Hello friends! What a crazy whirlwind the past few months have been. I returned from NYC mid March from a history making POC burlesque event (The Noire Pageant) only to come down with what I now know was Covid-19. Fortunately at the time my symptoms, though harsh were not severe enough to go to the hospital for a test. I only recently found out from an antibody test months later. I experienced some lows, the fear of not working for the first time since I started working at the age of 15, our house flooding during the heavy rains, seeing people and businesses I know and love struggle, seeing friends lose loved ones. Watching an entire planet in anguish. I found myself in a dark space on many occasions. To the point my own mother ask if I had anything good to talk about. I also tapped into my resilience. I connected with loved ones, my partner and my dog more than ever before. I learned to slow down and figure out what it’s like to live moment by moment and truly enjoy this space I call home, though that home was an Air BnB with lovely chickens for three weeks. I discovered the power of Zoom and group Facetime chats. I connected with friends and strangers from around the world through breath and movement while leading live online yoga sessions. Every time it hit me with a tidal wave of gratitude as I was able to connect with others while we were more separated than any of us have ever experienced. IG live dance classes and internet burlesque classes became the new form of escapism. I got over my fear of threading a sewing machine and made my first dress, I’m pretty sure I only want to make my wardrobe from here on out. I was able to learn more about the business side of the hair idustry than I’ve ever cared to put the time toward. Doing so I was able to uncover the why behind my hair world and where I want to spend my time and energy. It can be pretty rough having so much time with our thoughts away from the go go go society we live(d) in, not to mention the crushing weight on your chest that a global pandemic provides. I spent a lot of time beating my screen time averages and binge watching shows of course. Anywho it’s been real. I’m grateful for my therapist and friends and fam that answered the phone even on the dark days. I’m grateful for my salon guests who have been champs and so graciously patient as we pushed through week by week looking a hot mess. My partner Tony is a saint and I truly believe we can conquer anything life throws our way, I cannot wait to marry him. Kirk is the goodest boy and I never want to leave him home while working 10 hour days ever again. I’m thrilled to open my own private salon Suite Madison Jane, it’s minutes from my house. If this time showed me anything it’s learning for the first time how important my time and space at home is. Moving forward I hope to be more mindful with my schedule, make time to be bored every now and then and do weird dance moves around the house and eat way too much cereal.
I hope you’re able to find some light through these dark times. Please enjoy some of my favorite Quarantine Queen lewks including the first dress I’ve ever made out of vintage fabric.
