Recognize what I am grateful for.
• Get answers about what to do next.

You don’t have to be a writer to journal. You just have to be a human being. If you’ve ever thought about journaling, it can be a helpful tool to gain more clarity in your life and be good to yourself. We all deserve that.

The post How to Start Journaling for Clarity appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Over the years, Oprah has shown us time and time again that the spaces in which we live and work should be filled with things we love and inspire us. She always says that you should be in a position to use your life in a way that shines and uplifts. You can’t do that in an uninspiring space.

In 2015, I transitioned from an oversized cubicle in an office to working from home. I was also in the process of moving to another state, so I had zero office furniture. I found myself with a make-shift desk (stacked books) and a pillow as my chair. Not very inspiring at all. The struggle was real.

As I tried to work productively from the floor, I daydreamed about Oprah’s office and how I wanted just a fraction of what she had. I certainly didn’t have a Nate Berkus to work his magic, but what I did have was a little creativity and Pinterest. I realized I could still create my perfect work-from-home space, on a budget, that I would love and feel inspired in.

With more people working from home these days, it’s important to create a space that is conducive to productivity and reflects personal style. The reality is that home and work have to coexist. You still want to be able to separate where you do business from where you sleep. It’s possible to do, and you don’t have to spend a fortune in the process.

Before you begin, ask yourself a few questions:

• What will you be doing in the space?
• How much desk space do you need?
• What type of equipment is required?
• Will you be making Zoom or conference calls?
• Will you be the only person in the space?

Answering these questions will help you determine the best area to work from and what to do about noise and privacy. After you’ve given some thought to how you work and what you need the functionality to be, the next step is to create a dedicated work area.

I have a one-bedroom apartment, and I did not want to utilize my living room or bedroom. The couch and bed are just too comfortable for me to maximize on the amount of work I need to do, and it’s too tempting for naps. So, I converted my dining area into my office space.

Believe it or not, the dining room is the most common room of the house to convert into a home workspace, mainly because it’s an area that is not often used. Having a desk there allows me to visually section off this space from the other areas in my apartment.

Pinterest is a great hub for ideas on color palettes, furniture, and décor. I decided that I wanted a white desk, but the ones I found were just too small. IKEA came to the rescue at under $50, and I was able to select the size I wanted and the style of legs. I added a chic office chair from Wayfair that, at the time, happened to be on sale.

Remember: This is your workspace. So, it doesn’t have to be a traditional desk. If you prefer a table, standing desk, or something like FluidStance to limit your time sitting all day, those are great options to consider.

No one wants to work in a dull, boring workspace. The best part about creating your perfect home workspace is that everything you don’t like at your work office, you can do differently at home. If you’ve had to put up with dim lighting before, give yourself the gift of natural light by opening up the windows. I found that desk lamps also help brighten my mood and keep my eyes from straining, especially from wearing glasses all day.

An important element for me is that my workspace has to be functional. I added a cubed organizer from Target ($40 for eight cubes), as well as decorative bins from Amazon ($28 for four). These hold notebooks, books, tech items, and small décor. When you are working with limited space in your home, you may want to add shelves, drawers, or multi-use storage to avoid additional clutter.

If you love bright colors, candles, photos and art, and other accessories, you can personalize your space the way you really want to. I take advantage of this to show off my personal style and things I love. Doing this will make you feel better while you’re working, and being more comfortable and happier while you’re working will make you more productive. I have found that being surrounded by my favorite books, personal photos, and art keeps my anxiety in check.

Working from home can be rewarding because it provides the opportunity for comfort and efficiency. Even an existing small space such as a hallway can be a perfect place to create a small home office. Get creative and work your best life.

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Why were you called to create Nalgona Positivity Pride?

Nalgona Positivity Pride came out of my own personal story as a young woman of color struggling for many years with an eating disorder without the language or representation to talk about it. I ultimately was feeling very isolated. There wasn’t even a lot of mention of fatphobia or weight stigma. I had to find a way to educate myself. I learned about post traumatic slave syndrome through Dr. Joy DeGruy, and I learned about historical trauma through Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart. I just started connecting the dots. All that self-study led me to create a community of people who have the same interests. It spoke so clearly to me that I started doing public speaking on historical trauma and eating disorders.

