The Original Baddie
The Original Baddie
Success Feels a Lot Like Healing
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Success Feels a Lot Like Healing

It’s Lit
Brooklyn, Kokomo, Black Girl Magic, Substack
Badi (Me) & my sister Barbara at the Blackstack Launch Party in Brooklyn
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In the whirlwind of the past few years, three, five, or perhaps even more, time has felt elusive, slipping through my fingers like sand. Yet, amidst this temporal haze, I have undergone a profound transformation that has reshaped my world. I recently realized that success feels a lot like healing, a revelation that emerged from the depths of my life experiences.

Letting go of an abusive relationship was my first step toward healing. It was not an easy decision, but it was necessary. In creating space for a healthy and loving relationship, I discovered what it truly meant to be ready for love. Therapy was pivotal in this journey, an invaluable tool that helped me navigate the tumultuous waters of my emotions. I felt the full spectrum of feelings accompanying deep hurt, but as I settled into myself, I found this guiding light within.

Through self-awareness and exploration, I followed this light, which led me to reclaim my creative weapon: my pen. Like a natural-born griot, a storyteller creates cohesive narratives from life’s fragments. I embraced the power of my voice. Writing became my sanctuary, so much so that I even joined a writer’s group called, The Sanctuary. Writing was where I unearthed blocks, released stagnant energy, and cultivated new vibrations. I allowed my inner light to flood the areas of my being that had long been shrouded in darkness, remnants of calcified societal constructs that no longer served me.

These constructs kept me small, accommodating and dimmed. But through my writing, I found not just success but a profound sense of healing. In a recent Substack note, I articulated this realization:

It’s about showing up as your highest self in spaces where you were once told you didn’t belong. It’s about gracefully removing yourself from energies that don’t resonate and engaging with those that do. It’s about finding yourself in environments where reciprocity is the norm, where giving and taking are balanced, and where human decency reigns.

As I continue to embrace my magic and gifts, I feel them consume me more each day. My choices, guided by an intuitive alignment with my purpose, have brought me to a place of peace. I am at peace with who I am. I am a woman who embodies beauty not in a superficial sense, but from within. I strive to be a light for those who find themselves lost in darkness, seeking to rediscover their own inner brilliance.

I do not position myself as a martyr; rather, I see myself as a lighthouse. If you cross my path, I know I can ignite a spark, an ember, or even add fuel to your roaring fire. This, to me, is the essence of success: gently guiding others back to their inner truth. When we operate from our inner light, no one loses; the world only wins.

So, as I reflect on my journey, I embrace the notion that success feels a lot like healing. It is a beautiful intertwining of growth, self-discovery, and the courage to step into our power. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the healing experienced, and the success that has blossomed from it all. And I am excited to continue this journey, illuminating the path for others along the way.


***The Original Baddie is a reader-supported publication. Your support means so much! A simple heart click can help me reach more people. And if you love my work, sharing it would be amazing. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you!***

Happy Black History Month!!! Notes/Comments from other Black Creatives:

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