sunday(ish) sentiments: follow through

do what you said you would do until it's done.

As your pastor would say, “I won’t before you long.”

I was wanna drop this on you while it has been heavy on my spirit and I am sure many could also use this same push.

For starters, I am big on themes, dates, and impactful words. I am always finding a central theme and messaging, I am a stickler for acknowledging anniversaries, and choosing a word to guide me as a centerpoint has kept me grounded.

When making my documentary, I chose my father’s birthday to host my community screening (he’s a key subject in the doc) and I chose the anniversary of Kinloch’s incorporation to host my virtual screening of the finished film.

My word for 2024 was “no.” I suffer from people - pleasing syndrome so I wanted to actively practice saying the word no more and stand firm on my decisions - only saying when it felt aligned. This didn’t ALWAYS work, but I am proud of me for prioritizing it.

For 2025, my word is “follow-through.”

I haven’t sat down to do a vision board or fine tuned new goals because honestly, there’s so much that I’ve started this year (even last year) that I’ve yet to actually sit down and follow through to completion.

I aint starting nothing new until what I have going is complete or damn near close to it.

See, my problem is, I love starting stuff. Similar to a new car smell (which I actually DON’T like lol), but the sentiment is the same. Things seem very cool and interesting in the beginning, but when the newness wears off and I actually have to buckle down and activate my discipline over passion, my tasks lay idle.

I know God bout tired of me playing with my potential. I’m bout sick of me too.

I have my big top 3 (shout out to Erin on Demand) to close out this year and bring into the new year. All my endeavors (professional endeavors that is) have to fall within these three and I am sharing with y’all for further accountability.

1. Theda Roxanne the Film: If you’ve been following my substack over the past few months, you know that I am currently in production of my next documentary. I began filming earlier this summer and released the first official trailer last month. Truth be told, it’s been hard to find my stride with this film as (1) I am not in the same city as my subject so I have to find the time and funds to fly back home to film and (2) focusing on day to day bills has been priority.

2. Podcast: That’s right - y’all heard it here first. I am launching a podcast at the top of the year and we begin filming this week. I am so excited to share more but definitely stay tuned. This podcast will not only serve as another medium for people in their mid 30s experiencing a pivot season but will also be a lead gen for my primary projects like my film and my creative agency.

3. Rare Co. Collective: My husband and myself are in the process of launching our creative agency. We are both creatives in our own right and felt it was time to put our time and talents together to birth our own agency. We’ve had quite a few clients to date but haven’t officially promoted the agency and our service offerings. This is where I will officially be promoting my services (photography, creative directions, short docu-style branded documentaries) under here while my personal brand will be for speaking engagements and branded partnerships.

These three or my main three unless God tells me otherwise and I truly believe if I honor the time allotted to me to truly invest in these endeavors, all of them will be equally successful.

Stay tuned.

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What I am Watching

You know what’s crazy, besides my usual suspects (The Wayans Bros), I don’t really remember what all I watched this week. I supposed that’s a good thing.

What I am Reading

Still brushing up on the Storytelling industry via Google Alerts. It is helping me to refine my service offerings and how I go about the people and groups I want to work with. It’s also helping me refine my strengths.

What I am Listening to

This for the grown folks. I recently came across this podcast episode with Myleik and she had Dr. Lexx on talking about the power of sex and intimacy. As I delve more into my womanhood and what that truly looks and feels like for me - sex has also been a top priority for me. It’s crazy the damage the church can do on mindset behind sex and intimacy and let me be the first to say, it doesn’t immediately resolve itself in marriage. More on this topic another day though.

Scripture I am Clinging to

Hebrews 11:6 “No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that He exists and rewards those that seek Him.”

Have you established your word for the year? Feel free to share here.

Have an amazing week!

-Alana Marie