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Entrepreneurship 13

1 hour ago Culture, Health & Wellness, Life Wisdom, Money, Sustainability Matters

Sustainability matters more than ever now. 

Originally published on Medium.

First I would like to address that not everyone can embrace sustainability and no waste living. Because not all of us have access, or can benefit from equal opportunities like our white race counterparts. We are all working to dismantle white supremacy that unfortunately is a disease that spreads just like cancer. And it has also created this “white washing” stigma in the green living and sustainability communities, just like in movies, music industry and commercial marketing strategies which they portray only the white race as being sustainable and eco-friendly leaders. 

Because they are embracing it on social media and are being invited to participate with high paying brands, they are getting more sales and recognition because their white privilege makes it easy for them to do so. But hey! You do not need to be an environmentalist or any particular race to care and do what’s right for your planet any way you can. Yes! It doesn’t help that economically, BIPOC and any POC have to be labeled as “being brave” and other races get to “live free, enjoy” while others are left to fend for themselves. An unequal and unjust system is not sustainable any more. Our planet and our spirits cannot take this anymore. That’s why we are dismantling it and seeking liberation, healing and re-building a more renewable, cleaner, sustainable and equitable systems. 

Let’s start with —  Here are some of our favorite Environmentalist, BIPOC and POC accounts you can start supporting, learning from and recommending to brands (especially, those who can be the gatekeepers for others to receive the same equal opportunities as you). Collaboration is the root of healing a system designed to divide. Let’s dismantle and decolonize our minds together. 

@greengirlleah + @IntersectionalEnvironmentalist

Leah Thomas is an activist for intersectional environmentalism. Along with her Instagram page, she also has a very informative IG account. Go check it out! 

@mikaelaloach

Mikaela Loach is a climate justice and anti-racism activist. Her website has a lot of great information!

@Ajabarber

Aja Barber is a writer and fashion consultant whose focus is race, intersectional feminism, and sustainable and ethical fashion. 

@Toritsui_

Tori Tsui is an intersectional climate activist. She runs a podcast called Bad Activist Podcast which focuses on intersectionality, feminism, climate justice, racial justice, and queer rights. Yes!

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Dr. Ayana Eliza is a marine biologist who founded @OceanCollectiv and @UrbanOceanLab. She focuses on climate change as a whole along with marine-focused initiatives. She’s also the lovely co-host of the new podcast I’m in love with @how2saveaplanet! 

@Browngirl_green

Kristy’s instagram page is very informational on news relating to climate change and intersectionality. She has a podcast and a blog along with other resources on her website!

@Jeromefosterii

Jerome Foster II is an environmental activist, an EIC at The Climate Reporter and the Executive Director at One Million of Us which is a “youth-led voting & advocacy organization that is rallying 1M+ young people to register & turnout to vote in the 2020 election and beyond.”

@Hood_naturalist

Corina Newsome is a biologist who focuses on nature education along with bringing people of color into the outdoors (especially birding!)

@Unlikelyhikers

Unlikely hikers is an Instagram community that brings the “underrepresented outdoor person” into the outdoors. They are “people of size, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, queer, trans and non-binary…people with disabilities and people who utilize the outdoors to aid our mental health”. Love this community ❤

@Melaninbasecamp

Melanin Base Camp is a group that brings people of color into the outdoors. Yei!

@Gogreensavegreen

By Ariel -Teaching people about the environment and how to help. Love her energy and her hilarious stories make my day. Highly recommended! 

@Climatediva

By Summer Dean- Climate communicator, model, & imperfect environmentalist ❤

@jhanneu

Making Low Waste + Sustainable Living Inclusive ❤

There are 14 Costless Ways to Live More Sustainably during a pandemic. 

 I know that it may seem at first that if you want to live more sustainably, you have to buy fancy eco-friendly products and spend loads of money before you can truly call yourself an eco-conscious citizen. The truth is, these 14 costless ways to live more sustainably are super effective and they don’t require any unnecessary consumerism! 

Now, why should you care about living sustainably during semi-lockdown?

  • Because of the environment 
  • Because of your own health (living sustainably usually means cutting out many nasty toxins that pollute your body and make you sick)
  • You’ll save lots of money! Once you’re done reading the article, you’ll understand how.

Intrigued yet? I sure hope so! Now let’s jump into the 14 costless ways to live more sustainably TODAY.

1. Freeze your food before it goes bad

In the US and North america, about 35% of food goes to waste. Sure, it often isn’t on purpose. Maybe you just miscalculate how much you need and end up throwing out a bunch of rotten food. But if you just freeze all your fruits, veggies, and even prepared meals before they go bad, you’ll save TONS of food in the long run, plus a bunch of money. And use your veggie scraps for veggie broth. Yep, you can literally turn your trash into food! Try keeping a bin of your veggie scraps and once it’s filled, toss the veggies along with some spices in a pot and voilà! You’ve given your scraps a second life!

2. Eat less meat

I know, I know, you’ve probably heard this one before. I’m definitely not pressuring you to go vegetarian or vegan or anything. But something important to know is that the meat industry emits more CO2 than all cars on the road. So if you cut down to eating meat just 2 or at least 3 times a week, that will already make a huge difference!

Example: I love the company Yves. This is my meal prep picture before making chilli that my girls and I love to eat. I still wish there weren’t any plastic-wrapped carrots and tomatoes, but again, not everyone has equal access to certain stores or can afford the stores where these sustainability practices can be embraced. But do tell the store or manager any chance you can. There should not be plastic packaging anymore!

3. Reuse glass jars/bottles

Think about the number of glass jars and bottles you buy and throw out in a year. Now think about how many times they might have come in handy for storing food, drinks, or any other random items. Think hard before throwing out your used jars because the possibilities are literally endless!

4. Bring your reusable shopping bags! Use Reusable Masks!

This is the most sustainable way to bring your groceries home and keep yourself and others safe! Also, it prevents the new polluter now, masks, from being thrown all over the streets, parks and other public places instead of being put in the recycling or garbage. So reusable bags and masks, will not only stop you from using plastic bags and save you tons of money, but you also won’t contribute to the energy and pollution coming from manufacturing a plastic grocery bag and those disposable masks!

5. Reduce your paper towel usage

It’s no secret that most people use paper towels like crazy. I get that it may be difficult to stop using them altogether at first, so try to use just one sheet instead of two next time. And always keep a dish towel in your kitchen for wiping down your hands, counter or dishes. I use old t-shirts, socks, or you can get dish towels from the dollar store. Use your imagination!

6. Don’t use plastic straws

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of pictures of straws stuck in the bodies of poor marine animals by now. Plastic straws can literally be fatal to them. I haven’t been using them because I carry my own reusable ones. Here is the brand for the ones I use. ❤

7. Opt for paperless billing

Physical letters from banks are such an unnecessary waste of paper, fuel, time, and energy! Especially since you can get all the info you need online. So if you can do without them, definitely let your bank, phone company and any other company that needs to send you something by mail, send things by email if they have this option available. Or let them know that you don’t want to receive useless paper because it is not good for the environment.

8. Sell/Donate/Recycle your old clothing

Textile waste is HUGE, especially with the rise of fast fashion. So next time you’re done with your clothing, try to dispose of them in the most responsible way possible. After all, some people might be thrilled to have some awesome pieces of clothing that are just lying around in your closet collecting dust.

9. Take advantage of the natural light

Try doing most of your reading, writing, or anything that requires light, while the sun is still up high. You’ll save on your electricity bills and save the planet at the same time!

10. Turn off the water more often when you shampoo/shave/brush your teeth

This one I’m sure we’re all guilty of. I’ll admit, I used to love standing in the shower enjoying the warmth for even up to 30 minutes sometimes! But simply reducing the amount of time you keep the water running and turning it off when you don’t necessarily need it, will go a long way. Also, taking baths reduces stress, and you use the same amount of water, therefore you save water to wash yourself with and you are embracing self-care with a nice relaxing bath. Win-win for you and your planet!

11. Wash your hair less often

I personally went from washing my hair nearly every single day (curly hair life) to just once a week and I’ve been loving it! Here is my reel embracing this change. It will take some time to get used to, but in the long term, you’ll save tons of water, products, and packaging. Plus, it’s much healthier for your hair to wash it less often.

12. READ MORE less TV or IPAD.

If you’re a bookworm like me, then you know there’s nothing more amazing than reading any chance you can! Grabbing a new novel and then enjoying it with a cup of tea. But why not visit the library next time? Honestly, I can’t wait until I can go back and enjoy a good day in the library. Here in my city we can go but only stay for 60 mins… And only to grab not many books. However, remember we have a bookshop affiliate that helps us and other local bookstore. Enjoy reading! 