What does Nalgona mean?

Nalgona in Spanish is slang, similar to bootylicious. A friend of mine said to me, “Oh it’s because we are Nalgona positive.” I don’t think I will ever change it because it’s been the middle ground for lots of people to come to the table. Spanish speakers have just been like, “That’s funny. It sounds familiar, I could relate to it.” And then we start having tough, deeper conversations.

I love it! You mentioned weight stigma earlier. What does that mean?

Weight stigma is all of the discrimination, inequalities, and shame that people in larger bodies experience. We’re looking at the hatred towards fat people or hatred towards fatness in general. That correlates with weight stigma, and it’s very unfortunate because it’s one of the issues that is least checked. It’s acceptable to be hyper-vigilant over other people’s weight. It’s acceptable for people to go through extreme measures to lose weight, as much as surgeries. This is not to shame individuals who go that route. At the same time, culture has a “thin obsession,” getting to a smaller body by any means necessary. People are pushed to that extreme because it’s proven that people with larger bodies get paid less and it’s less likely for them to get hired. The amount of shame that they receive in the medical world when seeking treatment — you’re less likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder. Weight stigma is normalized.

Why should diet culture be dismantled?

Our ancestors did not grasp the idea of diet culture. It comes with white supremacy. If we look at white supremacy, we look at diet culture and we look at religion. The foundation is the same — purity, punishment, and perfectionism. I feel our ancestors were like, “You got food, great!” There was no need to manage weight. Diet culture is a facade. It’s saying the best thing for you is to strive for health without questioning who is defining health. Does everyone have equal access? It’s a very unrealistic expectation for people to abide with this idea of wellness.

Do you think that some of these wellness gurus are doing more harm than good?

I would ask, “What does health mean to them?” Ultimately, we all have a role in how we address health within communities. What does it matter if you get to juice every day and you’re doing X amount of body movement, if you don’t even have clean water because of environmental racism? Or the fact that there’s high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women? What’s the point of juicing? There have been studies where they put pop-up vegetable and fruit markets into low income neighborhoods, and there really isn’t an improvement in health outcomes because a lot of health inequities are based on stress that is based on structural racism. My question to them is, “Besides teaching individuals how to improve their lifestyle, what else are you doing for communities that are left out of the equation?”  There are wellness people who do look at the larger picture and are very critical, and that’s who we need more of.

When I attended your white supremacy, religion, and eating disorders panel discussion on Zoom, a woman said this in the chat, “The Church still blames one woman’s choosing to eat for all humanities woes.” That really stuck with me. What influence do white supremacy and religion play in diminishing  body positivity?

If we look at diet culture and wellness, there’s this idea of “purity,” of becoming a better version of yourself, because who you are right now is tainted. When we look at some religions, there’s a lot of restriction and shame. You’ve got to control your body; your body’s sinful. It’s kind of the same with diet culture. The food restriction, the cleansing, the detoxes. Then look at the church, that they do it in a different way. You go and tell all your sins, or you do a sacrifice for God like the Catholic Church. I think that there’s such a correlation. Ultimately, if we look at all of these things white supremacy and religion do, ultimately, it’s removing one’s autonomy and informing people that they need to continue transforming because where they’re at is impure or it’s not good enough. If you have religion, you have diet culture and you’re always comparing yourself with this white supremacist standard. Are you ever going to truly become the powerful being that we all need to be in order for things to get better?

Why is body positivity needed right now?

I feel that body positivity was a good start for a lot of us. I think it’s more of a body liberation. It feels like it stops because it just gives us ideas you just have to be at peace with your body. If you’re not, it’s because you’re not doing this and that. It’s difficult for Black folks to live at peace in their bodies when there is high rates of police brutality just simply by skin color. It’s hard for Brown children to learn to see themselves as healthy, strong people in the correct embodiment when they see Brown children that look like them locked up in cages. It’s difficult for Indigenous women to see their potential, all their sacredness and power, when it’s constantly killed out of them. If body positivity is not addressing all of that, then it’s not enough.

How does body liberation bring us closer to joy?

