Adiba Nelson

“Why would you do that? You have a daughter. Why would you put yourself in that position?”

Then we had that talk that made my eye twitch: the budget talk.

They basically gave the Oscars the middle finger.

There wasn’t going to be any sparkle. There wasn’t going to be any new mommy magic.

Want to go on a carbs and wine tour of Italy? Break out the leggings and go for it. This time is yours.

She unleashed a whole new level of #blackgirlmagic that I did not even realize I needed. And honey, if I didn't realize I needed it, well then hell, you know the world just wasn’t ready.

I would break girl code. And if you love me, I hope you would do it for me too.

The universe always knows, and so what it does in all its lovely knowing, is it clears a path for you. When the universe sees that things have reached the point where they stand to steer you off your path, it will clear a way for you to continue moving onward and upward.

It was the weirdest thing. I looked at this tiny human and felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. No overwhelming joy at finally meeting this person I’d been so excited for in months prior, no lurking sadness about no longer being pregnant and relishing in those shared “inside mommy’s belly” moments. Just... nothing. My brain said, “You have a baby now,” and that was that.

If I had to pinpoint it, I’d say I am a diva because I had a mom who demanded nothing but the very best from me, from how I sat in a chair, to how I entered a room, to what grades I brought home. She demanded the best from me — and now, finally, I am at a point where I demand the very best from myself, and those I surround myself with.