Things That Bring Me Joy

This past year has been one for the books.  

Industry professionals have been forced to deal with an overarching reckoning that has managed to affect us all in ways we would have never imagined. There have been record rates of unemployment, heinous acts of injustice, and over 100,000 bars and restaurants have shut their doors, leaving many people – myself included at times – feeling lost and often unsure of the future.  

With that said, it is important to highlight the positive things that have managed to come to fruition throughout these often-difficult times. The late rapper Tupac Shakur once wrote a poem entitled, The Rose That Grew from Concrete, in which he writes, “Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.”  

This piece is a testament to the fresh air I managed to breakthrough and breathe throughout the past year. I highlight just a few things that continue to bring me joy when things often seemed so incredibly hard.

Health is Wealth

The pandemic allowed me a long-overdue and vital opportunity to revalue how to treat my body, both physically and mentally. Pre-2020, burnout was something I was incredibly familiar with as I pushed my body to the limit often to meet unclear goals. Lockdown forced me to sit still, refocus, and genuinely dedicate time and energy to the most important things to me and my personal development.

Releasing Myself from the Shackles of Respectability Politics 

As a Black female bartender, I often felt I needed to abide by specific societal standards. I felt as though I needed to dress a certain way, act a certain way, and speak a certain way to accommodate those around me. I find joy in the fact that I have shed those feelings. While it is an ongoing work in progress, I have begun to present myself in a way that is authentically me without fear because proximity to whiteness will never save me.

Family 

Both blood and chosen family have brought me a new level of joy that I could have never imagined.

The time at home allowed me to reconnect with family and friends in ways that have strengthened my relationships and allowed me to develop my support system further. In a time when we are forced to be apart, I have never felt more connected.

Sobriety

As a hospitality professional, wine and spirits have become my passion. Alcohol also is my biggest kryptonite. This weakness came to a head during the pandemic, eventually coming to a head. I am thankful for the strength it took to take the first step necessary to reevaluate my complicated relationship with spirits and move forward. Months later, alcohol and my experiences with it bring me a new sense of joy. My love for cocktails and spirits has managed to grow exponentially while my vision has cleared.

Black Twitter

Black Twitter is the most informative, hilarious, and community-driven area on the internet. Black Twitter is proof that Black people can and will always manage to come together for the sake of education, Black excellence, and overall cheerfulness.