Liv Speaks

A blog for my dope thoughts, dope music & other dope things.

[liv-speaks]

Is it really fear?

Overcoming fear is truly something. Fear in general is truly something. 

After some further review, I’m starting think that a lack of discipline is more of my problem then being afraid. 

I have to work on discipling myself more if I truly want to get anything done and get anywhere. What I mean by “get anywhere,” I mean working on developing my blog and working on my passions. 

A bit of self-reflection, that might help you with your own self-reflection.

[moemoneyjpg]

[pettyyspice]

apes**t- the carters 

[fyblackwomenart]

Eartha Kitt by  John Springfield

“The price we pay for being ourselves is worth it.”  – Eartha Kitt

[crrristen]

🌕🌔🌓🌒🌑🌘🌗🌖🌕

[liv-speaks]

A Quick Praise

I have been watching Grown-ish since the show’s premiere in 2018. The first season was a little rocky, to say the least.  (The writing was insufferable. It sounded like the script was literally taken off of my timeline). Nevertheless, I stuck with it because the casting is great and I saw the show’s potential. Here we are 2 years later in the third season and I am still here.

I have to admit, the show has gotten a lot better. It is more enjoyable, even though Zoey (played by Yara Shahidi) is a lot more annoying this season. I like the way the show is handling certain topics such as cultural appropriation and mental health. 

Aside from the writing improving, the storylines are much more entertaining. Aaron prepping for graduation and seeing how much debt he’s about to be while trying to figure out where that money is going to come from was very relatable. The storylines are great, the casting director has done did an excellent job casting this show; Diggy Simmons has been a great addition and I cannot wait until Ryan Destiny gets more than 10 lines in an episode. The lighting and makeup are perfect; all of the girls look amazing especially in the latest episode. This sounds super giddy but I have to give credit where credit is due. Plus, it’s great to see Black quality coming of age television. 

Anyway. I say all that to say, that I am thoroughly enjoying this season of Grown-ish. If you don’t mind a little “teen drama” (the genre it is listed under). Check it out & let’s chat about it. 

[topazmother]

keep creating your art. please.

[liv-speaks]

An Inner Thought

You know what scares me. Maybe “scares” is the wrong word but you know what’s holding me back from sincerely taking myself seriously with my writing and my blog? My apprehensiveness and indecisiveness. I consistently go back and forth with myself, saying to “just put something out,” “just do something” and the idea that what I have is not good enough, nobody cares and blah blah blah. 

I truly have to get out of my own head because I have things that are almost done or are done, but need minor tweaking. I can blame me not following through on my projects on personal fears, apprehensions or whatever else or I can take actual accountability by saying that the real issue is me making excuses and not actually sitting down and doing what I want to do. 

I truly have to stop playing myself and getting in my own way. I know what to do and how to do it. I just have to stop playing and do it.

[2gris]

[liv-speaks]

To anyone that may need it, for whatever it may apply to

[liv-speaks]

My Forgotten Scratchpad

So, hey...it’s been a while.

First things first, let me just say, writing is hard. A lot harder than I thought it would be. When I finally sat down and told myself that I wanted to start writing and be serious about it, I could have sworn I would be further with it than I currently am. Let me tell you, I was sadly mistaken.

First of all, simply finding the motivation, alone, is a lot harder than I thought it would be. When the semester ended, I told myself I would sit down and really get things cracking with this blog. Wrong again. The semester ended and I was like forget all that; all I wanted to do/did is to catch up on all the sleep I missed out on while working and going to school full time, catch up on some tv and movies, and play The Sims. After 2 weeks of doing just that, I got bored and started missing the anxiety and pressure of having 5 assignments due at the same time. I realized that I had to stop playing myself. I also realized that I had more than enough things to occupy my time, my blog being the main thing.

It wasn’t like I didn’t have anything to write about; I just kept telling myself that I didn’t want to write until I had my own site set up. Let me pause right here. Nobody warned me about domains. I knew you had to pay for domains but I didn’t know that there are literally levels to it. On top of that, you can get your domain from different places but the prices are all different. I’m like girl, I just want to name my website what I want, what is all this? I got so frustrated and overwhelmed that I just said forget it. (I am most likely overreacting, but still)  But, I realized that not being able to figure out this domain situation and not having my own site was a poor excuse for me to not write. Especially, since I created this Tumblr specifically for me to post my writing until I got things situated with my site.

So, the moral of this story is: stop using piss poor excuses to stop you from doing something you said you wanted to do or planned to do. You’re literally getting in your own way (cc myself).

[liv-speaks]

[New Music] Mac Ayres - Juicebox

      As usual, Friday was another jam-packed day for music. With so many albums and single releases readily available, music can easily get lost and go unheard. One thing that I encourage people to do, aside from checking out the latest release from their favorite artist is to click on a release from an artist you’ve never heard before or are not that familiar with. 

     One of those artists that I recommend doing that with is Mac Ayres. Mac’s third album, Juicebox, was one of the many albums and singles released this past Friday. 

     Mac’s subscribes to the sub-genre of R&B, that I refer to as “vibey” R&B. By “vibey” R&B I mean, R&B that sometimes has an artist crooning over a lo-fi backbeat with a strong bassline.  

     Juicebox is the epitome of “vibey” R&B, which is by no means a bad thing. It is a solid album. The production is what makes this album so great. It is an album that you enjoy on a Thursday night while drinking a glass of wine with the lights turned low. Just let the beats and Mac’s soulful voice take you away. 

    Be sure to check it. Juicebox is available on all streaming platforms.

[liv-speaks]

A$AP Twelvyy is back with a new song. It is unclear if a new album is in the works for the Harlem native but in the meantime enjoy the “loosie.”

[liv-speaks]

Fireworks, a playlist by Olivia Mitchell on Spotify

Some heat from July

Some of my favorite songs from July. Get in your element and vibe out with me

[liv-speaks]

So what is this...

One thing that I have been playing around with is the idea of starting my own blog/site. The thing about that is, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m just winging it, throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks.

So, essentially this will be my scratchpad until I get in my groove and figure this out. Ideally, the blog/site will be for music-related posts, my playlists, and with the occasional “personal” posts.  

So, welcome (I guess). Let’s see where this goes.

[liv-speaks]

Who do you do it for

I see this question asked a lot and I swear I never knew the answer.

I finally figured it. 

I do it for the average black girl that is just trying to make it in this crazy world, the one that is just trying to find  joy in these shitty, mundane days, the awkward, loner girl that is trying to build genuine friendships but refuses to put her guard down and the one that is just trying to chase her dreams while working just to pay their bills.

That’s who I do it for.

I see yall. I promise I do. Real ones know, we see each other.

[itscolossal]

Flower-Filled Portraits by Diaja Celebrate Natural Beauty in the African Diaspora

[liv-speaks]

The first picture is really something