1 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: On this week's episode of Cultivating her Space. 2 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 2: I am not picking a partner for a healthy, successful 3 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 2: relationship based on their potential. 4 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 3: I need to make my decision based on. 5 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 2: The facts and what's actually in front of me in 6 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 2: the moments. 7 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: Today's episode is sure to provide you with motivation, inspiration, 8 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: or a fresh perspective. If you have any AHA moments 9 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 1: or appreciate anything from this episode, please leave us a 10 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: review to let us know we're on the right track. Also, 11 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 1: we release episodes every Friday, so be sure to subscribe 12 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: on iTunes and visit cultivatinghurspace dot com to access our 13 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 1: exclusive after show and other bonus content from the Patreon tab. 14 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 2: Welcome to Cultivating her Space, a podcast dedicated to upli 15 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 2: the women like you. We're your hosts doctor Dominique Brussard, 16 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 2: a college professor and psychologist. 17 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 3: And Terry Lomax, a techie and motivational speaker. In a 18 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 3: world where black women are often misrepresented and misunderstood, please 19 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 3: join us as we initiate authentic conversations on everything from 20 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 3: fibroids to fake friends, and create a safe space where 21 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:25,199 Speaker 3: black women can. 22 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 2: Just be our quote of the day, you can't make 23 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 2: decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. 24 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 2: That quote comes to us from our favorite auntie and 25 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 2: forever first Lady, Michelle Obama. So I'm gonna say that 26 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 2: quote one more time because we'll really need to keep 27 00:01:56,320 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 2: revisiting that quote throughout this conversation. You can't make decisions 28 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:08,959 Speaker 2: based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. 29 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 2: All right, So team, all right, you know our topic 30 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 2: for today. Oo child, right right when you hear that quote, 31 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 2: what comes up for you? 32 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 3: When I hear that quote, dom One, I will say 33 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 3: there resonates with me, but I feel like I need more. 34 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 3: I'm like, okay, cool, you can't make decisions based on 35 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:40,520 Speaker 3: fear and the possibility of what might happen. Then what 36 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 3: is the foundation for the decisions that we're making? What 37 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 3: are we pulling from? 38 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 2: Right? Like? 39 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 3: How are we making these decisions? And so, Lady, we 40 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 3: are super excited about this conversation today because it's girl talk. 41 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 3: All right. So girl, get your drink, get your drink, 42 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 3: you drink whatever you drink, and get comfortable because it's 43 00:02:58,120 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 3: about to go down. We're about to have some real 44 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 3: conversations to hear make sure the kids are not around, 45 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 3: because we might be dropping some colorful language, which we 46 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 3: share with you on the first episode of this podcast, 47 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 3: right with two hundred plus episodes in. So let's get 48 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 3: into it. But Dom, I don't know about you, but 49 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 3: I want to know what do you think about the 50 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 3: quote before we jump into the disclaimer and you know, 51 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 3: just kind of setting up the conversation. What does this 52 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 3: quote mean to you and what are your thoughts on it? 53 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 2: So when I hear that quote to me, what I 54 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 2: hear is two different things. One is that you can't 55 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: make a decision because you are afraid of something. Right. 56 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 2: So I'm not going to make a decision on how 57 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 2: I fly or how I get to my next vacation 58 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 2: because I'm afraid of flying, right. That's not necessarily the 59 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 2: healthiest way to make that decision. It might be a factor, 60 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 2: but it's not the reason to make a decision on 61 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 2: your transportation needs. Right. And then the second piece, the 62 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:26,120 Speaker 2: other end of that spectrum is the possibility of what 63 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 2: might happen. And I often think about that in terms 64 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 2: of romantic relationships, that I am not picking a partner 65 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:46,919 Speaker 2: for a healthy, successful relationship based on their potential. I 66 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: need to make my decision based on the facts and 67 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: what's actually in front of me in the moments. And 68 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: I know those two two examples right there already. We'll 69 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 2: probably call some controversy. But I said what I said, 70 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:14,679 Speaker 2: and I stand by it, and I'll explain more. You'll 71 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 2: understand that my rationale more as you listen to the 72 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 2: episode and the other examples that we provide. 73 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,360 Speaker 3: She said what she said, the doctor said what she said. 74 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 3: Don't add her. Okay, okay, girl, okay, Mike dropped episodes over. 75 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 3: This was great, Like, damn, that was so good. Thanks 76 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 3: for coming to my talk. Okay, thank you so much 77 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:40,920 Speaker 3: for having us. Damn, girl, don't get me started. I 78 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 3: literally just posted some bit about potential today about how 79 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 3: potential is not guaranteed. It doesn't guarantee it, I'll know. 80 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:50,040 Speaker 3: So we're gonna dig into that in a minute, lady, 81 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 3: But first, just to kind of ground us on this episode. 