13. Turn off the lights when you don’t need them

Seriously, turning off the light when you leave the room is definitely not a huge inconvenience. And you’ll be surprised how much cheaper your electricity bill will be!

14. Don’t use pesticides on your lawn

A perfect lawn is certainly not worth risking your health and polluting the environment. Pesticides used on lawns have been linked to so many serious and deadly diseases that it’s just not worth it. Check out this article by Global Healing on natural pesticide ideas instead.

Yep! so there you have it! 14 absolutely costless ways to live more sustainably. There are more, and I can’t wait to keep on finding it and sharing this journey with you too. It’s really the simple things that make a difference. And as you can tell, not only will you help the environment, you’ll also save loads of money. And honestly, who don’t want to save money and improve their health plus their planet during a world pandemic? Also keep connecting with others? Sharing your experiences can inspire others and we can all grow together. So there’s literally not a single reason NOT to follow these 14 steps I listed here.

I hope you enjoyed this article and that you found the advice valuable. Please let me know what you think in the comments and also what you’d like to read about sustainability, climate change, creativity through adversity, Parenting, and/or creative writing in the future!

Be kind to your planet, to you and others. Leave me in the comments which one is your favorite to do so far and if you have more to recommend. We highly appreciate it ❤

Thank you for your support!

Love and Light,

_AO.

If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today. Edited by Vanessa H ❤

★ Support us on BookShop by reading 🙂 and help other bookstores too!

You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

Where are we going next? Podcast @your_story_matters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

1 month ago #GiveBack, Anti-Racism Matters, BioScience, Chemistry, Money, Science & Environment, Social Justice, Sustainability Matters, Yeppin

This Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) report is vital because it can support and inform the decision-makers of companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, as well as the public each year.

Photo by Carlos “Grury” Santos

In the journey of becoming Anti racist, (yes, as a latinx and mix-indigenous/Dominicana, I have lots of decolonization, dismantling of white supremacy, and bias to acknowledge, heal, and to overall change behaviours), decolonizing the mind is not easy work. It’s very deep and personal. And at the same time, fighting for climate change as an environmentalist, writer,founder, single mom and women of color, is on another level. 

But it is necessary and painful work that I want to do and encourage you to do the same. We all have inner healing, and dismantle colonized mindset, oppressed, gentrified and discriminated traumas to let go and embrace new information and change. I know change is not easy, we are creatures that love comfort and safety-net. However, real life is not meant to be easy. 

We all must work and learn to find joy through the chaos. _AO

 Earth was not created and all its organisms living on it, without going through painful and destructive experiences. There was a lot that our planet endured and our ancestors had to go through and adapt to a fast changing environment to get to where we are now. It really is up to us, to do something about what was NOT done well in the past. We have to fix it, all of us. We must research, find the truth and educate ourselves from what we all know by now, was a lie. History doesn’t repeat itself, but intergenerational trauma induce and a cycle system built to benefit some and zero for the other does. 

Honestly, if 10 years ago, someone would have asked me if this was ever a possibility to do all of this… I probably would have said “Heck, no way”!

This is where we are in a worldwide pandemic: 

  • We are on the rise of coronavirus again, and those who are more affected are trying to promote already their idea of a vaccine (which estimated time for a proper vaccine to developed and certified tested, has to be until the end of the year of 2021), that most probably is just test-runs; and we the healthy (working outside and being exposed to the virus or the survivors of the virus) are the subjects . With no scientific or result evidence that they work, but yet, political leaders are using it as a beacon of”fake-hope” to keep the public calm. 
  • Children and teachers risking their lives for the sake of “education”, parents working are either from home, or out with the public where they are exposed to the Coronavirus because their jobs allow them to feed their families and keep the mental-slave economy going .
  • Some countries and cities are still on lockdown since 9 months ago. The world, is on fire while most of us are getting richer and others are trying to survive injustices by police brutality, racism, misogyny, patriarchy, white supremacist, homo/transphobia, a pandemic, climate change and mental health issues. 
  • Traditional media and those who are in power, are making it very clear and not so subtle anymore, for us to STOP questioning their actions, the status quo, the system that keeps them in power and their so called “laws and policies”; which we all know needs to be re-written and changed. As well, it is not really advertised or spoken of, the long term effects this vaccine can create on our bodies since this virus has no cure as of yet. And the long term effects after getting the virus and surviving is another job on top of everything else going on in the world. Listen to the stories of those who survived. Data and numbers cases of survivors who are still having long term symptoms, and probably prolonged health issues, which were not a problem before they got covid-19.
  • Seniors, Children, Indigenous, Women, Parents, Single parents, Blacks, LGBTQ+, Transwomen and all people of color are suffering and dying faster than our fellow white counterparts during this pandemic. Our white peers are enjoying the privilege that their ancestors left behind (white supremacy, misogyny, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, patriarchy, capitalist/colonial mindset, Zero sum game bs, rapist, child molesters, police brutality, discrimination, segregation, oppression… I can keep going but do your research “on whiteness” ) for all the rest of us to deal. Now, 400 years later, we are demanding and fighting for justice, for our human rights and building equitable and sustainable systems that enhance our nations and our planet. With or without white people help. It will be amazing that our white peers become our allies. Because you do have the advantage of being born with the prefered skin color for now and use it for good; which is what we have been asking for decades. It feels good to benefit and profit from those who are suffering right now isn’t? Or educate yourself about systemic racism and white supremacy instead of experiencing it everyday? How was your vacation in the middle of a world pandemic? How were you treated in the hospital this year? Yep, check your privilege. Because Enough is enough! WE ARE TIRED! It’s exhausting trying to survive in a world designed Anti-black. Which is ridiculous. We are the by-product of multicultural and mixed races for many generations now. 
  • More jobs, the ability to rent a place in a safe neighbourhood, the right to get proper health care, financial assistance and mental health support are becoming less accessible than it was before for people whose skins are different than white. Those who denied this statement, please educate yourself, people are dying and we don’t have the time or the mental strength anymore to applicate to your wounded ego or feelings. 
  • There are those who are not able to find jobs or work right now; at the same time trying to survive themselves and provide for their loved ones with any means or ways they can. How are you surviving these days? 

Honestly, I say and write thank you every single day, because sometimes I know it is a privilege to meditate or yoga, or take a walk for a few minutes. Without feeling guilty of not being a slave working for an economy and system that’s designed to keep us in control and letting them get away with horrible things done to us, the consumers and Earth, our home. 

For now, let’s focus on those who need to be held accountable and how to start taking action. Tracking their actions and adding tax accordingly. It’s the fastest and most effective way to get to the core of most problems on this planet right now and making sure our human rights and health are not affected by their corrupted actions.

 We are paying and working, supporting companies and industries that are sick, toxic and twisted controlled by wealthy individuals. They also make sure they cover their tracks by paying enough to traditional media and politicians in order to keep the masses (us) distracted (using our psychological and intergenerational trauma to keep us oppressed and controlled. That’s why it is important to decolonize ourselves.Our minds can be easily manipulated if we don’t work on our mental strength too. ) from political bs, entertainment bs, news (keep us divided by lying and using racist and white supremacy tactics) and media power (them). Because the government and policy makers already knew, and always have known how bad climate change will be for all of us. Especially the most vulnerable and communities of people of color. They have the best scientists and research people on payroll that we pay them from our own taxes. They know the policies and regulations are mandatory for a reason. But humanity got distracted for the past 10–20 years. 

Here we are. World pandemic, fighting for human rights again! and now, dealing with climate change impacts all in the same year. 

2020 is not the problem, is what was already designed to benefit those who profit over inequality, and through the oppression of the most vulnerable communities. We see it through how children’s rights are being violated by ICE immigration and concentration camps. Humans rights violated in China, with genocide camps having muslims and other people locked up. The violations of Women’s rights in the ICE facilities recently reported through a whistleblowers (Thank god that you exist, I know is bad what you do because you get the most heat for speaking up and we are so grateful for your bravery. The universe always rewards the most stubborn souls. Especially those who are meant to show the light and truth. Integrity, compassion and honesty are vital these days. Don’t give up). 

Money can buy mostly everything. But I’m telling you there are three things it CAN’T: Integrity, our mindset and hope. These grow, change over time and for the right reasons, giving the right circumstances and environment. Just like a diamond. 

