my female friends

It's International Women's Day and my inner Simone de Beauvoir, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is always illuminated on this day. Obviously every day is women's day, but I'm taking the time out to honor some of my female friends who directly impact my life in ways I don't even recognize until I reflect on it.

I'm not going to name all my friends - only friends with photos I've taken of them. One reason for this is that the blog post would be way too long and I also realized I should get back into photography and using my friends as muses.

So here goes - My Female Friends:

​

Kinoia

That friend that will tell you that your leave out looks horrible and you should probably change your lipstick because it doesn't match your skin tone at all - this is that friend. She's a breath of fresh air who continuously inspires me to keep going. Whenever I present a task that seems pretty difficult, Kinoia swoops in and reminds me how far I've come. She puts everything into perspective and my best female friend. Her advice is phenomenal and I'm literally offering it to you for free here.
​

Caprisha

My vegan/fitness/life coach of a friend. Caprisha is a few years older and often tries to help me before I make mistakes, but also allows me to make them - understanding that I have to grow into who I am. We clicked immediately and she is nothing shy of an incredible woman. I watched Caprisha buy her own car, pay her own rent, graduate from college and travel to Australia for 6 months all before her 22nd birthday. She's a hard worker and I absolutely ADORE her Youtube Channel: Caprivana. Be sure to give it a look and be inspired just like I am daily.
​

AdE

I met Adé while working at Urban Outfitters in New York City and we were honestly meant to be friends. She's my social justice, activist, incredibly wonderful friend who is constantly challenging my mind and ideals. We can go from talking about Being Mary Jane to grassroots politics in the same breath and I know that if I'm ever in need she has my back. We've exchanged books, swapped clothes, cooked for one another and seen new parts of the city after only knowing one another for less than 2 months. Adé taught me that it doesn't matter how long you've known someone, there's still the ability to be very close.
​

KayraJay

I am my own best friend. All of my really close female friends are nowhere near me and here at school I'm always complaining about how I don't have any close female friends on my campus. I'm typically eating alone, studying alone or spending time with my guy friends who enjoy talking about basketball or their protein shakes - neither of which interest me in the slightest.

My female friends uplift me from afar and I could not be more grateful for them. Even the friends not mentioned here (Nicole, Deja, Lisa, K'maia and Mommy and all the others who I love to the bone) lift me up in their own ways and I love them all.

Ultimately I am my own woman and I am here to be a friend to myself, to my body and my mind. 

#HappyInternationalWomensDay

​