Rhythm of Rise
Captured by Mitchell Royel (Reseda)
Now playing: Play Me Like a Record by Kelli Crossley – YouTube
Beautiful souls,
For those of us who have walked the path of recovery, we know it’s not just a one-time thing—it’s a daily practice, a sacred commitment to our own healing and growth. We’ve faced our shadows, confronted our pain, and made the brave choice to rise again and again. But here’s the real talk: while we’re busy building our new lives, there’s often a part of us that’s still tangled up with the people and situations we’ve left behind.
Yes, sometimes those folks are still lurking in the background—stalking our progress, trying to leverage our vulnerabilities, or even attempting to pull us back into old patterns. And let’s be honest, not all of us have the luxury or the energy to fully cut ties or shield ourselves from that “celebrity” status we never asked for. It’s complicated. It’s messy. It’s real.
But here’s the kicker, friends: we don’t have to let their energy control our vibe. We get to reclaim our power by setting boundaries that honor our growth. It’s about saying “no” without guilt, protecting our peace without apology, and choosing ourselves every single time. When those old patterns try to pull us back, we remind ourselves that our healing is sacred—and it’s non-negotiable.
So how do we do this, practically? Here are some tips for us:
Lean into our tribe. We need each other. Surround yourself with people who get it—those who support your healing journey without judgment. Use your community as a mirror and a support system. Share your wins, your struggles, and your boundaries openly.
Practice radical self-care. This isn’t just bubble baths and candles (though those can help!). It’s about tuning into what truly nourishes your mind, body, and spirit. Meditation, journaling, movement, or even just quiet moments of breath can ground us and remind us who we are beneath the noise.
Set clear boundaries. This might be the hardest one, but it’s essential. We have the right to say “no” to anything or anyone that threatens our peace. That means limiting contact, muting social media, or even having honest conversations about what we will and won’t tolerate.
Call in our higher selves and the Universe. When we feel pulled back into old dynamics, we can ask for guidance and strength. Trust that the Universe is supporting our growth and will help us navigate the tricky moments.
Celebrate every step forward. Healing isn’t linear. Some days we shine, other days we stumble. That’s okay. We honor all parts of our journey and celebrate the courage it takes to keep moving forward.
Remember, us girls in recovery are warriors of light. We’ve survived storms, and now we’re learning to dance in the rain. Let’s keep rising, keep shining, and keep loving ourselves fiercely—because that’s how we heal the world, one radiant soul at a time.
With love and light,
Mitchell+Ryder
When He’s Doing Better
Captured by Mitchell Royel — and now, with an open heart, we welcome Cher Lloyd’s “Want U Back” to guide us through the healing and growth.
Captured by Mitchell Royel — and now, with an open heart, we welcome Cher Lloyd’s “Want U Back” to guide us through the healing and growth.
When He’s Doing Better Than Us:
A Sisterhood Reality Check
That moment — you know the one — when you see him out there, glowing, thriving, doing better than you ever thought possible. And suddenly, the doubts start creeping in, whispering, “Was it really good to let him go?” Because in your heart, you thought you made the right call. You thought you were strong enough to walk away. But bam, there he is, proving you wrong, showing up like he’s winning at life while you’re still figuring out your next move.
But here’s the truth, sisters: his glow-up isn’t a reflection of our failure. It’s just a reminder that life keeps moving, and so do we. We loved him, we lost him, and now we’re watching him prove us wrong — but that’s not our story anymore. Our story is about reclaiming our power, our peace, and our joy. It’s about knowing that our worth isn’t tied to anyone else’s success or failure. We are whole, exactly as we are.
For us, the sisterhood, this is the real deal: when the “what ifs” start to haunt us, when the “maybe I messed up” thoughts try to take over, we lean on each other. We rise together. We remind each other that we are not alone in this journey.
Here’s our sisterhood survival kit for those moments when the shadow of doubt tries to dim our light:
Feel it, then release it. It’s okay to feel the sting, the jealousy, the sadness. Cry it out, journal it, scream it into your pillow. But don’t let those feelings move in and set up camp. They’re visitors, not permanent residents in our hearts.
Celebrate every win — yours and ours. Big or small, every step forward counts. Did you get out of bed today? That’s a win. Did you say no to something that didn’t serve your soul? Win. We’re building new paths, together.
