A passion for life
Passion runs deep in my heart for an array of topics, interests, and experiences. WokeWithin was developed to share the many things that I’ve researched and gained knowledge in, but ultimately not to forget my “WHY” and the heartfelt reasons that brought me through the many chapters of life.
Woke Within began in early 2018. The concept came from the popular urban cultural term, “woke” which simply means having extreme awareness. Most often this awareness is implied towards the social unjust realities of the world that surround us as minorities and more specifically black people. I always saw myself as relatively aware and educated on the basics of my personal urban city upbringing, plus African American Studies courses throughout college, but I am in no way a guru or activist in the subject. It simply is a part of my lived experience and it is important to decompose what can be seen as “brainwashed” beliefs without awareness.
Fast forward many years later to 2018, the idea of being “woke” or aware WITHIN became my greatest desire to focus on as I healed myself through a debilitating disease called, Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). TSW is basically Eczema on hyperdrive, (or steroids - pun intended) and much, much more! Your body goes through withdrawals of a drug, so prescription or not side effects of your body having an addition are side effects as you need more to survive.
Visuals and details of that story can be found on my Instagram, @wokewithinskin. With years of focusing on the outward appearance of the skin for my eczema by using topical ointments and creams, I finally found that the true reason for my severe eczema was ultimately all of the aspects within our bodies' internal organs, including even our minds.
Woke Within SKIN was born as I progressed through the worst time of my life externally, but internally was one of the greatest periods of my life.
I recognized that in many of my past achievements academically or professionally I did not always have joy internally at some of the best times of my life to the outside world. Going through the illness that took out all of my hair and left me completely disfigured and immobile being bed-written for weeks at a time, gave me nothing but time to reflect on my entire life. It gave me redirection back to who I really am and it made me the happiest I’ve ever been from within.
Just like being “woke” can never be claimed as a dominant trait for anyone because knowledge is ever-changing, we as individuals are infinite beings who will live many lives figuratively in one body. Being “WokeWithin” is a forever undertaking. So, “hop in loser” we’re going to the best future ever.
Stay woke within, for your skin, mental health, wealth, and joy of life.
Join me below as a WokeWithin Writer or Podcast guest so that we can continue this ride together.