However, let’s focus on these corporations and large companies’ gadgets and how they need to report to the population their practises and their initiatives on lowering their environmental and health impact. It’s our basic human rights since we are the citizens paying to live in these countries that are supposed to keep us safe. Let’s start with:

The TRI Report method can ensure for all of us citizens of the country we reside in, that manufactures and industrial systems, are held accountable in the goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5 degrees celsius for the next 10 years. We all know by now, due to Covid-19 and a worldwide pandemic, that certain areas and locations are more vulnerable and exposed to chemical hazards than others. That climate change impact hasn’t stopped because of the Coronavirus. We can clearly see it through many disasters and now, the fires in California.

Meanwhile, some manufacturers and facilities operations are still working during these times too. Due to the non-stop work of these facilities, creating a TRI report for the EPA is now more important than ever; to have to produce a TRI report will ensure that these companies and manufacturers take accountability for their actions. It will keep them aligned with the world goals: to reduce CO2 emissions, plus better management of their release of toxic waste into the land, water, and air.

Image credit: EPA (United States Environment and Protection agency)

Why is TRI important?

TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. This report is very important because it must contain these manufactures and facilities year’s- worth of releases to air (fumes, smoke, dust), water, and in the form of hazardous chemical waste. These companies can maintain their credibility and make sure that their actions align with greener standards. They can also create a leadership-type role, which other companies can view as an example for their future environmental protection policies within their organizations. The positive movement by providing this TRI report can create better acquisition opportunities and better advancement for the organization as well as their internal affairs.

Now, there are three criterias that a facility must meet in the report:

  1. Specific industry sector e.g., manufacturing, mining, electric power generation). Note that federal facilities must report regardless of industry sector if they meet the other two criteria.
  2. Employs 10 or more full-time equivalent employees
  3. Manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses a TRI-listed chemical in quantities above threshold levels in a given year.

Sources: EPA.

The TRI program has expanded significantly since its inception in 1987. The APE agency has issued rules to roughly double the number of chemicals included in the TRI to approximately 767 individually listed chemicals and 33 chemical categories. This includes the PFAS chemicals added by the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2019. As a result, the types of chemicals covered by the TRI list of reportable toxic chemicals can vary from year to year.

In general, the Toxic Release Inventory requirements are to report chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program; those that cause one or more of the following:

  • Cancer or other chronic human health effects
  • Significant adverse acute human health effects
  • Significant adverse environmental effects

image:EPA

Facilities that meet all of these criteria must:

  • Submit a TRI Form R for each TRI-listed chemical it manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses in quantities above the reporting threshold. (Note: Facilities may be eligible to submit the shorter Form A if they meet certain criteria. See the TRI Reporting Forms and Instructions for details.)
  • Submit each TRI form to both EPA and the state in which the facility is located (or to the appropriate tribe, if located in Indian country).
  • Submit each reporting form using TRI-MEweb, EPA’s online TRI reporting application.

If a facility does not exceed an activity threshold for a listed toxic chemical, or is not in a covered NAICS code, or does not have 10 or more full-time employee equivalents, it is not required to report under EPCRA Section 313. However, such facilities may still want to keep records of the amounts of listed toxic chemicals they manufacture, process, or otherwise use, in order to defend against any claim that they failed to report.

The parent regulation of TRI and the general goal of this parent regulation is in order to help with TRI reporting rules. In 1986, Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to support and promote emergency planning and to provide the public with information about releases of toxic chemicals in their community. Section 313 of EPCRA established the Toxics Release Inventory. (source: EPA)

TRI is for industries primarily including manufacturing, metal and coal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste treatment. Most recently, the APE Agency has reduced the reporting thresholds for certain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals in order to be able to provide additional information to the public on these chemicals. (Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health promotion) For example, Mobile sources emissions, which account for approximately 50% of all air toxics, as well as smaller sources such as gas stations and dry cleaners are not included in TRI.

As mentioned in the Climate Reality Training, “rebuilding with green jobs”, we must put people first, produce green jobs, create a zero carbon society, equity building, and take climate action. Express the need of policy and educational awareness by:

  • Putting people first.
  • Ceasing bail outs for fossil fuels.
  • Fostering a just transition to zero emissions.
  • Focusing on creating careers and economic opportunities in areas with most need.
  • Social, Human Rights, and environmental justice
  • Climate change solutions and greener spaces
  • Embrace companies and organizations that provide services in sustainability and they create equitable, clean and sustainable practices within their organization and brands that inspire their consumers and their communities to thrive and too.

In other words, TRI properly reporting and including EPA programs can make sure these facilities and companies are held accountable while we are all in the process of creating a greener and healthier sustainable planet. All of this on top of surviving a world pandemic, climate change, human rights and social justice movement.

In one of the training, we had to read an article and express our solutions for climate action. I loved the article:

9 REASONS TO HAVE CLIMATE HOPE IN 2020

For this exercise, I added a 10th reason to have hope for the climate, and something I’ll be potentially presenting in order to create more awareness and hold big polluters accountable for their actions each year here in Montreal, and in the rest of Canada.

I don’t live in the US, but their EPA program and their TRI mandatory report is something I believe is important to enforce and create more awareness. The need to educate more the YOUTH about these programs, climate change, anti-racism, anti-white supremacy, living more sustainability and give them the tools to also educate their peers and families is vital. I’ll definitely be contributing through writing, art and sharing more educational content about climate change and social justice through our channels and podcast episodes, on why Montreal, Quebec, or Canada doesn’t require this report to be mandatory, yet in the USA is vital for obvious reasons of course…

Either way, we will be going into more depth about climate change solution, sharing the story of other companies doing the work, sustainability, why is important to build equitable sustainable and cleaner energy systems, Greener cities, build and amplifying Black and BIPOC Wealth in all systems (education, media, health facilities,agriculture, government, justice system,etc) . It is necessary to keep in check or create programs that track big corporations and manufactures that need to be held accountable for their toxic waste release into land, water and our air in areas of minority and most vulnerable communities around the world.

We want change, and it starts from those who think they have it. The “power to the people” is still very valid and freedom of speech was created in order to defy those in power who we know and clearly can see are not good for our nations and our planet. Our mixed races are beautiful magic and it is time for all of us to embrace our diversity, uniqueness and unconscious inner strength as we unite forces to do what’s right for our planet and ourself. 

*Remember we are still raising money for Lebanon, Beirut. Here is why.

Here is the link: https://gf.me/u/ynwzwz (Donate and share)

Thank you for your support!

Love and Light,

_AO.

If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today.

Edited by Emma P❤

★ Support us on Patreon

You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

Where are we going next? Podcast @your_story_matters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©

2 months ago Entrepreneurship, Health & Wellness, Life Wisdom, Money, Yeppin

Let go of the old and embrace the good with the bad.

Originally published Medium.

It’s a brutal world but I’m grateful for life, resilience, and love. Embracing vulnerability is not a weakness. It’s only a problem to those who are not meant to be in your life, those who profit and benefit from your silent struggles, and those who have power over you.

We’ve been so conditioned and programmed that even when you know the government and its education, and political system is corrupted with capitalism, white supremacy, the police force, and corrupt corporations, we still believe in our government… even when we know that it’s killing and degrading BIPOC (means Black, indigenous, and people of color), Asians, LGBTQ, women, children’s lives…

In this blog post today and moving forward, I want to let my readers, subscribers, and followers know that I’ll be writing and creating content on the good and the bad. No BS. Why? Because it is better to be your authentic self than to fake it.

Because nobody is happy all the freaking time. Nobody is living their “best life” during a worldwide pandemic… unless you’re a billionaire… (*cough*) WORLD’S BILLIONAIRES LIST.

Jeff Bezos you are a real piece of work man, can you please take some of those billions and reduce the amount of plastic waste in Amazon packaging. To the rest of the humans on this list as well, be kind and start giving to those who need it the most during these times. Human suffering is not by choice, it’s designed, conditioned, and maintained by those with a lot of wealth, greed, lack of empathy and power. Karma is a bitch, those billions won’t save you in the afterlife.

Keep in mind, even the richest people are f’ed up in the head and they know it. But “don’t rush, nobody is posting their failures”, right? That’s why social media channels have been creating mental health issues for most of us for over a decade now. Especially those struggling with self discipline, working from home, those who choose not to workout everyday, those who binge eat, take drugs or alcohol, watch Netflix, or spend hours scrolling through all channels of social media… just to cope with reality.

There are a lot of people right now suffering from serious mental illness, health issues, financial depression, going through rough stuff… and we are supposed to ignore all the suffering and pain of others. And because it’s not “social media, news, entertainment, and unrealistic expectations” it’s not ‘aesthetic enough’…

“We have become ignorant of the truth because it is better to believe in a lie than face the reality.” A.O

I’m done. No mas. Humans need a reality check every now and then. Not only through showing in the ”news” what’s really going on with the world and us. It’s time to change this and it starts with our platforms and networks.

