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There seems to be a common thread in this pandemic, and it has a lot to do with the quality of sleep that people have been getting. It seems like so many people on social media platforms have been complaining about their sleep hygiene being trash throughout the pandemic. It seems worse among mothers or primary caretakers single or married. I’m right there with you. Even worse is that I have been struggling with sleep since before the pandemic. It was 11:28 p.m yesterday when I finally got a moment to pause. It is a little more frequent than I would like to admit. Some days, bedtime goes on for longer than planned, and given that I share a 450 square foot apartment with two children, I make sure to tidy up the apartment every night, while the girls sleep. It is so easy for things to pile up, that I make sure I do a little every day, especially folding the never ending laundry situation. It makes me want to cry some days. This week started with me being in a little bit of a rut. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions, but somehow, I have always been the person who can push through even in the midst of a difficult time. I sat down on my yoga mat, crossed my legs and turned on my Goodful Meditation. I needed everything to stop. I needed my mind to pause for a few minutes so I did a 10 minute guided meditation for sleep. This is a difficult time for everyone, but it is especially hard on parents. We’re about to hit the one year mark, and I am so grateful I am making it through, nonetheless, this pandemic has truly been the ultimate test of mental health for so many people. I laid on the floor, uncurled my eyebrows, unclenched my jaw, and relaxed my shoulders in an attempt to release the stress of the days, weeks, and the past year, just so that I can make it to bed. Here are three things that are helping me achieve better sleep. 1. Stretching 2. Guided sleep meditation 3. Sleep manifestation and affirmations

Happy Friday. We made it to the start of the weekend. As you go into me time mode, I just want you to remember that you are one of a kind. You’re amazing, and that your gifts, talents and abilities add to that beautifully, flawed and perfect package that you are. Your actions not only impact you, but a lineage. Your healing can be your legacy. Hugs from Brooklyn. 🤎🤎🤎

What are your plans for the weekend? It's been a busy week for us so far. Mom is visiting so that means making time for a few fun activities. Today, my mom, the girls and I made it to Saratoga Spa State Park and enjoyed a brief, but beautiful time. Much of the ground was soggy, so we couldn't visit the mineral springs, but we enjoyed a beautiful creek and the view of all the trees. The air was amazingly crisp and we loved every part of it. Tomorrow, we plan on visiting the New York State Museum for their gems exhibit. Lately, my daughters are enamored with facts in geology and astronomy. I hope to read more about the passing of beauty influencer Jessica Pettway. It shattered me in a very personal way. I hope to share more of my thoughts next week. Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to make time for you.

Who would think of visiting Montréal at the coldest time of year? Me. As a New Yorker of 20 years, it may be hard to believe that my first visit to the city of Montréal was in February during the kids' midwinter recess. I thought it would be great for my daughters and I to get out of our town to visit my childhood friend. We hit I-87 North on a very gloomy day. In spite of the sometimes rainy weather, we enjoyed the most picturesque view of snow capped mountains and ice covered hillsides while driving up to the border entry at Champlain-St.Bernard de Lacolle. I was asked, "Are we there yet?" about thirty times by my younger daughter, before we made it to Côte-des-Neiges on the island of Montreal. You can imagine my fatigue. Thankfully, I parked right across the street from a Vietnamese spot Restaurant I am Pho where we ordered pho and some spring rolls. The girls and I devoured it. Surprisingly, it was pretty warm for this time of year, so we walked over for an early check in at Hôtel Terrasse Royal. The staff was kind and accommodating and I was happy to have parking on the premises. We checked into our room, got a little rest and went out for a walk as the rain subsided. I was hoping to get us to Saint Joseph's Oratory, but this was the beginning of discovering that so many sites in Montréal are under construction. On our outing the following day, much like the oratory, the Montréal Botanical Garden's exhibits were closed and under construction. Only the outdoor space was opened, so we decided to get tickets for the Biodôme instead, where we enjoyed many of the exhibits. On the final and coldest day of 14 degrees Fahrenheit, my friend and I met in the neighborhood of Vieux-Port at the Montreal Science Center. This moment was so long overdue and I was extremely excited to see my friend. We embraced each other and I was just happy to see the person who was a big part of my teen years. We were later joined by her brother and got a chance to walk around Place Jacques Cartier. After much thought, we settled on lunch at Bevo Bar + Pizzeria where we enjoyed some great food. I had my first taste of poutine and a memorable end to a short, but beautiful trip. I look forward to being back soon. (Photo credit: Saint Joseph's Oratory in winter Jason Thibault; Hôtel Terrasse Royal Trip Advisor)