82 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 3: Right when I was younger, I feel like there were 83 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 3: so many topics that I wanted to chat with someone about, 84 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 3: and this was a time in my life when I 85 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 3: didn't have a therapist. So you know, you talk to 86 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 3: your girlfriends, you talk to your homeboys, but sometimes you're 87 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 3: just not getting what you need to get right. People 88 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 3: will either just share their own situations or they don't 89 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 3: really give you a sound objective opinion. And so, lady, 90 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 3: we hope that this conversation can help to peak your 91 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 3: interest but also to give you language for situations that 92 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 3: you might be going through or situations that you might 93 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:27,239 Speaker 3: be supporting someone through. And so we call some juicy 94 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 3: ass scenarios for you today that many people in life 95 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 3: can relate to that we have been inspired. The scenarios 96 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 3: were inspired by social media posts, right situations, possibly from 97 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 3: our real life. You won't know, because we're not going 98 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:43,600 Speaker 3: to tell you because we already tell enough of our 99 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 3: business on the podcast. But these scenarios are definitely grow 100 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 3: life scenarios, and so we hope that you can take 101 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 3: or resonates and give the rest away, or you know, 102 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 3: leave what doesn't connect with you. So, dom, shall we 103 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:58,600 Speaker 3: dive into the first scenario here? Yes, let's do it 104 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 3: all right, So let's pay this picture right. So you 105 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,479 Speaker 3: are in a relationship. It's so amazing, You're in the 106 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 3: honeymoon phase. Everything's just so awesome. And you look up 107 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 3: and you've now been in this relationship for a couple 108 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 3: of years, and y'all are having the conversation about marriage, 109 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 3: and it sounds so exciting because everyone in your family 110 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 3: has been like, when you won't get married, when you're 111 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 3: gonna have them babies? I want my grandkids, and looking 112 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 3: at the cloud, I want my grandkids. And you and 113 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 3: your partner, y'all have a pretty decent relationship. There are 114 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 3: some red flags. There are some things that you're like, 115 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 3: you know what, I kind of don't like this, But 116 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 3: you know, the relationship is cool, Like we're coasting. It's 117 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 3: all right, And your partner proposes to you, and you're 118 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 3: getting ready to make this lifelong decision to commit to 119 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 3: this person for life till death do us part. But 120 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 3: you start to get cold feet and you start to 121 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 3: get those feelings in your stomach where you're like, even 122 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 3: though the relationship is cool, I don't think this is 123 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 3: ang I don't want to think this is for me. 124 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 3: But you're trying to figure out what you do when 125 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 3: you're at the point where you've already accepted the engagement 126 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 3: and now you're planning a wedding. How do you call 127 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 3: this shit off? Oh that's a tough one. 128 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 2: That is a tough That is a tough position to 129 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 2: be in, and to me requires a lot of courage 130 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 2: to say the things that the hard things that need 131 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 2: to be said. Right. Yeah, And so I think about 132 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 2: it from the perspective of the friend or family member 133 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:47,319 Speaker 2: or observer of what's happening. Right, And. 134 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 3: I have been the one. 135 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 2: To say to someone you don't have to go through 136 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: with this. Are you sure this is what you want? 137 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 2: I've been that person now in that moment they said, yeah, 138 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 2: this is what they wanted. And then fast forward they 139 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 2: get married, and fast forward a few years and they 140 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:36,560 Speaker 2: get divorced. So then we revisit the conversation and what 141 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:40,079 Speaker 2: it usually, what it often can boil down to, is 142 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 2: a couple of things. One of the biggest things is 143 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 2: I wanted the wedding. And so when I hear that, 144 00:09:52,760 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 2: what that tells me is you weren't ready for marriage. 145 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 2: It was about the ceremony, it was about the pomp 146 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 2: and circumstance, it was about the celebration. It was about 147 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 2: all of the things that don't matter in the long 148 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 2: term of the marriage of a marriage. Right. And so 149 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 2: what I also hear in that is that you could 150 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 2: have plugged in anybody and they would have said yes 151 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 2: because they wanted the wedding. 152 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 3: That is a real shit. It is Hey, lady, it's 153 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 3: Terry here, Dom and I want to take a moment 154 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 3: to thank you for choosing to listen to our podcast. 