There is a section in the book Dare to Lead by Brene Brown (love this book), #12 Armored Leadership. “When worthiness is a function of productivity, we lose the ability to pump the brakes: the idea of doing something that doesn’t add to the bottom line provokes stress and anxiety.” Then she explains the Daring leadership of Armored, as modeling and supporting rest, play, and recovery are essential core values that enhance creativity and innovation.

This I can relate to by personal experience, and I started to apply this mindset into my daily routines and how I interact with people now. It has helped a lot into listening with understanding, and embracing more vulnerability which as a result, is helping me cope and heal during these times.

So this “fake mentality” stigma that was trending before quarantine… it’s what I’m breaking here. If you’d like to join me and my team on this journey, awesome! Stay real, not superficial. Let’s create spaces where followers and subscribers feel good, value, understood, encouraged, and inspire others with the right mental and emotional support. That good comes with the bad. Physical support has become harder because of social distancing and wearing a mask! However, we should look at this as a way to relearn how to be more compassionate and empathetic since obviously we can now all agree… we have lost that.

You are progressing when you are acknowledging your privilege and using it to help those who are voiceless: when you are wearing your mask, keeping your distance, washing your hands (often!) and encouraging others to embrace more solidarity rather than shaming and degrading each other. Remember, it IS a choice to continue not to educate yourself.

Those who have been doing the inner and outer work, it’s alright, we can find our way back. Together. United and with our inner strength and spiritual guidance from our ancestors. And more importantly, stick with those communities and leaders that embrace the suck and still keep going, learning, making mistakes (we are human) and helping others along the way.

Staying positive doesn’t mean you need to be happy all the time. It’s remaining strong despite the struggles of life, keeping a happy mindset, and continuing to believe that you can achieve anything when you put your mind, heart, and soul into it.

Keep those close to you that are ready to make changes, no BS, and are putting out their reality of life with a little spice and flare 😜.

Man, since I’ve been staying with my sister, writing ✍🏽has come back 🙏🏽❤️. My book is ready and will be published soon.That’s it with writing from notes on my phone while walking in the park near the Lachine canal to the subway. Still looking for apartments. 🤞🏽Wish me luck.

Remember, stay home (It’s a privilege to have one), be safe, be kind to your planet 🌎, to you and others.

Love, A.O. 🦋

If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today.

Edited by Vanessa❤

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2 months ago Culture, Entrepreneurship, Life Wisdom, Money, Science & Environment, Yeppin

Salud, Dinero y Mucho Amor ❤

Originally published Medium.

It seems like it is finally time to get back on track with our own finances and life. We need to start slowly getting into a routine that involves taking care of ourselves, and making sure others are safe too.

We are all realizing the importance of our time and energy; that both need to be spent wisely.

It’s important to try and find creative ways to keep a routine during the 24hrs of the day. Meaning, you can create a work-routine which will allow you to make money during either 16, 8 or 4 hours of the day. Yes, there are people I know that make money, consistently, per month, during that time-frame. However, they have also worked these hours for 10–20 years; building teams, and investing their time and money wisely. All with the goal that they will only have to work 4 hours per day. Don’t get discouraged, if they can do it so can you. Remember, it’s smart-work, and it comes from what you do daily. Do your best in anything you decide to do in your life: help your planet, recycle, reuse, reduce, eat healthy, exercise everyday, clean, declutter your space (so important), write, be grateful, take the time to be with family, friends, read, question everything and learn something new, make self-care a priority for your mental well-being, teach (if you can), and help others too.

These are some of the few essential things for a happy life. Based on personal experience, I found that you can at least get some or most of these done daily, while also balancing your time with the constant external distractions. If you can commit to doing this, then you are on your way to building a healthy and sustainable life for yourself. These are the true diamonds and golds of life in order to find/create inner peace and happiness; take root and produce lovely and beautiful fruits. Meaning, time plus energy = giving back to yourself, families, friends, relationships, jobs, employers, your own business, your teams, and to organizations that you care about.

The external distractions, if you are not careful, can prevent you from achieving your goals and dreams. To name a few: TV, gambling, social media, food, online shopping for things that you don’t need, video games, news, Netflix overload, sex, porn, abuse of alcohol, intense drugs, and so forth. I’m not saying these are all bad, however, some are just ridiculous to even think to do. Unbalanced consumption of these can be detrimental for your mind and body. I suggest to do everything mindfully and in moderation.

Learning our limitations, taming our demons and controlling our bad habits, is inner work. Yep, the hardest type of work: self-discipline.This is why most of us don’t do it, or even avoid it at all costs. Then there is the 1% that work on themselves first before giving to the world. It’s clearly what this pandemic is forcing us all to acknowledge and that we need to work on.

We are very aware these negative traits, as well as our need to think positive, are both essential parts of the human experience. The law of attraction and keeping our authentic vibration high are required in order to continue to live a prolonged, enjoyable, and healthy life. I know this is one of many life lessons that you won’t learn in school. Even though we should.

Honestly, watching the one you love most dying a horrible death can wake you up in a lot of ways. Also, becoming a mother or a new parent. Children can teach us all, a lot. We are just too busy, or letting our egos and narcissistic behaviours make it acceptable to disrespect, ignore, disregard and sometimes allow abusive behaviour towards another human being who is defenseless and completely dependent on an “adult”.

There is more where that came from in my parenting book (publishing very soon). For now, you are reading some of my pieces and can see the journey behind the story.

I’ve been learning a lot during a pandemic. I have been keeping my mom happy, fed, cleaned, and safe on weekends (the only time I can see her). I took on the role as an educator by homeschooling my girls. I am looking for jobs, keeping clients, just sticking to writing more, working on our podcast, content creation, collaboration, helping my brothers and sisters, trying to get people aware of ICE, and that they are children living in cages right now. There are children being traded, trafficking, abuse and all kinds of human atrocities are being done right now.

Yep, just to see what happens. If my voice, my teams, our communities’ voices could be heard, and by us sticking together with a common goal and mission. What happens if communities were to unite and work as one to create a healthy, sustainable and financial wealth network? To create a space not damaged or tampered by politics, corporations, fake news, and propaganda?

Imagine the possibilities if humans meditated more. If we unite and collaborate to build a better future, instead of competing with each other. This is what corporations, the big money makers who control us, our food resources, money and health, all do. Of course, we also have politicians. They don’t want you to think. That’s dangerous for their pockets. However, thinking, questioning, using creativity, reading, and educating oneself is what can set us free. To decide our own destiny. I’m realizing this while I write this on my little sister’s couch in her new lovely apartment. It’s the safest I felt in the past 7–8 months.

While not having a place to call home yet, and my girls not being able to stay with me because this f*cking system is not made for single women entrepreneurs, let alone mothers of color. Opps! Had to discover that the hard way…right?

There are no programs, loans, incentives to progress, that are inclusive and diverse for entrepreneurs, creatives of color or any race rather than white in my city. In Montreal, Quebec, only the racist, sexist, white supremacist, dicriminationatory, police brutality and narcissistic behaviours thrive here. Those who denied this, are very privileged that they don’t even have to think about these at all in their lifetime. 

You think the USA is the only one dealing with systemic racism and all the isms? Nah, Canada does also, with all its glory, healthcare and its beautiful landscapes. It has a big, not so silent, highest taxes (still nobody knows why) negative inner evil. It’s called: Quebec.

My life lesson that I want to pass down to you, and whoever is reading this is: you are responsible for building your own boundaries, your wealth, and keep building self-respect for your body, your mind and spirit from the moment you start talking and understanding. This is why EDUCATION and being a present and mindful parent matters a lot. If you don’t, you are letting these external distractions, vampire leeches, negativity, mental illnesses, childhood traumas rule your life; if these take over and replace what comes natural to humans (as mentioned in paragraph 3) as a coping mechanism that helps us deal with difficult realities of life and our constant inner demons.

There is always good with the bad, they are never separated from one another. _Angela de Chevalier Olivo.

These distractions get harder and harder to deal with and balance. As new tech surfaces, as new features on any social media channel to try, and algorithms changing per second; AI keeps learning more and more about human consciousness, as we lose our ability to be more compassionate and empathetic. As more TV shows, series, new movies keep popping up, as we are staying at home more and less time with our friends and family during this pandemic.

Read these two books: The subtle art of not giving a F*ck and Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope by Mark Mason.