What are your plans for the weekend? In my neck of the woods, it is supposed to snow tonight, followed by a wintry mix that will last till 11 p.m tomorrow. This honestly is my kind of weather, even though I was hoping for a sunny day. I can look forward at least to Sunday being sunny and a bit warmer. For now, I am indulging in 3 seasons ofTravelers on Netflix. Tomorrow, I will be washing and braiding my daughters' hair, indulging in some self-care, and bake some snacks with the girls in preparation for the school week. As you go into the weekend, I want you to remember these words. Extend it to yourself and to others. XOXO (Photos: Sleeping person Unsplash; quote created using Canva)

This week has been one of new beginnings and a deeper understanding of what I need in my life to feel like I am thriving. More and more, I see it's the small things. One of these simple pleasures is hiking. Moving around mountainous terrain is comforting for an island girl like myself. Growing up, I was surrounded by fruit and vegetable trees, and many tropical plants in my small fishing village. Maybe I am now trying to replicate the experiences of my childhood, but whatever the motivation, I am here to experience the great outdoors. Last Sunday, the family and I went hiking at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, which I would consider to be a great beginner trail. The girls were super excited. Even in New York City, we were very outdoorsy, so being surrounded by even more trees and less noise was something that made them extremely happy. We decided to tackle the blue trail where we encountered many families exploring. It was fun meeting them along the way, so it wasn't an isolating experience. We also met two elders who seemed very happy to be on this gentle trail. After tackling that entire trail while engaging in meaningful and fun conversations, and a few funny encounters, we walked back over to the discovery center. There, we were greeted by a wonderful young lady who gave us a wealth of information about the Pine Bush Preserve habitat and how it is maintained. We made our way through the displays. We left feeling so much calmer and more informed than when we came in. Remember, walking (for those who are able) can be an easy self-care strategy to incorporate in your life. Make time to connect with nature and get to know your city through exploration. Share your city and the best walking/hiking trails you've been on.

Life is a juxtaposition of events and emotions. It can be hard and beautiful. There is both joy and pain. You can dislike and love someone at the same time. The one thing that is certain is that life is always meant to be lived. As you go through this week, meditate on these quotes. 1. Realize that people don’t think about you as much as you think they do. Don’t waste time thinking about what people may or may not be thinking. 2. People don’t know how to navigate life. Everyone makes it up as they go along. Some are better at faking it. 3. Give to others. You’ll find what you’re looking for by helping others. 4. Don’t waste much time trying to figure life out. It’s been a mystery since the dawn of mankind. Greater minds have spent their entire lives trying to solve the same mystery. It’s unlikely to be solved in the next 40 years by yours truly. 5. Practice gratitude. Remember that someone, somewhere, is praying for things that you take for granted. 6. Don’t be so serious. Laugh a lot. It makes your brain light up. Make sure every day is filled with laughter. This usually happens when you’re surrounded by those you love, and who love you back.   7. Shy away from revisiting the past (regret) and predicting the future (anxiety). What are some of your favorite quotes that you live by?