155 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 3: We love you for real, and we want to give 156 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 3: you a chance to learn more about what's important to us. 157 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 3: So tell us what you think about this. 158 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 2: Imagine a world where you have a chance to get 159 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 2: featured on the Cultivating her Space podcast and share your 160 00:10:55,640 --> 00:11:01,440 Speaker 2: business brand or perspective with millions around the globe. Imagine 161 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 2: joining our monthly virtual video check ins where you can 162 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: connect with like minded black women like you and share 163 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 2: your ideas and episode suggestions with Terry and I. Now, 164 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 2: I want you to imagine a world where you're in 165 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 2: the exclusive Cultivating her Space sanctuary Slack channel, and throughout 166 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 2: your day and week, you are conversing with us about 167 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 2: what's happening in your life and sharing funny gifts and 168 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:28,959 Speaker 2: or personal wins. 169 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 3: How does that sound? 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Again Herspace podcast dot 190 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 3: com and you can click that link that says Patreon. 191 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 3: All right, lady, we'll hop right back into the conversation. 192 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 2: And then the second reason, more common reason that people 193 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 2: may go through with it is out of shame or embarrassed, 194 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 2: and not wanting to have to go through the process 195 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:12,439 Speaker 2: of telling everyone, hey, y'all, the wedding's off, and having 196 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 2: to answer the questions right, and then having to cancel 197 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,200 Speaker 2: the venue and figure out what to do with the 198 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 2: dress and the tucks and all the canceling the caterers 199 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 2: and all the things that have to go into when 200 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:31,840 Speaker 2: you cancel an event, not wanting to go through with 201 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 2: it out of the fear. Going back to our quote 202 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 2: of the day, making a decision out of fear that's 203 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 2: also based in shame or embarrassment. They decide to go 204 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 2: through with a marriage to a person they don't really 205 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:54,479 Speaker 2: want to be with to avoid that moment of embarrassment 206 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 2: that would come along with having to cancel the wedding. 207 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 3: Can I just say, let's just say, don I think 208 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 3: you did an amazing job going over those two key 209 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 3: I would say reasons right why people may not or 210 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 3: why people may want to either get married, or why 211 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 3: they would not want to call off the wedding. But 212 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 3: can we just sit with the fact that that's a 213 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 3: This is a tough predicament to be in, Like I 214 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 3: feel like anxiety is boiling in my belly just thinking 215 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 3: about it, because I remember what it was like when 216 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 3: I was planning my wedding and all the details that 217 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 3: go into it, and I just want to sit with 218 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,680 Speaker 3: the feelings that might come up. Right, So there may 219 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 3: be there may be some regret, like you may be 220 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 3: talking to yourself, lady, this is you in that position. 221 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 3: You may be like, dam why didn't I knew I 222 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 3: saw that red flag then, and I knew my intuition 223 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 3: was like, no, Booten ain't for you, but I kept 224 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 3: going because I was just kind of living on autopilot. 225 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 3: So fuck, I'm really upset with my because I didn't 226 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 3: listen to my gut. And now I'm in this situation 227 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 3: where I'm gonna have to make this big decision that's 228 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 3: going to be very public. So that could be a feeling, 229 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 3: right regret. It could be shame like you already called out. 230 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 3: There could be the thoughts like damn, what is his 231 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 3: family or her family or their family going to think? 232 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 3: What is my family going to think? What if I 233 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 3: don't get the money back from the venue? I mean, 234 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 3: just so many feelings, stressed anxiety. Sometimes it's easier to 235 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:29,560 Speaker 3: just go with the flow and go with the shit 236 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 3: that's already been planned out, versus disrupting your life and 237 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 3: disrupting things. There's a lot there, many, many feelings that 238 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 3: one might feel when they find themselves in this position. 239 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would agree, and I think and any of 240 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 2: those feelings that come up are real, right and might 241 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 2: be hard to sit with. But the thing that I 242 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 2: think we want to lean in two that can be 243 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 2: really hard to lean into is one having the courage, 244 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 2: two having the vulnerability, and three thinking about the long game. Right, 245 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 2: So when we think about this calling off an engagement 246 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 2: or a wedding, the long game is if I say yes, 247 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 2: if I go through with this, now I am tied 248 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 2: to this person technically for forever, right, unless I decide 249 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 2: to get a divorce. And divorces are expensive, especially if 250 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 2: you all have acquired assets together, and then don't talk 251 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 2: about right if you have kids, Yes, having to go 252 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 2: through custody arrangements. 