Happy September!

As the back-to-school season begins, it is not just for children, high schoolers, or college students.  As a Corporate Wellness Trainer, and WURD-AM Wellness Correspondent on Reality Check, I encourage women over 40—whether empty nesters, returning to the workforce, or sending their children off to school—to embrace this time as an opportunity for self-reinvention.

This season of transition provides the perfect backdrop for women to reconnect with their inner selves and explore new possibilities.

1. Create a Vision Board: Visualizing your goals can be a decisive first step toward achieving them. Whether seeking career advancement, personal growth, or exploring new hobbies, a vision board helps clarify your intentions and motivates you.
2. Take a Class or Earn a Certification: Now is the time to dive into that passion you've always wanted to pursue. Whether writing, yoga, or a new career path, investing in education or certifications can open doors to new opportunities and personal fulfillment.

1. Write a Book: Everyone has a story to tell. Writing a book can be a transformative process that allows you to reflect on your experiences, share your wisdom, and leave a lasting legacy.
2. Strengthen Social Connections: Reconnecting with old friends or making new ones can significantly enhance your well-being. Social activities and building a supportive community are essential for personal growth and happiness. 
3. Put Yourself First: After years of putting others ahead of yourself, it's time to prioritize your needs and desires. Whether through self-care practices, setting boundaries, or simply saying 'no,' putting yourself first is necessary to maintain a balanced and joyful life. Sit and take the moment for a cup of ginger tea and enjoy the benefits - Ginger may help relieve Trusted Source nausea and vomiting and aid digestionTrusted Source. Antioxidants and other nutrients in ginger root may help prevent or treat arthritis, inflammation, and various types of infection. Ginger may also reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and other health problems.

1. Bring Joy Back: Rediscover what makes you happy and integrate those activities into your daily routine. Whether through travel, hobbies, or simply enjoying life's little pleasures, finding joy is crucial to living a fulfilled life.

I WAS HERE: Telling Our Stories

Location: Renaissance New York Harlem, Room 2, 5th floor

Time: 1:30 p. m. – 2:45 p. m.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harlem-book-fair-presents-i-was-here-tickets-1002419552867

Memoirs tell our collective story. They highlight personal resilience, growth, and triumph. By sharing their journeys, writers inspire and motivate readers who might be facing similar challenges, offering hope and encouragement. How can we tell our own stories? How do we balance strength and vulnerability? Our panelists share their journey and life skills.

Moderator:

DOMINIQUE MANN is a writer with over a decade of multifaceted storytelling experience. She was a media affairs manager and writer for the Obama White House. Dominique has also been a producer and writer at NBC, CBS, and BET. Dominique has been featured in Essence magazine and The Boston Globe, among other outlets—and has written for Glamour magazine. Dominique's current storytelling work includes immersive audio, screenwriting, and various literary projects. Her production company, As Any Mann Productions, focuses on storytelling that ushers in intergenerational belonging, changes systems, and creates empowering opportunities for people of color.

Panelists:

NATASHA S. ALFORD, the author of American Negra: A Memoir, is an award-winning journalist, host, and media executive. She is a senior correspondent, host, and vice president at TheGrio and appears on television as a CNN political analyst. She has been honored with several awards, including Emerging Journalist of the Year, given by the National Association of Black Journalists, and a Harvard Women's Leadership Award.

JONATHAN CONYERS is the author of I Wasn't Supposed to Be Here: Finding My Voice, Finding My People, Finding My Way. He is the co-founder of the Brooklyn Debate League, a nonprofit whose mission is to bring speech and debate to at-risk communities. Jonathan is the founder of Conyers Media and the host of The Professional Winner Podcast. 

Happy September!

With Chocolate,

Karen