Body Positivity gives language to what I’m feeling and experiencing  and brings forward this collective “Oh, we’ve all been struggling with our body image, the relationship to how we view ourselves. That’s been very powerful. I’m moving away from this. Ta da!” type of portrayal of myself. I used to struggle to not hate myself, and now I don’t. The Nalgona community is a big part of my joy.  A powerful outcome of folks striving for body liberation is that you get to build a strong community where you don’t have to feel so alone. A lot of people are able to get to a better place with their bodies as is.  

Nalgona Body Positivity Pride (IG @nalgonabodypositivitypride) has co-created Sage and Spoon, a free peer support group for Black folx 18+ of all gender identities, expressions, and sizes who are struggling with their relationship with body image and food. The group is led by licensed therapist Alisha McCullough (IG @blackandembodied) the last Tuesday of every month at 8:00pm EST.

Sage and Spoon link: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6034c2323568c5051e3f895e

Nalgona Positivity Pride website: https://www.nalgonapositivitypride.com

The post Love Your Body As Is: A Conversation with Gloria Lucas of Nalgona Body Positivity Pride appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

“On behalf of principal owner Bruce Sherman and our entire ownership group, we look forward to Kim bringing a wealth of knowledge and championship-level experience to the Miami Marlins,” Marlins CEO Derek Jeter stated. “Her leadership of our baseball operations team will play a major role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive work in expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the game among our local youth as we continue to make a positive impact on the South Florida community.”

But this isn’t the first time Ng has made history, at age 29 she became the youngest assistant general manager in MLB. 

Though Kim Ng may not be a name many people are familiar with, she has plenty of experience with baseball. The newly instituted GM has more than 30 years of experience in the major leagues, beginning as an intern with the Chicago White Sox in 1990. Her time in the profession pre-dates the existence of the Marlins, who were founded in 1991. She’s worked for the New York Yankees (1998-2001), Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-2011) and in the MLB commissioner’s office (2011-2020) AOL reports. 

“I entered Major League Baseball as an intern and, after decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins as their next general manager,” Ng said.

“We are building for the long term in South Florida, developing a forward-thinking, collaborative, creative baseball operation made up of incredibly talented and dedicated staff who have, over the last few years, laid out a great foundation for success. This challenge is one I didn’t take lightly” she continued “When I got into this business, it seemed unlikely a woman would lead a major league team, but I am dogged in the pursuit of my goals. My goal is now to bring championship baseball to Miami. I am both humbled and eager to continue building the winning culture our fans expect and deserve.”

Here at Black Girl Nerds, we will eagerly watch as this woman continues to make history. 

Source: AOL

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After a chance encounter with a beautiful blonde writer named Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Joe stalks her and eventually wins her affection—but not without killing off people within her inner circle first.

The chilling tale left viewers with many unanswered questions by the end of its first season, but now that You has been renewed, the show’s makers and actors have planted the earliest seeds of what’s to come next for Joe Goldberg. Here’s what we know about You season 2 so far.

Season 2 is filming in Los Angeles

The series heads out west for season 2. Sera Gamble, the series’ showrunner, played it by the book; she told The Hollywood Reporter about the show’s change of location, and what it means for Joe’s character. “Joe Goldberg comes to L.A. and he is a die-hard New Yorker, so I can’t say that he comes to L.A. and he instantly falls in love with the place. At least at first glance, this is not Joe’s kind of town, which is delightful.”

People who watched the show will remember that Paco and his mother Claudia move to Los Angeles, so it’s possible that a Joe/Paco reunion may be in the works.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg8nVijnmZ/

The book You is based on has a sequel

You was based on Caroline Kepnes’ novel of the same name. Kepnes wrote a sequel, Hidden Bodies, which tells the story of Joe moving to L.A. This would be a good read if you want to get the scoop ahead of the second season. Kepnes has also hinted that there might be a third book in the series, so stay tuned; she told a fan on Goodreads, “You’ll get more Joe eventually.”

Who’s been confirmed for the second season?

Elizabeth Lail sat down with Radio Times after the series premiered to Netflix to say that she will not be returning to the show—Joe did murder her character, after all. “I am sad to not continue that journey with him,” Lail said, referring to Badgley. “The unfortunate thing is, the woman doesn’t win in the end…and I’m so sick and tired of that.”

