4️⃣0️⃣ Lessons I’ve learned in 2020 continued.. 21-39 Cuz I’m wordy.🙃 21. Rejection is redirection. What is yours, will not pass you. 🎯 22. Pay attention to how people and things make you feel.. if your body aches .. or if you feel drained. Let it go. If it feels like home... lean TF in. 23. Who’s the prize? YOU! I mean this for all relationships, and businesships (Businesseships is gon’ be a word tah’day!) 🏆 24. Take the time that you need to grow. 🌱 25. Take the time AND do the work to heal. 👩🏾‍⚕️ 26. Uncomfortable conversations aren’t always confrontational. 27. Some things just go without saying. 🤷🏾‍♀️ 28. Be impeccable with your words. Eliminate lack from your vocab, “Poor Baby”, “Broke”, “I’m dead”.. no matter how lighthearted.. be choosy as heck with your words. And make sure that others speak life over you in a sentence too! Bless yourself and others with your words outside of a sneeze “ Bless You!” 👃🏾 29. “Good Morning”.. 🚫 I’m going to stop saying that one too... because quite frankly, some have incurred enough mourning this year alone. 🙏🏾 #me #prosebylydia #fortylessons _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ #fortyandfine #lifelessons #lifehacks #wordsofwisdom #wordoftheday #beautycreative #creative #queensnative #queensgirl #birthdaypost #makeupartist #writer #vintagestyle #vintage #classic #naturalbeauty #productcreator https://www.instagram.com/p/CI2dNimJDkq/?igshid=1t8honodpcx1d

What a year.. my solar/lunar year. 🌞 Not referring to the specifics of 2020 necessarily. But wow, what a year! Realizing that I’ve been blessed to meet 4️⃣0️⃣ In the year 2020 has taught me many lessons. 🤓 1. Everything isn’t what it seems. 2. TRUST (wholeheartedly) your instincts. 3. No. Is not a curse word. 😐 4. Boundaries are not taboo and require no apologies. 5. In order for your boundaries to be respected they must first be put in place. ⚠️ 6. If you forgot to put boundaries in place for anyone or anything.. pause. Give your self grace (and them) then clearly move forward with a clear understanding of your boundaries (may need to go back to lesson number 4). It is never too late. ✅ 7. There is sooooo much peace in being still. 🧘🏾‍♀️ 8. BUSY is not THE blessing. 🙏🏾 9. Time is a gift. 10. Your energy is a gift. 🎁 11. Your energy should be protected at all times. ✌🏾 12. Lend your time and energy like it’s your last few dollars in your pocket and you misplaced your debit card on a holiday weekend. 🚫 13. Tell them you love them.. family, friends, pets, plants, your body parts, your favorite things. Say it! 14. Speak less, do more. 👑 15. Write more (writing is magic). 16. Everything you touch will turn to gold if you lead with your intent and connection to the higher power. 17. Don’t chase the bag. 💸 18. Give more than you take, but never pour from an empty cup. Pour from your saucer. ☕️ 19. Listen to their words but watch their actions. 🧿🧿 20. Take time (even if in private) to celebrate your wins and to give gratitude to the lesson in the losses. There is always greater waiting when a door closes. Greater as necessary for you, in the right timing. ⏳ * 21-40 cont’d on my next post. ❤️ • • • #prosebylydia #me • • • • • • • • #writersofinstagram #40lessons #lessonsof2020 #what2020taughtme #latebirthdaypost #birthdayfit #ilovevintage #vintagestyle #leather #leopard #makeupartist #marylandmakeupartist #nymakeupartist #queensbred #queensgirl #queening #womenwithlocs (at Where I Am) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI2XuZHpHLN/?igshid=1x41e4gxleatf

✨ You call it a shadow.. I call it my Angels watching my back, front and sides. ✨Finding myself leaning all the way in to God’s presence these days.. Finding myself being super choosy about who and what I lend my time and presence to.. Finding myself releasing all fear, doubts and negative conversations never my mind. Dismissing all attempts of self sabotage with a smile. 😌 Simply put.. finding myself. 👸🏽 #prosebylydia • How are y’all spending your time? Have you realized what a gift it is? • • • • Waist beads and bracelet by yours truly @velvetfacesbeauty click the link in my bio to get your own. ❤️ • Golden Bikini top and two way high waist skirt/dress by my fave @char_so_addicted 😍🥰 Score free shipping with code #SQUADLYDIAM01 at www.addicted-llc.com #addictedllc #addictedsquad • • #protectyourenergy #womenwithlocs #brownbeauty #bronzedskin #sunkissed #dmvmakeupartist #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #baltimoremakeupartist #baltimoreblog #nymakeupartist #naturalbeauty #allnatural #allnaturalbeauty #summerstyle #bikinitop #goldbikini #swimwear2020 #baltimoreboutiques #shoplocal #shopbaltimore #customwaistbeads #customejewelry #healingcrystals #waistbeads #customcrown (at Owings Mills, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC4NCdYJc2b/?igshid=c2hy6wtjl1ae