(stay awake! Those whose missions is to keep voicing the truth, the injustice and all the “system” trying to benefit from those who are voiceless and oppress while the privilege keeps getting richer at the expense of others pains and suffering. We are getting a lot of heat right now. Trust me homeless is nothing compare to getting fined for this and that make no sense, getting put to prison for no reason, and all kind of, “it’s the law”, its how the system works right? It’s Bullshiet and Quebec, Canada, USA, in south america and all countries. Does not like it when people talk, when we take money from their pockets and help those in need instead. When you say, create, write and voice your concerns. aka: storytelling, when use for good. “That’s not trending enough”, It’s not media worthy”… Yeah, truth and getting comfortable by being uncomfortable. It’s not for the weak minded and comformalist. This is for warriors, revolutionaries, leaders of change. If you are awake, and tired of this BS. Keep going, rest and don’t give up. Stick to those who are dismantling the “system” and focusing on finding ways to a more sustainable, equal changes for all of us. Not just some of us. #Nojusticenopeace). 

Remember this if you are self-employed too. 

Just be careful because external distractions are created unfortunately with good intentions: to advance our economy, keep us informed, entertained, help us cope with our pains (sort of numb it. We learn to ignore and repress our pain, our voices and to conform with the norm or status quo. This is what it means to have a colonized mentality.), and communicate better with the world.

Be mindful and remember that good things, as beautiful as they might seem and feel, also come with consequences. Pay attention to these distractions and take action in order to make sure you protect your time and energy. I know that numbing and avoiding painful situations with fear and doubt is better to deal with while using the external distractions. That’s why they are created, to help you cope, find solutions for you, great opportunity for you… yes, these old traditional marketing strategies plus products or services are designed for you. To make your life “easier” because the system benefits a lot from our pains, struggles and difficult situations that we are programmed to deal with. You will be amazed by how much your body and mind can do, heal and adapt.

By now, you are discovering that a lot of what we’ve been taught from the past, and at least in the recent decades, has been BS compared to what we really should’ve been taught and focus on. I’m so sorry for your pain, and the sense of loss you feel. I feel it too. I just hope you know that time is never wasted. There are lessons to learn by re-learning the new information and keeping records of the bad lessons and why they were false. History does not need to repeat itself. This is a humanity-shame excuse, to keep doing horrible things even though we know better. We need to do better.

I’ve been working on and researching the truth; which is still in progress with lessons being learned. I hope this blog and list below helps you. Share it with someone who can use these lessons to help them deal for now while we all try to survive a world pandemic and help the economy by helping yourself. 

For example, the importance of money, taxes, investing, shares, owning property, owning land, bonds, stock market, self-discipline builds accountability with yourself and others. Integrity, human rights, sustainability living, grow your own fruits and vegetables, survive outdoors, diversity, anti-racism and Inclusion practices (kindness, compassion and empathy).

The importance of starting a savings/investing, emergency saving plan money habits that can help you build your own wealth while you are studying and working part-time.

These are key essential things that I wished I learned and that now, thanks to Little Owners, I can start teaching my girls and help this amazing mama spread her knowledge with other children around the world. If you are a parent and want your kiddos to learn financial literacy, and also embrace diversity and inclusion,this is the best series of books for kids that I’ve found so far. I am really happy with these books! 

Now, back into finding a job that you can do from home or find a part-time job as an essential worker. Or if you have the means to sustain yourself, have no kids, and still live with your parents — learn a new skill! Practice, get in the field to gain more experience, and continue doing it until you become an expert on that specific skill.

Competition (hate this word)…there is none, this is a limitation programmed in our minds. There is plenty for all if we do what needs to be done right and work together. Constructive criticism and collaboration for your dream job, let alone any job, has never felt more intense than now.

For most of us, coronavirus hit just as we were ready to ascend to the next level of our careers, academics, new teaching position, promotion at work, ready to leave an abusive home, travel the world, getting an new organ transplant, try new treatment for cancer, and change of apartments because you got tricked to move in a place infested with cockroaches (I think I will forever be traumatized about that part of my life which I’m happy that I can leave behind). After finally convincing ourselves that we are ready — and qualified, if not overqualified — to risk it all, we are deep in a world pandemic. By now it feels like that confidence has been pulled out from under us and thrown to the wolves to chew, spit on, and leave us to fend for ourselves.

I’m here to remind you my earthlings, fire always leaves ashes and from those, we have always returned. We just need a little help along the way, and we are doing the work. At least I hope so, the next decade is starting with 2020. There are habits and things we were all doing that will not serve us in the future. It’s hard to admit this, but it is the truth.

Alright, let’s talk about Money! Yay!

Money, you always wish you had a bit more. You know to buy that fancy dress, or new house, or car, to save more for your vacation or dinner date, to pay off your debt faster, or just feel more relaxed about your whole personal financial situation.

The list below are some simple, yet effective and creative ways to make money on the side. I’m not saying, leave your full-time job and do these. Nope, these are options and suggestions you can apply to your daily routines, if you like to make extra money on the side or if you are a student saving your money to pay for school.

These are some that I’m still working on, some friends and followers have suggested that it works for them, and yeah, just a mama passing down knowledge because I know what it feels like when you are broke, alone, and trying to get back up. You are not alone, we are in this together. You can earn a few extra hundreds each month smartly!