253 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 3: It's a lot. 254 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 2: Not to mention your overall peace and happiness. And so 255 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 2: is a few months of dealing with embarrassment or shame 256 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 2: worth years of regret or financial costs, right, And I 257 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 2: get it. I want to be clear that in the moment, 258 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 2: it is hard to make that decision. But again, this 259 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 2: is why we go back to our quote of the 260 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:53,159 Speaker 2: day and say, let's not make a decision out of 261 00:17:53,280 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 2: fear or potential for what might happen, right, or possibility 262 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 2: of what might happen. So we're not calling, We're not 263 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 2: deciding to go through with an engagement or wedding because 264 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 2: this person could change, that red flag could go away, 265 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:29,120 Speaker 2: or because I'm afraid of what people will say if 266 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:35,679 Speaker 2: I call this off. We're gonna make this decision on 267 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 2: whether or not to say yes to this engagement, say 268 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 2: yes to this marriage based on is this person the 269 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:53,960 Speaker 2: right one for me? Yeah, and hopefully we have done 270 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,360 Speaker 2: a whole lot of soul searching and some pre marital 271 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 2: therapy where we've answered the hard questions. 272 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 3: Before we get to the point of walking down the aisle. Yes, yes, 273 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,199 Speaker 3: and yes. I think you hit the nail on the 274 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 3: head with that, And I think that before we look 275 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:18,199 Speaker 3: at options and consequences and things to consider. If I 276 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 3: were in this position right, I'm not ashamed to say 277 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,959 Speaker 3: that I've been in a similar position before. But in 278 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 3: this position, I believe that the first thing one needs 279 00:19:26,359 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 3: to do is get get into solitude, like get by 280 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 3: yourself so you can have a real ass conversation with 281 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 3: yourself and ask yourself why, like why do you think 282 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 3: because a. 283 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: Lot of times the answers that we need there. 284 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 3: Within artist you don't you be calling you a homegirl, 285 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 3: like girl, oh my god, what should I do? 286 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:44,679 Speaker 4: You know? 287 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 3: Deep down we be knowing what we need to do. 288 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:49,439 Speaker 3: We know, and usually the thing that we need to 289 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 3: do is the thing that we don't want to do. 290 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:53,159 Speaker 3: It's the thing that doesn't feel it's the thing that 291 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 3: kind of feels scary right not, which is why you're hesitating, 292 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 3: Which is why you're hesitating. And we're looking for validation. 293 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 3: We're looking for someone to tell us what to do 294 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,360 Speaker 3: so we can kind of absolve ourselves of the responsibility. 295 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 3: And it's like, all right, well, Dom told me Dom 296 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 3: said this on the episodes. I'm just go ahead and 297 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:11,239 Speaker 3: do this. Draws on, put the big girl panties on, 298 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 3: and have a conversation with yourself and ask like why 299 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:15,879 Speaker 3: why do I think this is coming up? Why do 300 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 3: I think this anxiety is butterflies in my stomach? Why 301 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:21,679 Speaker 3: do I think they're there? I love to do the 302 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,920 Speaker 3: pros and cons right, So weighing you have pros and 303 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,639 Speaker 3: cons or papers. You can see it. You see that 304 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 3: long gas list of cons and you see them three 305 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 3: pros over there, You're like, okay, this is where we 306 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 3: at seeing it visually also objectively stepping back and saying, okay, realistically, 307 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 3: if I were helping a friend out with this advice, 308 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 3: what are all the plausible options that I could choose. 309 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:47,719 Speaker 3: We're not making a decision, we're not judging, just what 310 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 3: could I actually do right? Listing them out? I think 311 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 3: also asking yourself what do I fear? And I think 312 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 3: writing off this out can be so powerful because then 313 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 3: you can reread it, you can get the thoughts out 314 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 3: of your head onto papers. So ask yourself what do 315 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 3: I fear? And then asking yourself what does your gut say? So, 316 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:07,679 Speaker 3: whether you're meditating, or you're asking God or spirit to 317 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 3: come and speak to you, whether you're praying, what does 318 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 3: your gut really say? Because a lot of times we 319 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 3: know what it's saying, and sometimes it's hard to listen 320 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 3: to that. But I would say if you were in 321 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 3: this predicament, definitely, if you can seek out a therapist 322 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:23,200 Speaker 3: and someone to help you through the situation, I think 323 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,199 Speaker 3: that could be super helpful because a lot of times 324 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 3: when we have a conversation, especially with a therapist, they're 325 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 3: able to pick up on things that we may not 326 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 3: necessarily pick up on. I remember one time talking to 327 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 3: my therapist Dom and I was speaking about a certain 328 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 3: topic and she was just listening to me, observing, and 329 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:42,880 Speaker 3: then after I spoke about these two topics, she was like, well, 330 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 3: I noticed that when you talked about this, you lit up. 331 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 3: You had a different type of energy to you when 332 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:50,640 Speaker 3: you talked about this, and then when you spoke about 333 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 3: this topic, the energy shifted, and this is what I observed, 334 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:58,439 Speaker 3: and that she was mirroring me. It resonated and I 335 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 3: was like, oh shit, okay, I know why I was 336 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 3: excited here, and I was able to dig deeper within myself. 