Over this summer, I moved out of my dreaded NYC apartment that I had only been in for less than a year. It managed to kill most of my plants due to lack of light. I shudder at the thought every time I think of my beloved plants, but I am now in a place where they are thriving and my family is happy. Moving can be stressful, but even moreso without hired help. Shelling out that extra money can be a lot for some families, so if you want to pocket it and put that toward expenses in your new home here are some of the tips to help make things move like a military captain. Organize Your Move There is no way around it. This is not a time in your life to wing it. There is no going around it, because you are doomed to fail at making your move work. Packing can take longer than you think, so grab a notebook, a board or use your phone to create your timeline for when each room should be complete. I encourage going by room, because it keeps you focused on the task at hand in a particular space without being pulled in every direction. The last thing you want is to feel anxious and overwhelmed because you are not as far as you planned. This strategy will be a life saver. Declutter, Donate, Discard Moving is a great opportunity to really take a look at your belongings and assess whether you really need an item or not? Does that item bring joy and does it hold any sentimental value that you would like to bring to your new space? You may also be asking yourself, does this go with the new style that I have in mind? With these factors in mind, go ahead and determine what finds a home in your new space, or what gets thrown out or donated. This not only means that you're able to make space for the the things you want in your rental truck, but you're also setting up a home that is not burdened with stuff you do not need, which in turn means less cleaning time. The benefits are huge. Get all hands on deck When I said organize like a military captain, I was not joking. Packing can take longer than you think, so it means, all hands on deck. Get everyone from the adults to the little people in your household to participate. You can also try to get help from family and friends to assist in the process. For children, I strongly encourage making these times a great way to connect and create excitement surrounding the move. It's a great opportunity for them to have their questions answered. Not only do they become familiar with the keep, donate and trash piles, they get a chance to to exercise their decision making skills surrounding their belongings. Moving is a big change, so having all hands on deck can also create a moment where all hearts can connect. Categorize Your Boxes to Make Unpacking Easier Be sure to get your packing supplies at least four weeks ahead whether you're trying to gather free boxes or purchase from moving companies. Your marker will become your best friend, so be sure to label every box. The last thing you need is to play the guessing game when you're unpacking. Pay special attention to breakable items and plants that need to be transported. Get help to pack and unpack the truck When moving day arrives, you will need lots of help. Don't try to do this alone, because you can severely underestimate how much time and effort it takes to get it done right. I strongly encourage using help from family and friends or hiring help which is usually offered by major truck rental companies. You will be so happy that you did, even though you decided to forego having movers take care of the entire process of moving for you. I was grateful to see hands show up on moving day at both the old and new residences. Also, be sure to follow the recommendations on the box of how to pack your truck. Start with heavy bulky items and distribute the weight evenly. Show Yourself Grace Moving without having a company take over from start to finish is the stressful. It is not for the faint at heart, because it will test everything in you, mentally, emotionally and physically. I recommend prioritizing some rest once you get to your new place. Everything can wait other than food and a good shower. You have done so much work to make this possible. At this moment, remember, tomorrow is another day and you will get to it then. (Photo Credit: Deposit Photos, Schleppers, Unsplash, bernadbodo/Adobe Stock, Annie Spratt/Unsplash) Have you moved recently and what was your experience? What other recommendations do you have?

