I’m incredibly thankful for days when the sky is

I’m incredibly thankful for days when the sky is blue. I’m thankful for white clouds. I’m thankful for green trees. I’m thankful for colorful store fronts. I’m thankful for the breeze in the air. I’m thankful for strangers who nod and say hello. I’m thankful for long walks with Valkyrie. I’m thankful for gym dates with John. I’m thankful for homemade lavender matcha. I’m thankful for old sitcoms that never fail to make me laugh. I’m thankful for the bed I rest my tired legs in at the end of each day. And I’m thankful for you. 🤍

Take some time to smell the flowers today! Take in

Take some time to smell the flowers today! Take in all the colors, smell the fresh air, and live in the moment. 🌸🤍

I heard about @mahoganybooks when we still lived i

I heard about @mahoganybooks when we still lived in Orlando and I’ve been wanting to go since then. We finally stopped in recently for World Book Day and I was definitely not disappointed. Mahogany Books has a fantastic selection of books by Black authors and their service is incredible. When you want amazing service and great recommendations, independent bookstores are the way to go. If you are in the DC area, be sure to check out Mahogany Books. If you aren’t you can still support them online!

Weekend vibes. 🧘🏽‍♀️ Will you be get

Weekend vibes. 🧘🏽‍♀️

Will you be getting outdoors this weekend?

#MayTheFourthBeWithYou! John and I had so fun expl

#MayTheFourthBeWithYou! John and I had so fun exploring Batuu in the “before times”. I can’t wait to get back there later this year. In the meantime, I’ll be watching Clone Wars and counting down the days until Baby Yoda is on my screen again. Also, shout out to John for being the best teacher in the galaxy on #NationalTeacherAppreciationDay. 🚀🛸👨🏻‍🏫

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US. Fo

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US. For years I have spoken here and on the podcast about my struggles with my mental health, specifically anxiety and depression. The past year has shown the world just how important it is to prioritize mental health and break the stigma around asking for help. As a society, we should be just as concerned with mental health as we are with physical health. My generation seems to embrace therapy a little more every day and I am thrilled to see it. More of us being open about the amazing benefits of therapy will lead to more people seeking the help they need. There are many ways to improve your mental health but working with a therapist who can help you develop coping skills for your specific issues is the best place to start.

Please take this month to check in with yourself and make sure you are feeling mentally well. Check in with your friends and family and remind them that it is okay to ask for help when they need it. Take the time to pour into yourself this month through meditation, movement, nutrition, and deep breathing. And above all else, be kind to yourself.

#BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

I’m exhausted. Just completely exhausted. 182

I’m exhausted.

Just completely exhausted.

182 Black people have been killed by police since the day that George Floyd was murdered. Since the start of Derek Chauvin’s trail, police killed an average of three people a day, which added up to 64 people killed by the police. There have been more killings, not less.

Last night, the police murdered a child. A CHILD. And this is NOT the first child murdered by the police. This isn’t even the first child murdered by the police THIS YEAR.

As the wife of a teacher, I can tell you that we cut funding to education all the time. So why are so many people still not onboard with cutting funding for the police? What do they need more money for? So they can continue to murder people? There are way too many police officers on payroll who do not know how to do their jobs. And there are way too many others that are helping to cover this information up (not well, obviously).

We would never let educators be this terrible at their jobs.

We would never let doctors be this bad at their jobs.

Hell, most of you can’t even deal with a barista not making your order “right”.

But cops killing innocent civilians is fine? We are just going to accept that as a county?

The average white/non-Black person is not doing enough. Do more. Do better. Because we’ve been doing our part but white supremacy can’t be dismantled without the involvement of white people.

This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?

This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?

It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But

It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But Black Joy has been my mission. Most of the people in my life have been overwhelmed and exhausted by constant grief, fear, and disrespect. Many of us have been reminded of the times we were pulled over by cops for driving while Black or the times we’ve feared for our parents, siblings, children, cousins, and other friends and family members. Sometimes it feels like we are all stuck in this cycle, doomed to witness and experience Black suffering and trauma forever. I have to constantly remind myself that times haven’t changed but we ARE changing things. We have to. And until those changes really take place permanently, I’m choosing Black Joy whenever I can. Because Black Joy is resistance.

Here’s where I was able to find joy this week:

🤍 Interviewing @majorcreates + @tiffanydbrown_, two dynamic and talented Black women for @heartandhustlepodcast.

🤍 Long chats with @studio404design about everything under the sun.

🤍 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and how unapologetically Black it is.

🤍 Texting Marvel memes back and forth with @mmalikaj who is FINALLY obsessed with Marvel. My hard work has paid off! 👏🏽

🤍 Trying to recreate @eatatbento at home since we live in DC now.

🤍 Reading The Gilded Ones.

🤍 Knowing that @bohemianseoul is moving east!

If you are Black, where did you find joy this week? If you aren’t Black, we’re you able to bring joy to a person who is Black this week or amplify a voice celebrating Black joy?

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Travel · December 10, 2019

Photo Diary | National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh

In: Travel · Tagged: edinburgh, National Museum of Scotland, scotland, travel, wanderlust

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Hi! I'm Charisma, a creative entrepreneur who loves to help others reach their full potential. I'm a photographer, a writer, and the owner of Kismet + Charisma, an online boutique that pairs minimalist, cozy, boho style with activism. In my little corner of the internet you'll find my latest travels, what I'm currently reading, how I practing Black joy as resistence, and how I'm finding hygge in my daily life. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and stay awhile.