Lean on your tribe. Call your sisters, your ride-or-die crew. Share your truth, laugh, cry, and remind each other that we’re stronger together. We hold space for one another’s pain and celebrate each other’s growth.
Flip the script. Instead of “I lost him,” say “I found me.” Because the real glow-up is our soul shining brighter than ever before. We’re rewriting our stories with courage and grace.
Set your boundaries like the queens we are. Protect your energy fiercely. No room for comparisons, no space for toxic nostalgia. We guard our peace like the treasures they are.
Remember, the universe has a way of showing us what’s meant for us — and what’s not. His success isn’t our failure. Our time is coming, and it’s going to be even better than we dreamed.
So sisters, keep rising, keep shining, and keep loving yourself like the fierce goddesses we are. We got each other, always. This is our season — our glow-up season.
-Ryder
Dear Cosmetology Warrior
Captured by Mitchell Royel | Now playing: "Hip Hop Star" feat. Big Boi & Sleepy Brown by Beyoncé
Captured by Mitchell Royel
Cosmetology is the professional art and science of beautifying and improving the appearance of hair, skin, and nails. It’s not just about styling—it’s a skilled craft that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and health awareness. Cosmetologists transform more than looks; they boost confidence and empower individuals through their expertise.
Dear Cosmetology Warrior,
You are the architect of transformation—master of every strand, every curl, every shade. In the classrooms where your dreams meet discipline, you grind. You don’t just learn; you conquer. From the tightest coils to the sleekest strands, you hold the keys to beauty’s kingdom.
To the blondes who sit in her chair: never underestimate the girl doing your hair. She’s more than a stylist—she’s a teacher, a nurse, a guardian of your confidence. Behind every perfect shade and flawless style is a professional who understands science, health, and artistry. Respect her craft. Trust her expertise.
You shape confidence with every cut, every color, every style. Your hands craft more than hair—they craft identity, resilience, and pride.
You don’t wait for permission. You claim your space. You run the world of texture, tone, and technique. Your hustle is relentless, your vision unshakable. You are the future of beauty, the pulse beneath the chair, the force that turns heads and breaks ceilings.
Remember this as you push through the long hours and the challenges:
Educate Your Clients — Help them understand the skill and knowledge behind every service. They need to know you’re not just styling hair—you’re caring for their health and confidence.
Master Every Texture — True expertise means knowing how to work with all hair types. Dive deep into the science and art of every strand.
Own Your Hustle — Show up, put in the work, and never let fatigue dull your ambition.
Build Confidence Through Skill — Your hands are your power. Perfect your techniques until they speak louder than words.
Claim Your Space — Don’t wait for validation. Your talent and dedication demand recognition—make sure the world knows it.
Stay Rooted in Purpose — This isn’t just about hair—it’s about empowerment, identity, and transformation.
This is your moment. Rise with purpose. Shine with skill. Run this world—one strand at a time.
With unwavering respect and solidarity,
-Ryder
SPOKEN WORD
Captured by Mitchell Royel. Now playing: "Hear Me Out, Psychobabble" by Frou Frou.
We know New York Fashion Week isn’t just about clothes—it’s a perfect metaphor for how our minds move and create. Think of the runway as the path our thoughts take, flowing in layers, textures, and colors. The designs? They’re like the beauty and complexity of our ideas—sometimes light and airy, sometimes bold and structured.
Our trains of thought? They’re like the models strutting down that runway—sometimes graceful, sometimes chaotic, but always moving forward. There’s something special in how our ideas weave together, overlap, and build on each other. But we also know the risk: getting lost in endless chatter, in psychobabble that clouds rather than clears things up.
We’re not speaking from mania or paranoia here. The real art is in knowing when to let our thoughts flow freely and when to bring them into focus. It’s about turning the noise into a story that makes sense, a message that hits home. When we stop rambling and start making sense, our minds become a runway of intention and power.
HERE’S HOW WE CAN MASTER OUR MENTAL RUNWAY:
PAUSE AND LISTEN: Let’s give ourselves moments to quiet the noise and just notice our thoughts without judgment.
FOCUS ON CLARITY: We aim to express our ideas simply and directly—less confusion, more connection.