Despite the series making it clear that Joe murdered Beck after she found out about him stalking her and murdering her friends, fans got their hopes up. Joe’s ex, Candace (played by Ambyr Childers), not only appeared in flashbacks throughout the series, but also showed up alive and confronted Joe in the finale’s cliffhanger after he (supposedly) killed her. This made fans hope that Beck, by the same thought, might make an appearance in future seasons, even though Lail dispelled the rumor.

Ditto. It will be all the motivation I need for season 2. https://t.co/fy2hojauDG

— Penn Badgley (@PennBadgley) January 9, 2019

In theory, we’re not done with Dr. Nicky.

While Beck was forced by Joe to think about “what she did,” Beck wrote a novel that framed Dr. Nicky, her therapist—whom she cheated on Joe with—for her kidnapping in the hopes of obtaining her freedom. After Joe killed her, he published the novel and Dr. Nicky was arrested and sent to prison due to the incriminating manuscript.

“Dr. Nicky is in prison and he is ardently protesting his innocence,” Gamble told THR. “It’s too soon to say definitely whether John Stamos will return in season 2 but we have been talking a lot about the character and we’re excited to keep telling that story.”

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Although it was released in store earlier this month, you can now purchase it online for £89. The single-breasted design has already proved a massive hit on Instagram, due to not only the gorgeous wide lapels, the on-trend, oversize fit and super cosy wool texture – but also the fact that Vogue Williams, Holly and fashion blogger Erica Davies have all rocked it. Now if you don’t know who Erica Davies is – let us enlighten you. Erica is a huge fashion influencer and has always been a big fan of M&S, having single-handedly made THAT starry-print constellation dress a sellout last year.

Speaking about how to style the purple coat of dreams, the chic mother-of-two advised: “Do not fear the purple hue. It works SO WELL with navy blue, bright yellow (yes really), orange or red AND emerald green. It’s a completely useful shade if you want to inject some colour into your life. And who doesn’t want that? We couldn’t agree more, E.

She added: “I used to feel like I could only wear a certain type of clothing and I think sometimes you just get stuck in a bit of a rut and wear the same thing over and over again and you create rules for yourself, you think ‘ooh I can’t wear trousers because I’ve got a big bum’ and you create some sort of rule book of your own and sometimes you’ve just got to go ‘right, I’m going to tear up that rule book and I’m going to experiment or I’m going to find my trouser, or I’m going to find my V-neck top or I’m going to find the place that does the perfect T-shirt’. It’s about finding the right things.”

“Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing.”

Ali, who gave birth to the couple’s baby daughter Isla in September, looked gorgeous in a black maxi dress that featured an off-the-shoulder neckline. Holly was also her typically stylish self, wearing a white summer dress, while Scarlett looked lovely in a zebra-print number.

MIDDLETON’S BABY’S NAME REVEALED

The gang, who were joined by their other female friends and I’m a Celeb co-host Dec, appeared to be in high spirits as they were pictured chatting and laughing. It’s all go-go-go for the cast as I’m a Celeb returns on Sunday night. This year’s celebrity campmates are expected to be revealed the day before but the various star sightings at Brisbane Airport have already given the game away.

• Presenters Holly and Dec have also been drumming up excitement over on their social media accounts.
• The This Morning star shared a photo of the pair on Instagram.
• Holly and I are looking forward to welcoming you to Australia next Sunday night.

There’s only a week to go before I’m a Celebrity returns to screens, and ahead of the launch, show’s leading ladies have been enjoying some downtime together. Presenter Holly Willoughby, who has stepped in for Ant McPartlin this year, was pictured having a laugh with Scarlett Moffatt, who co-hosts the spin-off show, I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp. The TV stars were joined by Declan Donnelly’s wife Ali Astall on their day out in New South Wales, Australia. Photographed in a suitably verdant setting alongside her co-presenter, Holly looked ready to take on anything with a retro Cowgirl-esque outfit. Dressed in the supercool Danish brand Ganni, a.k.a the go-to designer for influencers worldwide, Holly wore the ultra cute ‘Salvia’ suede mini skirt in dark camel with frill detailing that buttoned all the way up at the front.

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