The Return of the Empress: Reclaiming My Space, My Voice, and My Wellness.**
What’s up, queens, Empresses, and goddesses? It’s your girl, Empress Iman, and don’t hate me, but I know it’s been the longest minute since you heard my voice. But I’m good, I’m back, and I’m ready to jump back in. I’ve been off for quite a while now. I don’t even want to compute how many months it’s been. But I feel the energy, and I realize it’s time to re-engage with my space.
When I first started this journey, I think I set the bar exponentially higher than I should have as a newcomer to the realm of vlogging and content creation. As an educator, I naturally lean towards super-structured approaches. However, I was warned that at the beginning, I really needed to be more free-flowing. So, I’m returning to what was easiest for me: these Empress Monologues. This is where you simply listen to me, if you please, chitchat about what’s on my mind, heart, and soul.
The Seasonal Shift and Personal Cycles
We’ve just jumped into spring, and after all the fluctuations, she’s finally here. As a Cancer, I’m deeply affected by the seasons, in both the best and worst ways. I thrive in spring and summer, maybe even early fall. But the minute that chill sets in, you can count me out. I need to retreat into my shell, hibernate, and that’s just my reality. I don’t know if you’ve ever recognized this about yourself. The cycles of life and how they work for you and against you. But it’s something I’ve only just started to understand. And I took some time to ensure my understanding was rooted in truth, not just in my head. This is why it’s been such a long while.
It’s been since about December of 2025 that I haven’t posted. That’s a long time! Now it’s May, and we’re fully in the swing of spring. The calendar for events has been dropping left and right out here in Brooklyn and the whole Tri-State area. When I say Tri-State, I literally mean New York City, Jersey, and Philly, because I don’t really venture to Connecticut much. But hey, I hear it’s nice. I might try it out if something interesting is happening.
What’s Been Happening: The Good, The Bad, and The Meh
I’m just excited to feel ready to be back and speak. A lot has happened: a lot of good, a lot of absolutely terrible, and a lot of just meh. But today, I wanted to jump on because something has been heavy on my mind: fitness. This is something I really want to transition my focus on for my platform. It’s about fitness, physical, and mental health, and how they’re all connected. Not as an expert, but as a person who’s experiencing it and wants to share my journey, as well as the experiences of other women, other mothers, who have sought strength as their sanctuary.
A New Year, New Habits: My Experiment with Sobriety
When it comes to cannabis, I decided not to partake. I already had a ritual of abstaining in winter because if you experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as I’ve spoken about before, and you’re also smoking, that’s a double whammy to drag you down into the pits of Hades. I recognized that pattern and decided to disengage.
Now, fast forward to the beginning of spring. Normally, this is when I’d consider picking it up again. But I’m not feeling motivated to do so. I’ve noticed many others in my age bracket are doing the same, saying, “Yeah, I don’t feel like engaging with weed anymore.” There’s talk about “spray weed,” about dispensary products not being what they used to be. Honestly, the dispensary experience just wasn’t the same as, no lie, getting it from the YN’s on the corner. It’s not the same. So, I haven’t really engaged at all. That’s not to say I won’t test the waters, which I have last month, it definitely won’t be dispensary stuff. So, while not a commitment, I’m not really smoking.
Then I realized I hadn’t consumed alcohol at all this whole year, 2026. March, I was in Philly for the DiversiTech conference by Tribaja. I had two drinks. They weren’t strong, but they definitely left me feeling weak. I didn’t get a hangover, but my body felt like, “What did you do to us?” The next day, I was in a trance; I just didn’t feel like myself.
From Realization to Innovation: The Birth of BodTea
And now, I know you’re all wondering, “Where is she going with this?” With that, I ended up creating an app. Yes, you heard that right! An app! Make it make sense, right?
I made this app called BodTea. Heavy on the TEA.
This app was born from a long-standing idea. I’ve been thinking about creating a fitness app for a while. This isn’t my original grand vision, which I’ll still get to eventually, but this is my first one, and it’s built with *you* all in mind: my mamas.
The 90-Day BodTea Challenge: Your Sanctuary in Strength
I started a 90-day challenge. It’s already started, and I feel bad that I’m late in bringing it to you, but here I am! The challenge is designed around two standard workouts: push-ups and marching obliques. It’s a “build your own” challenge, allowing you to customize it to your fitness level.
The two core workouts are:
1. Push-ups: A fundamental strength exercise.
2. Marching Obliques:March, then turn. March, turn. This activates your obliques, helping to sculpt those nice V-lines and hip dips for the summer. It engages your legs and abs, especially when you maintain that mind-muscle connection.
Now, about the alcohol part. That was the other component: no drinking and no smoking at all for the duration of the challenge. Take me as a testament: I did it one time, and my body did not respond well. I didn’t respond well. I feel it’s imperative to remind women that, while this is *your* challenge, and if a glass of wine or your favorite Prosecco is truly your cup of tea, I’m not here to hate on you for it. The challenge is for you, a space to help you hold yourself accountable and build community.
However, I truly feel we should take a break from these habits and explore more natural alternatives. There are fantastic mocktails out there using herbs and fruits that offer medicinal and experiential benefits without the damaging effects. I’ll be doing some research on these and sharing them within the BodTea group.
Personalizing Your Wellness Journey
The challenge also provides a space for you to set your *own* three personal commitments. For example, my commitments are to:
* Make BodTea feel like a true community.
* Dance every day.
* Drink more water.
So, you might be thinking, “Alcohol got you to make an app, girl?” If you know me, you know I love being in tech spaces. It brings me joy, it brings me life. Lately, it’s been so much fun teaching people how to make apps, and how to create automations for their jobs. Learn more over at Iman the Polymath
Looking Ahead: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
There’s so much more I want to share with y’all. But this was one of those car rides from going home to picking up the baby, and I’ve got to go love on her now. I will be back, and I’m really excited.
Again, I’m going to be taking it slow. For now, it will be these voice notes, with articles to follow as a recap. I don’t want to put too much on you all; we all have a lot on our plates.
Join the Community: Let’s Grow Together!
Share, engage! Tell me what you’re up to. I truly want this to be a two-way street, not just a dumping ground. I want this to be a space for growth, bonding, and connection for us women, especially those in our 30s, especially us 90s babies. 35 and up, where you at?
Ready to reclaim your power and join a supportive community focused on wellness? Download the BodTea app today and start your 90-day challenge! Find your strength, find your sanctuary.
I hope you all have a blessed day, and I’ll see you next time. Love you all.