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I’m incredibly thankful for days when the sky is

I’m incredibly thankful for days when the sky is blue. I’m thankful for white clouds. I’m thankful for green trees. I’m thankful for colorful store fronts. I’m thankful for the breeze in the air. I’m thankful for strangers who nod and say hello. I’m thankful for long walks with Valkyrie. I’m thankful for gym dates with John. I’m thankful for homemade lavender matcha. I’m thankful for old sitcoms that never fail to make me laugh. I’m thankful for the bed I rest my tired legs in at the end of each day. And I’m thankful for you. 🤍

Take some time to smell the flowers today! Take in

Take some time to smell the flowers today! Take in all the colors, smell the fresh air, and live in the moment. 🌸🤍

I heard about @mahoganybooks when we still lived i

I heard about @mahoganybooks when we still lived in Orlando and I’ve been wanting to go since then. We finally stopped in recently for World Book Day and I was definitely not disappointed. Mahogany Books has a fantastic selection of books by Black authors and their service is incredible. When you want amazing service and great recommendations, independent bookstores are the way to go. If you are in the DC area, be sure to check out Mahogany Books. If you aren’t you can still support them online!

Weekend vibes. 🧘🏽‍♀️ Will you be get

Weekend vibes. 🧘🏽‍♀️

Will you be getting outdoors this weekend?

#MayTheFourthBeWithYou! John and I had so fun expl

#MayTheFourthBeWithYou! John and I had so fun exploring Batuu in the “before times”. I can’t wait to get back there later this year. In the meantime, I’ll be watching Clone Wars and counting down the days until Baby Yoda is on my screen again. Also, shout out to John for being the best teacher in the galaxy on #NationalTeacherAppreciationDay. 🚀🛸👨🏻‍🏫

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US. Fo

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US. For years I have spoken here and on the podcast about my struggles with my mental health, specifically anxiety and depression. The past year has shown the world just how important it is to prioritize mental health and break the stigma around asking for help. As a society, we should be just as concerned with mental health as we are with physical health. My generation seems to embrace therapy a little more every day and I am thrilled to see it. More of us being open about the amazing benefits of therapy will lead to more people seeking the help they need. There are many ways to improve your mental health but working with a therapist who can help you develop coping skills for your specific issues is the best place to start.

Please take this month to check in with yourself and make sure you are feeling mentally well. Check in with your friends and family and remind them that it is okay to ask for help when they need it. Take the time to pour into yourself this month through meditation, movement, nutrition, and deep breathing. And above all else, be kind to yourself.

#BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

I’m exhausted. Just completely exhausted. 182

I’m exhausted.

Just completely exhausted.

182 Black people have been killed by police since the day that George Floyd was murdered. Since the start of Derek Chauvin’s trail, police killed an average of three people a day, which added up to 64 people killed by the police. There have been more killings, not less.

Last night, the police murdered a child. A CHILD. And this is NOT the first child murdered by the police. This isn’t even the first child murdered by the police THIS YEAR.

As the wife of a teacher, I can tell you that we cut funding to education all the time. So why are so many people still not onboard with cutting funding for the police? What do they need more money for? So they can continue to murder people? There are way too many police officers on payroll who do not know how to do their jobs. And there are way too many others that are helping to cover this information up (not well, obviously).

We would never let educators be this terrible at their jobs.

We would never let doctors be this bad at their jobs.

Hell, most of you can’t even deal with a barista not making your order “right”.

But cops killing innocent civilians is fine? We are just going to accept that as a county?

The average white/non-Black person is not doing enough. Do more. Do better. Because we’ve been doing our part but white supremacy can’t be dismantled without the involvement of white people.

This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?

This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?

It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But

It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But Black Joy has been my mission. Most of the people in my life have been overwhelmed and exhausted by constant grief, fear, and disrespect. Many of us have been reminded of the times we were pulled over by cops for driving while Black or the times we’ve feared for our parents, siblings, children, cousins, and other friends and family members. Sometimes it feels like we are all stuck in this cycle, doomed to witness and experience Black suffering and trauma forever. I have to constantly remind myself that times haven’t changed but we ARE changing things. We have to. And until those changes really take place permanently, I’m choosing Black Joy whenever I can. Because Black Joy is resistance.

Here’s where I was able to find joy this week:

🤍 Interviewing @majorcreates + @tiffanydbrown_, two dynamic and talented Black women for @heartandhustlepodcast.

🤍 Long chats with @studio404design about everything under the sun.

🤍 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and how unapologetically Black it is.

🤍 Texting Marvel memes back and forth with @mmalikaj who is FINALLY obsessed with Marvel. My hard work has paid off! 👏🏽

🤍 Trying to recreate @eatatbento at home since we live in DC now.

🤍 Reading The Gilded Ones.

🤍 Knowing that @bohemianseoul is moving east!

If you are Black, where did you find joy this week? If you aren’t Black, we’re you able to bring joy to a person who is Black this week or amplify a voice celebrating Black joy?

We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. But

We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death.

But we deserve joy.

So many of us are reaching new levels of exhaustion because of the continued attacks on our community by those who are being paid to protect us. There are some days where our situation feels impossible. On those days, please take the time out to do one small thing that brings you joy. As Black people, we have to experience and carry so much trauma while living in this country. But we deserve joy. We deserve joy.

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