I am a WOMAN... A BLACK WOMAN! I am so much more than what you see or think of me. I am HUMAN, but I walk with GOD within me. 🙏 I know and acknowledge my power as a WOMBMAN. ✨I am a QUEEN!! 👸🏾 WE are QUEENS we build .... We don't tear others down. We support and uplift other WOMEN!... WE have felt the pain of being torn down for too long and we have decided that we will be deliberate with our words and about building other Black Women up! All too often we have been disregarded and dehumanized. All too often, we find it easier to criticize each other. With all the heaviness and TRAUMA going on let's do something to lift each other up!!💫 🖤 | 🖤 Upload 1 picture of yourself...ONLY you. Then tag as many QUEENS as you wish to do the same. Let's build each other up! #muchlove to the Queens that tagged me, @taminanakisha @robinlynncosmetics @prayhealslay 🙏 👸🏾 #shifttheenergy | | | | | #womensupportingwomen #eachonereachone #empoweringwomen #queensstandup #queensrecognizequeens #iamawoman #intent #mindset #shiftyourmindset #shifttheatmosphere #me #prosebylydia #aintiawoman https://www.instagram.com/p/CBSHUefpTfJ/?igshid=1q0qj44wvo98i

Seriously! How are y’all doing?! Honestly.. I’ve been having my moments. If you know me.. you know I’m used to doing, moving, making some *ish happen. I’m not know as one that will allow grass to grow under my feet, and lately I have been planted. Finding myself yearning nothing more than to really feel my roots. Being more mindful than oblivious, doing more listening than breaking silence. I know that even in a stand still, we all can’t just stand still. So I ask, my friends both affected and not.. losing loved ones and not.. both working and not.. both alone and not... How are y’all feeling?! If you’re still figuring it out.. that’s ok. Join me @velvetfaces and @hellobonitabaltimore on instagram Live on Sunday 4/26/20 and just listen or chime in as we talk through it. Trust. You are not alone. 💕 #withlove #prosebylydia • • • • • • • #instagramlive #quarentine #newnormal #checkin #letstalk #newyorkstrong #sacredsunday #baltimoresalon #baltimorehair #baltimoremakeupartist #nycmakeupartist #sundayvibes #staywell https://www.instagram.com/p/B_bPnI4JI-N/?igshid=1s9ho3c7o30ts

It’s a 23rd Psalm kind of day.. fear does not live here. And it’s friend “worry”, gotta go too! *plays Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds* • • I saw @thebabesguide post on fear as soon as I opened the gram. Thanks for the reminder. 💕 • Sometimes we go so fixed on the problem, that we forget that we are the solution. We ARE the solution. • Spend some time listening today. Listening to others without interrupting. Listening to silence without breaking it with sounds. Listening to sounds without ignoring them. • Spend some time being still. Be still without self. Still with your thoughts. Still with your kids or partner. Just be still. • We may all have worries at this time. Bills if we can’t work.. staying healthy if we can. 🎶Its not right, but It’s ok.. 🎶 • Acknowledge your worries but let them go without attachment. They are not for you. Shift them right on up to God. They are his! • Spend some time saying thank you. Thank you for all the little things, like air. And larger than normal nostrils. Lol Thank you for larger nor obvious things like shelter and health. Thank God, thank a friend for being a friend.. your parents and family.. even your kids. Be thankful. Spend the day finding things to express your gratitude for. • And definitely play Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds! 🎶🎶 Stay healthy and blessed. 🙏🏾 #prosebylydia #sacredsunday #me • • • • • #mentalhealth #noworries #stayfocused #positivevibes #positiveenergy #uplifting #uplifteachother #wegotthis #positivethought #quoteoftheday #quarantine #quotestoliveby #stayinginside #sundayfunday #musicheals https://www.instagram.com/p/B-mxB3gpBmy/?igshid=14oqpoq0o0jk8

