Wishing you the best day ever! Day Happy Mother’s Day to all!

For moms like me!

I felt like sharing my day. I read an amazing article on Substack.

Cried on the train ands walk to work.

Taught the youth of NYC Math through VR.

Gym for a dope hit!!

Poem On my way Home

Road rage to drop off.

Second job.

3D print for my son

Shower time with mini, so sweet 🥹

Kackle on the phone with bestie till now…

And now it’s bed time.

If you were looking for more… idk what to say. I’m happy I survived to this moment. I’m happy I can feel the sun and see my baby smile. I hope you had a moment to fill your soul.

You deserve it! Share your day with me I’d love to hear. The good and the bad. I’m happy you’re here Empress.

Your blessed beyond measure

Good Friday Empresses, Queens and Goddesses! Oh Happy Day! We made it. Idk about you but to make it to today is truly a blessing because this week almost took me out, but you know how the saying goes.

Almost doesn’t count!

For one, the idea of rest and recovery is really lost in this capitalistic joke of a society. I got home after celebrating Easter with family at 1030pm. For my millennial ass it might as well be 2 in the morning because I still had to lesson plan!!! So I spent the start of the week attempting to chase last week’s version of myself, who didn’t have kids at thee time 🙂‍↕️, but she was taking a nap.

I haven’t shared this yet with you all but I’m doing a 100 day countdown to my birthday with daily exercise habits as well as intentional journaling and Duolingo! Just to make it even more official and real I made an app to record my progress! (If you want the detail just let me know!)

Needless to say… I haven’t made it to the gym this week YET or completed my home exercise habits since Tuesday. I’ve been saying this for a year, and this week proves it, gym is my therapy. Exercise has really become a place to release and reset. Unfortunately I since I didn’t make it yah girl was on the struggle bus.

My goal is always 3 times a week, but between work, afterschool, second job, parenting while single, AND NOW multiple nightmares of martial law and attempted rape brought on by the onslaught of stupid actions by the orange idiot and his trolls… I could only employ basic survival skills. I mean, if we’re gonna be transparent in this sacred space here’s the honest truth. I cried three days this week at work between classes. It took my mom, babies, goddess elixirs/teas, bestie and crying out to spirit to get me to today cause baby!!! The white towel was in hand and my newly toned arms were fully cocked back to toss at any given moment.

Needless to say get your rest and don’t be afraid to demand it. I’m taking tomorrow off but yah know kids are still around, track meets + chores must be done. I will reclaim my time one way or another and I hope your be able to take even an hour this weekend to unplug and get some self care that feels rejuvenating and relaxing. Pray for all so we don’t have to suffer like Gary 🤣

Join in the empress chat and feel free to vent about your week and’s plan your downtime. I highly encourage you to take care of your inner child. Through play or the release of rage it’s all beautiful. I’m always here as an ear for you empress!!! The act of listening is an act of love.

💜💜

Connect with me on IG or Threads!

(Unedited)

Hey Empresses,

Its been so long since I’ve penned you and I just want to say Hey! Im back and better than ever. I also want to say welcome to all to new Goddesses who have joind the community even as I have been in a bit of a hiatus. As we all know 2025 has been one for the books but with all thats happening why should I stop living my best life.

I’ve been sitting with so much gratitude lately, reflecting on where I’ve been and where I’m headed. And as this community grows, it feels right to reintroduce myself and share more of what makes this space so sacred to me—and to you.

I’m Empress Iman: a Black woman from Brooklyn who is also a single mom, a dreamer, a creative, a teacher, a survivor, and a damn Goddess. I say that because, after everything I’ve been through, I’ve realized something important—there’s no blueprint for the life I’m building. And there doesn’t need to be.

I am a healing perfectionist and for a long time, I lost myself in the roles life handed me—mother, wife, teacher, nurturer. Each title came with expectations, some I embraced, and others I let suffocate me. I gave so much of myself that I didn’t even realize I was disappearing. Then life forced me to stop.

Divorce. Motherhood. A pandemic. Anxiety. Depression. All at once, it felt like the ground beneath me had disappeared. In those hardest moments, I realized the truth that brought me here: I am not just a mother—I am everything. And here’s the thing about falling apart—it gives you the chance to rebuild. And rebuild. And rebuild. As many times as I choose to!

Young me thought that when we become adults your identity is established and set in stone. Iman, that is so far from the truth! The math teacher in me knows that there are so many ways to solve an equation and just because you face a challenge or didn’t carry the tens, you can double back look at the bigger picture and course correct as many times as you like.

I’m the laughter and love my kids need. I’m the tears and strength I need to heal. I’m the creative energy that fuels my ideas. I’m the bold moves and quiet reflections that have carried me through. And I am here to remind you that you are all of these things too, and more!

This space, Not Just a Motha, was born from the idea that rediscovery is a life long journey. It’s for all of us Queens—those of us who love our kids, our families, and our dreams but know deep down that we are so much more.

I show up here to share the realness—no filters, no perfection, just me. Whether it’s a moment of joy from the gym, an Empress mantra to keep our crowns straight, or reflections on the hard-earned lessons of life, I’m here to hold space for growth, healing, and thriving.

This journey isn’t just about me, though—it’s about us. Every time I hear from you in the Empress Chat, see you using the mantras, or get a message saying, “You helped me see myself again,” I know this community is magic.

We are not just women. We are not just mothers. We are a complete Empress. And we deserve to live lives that reflect our worth.

