On Comprehension Crisis, Childhood Connection and Comforting Communications

I recently went to see my dermatologist and she gave me such props on my skin, that I’d rather folks TALK TO ME NICE!!! Because we thank God that we don’t often look like what we’ve been through. I’m over here, half the time not drinking enough water and sleeping like a colic-y newborn so when she told me that my skin was looking glowy, I was like THANK YOUUUUU!!! Cuz whew. 🙌🏽✨
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I see my derm, a Black woman, every couple of years, to make sure that me bathing in the tears of my enemies still works. Because the enemies of progress ain’t gon catch us slipping. AMEN, Saints and Aint’s? AMEN!
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Speaking of…

RANT

Reading comprehension and media literacy is dead on the internet.
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​One thing I see on these interwebs everyday is the fact that reading comprehension has packed its bags and left the building. And media literacy is in the toilet. And I hate to see it. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Not y’all, though. Y’all actually read, and for that, I say THANK YOU. ❤️
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I know reality is wild and things are weird but we’ve definitely gotten away from being able to handle nuance and fact checking. I’ve seen so many people posting news from websites with .info at the end, with all these spammy ads and I’m like “but wait… this ain’t true.” 🤔⁉️
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We live in an age where information is literally at our fingertips, yet somehow, we’ve become more disconnected from the truth than ever before. Instead of taking the time to fact-check or seek out reliable sources, we’re content to regurgitate whatever nonsense we stumble across online.

But here’s the thing: we can do better. We have to do better. Especially since this is an election year. The level of foolish information that will be flying about will be through the roof. We’re gonna need to pause to find out if it could even be true.
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For the love of all that is good in this world, do better. Our collective sanity depends on it. 🤞🏾

REFLECTION

Most of our life’s true work is about figuring out how to help, love, and heal our inner child.
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​The more I experience in life (and the more I go to therapy), the more it becomes clear that a lot of our adulthood revolves around the task of learning how to nurture, love, and heal our inner child. ❤️‍🩹
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How we react, how safe we feel, what makes us smile or triggers us. It’s all childhood. And I’ll tell you what: entrepreneurship, 2023 and a melting world has triggered all sorts of wounds for me. 😞 How do we find and foster our own sense of safety no matter what is happening around us? 🤔

As I sat down at the computer this week, I found myself typing, “inner child grief” into the search bar. And there it was, staring back at me from the screen: a validation of something I had long felt but found hard to express – yes, inner child grief is a real thing. It’s the acknowledgment of the wounds carried from our childhood, the unhealed hurts and traumas that continue on through our adult lives.
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In that moment of revelation, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey and how it intertwines with my work. It’s become very clear to me that my children’s book LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER MAKES A MESS was not just a story on paper—but my way of re-parenting Little Luvvie. 📕❤️ With each word I write, I am reaching back to that young girl who needed guidance, reassurance, and love. It’s my chance to tell her the things she wanted to hear, to wrap her in a blanket of safety and understanding.

Writing my next “LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER” book made me cry because it was as if I was speaking right to that younger version of myself, letting her know that every survival tactic she employed was valid, necessary even. But more than that, it was a message of reassurance that she can rest, she can play, she can trust that she is taken care of. 🥹
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My therapist once told me that I had grown up to be who Little Luvvie needed and that was the best compliment I’ve ever received. For my life to be a testament of growth and healing, is the ultimate affirmation. Luvvie, I bet you are the adult that Little Luvvie needed, and for that, you should be proud. 💪🏾
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Going back to our inner child is not just an act of nostalgia but a courageous endeavor of healing. It’s about acknowledging where many of the scars we’ve carried into our adulthood come from.

Doing work like this – whether you’re writing in your journal or writing stories about your younger self – isn’t about looking back with resentment, but with understanding and compassion. It’s about offering ourselves the love we might have sought from others, realizing that the most profound form of love is the one that comes from within and nurtures our most vulnerable parts with patience and kindness.
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So, as I continue on this journey, it’s becoming more and more clear that my life’s work is not just about external achievements, but about the quiet, sacred work of nurturing and loving Little Luvvie, that tough little lady who was headstrong and determined.

She’s safe now, and she deserves all the good things. I’ll make sure she keeps hearing that. 🥰

RECOMMENDATION

Listen to the letter to my younger self.
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​You don’t have to publish a whole children’s book to benefit from the healing that comes from caring for your inner child. Something as simple as writing a letter to the little you can help that healing begin. Letting them know you see them, that you love them and sharing the things you want them to know. 💌

Last year, I wrote Little Luvvie a letter, and I read it aloud as an episode of my Professional Troublemaker podcast. I share five important lessons with Little Luvvie that are true for me today as a grown up. First is the reminder that it’s okay to ask for help, even when we feel small and the world seems overwhelming. It’s important to acknowledge that we don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. 🤝🏾

I also remind Little Luvvie to consider the impact of her words and actions. It’s important for her to know that though she may be small, she is mighty, and her voice has power. But with that power comes responsibility—to speak with love, integrity, and authenticity.

LISTEN TO PROFESSIONAL TROUBLEMAKER – Letter to My Younger Self

I’ll save the rest of the lessons for you as you listen to the episode, but I hope this serves you in your own journey toward healing and inspires you to write your own letter.
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When we choose to embrace our inner child with love and compassion, we can pave the way for a brighter, more empowered future. 🎧🩹
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You can even listen to this episode with your own kids (a lot of parents wrote me to say they did just that, and it was impactful).
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I’d love to know – have you ever written a letter to your inner child before? What is the one thing that little you was known for that is a part of who you are today?