🧘🏾‍♀️ 📝 Being still enough to: read, books left unread or unfinished.. write, words left unsaid.. And to process thoughts that our busy minds only had time to bury or ignore... Sliding this powerful action journal that was spiritually written by @janettersmith From @dinajoy202 was priceless and right on time. #selfcareoverhere 🌺 @janettersmith I’m looking forward to looking back on the growth that my journaling will bring. 🌺 No better gift than the gift of self love and allowing ourselves the power to RELEASE! 🌺 Here’s to blossoming, while #socialdistancing 🧘🏾‍♀️ #mindfulness • • • • • • • #goodreads #journaling #prosebylydia #actionjournal #devotional #devotionaljournal #readabook #quarantine #bookclub #bookclubbook #21daychallenge #empoweringwomen #empoweredwomen #release #playboook #womanauthor #africanamericanauthors #whatimreading #whatimwearingnow #selfcare #selfhelp #selfhelpbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B90P-hkp5CH/?igshid=1nffioyfbdffy

There is nothing like using your time as a Trust Fund for your future.. How often we forget that we have the greatest gift that there is.. 🎁 The gift of free will. Time is too indefinite to be wasting. #abouttheotherday A lovely day doing what I love in the city that I’ve fallen for. #baltimore ✨ #prosebylydia : : : : : :#bethelight #womanentrepreneur #lashextensions #instagood #womenwithlocs #baltimorehair #love #writersofig #wordsofwisdom #nevernotworking #marylandmakeupartist #loveyourself #empowerment #newmonth #marylandmakeupartist #dcweddings #baltimoremua #naturalbeauty #nymakeupartist #promakeupartist #naturalista #naturallychiclocs #godschild (at Hello Bonita Hair Salon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2xj_BTp6g-/?igshid=1d6c6nns1xi3

⏩ Discover what recharges your soul.. and lean into it. 😌 This, “💁🏽‍♀️ Not my Independence “ weekend was SOUL refreshing! @essencefest Fuels me to go harder❗️It reminds me of the magic we can make in numbers and empowers me with the energy of being surrounded by other entrepreneurs living in their destiny. I love that there is something for every aspect of your wellness from mental, to physical & financial to entrepreneurial.. Let’s not forget how it moves in the spirit. All followed by vibrations on the wave of hearing a dope beat 🎶 paired with nostalgic vocals from your favorite artists! #essencefest is a vibe.. it’s like living, breathing and touching my vision board. #nola doesn’t owe me a thing. I loved getting lost in you. 🗺 ✨ 🙏🏾 #untilnexttime #prosebylydia : : : : : : : : #motivation #motivations #love #motivationalquotes #instagood #inspiration #lifestyle #goals #success #successful #entrepreneurship #majorkey #life #happiness #loveandlight #stayfocused #womeninbusiness #femaleentrepreneur #womenwhohustle #makeupartist #womenempowerment #writersofinstagram #imanartist #sendingpositivevibes #mualife https://www.instagram.com/p/BzuDs85pV9d/?igshid=c7kfr870l3gb

#gratitude will keep you glowing and growing! ✨ Sometimes the beauty and magic is all in where we are.. that journey. The decision to go left vs right and to simply go with the flow. ✨ I rode a ferry today.. I looked down at my phone and settled into my thoughts for what seemed like 15 seconds. I looked up to a nice little, chocolate drop telling me that we arrived at our destination. I was like, “well damn.. did we even move yet”? ✨ lol We did! We totally went from the East to the West Bank, and I was so caught up in the movement that I missed it completely (seriously a twilight zone moment). ✨ Y’all get where I’m going with this?! HERE’S the message.. don’t get so caught up in the NEXT that you don’t get to acknowledge, appreciate, or take in the NOW. The NOW matters too! It’s raw, authentic, and it’s all YOURS! #beblessed #prosebylydia #idropjewlsifyoupayattention • • • • • • • • • Custom body glow by @velvetfaces ✨The Glow Up! ✨#Glowation : : 516.653.1863 : : : #womanentrepreneur #selfie #instabeauty #nycmakeupartist #bodylava #bodybronzer #baltimorehair #baltimore #washingtondc #dcmakeupartist #marylandmakeupartist #summerglow #dmvmua #shesgottahaveit #baltimoremua #goldenglow #nymakeupartist #nola #beachbody #nycmakeupartist #blackexcellence #makeupoftheday #noladarling #makeupbyme #glitter (at New Orleans Garden District) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzrH4C3pUtt/?igshid=1894tpaot68py

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. 🌊 Never mind the waves.. You just gotta get into your flow and ride it. 🏄🏾‍♀️ #prosebylydia #me #queening • No, my teeth aren’t perfect.. but they’re white though! 🙃🙃 😄 • • #womanentrepreneur #instagood #womenwithlocs #baltimorehair #love #inmyzone #nevernotworking #makeupartist #marylandmakeupartist #loveyourself #empowerment #marylandmakeupartist #dmvmua #dcweddings #baltimoremua #naturalbeauty #nymakeupartist #promakeupartist #coloredlocs #prommakeup #naturallychiclocs #makeupforwoc #lovemylocs#naturalbeauty https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw--3c7J9US/?igshid=lqq2f5dimhyb