So, as we move through seasons of surrender and reflection, I want to leave you with one question:

What are you ready to let go of so you can create space for the magic within you?

Let’s grow together, Empresses. Thank you for being here, for being you, and for reminding me every day that this work matters.

With love, strength, and a little sparkle,

Empress Iman

👑✨

P.S. Empresses unite! Drop me a line in the Empress Chat and tell me what part of yourself you’re rediscovering this season. 💜

Join me for my next live video in the app

Join me for my next live video in the app

January Reflections: The MOMologues in the Making

January has been an emotional whirlwind—a month filled with immense highs, lows, and deep reflection. As I continue to navigate the balancing act of motherhood while single, working two jobs, and my mental health, I’m reminded of the importance of grounding myself. This month’s montage captures it all: moments of vulnerability, resilience, as well as the big meaningful ways I honor myself.

Let’s be honest

This January, I’ve also felt the weight of so much more than just the usual pressures. As an African American woman, a descendant of a Tobagonian real-estate mogul, two generations removed, and a college-educated individual, I cannot ignore the heavy realities of the current political climate. The administration’s minute-by-minute dismantling of laws that have allowed my family, and so many others, to succeed feels crushing. That weight has lingered over everything this month, pushing me to think critically about the spaces I occupy and the ways I can create change.

Even amidst that heaviness, this month has brought moments of grounding and clarity. In my visual diary, you’ll find:

* Grounding Through Fitness: The gym remains my sanctuary. Whether it’s just me or with Biggie by my side, fitness has been my go-to for emotional stability and mental clarity. Movement helps me release what no longer serves me and stay connected to myself. Its where I can be a kid again!

* Work Realities and Reciprocity: As always, work demanded so much of me this month, and once again, I felt the sting of a lack of reciprocity. It’s a frustrating yet familiar theme that forces me to reevaluate where I place my energy. I show up fully, going above and beyond, but the support isn’t always mutual. When I say support I mean…

* Dating Dilemmas and the Male Diva: It’s not just work where I feel the imbalance—it’s also dating. I was recently dealing with a male diva that left me deeply contemplating the dynamics single mothers face in the dating world. We’re often preyed on, seen as easy targets, or expected to settle for less. I touched on this with a coworker recently, and let me just say, that candid conversation had me thinking: maybe single mothers should just link up and leave men to their dusty lives 🤷🏾‍♀️. Stay tuned on the 31st official Not Just a Motha podcast episode for January, where that very car conversation will take center stage. Here are some tips from Ms. Sprinkle Sprinkle that I have been taking on this journey.

* Motherhood Raw and Real: This montage also highlights the raw, unfiltered moments of motherhood. You’ll see clips of me crying—not because I’m giving up, but because I’m human. I’ve been navigating tough parenting moments, managing the hormonal shifts of my luteal phase, and feeling the emotional weight of the Cancer full moon that lingered this month. Yet even in those moments, I ground myself with gratitude, affirmations, and reflections, often giving thanks to my mother, who remains a constant pillar of support.

* Honoring Joy and Mental Health: Amid the heaviness, I make space for joy. Nights out, dancing, and enjoying myself aren’t escapes—they’re essential acts of self-care. These moments remind me that I am more than the roles I fill as a mother, worker, or partner to my BESTIE. I am a person with passions, dreams, and a right to joy.

* Political Pressure Meets Personal Resilience: The crushing weight of the administration’s actions has been a constant presence this month. But it’s also reminded me of the resilience and creativity that Black women bring to the world. This January, I joined the Black Project 2025 to engage in collective action for our community, and I stepped into a new space as a teacher on TikTok through Hillman University (Thank you Dr. Barlow!) What started as an accidental creation born out of Black brilliance has become a platform for me to share knowledge, inspire others, and connect with the #Hillmantok movement.

* The Weight of January: With depression, seasonal affective disorder, and the constant pressures of balancing it all, January felt heavy. But grounding practices like fitness, gratitude, and honoring what I love helped me stay rooted.

Journal Prompt: Reflecting on Balance and Grounding

This month’s reflections were all about grounding, resilience, and reclaiming joy despite life’s pressures. Take a moment to reflect on your own journey with this journal prompt:

Prompt:

* What are the moments or spaces in your life that feel grounding for you?

* Where do you feel a lack of reciprocity, and how can you set boundaries or shift your energy to honor yourself?

* What is one thing that brings you joy, outside of work or family, that you can commit to doing this week?

* How do you navigate heavy emotions like overwhelm, and what small practices can you lean on to stay rooted in gratitude or hope?

Whether you’re journaling privately or sharing in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s start a conversation about how we find balance and honor ourselves in the chaos. 💜

Looking to February

This montage is more than just a recap—it’s a reflection of the raw, unfiltered truths that so often get overlooked, especially for mothers. It’s also a prelude to February’s Empress MOMologues podcast episode, where I’ll dive into the unseen labor, emotional weight, and candid conversations that come with motherhood.

If January taught me anything, it’s that grounding isn’t just about staying afloat—it’s about reclaiming stability, joy, and self-worth in a world that often demands too much and gives too little. Stay tuned for February as we continue to explore these truths together.

This is a huge moment of vulnerability so let me know what resonated with you most. Your feedback fuels me, and I love hearing from you! 💜

📍 Follow Empress Iman

👑✨ “Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s how you polish your crown. Stay radiant, Empress.”💜

#EmpressMantras #NotJustAMotha