I moved to the US toward the end of fall on a November day in 2002. I packed a suitcase and possibly two bags on a flight bound to John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens NY. I had just recently graduated from a community college and a month earlier said goodbye to my first love who moved away to England. It was a particularly difficult time, because even though I lost one love, I was being reunited with another. It was almost a year since my mother left. That was the longest we had ever been apart. We were stuck to the hip, so when she left, there was a gaping hole in my heart. She made the tough decision to move to the United States to start a new life. When she left, she promised that she would send for me and that we would see each other again soon. Well, she kept her word. I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Unlike the many friends and family I knew whose parent(s) left them in the care of grandparents and other family members, only to reunite a decade or more as mere strangers, my mother left in my final year of completing my “A” Levels. I was quite capable of taking care of myself, but I still needed her financial support to finish my studies. When I was done with school, I tried job hunting, but was unsuccessful. Even though at the time, my heart wasn’t into any of the professions that didn’t allow me to exercise my creativity, I knew I just needed to work. This was pre smart phones, and all the professional apps that are now available. Like anywhere in the world, it’s about who you know and I knew no one in any kind of position to help me land a job. So, in perfect timing, my mother sent a ticket and on that cold day in November, I landed at JFK. I always say, "I never knew how black I was until I moved to to the United States." I say it with great humor, but it is really not a laughing matter. The land of opportunity, and milk and honey was about to teach me some major life lessons that I couldn’t possibly learn in my homeland. My friends and I have acknowledged a West Indian upbringing will give you confidence in your yourself and your capabilities like no other. I am probably biased and should not generalize, but growing up in a society where most of the people looked like me, and where my personhood was not always being questioned at every turn was a confidence booster. Maybe it had more to do with my upbringing, rather than simply the community I grew up in. In spite of that, I wasn’t prepared for the way I would be received and perceived in the country I now call home. The intersectionality of race, class and demographic matter so much more in the US. I am woman and black, minority and black, and immigrant and black. The common denominator is Black. The first time you’re confronted by the negative stereotypes associated with being a black woman, there is a degree of shock. You feel judged by a narrative that so many Black women do not identify with. This is highly problematic. It does not assign us the full spectrum of emotions, diversity of interests and of thought. Here, being a black woman you’re seen as a monolith, and if you color outside the lines, you’re deemed a living breathing unicorn, even by your own. No one cares if you grew up rich, poor or in between. We are assigned every negative attribute you can assign to a woman simply based on the richness of our melanin. The richer the melanin, the worse it gets. We are deemed to be “loud, ‘ghetto’ (ghetto is a place), too dark, too much, bitter, angry, aggressive, unladylike, a baby mama, rude, unattractive, unmarried, and/or existing to cash welfare checks.” We are collectively invalidated; a sordid reality that we are continuously viewed as the undesirables or against the norm. Nothing new here to see people, but I questioned in my earlier years here, “How can Black women truly thrive in a society that consistently finds ways to minimize our existence from birth to death?” We are the undesirables of the undesirable, in spite of the fact that we are the desirable. If you know, you know. I quickly realized we don’t have a choice, but to thrive. We always have and will continue to. From our ancestors to present day, black women have had to learn to rely on ourselves in so many aspects of our lives. This is both a trauma response and a realization that no one is coming to save us, even as we gather to heal while building community. We don’t always get that knight in shining armor and neither are we waiting. As a group, we will continue to occupy space anywhere and everywhere we want to, even when we are not necessarily welcomed. We do not let closed doors stop us from pursuing our passions and dreams; we will find a window and squeeze through. We are beauty. We are love. We are ambitious. We are healers and healing. We will continue to make lemonade out of lemons.

Hi everyone, It has been such a while since I’ve had Breathe by Bre active, but I’m baaaaaack! How have you been? Honestly. How has life been treating you? Many of us made it through a whole pandemonium—pandemic—having lost so much. Loved ones, relationships, jobs and maybe even your sense of self. I know that pandemic hit me like a ton of bricks, to the point that I couldn’t even fathom being able to work for several months. I was an emotional wreck internally, even though no one other than my therapist could see that I was weathering the worst storms of my life. But yet, here I am. I made it through and so have you. I am also very certain that there were many wins. My life got a little slower. A pace that I had been craving for so long, but never imagined it could happen. I worked from home, found healing in therapy and learned to appreciate the love I had. Once practicing gratitude became a bigger priority, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was able to see what I have as opposed to what I didn’t and what I lost. For those of you who made it through, making it through and those who can’t even see the light at the end of this tunnel, I want to remind you that. You are valuable. You are loved. You are worthy. What are your plans for the weekend and how are you being intentional with your time?