In the grand tapestry of life, change is the thread that weaves our stories together. For one individual, a series of unexpected twists and turns. It has led to a transformational journey filled with vibrant hues, academic pursuits, social connections, and the pursuit of a more fulfilling existence. Balancing the everyday demands of life produces more discipline, stronger time management, and deeper perseverance for a more enhanced life.
The title of my blog is “Keeping up With Kenzie”. So it’s my duty to keep whoever is reading this updated with my life! So here are a few changes I’ve experienced within the past two or three months:
- Dyed my hair ginger
- Enrolled in a Master’s degree program in Accountancy (I’m a black woman who got bored so why not acquire another degree??)
- Began to embrace a more social life and ultimately sought a deeper sense of purpose.
“God, please give black women something else better, less brain mushing and red eye infusing, time consuming thing to do because we’re out here collecting degrees like infinity stones“.
**Ginger Ambitions:**
Imagine walking into a salon during spooky season with the intent to refresh your look. The goal was to embrace the autumn spirit, perhaps with darker shades or subtle highlights. However, destiny had other plans, as a dye job led to a striking transformation – vibrant ginger hair. It was unintentional, but it turned out to be a happy accident. The color ginger symbolizes embracing the unexpected and adding a touch of warmth to my style. In the beginning, I had lightened my hair which had a chocolate hue, and some tints of blonde. So in the spirit of WTH not, I decided to transition into a bold and baddie-defining shade, ginger-ish copper.
I was nervous, considering that going into a salon (as a black woman) the melanin representation is noticeably absent…need I say more? However, there was one black woman in particular who assisted in the process and made sure I didn’t come out looking like the Cynthia doll from rugrats. Not gonna lie, I walked in with the intention to give auburn/copper-toned…however, I did leave the salon a little more orange than I anticipated.
Now I must add, it was DEFINITELY giving Ronny McDonny and maybe even slight Chuckie…y’all it was ROUGH. I couldn’t help but recite in my head, “THERE HE IS!! THERE HE IS! IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN!!”. However, it has evened out so beautifully, so thanks to Paul Mitchell Cosmetology & Beauty School and your studious padawans for the hair switch-up!
**Mastering Accountancy:**
Education is a journey that shapes our minds and opens doors to new opportunities. For me, the pursuit of knowledge led me to the decision to attain a Master’s degree in Accountancy.
Side prayer: God, please give black women something else better, less brain mushing, red eye infusing, time consuming thing to do because we’re out here collecting degrees like infinity stones.
Right now I’m enrolled in a local state university that offers an online MAcc, praise the Jesus, which began this August, and I’m loving it so far! Not gonna lie…I see how my parents feel when they need assistance with their phones and signing into Netflix…getting back into the rhythm of school makes me feel like an elder (no offense to my rents).
Imagine tapping back into a culture and rhythm that you haven’t participated in for over 2 years–and no it is NOT like riding a bike. If we’re using that analogy, I’m telling you right now, the bike is still moving and my left leg is being dragged as we’re going downhill…did I mention that I don’t have any training wheels?? Nevertheless, this path is a commitment to professional growth and an investment for my future career.
The challenges and long hours of study are being met with determination, knowing that the destination is worth the journey. Also, I get student discounts for a lot of services…but then again is it really a discount when I’m spending thousands in loans just for a $5 movie and music app discount, me thinks not 😂.
But at least I get Microsoft 365 🤓.
**Social Renaissance:**
Life isn’t just about books and grades; it’s also about the relationships we build along the way. I recognized the importance of social connections and decided to become more socially active. A week ago I met with a couple of friends from college whom I haven’t seen since graduation in 2020. Anybody who knows me realizes I am not the most sociable person.
I can be a little shy, and filled with intrusive thoughts of what others may or may not think of me, and rehearse moments to protect myself from familiar mistreatment. I am slowly learning to surrender to self-deprecation masked in social safeguarding. As my friend and I enjoyed catching up from the past it brought more nuance to our passions as “grown” folk, she asked, “MacKenzie, do ever go out?”, to which I replied”…I do….I don’t🥴”.
As an ambivert (if I can even blame it on that), I’m in the middle of the introvert and extrovert spectrum. So, I constantly go through the mental bouts of “nobody likes me. I don’t care if they do. Am I boring? I think I’m pretty cool for being boring. Am I really their close friend on IG or did they forget that I’m still on their Green Circle roster after 2 years? I want to have more friends but I don’t want to go out. Sometimes I want to be liked by everyone. Everyone doesn’t matter….”.
You see my drift…dramatic? Absolutely. Intentional? Never. Just a tall concentrated glass of good old-fashioned cognitive dissonance. Nevertheless, I’m beginning to step into new adventures, attend a few social gatherings, and rekindle old friendships. This newfound, marinating social renaissance is adding vibrancy to my life and hopefully will allow me to share experiences with others!
**Seeking Fulfillment:**
As my journey continues to unfold, there has been a sudden deepening desire for a life filled with meaning and purpose. The pursuit of a Master’s degree and a more social lifestyle are important steps but also prompted by introspection. What truly makes life fulfilling? This question is the driving force behind my curiosity and determination for a deeper sense of purpose.
In conclusion, life is a mosaic of experiences and choices. From accidental ginger-orange hair (happy meal sold separately), academic ambition, social reconnection, and the desire for a more fulfilling life serve as a testament to the transformative power of embracing change. It reminds me that stories are still being written, and I have the agency to shape them in ways that bring joy, fulfillment, and a touch of unexpected ginger warmth to my life.
