Dating Nowadays: Do You Want to Secure Future Bae? (Part 2)

And the finale has finally arrived! Let’s close out the series, shall we?

Stop Carrying Old Baggage

How can you expect to build something solid with someone on a shaky foundation? You’re mixing your old baggage and unresolved past hurt into this bond you’re developing, and it’s going to end in the connection falling apart. This new individual you are looking to potentially create a future with is not the cause of your past heartbreak, nor should they be held accountable for it. That means that if you want things to go smoothly and you want what you two build to last, you need to get yourself right. That means you need to check yourself first and ensure you have a clean slate before opening yourself up to someone else.

Dating Nowadays: It's Time to Up Your Game Queens (Part 6)

And now ladies, you’re up! We are here to answer the question, “How can you address the areas you’ve fallen short when it comes to dating men?” Again, if you haven’t read the previous posts of this series, please go read them first before continuing. Otherwise, let’s hop right in.

Dating Nowadays: Step It Up Queen (Part 4)

Ladies — the time has come. You may be here already convinced that nothing on this list will be related to you and if so, I believe you are coming into this with the wrong mindset. Listen — if you have found 100 different problems with each person you’ve dated from jump, then this post is for you. If you have found that guys are not asking you out for a 2nd date after the 1st, then this post is for you. If you are wondering why guys you’re interested in keep calling you sis, then this post is for you. If you think he is taking longer than usual to respond to you even though you see him online on IG, then this post is for you.

Battle of the Sexes: Part 4 - There is No Title to Encompass a Woman

Being a woman is a beautiful thing. Let that word sink in - woman. The word holds a significant amount of weight. They were made with the ability to do the impossible. They are a beauty to behold. They are a treasure that people will cherish forever. They face challenges on a daily basis - and on a monthly basis - that seem unbearable to most. But somehow, they find a way to overcome them. Overall, being a woman is an honor and a gift that should be embraced. But what exactly is the makeup of this divine creature? What qualities must one possess to be a woman? Just as I explained the complexity of a woman and what she does, it is understandable that there may be confusion and misconceptions about what it means to be one. Not everyone can be called a woman. It’s not a title one receives because of age or by inheritance. It’s not a word one can throw around when they think they’re grown. It is an accolade that is earned.

Battle of the Sexes: Part 3 - “She’s Every Woman” … or So You Thought

Women. God’s gift to man … and your worst nightmare! Just kidding. Women - God’s gift to man, and yet the hardest gift  in the world to understand, to the point where graduate students still struggle to understand how women operate. My uncle has his Master’s degree in Psychology and still struggles to comprehend them. Have you seen the meme where the guy is solving thousands of complex math problems and “The Guide to Women: Chapter 1” is the caption?

Accurate. But just because women are so hard to understand at times, doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just takes time, open ears, communication, practice, studying, and of course, a lot of prayer. The first step you can take to understanding women is realizing the knowledge you may have about them isn’t necessarily true. Just how well do you think you know women?

Battle of the Sexes: Part 2 - Real Men, How Many of Us?

What exactly do you think makes you a man? Are your actions and lifestyle reflective of those ideals? As men, we are all guilty of falling prey to stereotypes at some point in our lives, where we believed our actions were representative of what it meant to be a man. Whether that was reinforced by the hype and encouragement from our boys or the society that we live in, that didn’t always mean we were right. Coming to terms with the truth is tough and for some, it’s not a case of learning the truth, but accepting it. To my surprise, my view of the misconceptions guys have of what it takes to be a man overlapped significantly with the input from women. So take these words with a grain of salt. To my fellas, don’t take this post as me calling you out because I, as a man, have things I have to improve as well. Rather, take this post as a way to help you better yourself in areas you may be lacking in or with which you may have the wrong idea. It will make a difference in the long run.

Battle of the Sexes: Part 1 - "What a Man, What a Mighty Good Man"

So you think you know what makes a man? You believe you can think like them and know what goes on in their heads? What's your justification? Is it personal experience? Is it what your friends have gone through? Is it what you read online, saw in a movie, or heard on the radio? Well, similar to how difficult it can be to understand the complexity of a woman, there is more to a man than meets the eye. There are a significant amount of supposed facts I hear from my female friends and women in my life about men, and more often times than not, it's usually wrong. I feel that the view of men being "dogs" and "good-for-nothing" tends to take precedence over the truth about them. That's not to say that there aren't a good amount of them that promote this stereotype, which makes it hard for women to think otherwise, but a few off colors in a painting shouldn't take away from its beauty. Don't let those guys ruin your perception of men.

Then what is the truth about men?

Battle of the Sexes Series in the Works

Men. As simple as they may seem, there is actually a lot more to them than most people know. My initial motivation for this piece comes from years of hearing about all the problems women have had with "typical men", and how they are no good. This usually stemmed from events, such as a guy breaking a girl's heart or forgetting the things — like anniversaries and dates — that make the biggest difference. So I thought maybe an explanation of how men operate and how they think would help correct some of their misconceptions. My goal is to introduce a new perspective, in hopes to alter the way women see us. This may be an extremely difficult task since Beyonce dropped Lemonade, but I’m up for the challenge. In the process of brainstorming this idea, I decided to add a spin on the piece.

Instead of simply discussing the issue at hand, I wanted to break this down into a blog series. In the first part of this series, I’d explain some of the misconceptions surrounding men. I’d then go on to explain some of the characteristics men believe are necessary to be a man, and why they’re false. After that, I would do the same for the women. The one thing I want everyone to keep in mind is that my words aren't law. Every person in this world is different, so not everything will apply to a single person. However, these pieces will still provide substantial knowledge of the truth behind men and women, and what you should keep in mind about them before you approach or profile them. Now that you have the background, let's get to work.