  1. Reading lots of books? Writing reviews, joining an affiliate company that follows your values, your favourite books at a reasonable price and they support good causes. Your money talks 😉💸 Ex: A virtuous alternative to Amazon: Bookshop A new online bookstore, Bookshop, we just started this program and it will be managed by my aunt in New York and us (USA only for now), hopes to snatch a tiny percentage of sales away from Amazon. The goal: help support independent bookstores and the wider literary community by providing a “virtuous alternative” to Amazon. A portion of every sale goes to support us and to independent bookstores. The power of choice, not to make those who are already beyond rich, richer and disrupting the status quo. You in?
  2. Become a content creator. Do this mindfully and with moderation because it gets addicting and it can distract you from your real goals and focus. However, you can leverage your passion and talents while also telling the world what you are up to!
  3. Writing, copywriting, painting, digital marketing, digital photography, editing, social media manager, community manager. There are a lot of these jobs online! Essential workers and docs and nurses and caregivers are jobs! Part-time if you want while you work for your dream job or career.
  4. Recycle your old phone(s). You’d be surprised to know that you can actually get some cash if you decide to sell them. A lot of companies offer compensation for recycling old phones which are shipped somewhere to Asia and getting dismantled there. You can check the list of companies and possible earnings here. Ask your family and friends if they’d like to give away their old phones too for a bigger bucks.
  5. Become a part-time mover, cleaner of houses or commercial buildings. The moving option is suitable for guys for large items, but girls are often accepted too to move around fragile stuff and do some minor cleaning. Cleaning companies are in need of staff. Moving and cleaning jobs are typically per request and you can always choose a suitable time for you to do them. Check craigslist and kijiji. Also, keep in mind a lot of moving and cleaning companies allow you to create an account with them for a fee, list your services, rates, working hours etc. and get hired for temporary jobs. I cleaned lots of houses and commercial buildings while also going to school before I moved to New York 9 years ago and saved for 5 months.
  6. Review music for cash. All music lovers will love this job — all you need to do is listen to and review unsigned bands and artists online at Slicethepie. It may take a while to build up your reputation, but you can earn extra $50+ per month for spending 5–10 min a day listening to some aspiring music talents (or not so talents).
  7. Sell your wardrobe. This is a perfect option for women and men! How many dresses or suits do you have that you wore like 3 times and now they’re hidden somewhere deep in your closet? Clothes you no longer wear shouldn’t pile up around the house when they can be turned into cash assets. You can either organize a yard sale yourself (which is kind of a hassle), or better sell the items through ThredUp, which will pay somewhere around $2-$25 for staff from different brands. You can browse around to see how much different items are worth. The best thing about ThredUp is that all you need to do is pack your clothes in a box and then just ship it to them (shipping costs are covered by the company). Also, sell on Ebay or Kijiji.
  8. Test websites for money. A lot of big companies look for feedback on the usability of their websites and you can get paid doing that. Expect to earn somewhere from 10 cents for an assignment taking less than a minute, to $10-$15 when it comes to larger questionnaires requesting more of your time. Here’s a big list of sites where you can create an account and start earning cash. All the payments are typically made via PayPal either at the end of the month or when you have earned a certain sum.
  9. There a lot of side hustle companies need online assistance with their social media, campaigns, email marketing, PR, online courses sales, webinar promotions. Social media butterfly 🦋😉🙌🏽
  10. Get paid $35/hour to drive people around or deliver their food!. Yes, that’s exactly how much you can make with Uber and UberEats. Users can just login from their phone and request a drive in all major cities or food from any restaurants. It’s faster and at least twice cheaper than calling the typical cab. You, as a driver, will get a notification and can take a lift request. You set your own working hours and earn money. Obviously, you’ll need your own car to earn with them and some initial money to pay for the gas.
  11. Do odd jobs at Fiverr. At Fiverr, you can offer any kind of service starting from $5. Register an account, browse around the gigs and offer something similar. Seriously, at this online marketplace you can sell and buy all sorts of things from voiceovers to logo design to editing contracts, blogs or books!
  12. Do data entry jobs. This may include mere copy-pasting, minor text editing, data categorisation, translations and staff alike. You can work a few hours a day and earn some hundred bucks by the end of the month. Obviously, the total payout depends on how fast/good you are. Sign up to ClickWorker if you can tolerate handling some routine tasks in exchange for cash injections.
  13. Teach classes online. If you are particularly good at something, say map design, capable of creating a series of video lessons, you can become a tutor at SkillShare. You’ll be in good company with folks like Seth Godin and James Franco among others. SkillShare tutorials and 30 days teaching challenge will help you create a winning video tutorial. Your earnings will depend on the popularity of your course, but even low attendance will let you earn some decent money. (Working on this with cool and smart peeps. More soon!) You don’t need to have prior teaching experience, just skills and passion about what you do. And the undeniable drive to help, educate, and inspire others to succeed too.
  14. Become a language tutor online. Did you know that English language practice is in high demand in Asia? Sites like Italki.com allows teachers to list their rates and services, schedule classes and provide you with tools to conduct them in real time. You can expect to make $15–20 per hour. If English isn’t your first language, no worries, italiki also invites French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and more native speakers to join. You’ll have to fill in a detailed application form, get it approved and afterwards create a professional looking profile, suitable schedule for you and different courses you offer. The service will handle the rest — scheduling, marketing payments and so on.
  15. There is nothing wrong with taking online courses to improve your skills and learning so you can keep growing and thriving. It doesn’t pay right away, but as soon as you are done. Get to work in showing what you’ve learned and apply it to your work skills experience. Udemy is my favorite so far, and it’s where I got my digital marketing certificate :).
  16. Online sex work is a job. Yep, no shame. There are a lot of more lonely peeps now more than ever and phone sex or online sex is on demandd now. Also, data geeks peeps need to work on catching predators and pedaphiles of kids online. Yep, catching the real bad guys online is a job too to find these assholes and bring them to justice.This is a free job but is more rewarding than money because with your help, these companies are able to catch a predator that has molested about 2,000 children. So if that’s not good enough for you than I don’t know 🤷🏽‍♀️ what’s going on with humanity anymore 🤦🏽‍♀️.
  17. Arts, online store setting up from traditional companies that should pivot by now. Sell handmade and vintage items on Etsy. Found some retro clothes in your grandma’s chest or made a few cool brooches your friends admire? Become an Etsy seller to earn money for your crafts. Opening your shop, listing products and prices takes less than 30 minutes. It costs $0.20 to list one item in your shop for 4 month (or till it sells) and Etsy takes 3.5% commission from each sale you make. Mind that fact when setting up the prices. Shipping costs are either to be covered by you or by the buyer (you can set the rates depending on the buyer’s location e.g. free shipping around US; $10.99 shipping to Europe).
  18. Find something you love, build a habit doing that every day until you figure out how to make money out of it. Then save. Then use your rights and voice with your money 💵🙌🏽 Build a team that supports your values and mission. And make creative magic everyday 💫 by your own actions and helping others along the way( be warned, only those who want to be helped and you see that are willing to sacrifice a few hours for greatness rather than settle for mediocre experiences and unfulfilled jobs ✊🏾). Invest in energy that reciprocates. Don’t waste your life and money on people that only want to be there with you once all the work is done. Invest in team and collaboration brands, companies or organizations that are interested in reproducing with you the same energy you put out. Same values, truth and positive thoughts with a little of 🔥 and some hard core truth. Because humanity from time to time. Needs their wake up and life hard core reminders.

We become entitled, selfish, ignorant and very dangerously abusive behaviour towards each other and ourselves. If we let egos take over.

Higher power and higher consciousness requires internal and personal sacrifices and surrendering in order to focus in achieving our goals and objectives. Our dreams.

Yep, it’s not hard to achieve our dreams, but smart work starts with ourselves. Be mindful of the content you create, the amount per day of external distraction you consume, and check that your sanity and dignity is still intact as you figure out this thing called life.

If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, leave me what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today. 

Stay home (It’s a privilege to have one), be safe, be kind to your planet 🌎, to you and others.

Love, A.O. 🦋

Written by Angie Abreu Olivo -Founder, Creative Entrepreneur and Environmentalist Single Mom. Edited by EP.❤ 

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3 months ago Entrepreneurship, Health & Wellness, Life Wisdom, Sustainability Matters, WritersYepper's Journeys, Yeppin

Here is some reality check to keep in mind. And just be kind.

Originally published Medium.

Today, my second apartment application was refused. While I was given in two more applications and right now there is no potential place for me and my girls to live. I’m walking around with a few essentials, my computer and a book… taking my precautions with my mask on, because let’s not forget we are in the middle of a pandemic and trying to find a place to live is insane right now.

I’ve been living in a cockroach-infested apartment while in quarantine for the past 6 months. Working, homeschooling my girls, and looking for apartments (plus cleaning two times a day with the realization that soon it will be three times a day). That’s when I send my landlord videos and photos… Her answer says a lot. This is what white privilege, discrimination, and systemic racism truly looks like. This neighbourhood is in the high risks of infected people at the moment. Also, this an example of what Environmental racism in Montreal, Quebec looks like.

FYI: Gave this money back right way because she did this to cover the month of June of fumigation being “supposedly done”. Not really because the second was done the beginning of July. After this and many disgusting, and condescending text messages (narcissistic behaviour, blame the victim that is being oppressed because they can). I started to look for places again to live and make sure my girls stay away from this place. I’ve been looking ever since.

I’m a professional writer of books, I write for others, environmentalists soon collaboration with world leaders on sustainability, photographer and journalists. I help others in writing and education, and achieving the process of living more sustainably 💚✊🏾

However, the down part … being a woman of color, business owner and founder … innovation is not made for single women… and this is the reality I’m living while writing this in an Uber!

Yes! In the middle of a worldwide health pandemic, I’ve spent five days walking, taking buses and subways because I don’t have a car. Today, for under $10, I’ll treat myself to walking less after receiving my second apartment refusal.

I’ve been looking for apartments since we got out of quarantine… to finally be able to leave mine that is full of cockroaches. And FYI: my landlord knows what is going on, and all my tenants on top, next to mine and under mine, have been living in these unhealthy conditions because we’ve had no choice when COVID-19 and lockdown hit… and we’ve been paying rent for this too. While dealing with these unsanitary conditions, we’ve been working from home, cleaning, and trying to stay sane, while the world complains about not wearing a mask and the government is not helping. Landlords are the real fuckers and honestly, thank you for teaching me what I will not do the day I own my own dwellings 👏🏽

Another thing you asshole landlords:

It’s time to stop discriminating against women who own their own fort, land, whatever the fuck! We have just as much a right as any man to rent, own, and ask for a loan. Especially, when we have good credit! We are not less than because we are not attached to a second income. Or do we need to give you something else for you to respect us 😤

We have innovative ideas and some HAVE LITTLE CHILDREN THAT DEPEND ON US!!! Yes, single moms are outcasts and treated like shit because the “monogamy” system and hierarchy wasn’t designed for single women, parents, or business owners with children. 🤦🏽‍♀️ So I’m a founder women of color, I’ve been denied loans many times for my startup idea… but now I’m being denied places to live with my children. Not because of bad credit or debt, and I’ve got savings because hey, quarantine was brutal, I didn’t go out much, and I invested my money wisely. 🤷🏽‍♀️🤓

But now, I’m learning that when trying to get an apartment (if I had my two part-time jobs that I lost during COVID-19… they are closed until further notice) as a single mother and business owner… it’s not uncommon, especially for a woman of color to be refused. Therefore regardless of my circumstances, even if I had a million dollars saved in my bank account right now, the answer would be no, rejection, refusal of your application. So yeah black women, wealth is fucking essential because if not, welcome to living homeless.

Because living in an apartment infested with cockroaches is like living in the streets. Whether you understand or not, is it what it is, and I get this a lotttt: “A lot of people have it worse…” That’s the worst shit anyone can say to someone who does not have a home and is living in the streets, praying they don’t get hurt, or worse, raped.

So excuse me if I hurt your feelings and woke up a few neurons in your brain today. I’m in my 10th apartment, waiting, writing, and praying that this will be my home… where I can continue to be an awesome homeschool mom, content creator, author, and business owner and help people be financially independent too.