And when you see her.. just know that’s me. -God 👑 • Taking the time to trust more & stress less. Plan more & stray less. Focus more & get caught up less. Do more and speak less. Sometimes you can feel a shift happening so big, so necessary and so longed for happening. This is when your prayers have to match you patience and ability to follow direction. #godgotme #godgotyoutoo 🙏🏾 #prosebylydia • • • • #iminmyzone 👸🏾 #Queening #bethelight #womanentrepreneur #lashextensions #instagood #womenwithlocs #baltimorehair #love #writersofig #wordsofwisdom #nevernotworking #makeupartist #marylandmakeupartist #loveyourself #empowerment #newmonth #marylandmakeupartist #dmvmua #dcweddings #baltimoremua #naturalbeauty #nymakeupartist #promakeupartist #baltimore #naturalista #naturallychiclocs #godschild https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw5UET3B8th/?igshid=dgn76tn7ub5h

Get in to the habit of asking yourself, “does this support the life that I am trying to create?” 💗 “Is this working for the greater good of me and my purpose here?” 💗 “Am I acting in alignment with and honoring my goals?” 💗 It’s easy to get caught up in comfort zones. ⏳ I’ve been doing a lot of self checks lately to evaluate The Who’s and what’s of what may be depleting my (precious) energy. 💗 #checkyourself loves, protect your energy and do some spring cleaning. 🧹🌸 #withlove #prosebylydia • • • • • • #motivation #motivations #love #motivationalquotes #instagood #inspiration #lifestyle #goals #success #successful #entrepreneurship #majorkey #life #lifehacks #happiness #stayfocused #womeninbusiness #femaleentrepreneur #womenwhohustle #makeupartist #womenempowerment #sendingpositivevibes #mindset #mualife https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu5DCFKgg5n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qb7xdlpilrn7

Get in to the habit of asking yourself, “does this support the life that I am trying to create?” 💗 “Is this working for the greater good of me and my purpose here?” 💗 “Am I acting in alignment with and honoring my goals?” 💗 It’s easy to get caught up in comfort zones. ⏳ I’ve been doing a lot of self checks lately to evaluate The Who’s and what’s of what may be depleting my (precious) energy. 💗 #checkyourself loves, protect your energy and do some spring cleaning. 🧹🌸 #withlove #prosebylydia #makeupartist #baltimore #nymua #baltimoremua #dmvmakeupartist #ootd #naturalmakeup #goaldigger #freelancemua #naturalbeauty #nycmua #hustlehard #naturalista #glowingskin #melaninmagic #marylandmakeupartist #wordoftheday #makeupforwoc #word #wednesdaywisdom #naturallychiclocs #locstar #wakeupandmakeup #dmvmua #crowned #prettyinpink https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu48zU5AOdL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fbey31ysgpeg

People will try to tell you who you are.. Don’t believe that shit. ~ You must know, love and be secure with who you are first! If you don’t know yourself.. they’ll try to define you. #withlove #prosebylydia • • #iminmyzone 👸🏾 #Queening • • • #womanentrepreneur #lashextensions #instagood #womenwithlocs #baltimorehair #love #writersofig #wordsofwisdom #nevernotworking #quoteoftheday #makeupartist #marylandmakeupartist #loveyourself #empowerment #marylandmakeupartist #dmvmua #dcweddings #baltimoremua #naturalbeauty #nymakeupartist #promakeupartist #instaquote #prommakeup #naturallychiclocs #bethelight #prettyinpink https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9acr-A0VQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bskve32zoury

Where’s the lie?! 👀 Come on now, we have all had situations that have had us in a bit of a struggle.. whether that be mentally, financially, physically or spiritually. 🙏🏾 Sometimes the miracle is in what we can not control. Sometimes you have to be still enough to be wowed. And sometimes you just gotta be humble to the process. To anyone worried about their, ‘what’s next?’.. I pray 🙏🏾 that he speaks to you more now than ever and makes his path for you very clear. I pray that he leads us ALL to be proactive in the things that we CAN change. • #prosebylydia • • • • • #gratitude #thistooshallpass #godgotme #godgotus💰 #womeninbusiness #womenempowerment #womenentrepreneurs #smallbiz #motivation #wordoftheday #qotd #mua #makeupartist #affirmations #nycmua #marylandmakeupartist #encouragement #makeupartistlife #careergoals #stayfocused #spiritualawakening #empoweredwomen #obstacles #prayallday #thursdaywisdom https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsvh_yoBEO9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3dkmdovrzfyq