Behind the Crown {Vol 1}

Empress Weekly Reflections 11/25

Last Week in Review: A Rare Quiet Moment

Hey Empress!!! So, let me tell you, last week was busy but surprisingly peaceful. I gotta give a huge shoutout to my mom for stepping in and spending time with my youngest daughter. For the most part, it was just me and my oldest, and let me tell you—we were at peace! Until we weren’t 😂

Don’t get me wrong, we love the little ones, but having one-on-one time with my oldest is so rare, and we took full advantage of it.

We chatted, watched TV, and even squeezed in a run to Burlington together where I found an amazing pair of Nike shorts for only 10$. I sure love the clearance rack! It’s just us vibin, laughing, and connecting without the chaos of little feet running through the house. Those are the moments I treasure most.

Y’all, can I just say how much joy it brought me to sit down with my oldest and watch Moesha together? This is my first time watching the show in its entirety, and it hit me how amazing Moesha was as a character—smart, independent, insightful, and feminine. Watching her navigate life as a Black girl made me emotional. Like, where is the remake for this show? I need it! And can we talk about how stunning Sheryl Lee Ralph was then and still is now? She truly has the aura of a Queen.

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Seasonal Adjustments: Fighting the Winter Blues

Now, here’s the funny part—less stress around the kids this week, but my energy still dipped hard. Maybe it’s the season change, maybe my body was just excited to finally relax, but whew. That girl exhaustion, that we often try to ignore, said I need to slow down. Between work, kids schedules, the end of a luteal phase and the recent super moon I have to be careful. This is the time of year is when S.A.D. tries to creep in, so I made sure to hit the gym three times this week. Your girl is dedicated to her mental health and self care!

Tangent Time

"S.A.D" (Seasonal Affective Disorder) can be particularly prevalent among people from the diaspora due to factors like cultural displacement, feelings of isolation, and a disconnect from their homeland,

Do you notice a shift in your mood when the season changes and daylight hours decrease? How do you fight off the winter blues and keep the kids entertained without increasing screen time to much?

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Crown Refitting: Weekly Affirmations

Affirmations aren’t just words—they’re little spells of intention to help us shift our mindset and embrace our journey. We are co-creating this as a space to recharge, refocus, and remember who we are beyond the chaos of life. Whether you write them down, whisper them during a quiet moment, or shout them out while doing your skincare routine, let them pour into you. Because as Erykah Badu said, “Spelling is a spell.” So let’s write it, speak it, and make it real. 💜✨

This Week’s Theme: Embracing Rest, Rediscovery, and Joy

7 Affirmations for the Upcoming Week

1. “I am allowed to rest without guilt; my well-being is just as important as my responsibilities.”

2. “I celebrate my growth and the strength I’ve gained from the challenges I’ve faced.”

3. “Each day, I get stronger—in body, mind, and spirit. I am proud of the work I am doing for myself.”

4. “I am not just surviving; I am thriving in my journey of self-discovery.”

5. “I create small moments of joy that pour into me and uplift my spirit.”

6. “I deserve to invest in myself, and my self-care routines are acts of love.”

7. “I am more than enough just as I am, and my journey is uniquely beautiful.”

Affirmation Activation

Take one affirmation that speaks to you most this week. Write it down somewhere visible or say it aloud every morning. Let its energy guide you through your day.

Remember: Words are powerful. 👑💜

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Level Up With Me: Thee Not Just A Motha 75 Hard Journey!

Last month after I returned from my trip I was inspired by Lotus La Loba to start my own variation of the 75 Hard plan. If you’re wondering, what exactly is the 75 Hard Plan? It’s a mental toughness program designed to push you out of your comfort zone through daily habits that include working out, drinking water, reading, and more, for 75 straight days without compromise. While it’s intense, the goal is to cultivate discipline, resilience, and a deeper connection with yourself.

Now, as a single mom, I had to get creative and tweak the plan to fit my life—because let’s be real, the standard 75 Hard isn’t exactly built with moms in mind. I call it the Not Just A Motha 75 Hard Plan. My variation focuses on progress over perfection, making time for joy, and balancing self-care with the chaos of motherhood. For me, that meant hitting the gym, staying hydrated, reading books that poured into me, and carving out moments to recharge, all while managing life with three kids. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

This experience taught me that transformation doesn’t have to look like a rigid checklist—it’s about finding what works for you and showing up every single day. I’m so excited to share what I learned along the way and how this plan helped me reconnect with my identity beyond motherhood.

I want to invite you all to join me as I celebrate wrapping up this cycle at the end of December. And guess what? I’m toying with the idea of kicking off a Not Just A Motha 75 Hard Challenge for our community in January. Imagine us doing this together—supporting, encouraging, and celebrating each other along the way. What do you think? Would you join me?

Cast your vote in the poll below, and let’s make 2025 our year of transformation! 💜✨

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Thanks for Reading, Empresses!

Remember, you’re not just a mother—you’re a whole mood, a movement, and a masterpiece.

Let me know what resonated with you most this week—I love hearing from you. And don’t forget to follow me for daily vibes:

📍 Follow Empress Iman 

“Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s how you polish your crown. Stay radiant, Empress.”

- Empress Iman 💜👑✨