That’s it. Education, creativity, and mental wellbeing will be my legacy. But in the meantime, just letting you know, that right now, I’m officially homeless until God or the universe, lets the inspectors from the area I’m living in to call me 🤙🏽 so they can give me the steps to follow to cancel my lease so I don’t need to pay for this disgusting and unlivable apartment anymore.

I’m hoping that finally my landlord gets a slap on the ass from the government and they get sued for abandonment and neglect of their apartments… So I can leave my inspector number reference for my next apartment so I can finally get a place and not keep getting refused… because again, let me clear it up for you. I can rent a place for the next 4 months. I don’t want to buy a home yet… However, do you think I could get it?

I’m working on saving to buy my own place. My credit is good and I have my own business. Let me remind you, I’m a woman, Latina, dark-honey-loving skin and I’m a single mother. Don’t do alcohol or drugs. I’m a writer, environmental scientist, and own a company. So let me tell you, it doesn’t matter what you do or who you are. Keep your integrity, your honesty, and keep pushing.

Not everyone is like you, or is as giving or kind like you. _A.O

Not everyone can help you because we are all dealing with f***ed up stuff we don’t talk about or don’t want you around to see and discuss.

People don’t change, circumstances make them change. And let’s hope for the good, because when they change for the bad, people die or some crazy stuff they’ve been hiding comes out when you least expect it. Either way, I don’t want your pity or your “awww poor you! It will get better”…

I want change. I want people to give a shit more, to be better humans and work on their inner demons and stop pretending they’re something they’re not. Go volunteer your time and help someone in need. Go give a single parent a mental break and take care of their kids while they reboot.

I know what you’re thinking… that’s delusional and people don’t change. I know. Trust me, I’ve been living and hoping that people are different and I am always hopeful. I’m a big believer in change. That’s why WritersYep community is still strong and its growing at it’s own pace despite Covid-19. Because we focus on listening, learning, caring more about our remaining clients and finding ways to pivot, grow and help others along the way. We are a working progress, but so am I.

It is because of this pandemic, I’ve come to realize that change only happens for those with privilege, color preference, economic and political gain that is accessible and sustainable. Those systems are designed to benefit those who sacrifice money, integrity, honesty and are willing to sacrifice their loved ones for money… Yes, don’t pretend it is not your problem while you are angry and lashing out at people because you have to wear a piece of cloth over your face to protect people from your disgusting germs.

Oh, so you’re tired of your children being home while you’re working. Well your kids are risking their lives in the middle of a pandemic so you can go to work or stay at home “looking for jobs”. ✊🏾Yep, it’s brutal out there. But right now, children who live with abusers wish schools were open. Those are the kids we should be paying attention to, and the moms who are running away from their abusers and trying to keep their kids safe too…

Single moms and parents who want to progress and make it through alive in this era — you need to be wealthy and own your own network. You can’t depend on others. Because that will also be your downfall.

As much as they love you and care for you, people will help you until their own energy or their space feels compromised. So the only way that you can be your own free person, is to work on being financially independent and stable. Because if you don’t, then you are a burden to people when you are in need of help.

Yeah, privileged people don’t have to even think about what I wrote in this blog.

God and the universe are taking me through this road as a writer, creative spiritual seeker of truth and knowledge, and journalist because that’s what I am and always will be.

Whether this city, country, or planet approves or not, I’m going to continue to be me. Yep, now writing in the metro after seeing a beautiful apartment shown to me by a beautiful artist. Told her the truth and what I’ve been dealing with… it’s a sublease. So I’ll have to pay extra, but I don’t care at this point. I need a home for my girls and I. Hopefully, this is the one. Until next time, another note from the streets of Montreal, Quebec. Trying to find a place to live.

Stay home (It’s a privilege to have one), be safe, be kind to your planet 🌎, to you and others.

Love, A.O. 🦋

Written by Angie Abreu Olivo -Founder, Creative Entrepreneur and Environmentalist Single Mom. Edited by Vanessa.

All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©

6 months ago Entrepreneurship, Life Wisdom, WritersYep, Yeppin

These tips are not just for writer mamas and papas.

For anyone looking to pursue their career or start a side job during these times, there are jobs available in the digital and online universe.

Yep, it’s not easy for everyone. When I wrote this, I’ve managed a whole day without my kids watching TV. I know for parents working from home, you feel like a superhero when it happens on most days. Which trust me, that’s already a win during times COVID-19 quarantine. #stayhomesavelives

If you had the time to be and had a great time learning and talking with your kiddos. Then manage to do some work and me time in between. That’s good enough. Kids are the most important job of all.

Those with no kids, learn to work on your inner imagination and creative child. We are all here for a purpose. It’s usually that thing you love to do the most.

If you don’t know yet, that’s okay. Make it your own personal challenge to find out.

What did you like to do when you were younger? What career or job you would like to try to learn or build during this times at home? How do you see yourself in the future months?

Let go and forgive past traumas and learn to enjoy being in your own company.

We are not perfect, we are enough and we are doing the best we can. I’ve instead been taking it day by day. We focus on learning through books (most days, but storytelling is fun. Imagination is part of learning. ) , painting, me playing a merchant, and they, my customers. Hey, nobody taught me that when I was little. Learning about money is important too. Also, math is more fun to learn this way. Now they are crawling on the couch and my walls pretending they are Spider-Girls.

Life is changing and we need to learn to adapt. Let go of perfection and embrace the suck, because life right now it’s freaking hard. We cannot discard mental health and take care of it after.

Mental strength should be our priority before everything else. _AO Yep Tweet it! #Mentalhealthawareness #quarantine2020chronicles Tag us!

We need to mentally, physically and emotionally prepare ourselves. The emotional toll that these months will take on our spirits and wellbeing, during lockdown and after the vaccine is found. It is yet to be determined. This is a world shift, for all of us, but especially Health practitioners. (here) So, grateful for their bravery and kindness.

This blog was published on a Easter Sunday while my girls are with their dad. After I manage to tackled most of all my writing/research/clients/learning/scheduling/planning for work and activities to do with kids in the coming weeks.

This is to ensure to schedule my time accordingly (building flexibility too) and share with our audiences through social media, (building brand while helping our communities at the same time) as much as my team and I can. In other words, adding reasonable time frames to my daily routines, has being helping when my girls are home with me.

Basically, what I’ve always wanted to improve, learn, teach and write or blog about. I do during times that I don’t have them at home. Heavy work and mental work first, then scheduling and planning ahead, which makes sharing faster during the days they are with me.

As results, during mommy time half week, after working (1-4 hours max during the day while they are drawing, playing, or watching youtube video to learn spanish or Netflix documentaries or Peppa Pig episode time… The rest I do at night or early in the morning before they wake up). I purposely make the time, (co-parenting 101) so I get to spend the rest of my day creating, cleaning, cooking and enjoying more time being present with my girls.

I missed them terribly while they are away, but they know and appreciate alone time with dad too. (It’s very important)

Meanwhile, parenting is hard already and we are learning as we go. Thankful and love my friend Sonia Zarbatany live IG coaching. Amazing mom life / entrepreneurship/ business/ relationship inspiration and motivation with cherries on top. Mamas and papas go follow her, single people or those starting your own buzz, book her coaching and take notes!

Now, co-parenting and being in lockdown, has giving us the opportunity to teach our girls and re-learn ourselves too important life lessons.

  • Working or improving on what you love to do; everyday, while also being present with love ones.
  • Learning through mistakes, understanding our emotions and voicing our feelings, has its own inner consistent reward.
  • Happiness and satisfaction created from you, from within is the hardest but most vital human job. And that in order to achieve inner gratification from your own work, we must prepare ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually; for all life external BS that will resurface every different stages of our human existence.

You have to work smart, be kind to you (especially, now!) and believe in yourself. If what you love can sustain your lifestyle financially and it can help others too. It’s an honest, valuable and rewarding job.

Money don’t grow out of trees, right? Absolutely not, money/ online currency/ different streams of income, doesn’t buy happiness either. But it does help create stability, security, builds confidence (rely on yourself) and time freedom. If you are being smart and not an asswipe with your money; you can create and open future opportunities for the less fortunate.

Grateful to be Canadian and received financial assistance for food, medical supply if needed, to pay our bills and save while we are safe at home. Not all countries or cities, minority communities can say the same. Those who feel stuck at home, you need inner work and stop avoiding it. It makes life harder and mental health issues arise faster in isolation.

Financial stress is real and intense for others who don’t get the privilege to stay or work from home. Be grateful if you have enough money saved because it definitely makes life at least right now, less F*&%^ up.