EMBRACE FLOW, BUT SET BOUNDARIES: We let creativity roam, but we also know when to pull it back.
TURN CHAOS INTO STORY: We organize our thoughts into a narrative that feels real and purposeful.
SPEAK WITH INTENTION: We use our voice to share what truly matters, not just to fill space.
Let’s make our mind’s runway a place where beauty meets clarity, where every thought is a step toward understanding and love.
-Ryder
DUALITY
Captured by Mitchell Royel. Now playing Roman’s Revenge and Roman in Moscow by Nicki Minaj. Two iconic tracks that showcase the range and artistry of one of hip-hop's most influential voices. The production, the lyricism, the presence—it's all there. These songs remain timeless in their impact and cultural significance.
The Duality Within: A Meditation on Power and Presence
We live in a culture that demands we choose. Be soft or be strong. Be demure or be dominant. Be the muse or be the architect. But what if the most magnetic, most truthful version of ourselves exists in the both/and?
This is the conversation we need to have.
We are witnessing a cultural moment where the feminine is reclaiming her complexity. Where we no longer apologize for the multiplicity of our desires, our ambitions, our contradictions. We contain multitudes, and it’s time we stopped shrinking to fit into the boxes others have constructed for us.
The archetype of the powerful woman has been sanitized, flattened, made palatable. We’ve been told that to be taken seriously, we must abandon our sensuality. That to be respected, we must renounce our sexuality. That to be heard, we must silence the parts of ourselves that feel too much, want too much, demand too much.
But we know better now.
We understand that true power isn’t about domination—it’s about sovereignty. It’s about knowing exactly who we are, what we want, and refusing to negotiate our worth. It’s about moving through the world with the kind of certainty that makes others uncomfortable because it threatens their need to control the narrative.
We’re talking about the woman who can be both vulnerable and invincible. Who can wear her sensuality like armor and her intellect like a crown. Who refuses to be categorized, compartmentalized, or diminished by the projections of others.
This is not about aggression. This is about presence.
When we show up fully—with all our contradictions, all our power, all our refusal to be small—we shift the energy in the room. We give other women permission to do the same. We create a ripple effect of liberation.
The world doesn’t need more women trying to fit into masculine frameworks of power. We need women who are so grounded in their own truth that they create entirely new paradigms. Women who understand that their power is not diminished by their femininity, but amplified by it.
We need women who can move between worlds—who can be the strategist and the dreamer, the warrior and the lover, the visionary and the grounded presence. Women who understand that the greatest power lies not in choosing one version of ourselves, but in integrating all of them.
This is the work. This is the revolution. Not the performance of power, but the embodiment of it. Not the performance of femininity, but the reclamation of it as a source of strength.
We are here to remind each other that we don’t have to choose. We get to be everything. And when we finally believe that—when we finally embody that—everything changes.
Practical Tips for Embodying Your Full Power
1. Audit Your Apologies
Notice where you’re shrinking, softening, or apologizing for taking up space. For one week, track every time you say “sorry” unnecessarily. This awareness is the first step toward reclaiming your presence.
2. Define Power on Your Own Terms
Write down what power means to you—not what you’ve been told it should mean. Is it financial independence? Creative expression? The ability to set boundaries? Emotional resilience? Your definition matters more than anyone else’s.
3. Practice Unapologetic Presence
Choose one situation this week where you typically diminish yourself. Show up fully. Speak your truth. Take up space. Notice how it feels and what shifts as a result.
4. Integrate Your Contradictions
Stop trying to be consistent. You can be ambitious and nurturing. Sensual and intellectual. Soft and fierce. Write down three contradictions you contain and practice owning them without explanation.
5. Surround Yourself with Reflections
Spend time with women who embody the kind of power you’re cultivating. Let their presence teach you. We become what we’re around.
6. Create a Power Ritual
Develop a daily practice that anchors you in your own authority—whether that’s journaling, movement, meditation, or affirmation. Make it non-negotiable.
7. Question the Narrative
Every time you feel pressure to choose between versions of yourself, pause and ask: Whose voice is this? Who benefits from me being smaller? Then choose differently.
We are not here to be palatable. We are here to be real. And that, ultimately, is the most powerful thing we can be.
-Ryder