A Penny for Your Thoughts: What I’ve learned Since It’s Been A Pandemic Outside

Dear Pennies & Pens,

I have learned so much since they announced that it’s a pandemic outside. Therefore, in this post, I’m just going to talk about what I’ve learned.

1. You don’t owe anyone anything: This is a big one for me. Pre-pandemic, I thought I had to answer phone calls, texts, emails and social media posts the second I received them. Now, I’m like bruh I’ll get to when I get to it. 9 times out of 10, it’s not that important anyway. So I no longer apologize, I just respond when I can.

2. You CAN and SHOULD GHOST people: I know it sounds harsh but the thing is some people just don’t want to accept that you no longer want to talk to them. So they’ll blow up your phone, call every mutual friend or family member demanding to know where you are. Ghost their ass and do not apologize.

As I already said, you don’t owe anyone anything. So fuck that. What bothers me is that people know what’s up. Like if you text or call someone multiple times and they don’t respond…they ain’t busy they just don’t want to talk to you. Accept it and move on. Stop stalking people that don’t want anything to do with you. And regardless of the previous relationship, no one owes you an explanation for why they don’t want to talk to you.

3. Social media has normalized stalking and it’s weird as fuck: Lol why do people honestly and genuinely think it’s okay to scroll thru social media posts to try and find out what someone is doing or has?! You’ve got to be kidding me.

I no longer use social media as yall know but right before I left I was so frustrated that several former friends and a couple of my exes were all up in my Instagram stories and some of these people I haven’t spoken to in years. Like you’re weird as hell to look up, someone you’re clearly not talking to trying to get some Pen Tea. Get a damn life.

4. Social media has normalized sharing every detail of your life when the truth is…no one cares. But no seriously, we don’t.

5. You really do have to ball on a budget: meaning you must create a budget. It’s annoying but you need to make a list of all your bills and expenses as well as your income. Then from there figure out where your money will go. Budgeting helps you realize whether or not you’re making enough to support yourself and if you can cut certain expenses.

6. You have to create a budget: yup, you read that right. You must create a budget if you want to be financially stable. Even for your “want” items, create a budget and start saving to buy the things you want.

7. I don’t like the comment section: I was taking a break for the holidays but I got so upset just now that I pulled out my phone so I could finish writing this post. So just now, I was watching this video that Janet Jackson did with Allure and in the video Janet breaks down her iconic music video looks.

After watching, I wanted to leave a comment so of course I ended up scrolling through the comment section. And here comes someone using the comment section as an opportunity to talk about things that have nothing to do with the video or just being mean in general. And I’m just like what’s wrong with some of yall? Like are you that unhappy?! Also why do people feel like they have to be so overly critical? It’s just irritating. 

8. I don’t really like people: Besides my family, I pretty much avoid everyone. And what’s weird is that I have a unique mix between an extroverted and introverted personality. I can be very outgoing but at the same time, I can be moody and not talkative. 

9. I love K Pop. No seriously, I do. K Pop is what’s gotten me through quarantine along with God and family. What I love about K Pop is that it’s fresh and original yet it feels familiar. I also love the fact that the artists I follow work so hard because they’re always putting out amazing content so it’s impossible to get bored.

And as Allen from Cravity said: “there’s a difference between appropriation and appreciation.” I truly believe that while K Pop is inspired by other genres of music, it has become its own original creation.

10. I love God: My relationship with the Most High has grown so much especially in this pandemic. I have learned to put my faith and trust in God. Although I’m not where I want to be spiritually, I do see my growth and I am proud of it. 

11. I love my family: My family is unlike any other. We’re truly a special blend of people. What’s lovely about my family is that we all genuinely get along and love one another. Sure there’s been disagreements along the way but for the most part, we all love and support each other.

Prime example is how on Christmas Day, we had a Zoom call with my Dad’s side of the family and 10 of his 12 siblings were on the call.  We also got to see my Aunt and Uncle and my cousins (on my Mom’s side) for dinner. What a blessing! It’s truly been a blessed time for our family in spite of this pandemic. 

I think that’s it for now. I’m sure I could think of plenty more things I’ve learned but I want to end this post on a positive note. I am working on staying positive and I have learned that you can vent about negative things that have happened to you but don’t dwell on them. 

And there it is. de la Pen…All Pen Everything. With us, keeping it real never goes wrong.