Again, this assistance is still uncertain if the virus continues to get worse, and the economic toll these future months ahead are unknown. Teach your kids about saving and how to rely on their own selves. Show them how you work, show them the value of honest and hard work you do or want to start doing. Hey! it’s never to late! Life is unpredictable and tomorrow is undetermined.

I’m not perfect and neither I want to be. I do want to be a better creative writer/artist/multipurpose person than yesterday.

Improve everyday as a writer and creative entrepreneur.

While progressingly being present, mindful and loving single mama to my girls, so they learn how to treat themselves and others too. Staying positive and being the example during times of adversity for my kids, my family and my communities has become my mission. Then, showing them the freedom to choose happiness, creativity and love has become soul fulfilling goal. This took a lot of years, hardships, failures, reflections, forgiving past traumas and understanding to get to this point.

We are all growing and evolving human beings. Kids learn behaviours, manners and values through us and their surrounding. Which during these months is going to get tougher for them emotionally. Keep checking in on those who you know might be having a hard time right now.

Working on during quarantine: sharing more mom life, artists, creatives and influencers work that inspires (stories) and my own entrepreneurship journey on social and on YouTube. (hence: My book title: “You’re NOT Perfect! “ Mostly Parenting and creative, mindful living. Re-editing process at the moment aiming to self-published while at home. Welcome to this journey with me if you are new here). I want to help others and make people laugh and feel good. It’s that too much? Anyways, we all working on something and trying to stay safe and healthy at the same time. I just found my purpose a few years ago, kept working on it, got pumpy along the way, made a lot of mistakes last year, I’m still learning to forgive myself for not knowing better and to those who did me wrong.

I’m a mama entrepreneur still work-in-progress and this year, committed on improving and being authentically unapologetic about it. What are your personal goal during these times?

In other words, some days the routine and schedules work, and some days they don’t. This post today is just my personal experience and what is currently working. It does not mean that what works for me and in my home, will be the same for you. I do hope that by sharing my way to deal with working from home and raising two toddlers (half a week co-parenting) during quarantine, that you’re able to find your own way to survive these new changes and are able to continue building and providing for you and your families.

Numero 1:

You have to establish strict rules and schedule your daily routine, for yourself and your loved ones. People around the house have to learn to respect your “work-time” and support each other. I know it sounds easy, like it’s all flying rainbows and unicorns.

Well, I’m not here to sugarcoat it for you. It’s hard work, and unfortunately, it must be done every day. Which is why, first you need to find your “why” – research, develop and educate yourself. Be open and leave room for flexibility. This will ensure you don’t hit the burnout zone or at the very least, it will ensure that you don’t feel so overwhelmed when you are in the thick of it. You are what you love and can’t live without doing. So, when days are harder to get things done. It becomes second nature, to just start and finish when you are able to.

My single mom life and scheduling my stressors have taught me valuable lessons, that hopefully can be of used to you and others. Communicate through and through with your customers, clients, coaching peeps and others that Zoom meetings must be re-schedule or done at another time.

I’m not saying that some days won’t be harder than others. But you’re your own accountability buddy. So be honest with yourself and your coworkers, especially if you have deadlines. But also, keep in mind the amount of time tasks require. You need to make a schedule and stick to it! Now, more than ever, communication must be clear. I will suggest adding persistence to the mix of what we are living through these days.

Trust me, distractions will happen… with Netflix, Facebook, the news, Zoom meetings lasting longer than they should… All this, while trying to send emails, work on client contracts, writing blogs, editing, creating content, social media engagement and posting, kids’ homeschool lessons and playing time, cooking meals, taking online courses, reaching out to loved ones, making sure your communities are still alright and seeing how you can be of value to others. Find how you can help somehow, while everything is on pause.

It’s definitely a battlefield within ourselves and focus. Productivity now more than ever its the ultimate challenge.

I definitely recommend to start building your resilience mindset. This article read recently, made everything feel worthy of keep trying to do our best. It’s a world pandemic, we need to be patience with ourselves and others. One day at time, but keep progressing at your own pace and adjust as you can. Whatever that looks like to you, and however you can manage in your own way to stay consistent with your goals. That’s what will help you get through this.

Numero 2:

Wake up early or make sure you nap during the day if you like to write, finish work or create late at night.

Yep, sacrifices must be made. You just have to choose out of your daily things you do. One or two of these things must be dedicated to your goals. You must sacrifice, for now, some sleep, less TV time, less bad habits that do not add to your personal growth – your choice – until you build up or are where you want to be.

Remember, writers are creative artists too. We research, and use words and images to express our art so we can connect with our audiences better. Our peoples can have a slightly better understanding of who we are, so they can connect within themselves as well. Then, inspiration ignited within a sense of joy, can trigger inner creativity. This is any artist’s goal after we finish our work.

Believe me, we all have a creative side. It’s called: imagination.

Yep, and if you learn how to use it right, it’s like a muscle. You build it up over time by practicing. Take a child’s mentality, for example. Children are masters of imagination. So learn from kids, and don’t forget you were a kid once too. What was that thing you used to love to do and imagined you were doing all the time?

Using your imagination to ignite creativity, can be very rewarding for you and for those you share your work with. There will be trolls that will criticize you, bully you, and leave you horrible comments. It doesn’t matter. Keep going, take their feedback as “constructive criticism” (trust me, I’m learning this too) and make your next move even better.

You should always try to improve yourself and your work everyday. Have this mantra:

If is good enough today, it will be better tomorrow.

Numero 3:

*If you have more to add to this list, please let us know in the comments or on social media. You can even email us your list! I’m going to give shoutouts to those who participate in our monthly newsletters 🙂 Good luck!

Build a habit of writing any chance you get. Start with a mantra of writing something, anything, every day. In the laundry room, while doing dishes, while cooking, when your kids are painting or napping. I’ve found this builds consistency, which is my goal for this year. 2020 watch me, I’m just getting started. (Use this saying when April gets to be too much. You got this.)

For those not in the writing spectrum, the same thing applies for those of you currently working on something. Set daily, weekly, or monthly habits that can get you closer to what you desire to accomplish. How many leads per day/week/month you’d like to hit, the number of sales you’d like to make, hitting a target audience, creating ads, meeting with clients on Zoom, whatever your goals are for yourself or your employers. Make sure you don’t forget to set your intentions, boundaries and be clear with your employers and/or audiences.

Numero 4:

Write with an audience in mind. Just like acting, you build a character and their personality; how they will talk, what their ticks are, their likes and dislikes. So with this in mind, your writing has an audience with similar characteristics that you want to reach with your words. 

Same goes for those in sales, marketing, coaching and customer service. Make sure you have your target audience in mind and the persona your employer needs for the company to thrive. It is a requirement for small businesses or startups. The more specific your employer is about their business goals, the better you will be able to help them get through these periods. Do your research and let your peers get to know who you are in digital form for now, and grow by getting to know who you are (While at home during quarantine)  and how you can help or be of service to others. One day of time…

Numero 5:

Creativity takes time and can’t be rushed.

Best way to describe this part. Thank you to @letsbazooka <3

Have clear goals, and just like Dory says, “Just keep swimming!”

Literally… You must shift your mindset to let go of old, traditional, and not-so-productive habits. You won’t be an expert today, however, if you start slowly, one day at time, you will be unstoppable and you will achieve what you set out to do. We are all working to progress. BUT, it won’t happen if you are not working at it. Yes, take your breaks, rest when you need to. But get back at it. Someone out there needs what only you can do.

Last but not least: Love what you do and do what you love. It helps.

Now, it’s the opportunity to learn, heal and show others as we evolve through confinement for the greater good of humanity.

Keep others safe by remaining home and let’s make sure we flatten this curve. Parents your kiddos learn from you. They see and do what you do. Teach them good habits by you implementing them. This will be us for many months to come. Let’s use our time by improving a little of ourselves and help others while we grow. Tell me in the comments what will you like to see or learn in the lives and podcast. Yep, we are planning to go live on Youtube every Saturday 1pm. Inspire, talk about life in quarantine, new cool things to do, cooking videos (why not?) And Friday’s IG video guest, Books, music, arts, designers, authors, content creators and yep #yourstorymatters #quarantine2020chronicles

Thank you for reading, and I hope this helps a little, as you get used to these days of working from home. If you have more to add, let me know in the comments! Share with someone who needs to read this. Don’t forget that in order for work-life balance to work, you need to take care of you first. Schedule it in that new routine you are building. “Me-time”, okay? Stay safe and stay home.

Thank you Vanessa Hasid. <3

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