Welcome to Natali Nicole

I work with high school students to develop their writing skills and one of the longest and most difficult seasons of my job is when it’s time to write personal statements. I try to ease their fears by assuring them that they’re not alone in being overwhelmed by the task. “You would think it’s easy, but writing about yourself can be one of the most difficult writing tasks. Don’t worry, we’ll get through it.”

Those words are echoing in my head as I think about how to introduce myself. I had written something about three months ago that I intended to use as my bio piece. I figured I’d extend that in a few places and call it a day. However, re-reading it earlier, I realized that the passage is no longer representative of where I am.

When I wrote the original passage, I was mired in confusion. I couldn’t distinguish my feelings and projected anxieties from my reality. I was in a tug of war between my mind and my heart, not ever entirely sure which side was pulling. But I knew I wanted change. The haze, overwhelming as it was, was propelling me towards a necessary breakthrough. I had to find myself and hold onto her for dear life before she was lost completely. I’m still nursing her back to health but she’s here and she’s ready to make up for lost time.

I am Natali Nicole. I can’t give you a complete picture of who that is yet, because I am still rediscovering her. I’m delighting in the unexpected places I find her and the creative ways she reveals herself to me. It’s like a game of hide and seek with a young child—each time I find a new piece of myself, I am rewarded with the joy of knowing that I’m becoming whole again.

So I’m still putting the pieces together, but here are a few things I do know: I am silly, curious, funny sweet, passionate, Black as hell, an avid swearer, always learning, smart, work on my own time (that’s a positive way to say I am a procrastinator), passionate, good advice giver, communicator, lover of words and sumptuous settings, spiritual, talkative and I really do want world peace. LOL.

There are a slew of flaws I could have (and normally would have) picked out to include, but I’m working on highlighting the good in me. You will see the bad woven into my essays and poems and more because they are my teachers in this journey, but for now I’m presenting my best self as I am right now.

I’m writing this on the eve of my 27^th birthday. There is no tradition or societal importance tied to 27, but it’s one of the most important years of my life because I have made the decision that it will be. The website launching on my birthday is more than just a cutesy strategy. It is a testament to this declaration that I am living this year with as much fervor and joy as I dare. I will share all the gifts I’ve been given without the fear that the specter of perfection brings. I will likely learn that I am more gifted at some things than others, and I am sure that you all will let me know that.

I’m not going to wait for life to find me. I’m going to create it as I see fit. Starting here. I don’t have a perfect branding strategy. I don’t know exactly what this is. I don’t know where it will be this time next year. I do know that I’m excited as hell to have it. I know that I’m eager to share myself with you all as I piece everything together. Welcome to the journey. Welcome to Natali Nicole.