337 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,199 Speaker 3: So I would say that those are some of the 338 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,119 Speaker 3: things that I would do realistically if I were in 339 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 3: this situation. And then when it comes to the options, 340 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:13,119 Speaker 3: Dom help me out if I'm missing something. When we 341 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 3: think about all the possible options for this scenario, you 342 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 3: could call it off, right, call the wedding off. However 343 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 3: you decide to do that, you could go through with it, 344 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 3: or you could like no show. What do they call 345 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 3: that runaway bride? You could three options? Yeah, those three options. 346 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 2: And what I would do is, if you decide to 347 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:38,360 Speaker 2: call it off, right, I would enlist the help of 348 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 2: someone who's close to you, who will be willing to 349 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 2: support you and maybe be willing to be your. 350 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:48,920 Speaker 3: Talker, like your representative. 351 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:55,720 Speaker 2: Right. So like all right? So for example, like let's 352 00:22:55,720 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: say that I was about to get married and terry. 353 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 2: You and I had a conversation and I was like, 354 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 2: I don't think I think I need to call this off. 355 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 2: I'm done now. 356 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 3: Is it cold feet or is it like your gut 357 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:13,679 Speaker 3: is speaking to you? Say to say that, because I 358 00:23:13,680 --> 00:23:14,360 Speaker 3: feel like there's. 359 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 2: A different there's a difference there. Yes, but I've done 360 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 2: all the soul searching that you suggested, right, okay, and 361 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 2: I am clear that I need to walk away, right, 362 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 2: I need to call it off. So what I'm gonna 363 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 2: do is I'm gonna say tee, all right, I'm calling you, 364 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 2: calling my best friend, and I'm like, all right, y'all, 365 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 2: here's the things that need to be done. Can y'all 366 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 2: like I don't have it in me. I'm gonna have 367 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 2: a conversation with my fiance and let him know be done. 368 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:52,159 Speaker 2: That's a lot, that's a huge piece itself, right, But 369 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 2: here's all the people that need to be told. Can 370 00:23:55,520 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 2: you all do this for me? And so now I've 371 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 2: enlisted support and then I've also set a boundary and 372 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 2: I've said, you know, I need privacy at this time, 373 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 2: and so my phone is on do not disturb. I'm 374 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 2: not responding to anyone. I've directed them to my support team, 375 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 2: and my support team is answering all the questions for 376 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:28,400 Speaker 2: me and enforcing the boundaries for me. Of y'all heard her, 377 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 2: she said she she set the weddings off. She says 378 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 2: she needs some time. We've given her all the time 379 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:35,119 Speaker 2: she needs. 380 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:39,760 Speaker 3: I love love, love that down, because, like you said, 381 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 3: it's already stressful enough to communicate this to your fiance, 382 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 3: but having a team to help you through the situation, 383 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:50,119 Speaker 3: your representatives, I think that's spot on. And I'm a 384 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 3: big fan of letters, y'all, Like I write to express myself, 385 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:56,080 Speaker 3: and so you might want to write your fiance letter. 386 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:57,679 Speaker 3: That way you can again get the thoughts out of 387 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:02,120 Speaker 3: your head onto paper, give it to them, let them 388 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:04,400 Speaker 3: read it, and then go from there. I think being 389 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 3: prepared as well when you called off being prepared for 390 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,840 Speaker 3: potential backlash, Like people are going to be judgmental, people 391 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 3: are going to call you all types of names. I mean, honestly, 392 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 3: at the end of the day, though, there's something so 393 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,960 Speaker 3: powerful when you are walking in your truth. Yes, because 394 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:20,800 Speaker 3: at the end of the day, you have to look 395 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 3: at yourself in the mirror and be comfortable and happy 396 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 3: with what you see. You have to sleep at night, right, 397 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 3: and it's hard to sleep when you're like, I know 398 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 3: I shouldn't be doing this, or you have this anxiety. 399 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,720 Speaker 3: Maybe when you tell your truth, the sleep be so peaceful, 400 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:37,400 Speaker 3: you be gone out like the light. 401 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:42,040 Speaker 2: Okay, so you have yeah, like there's this light energy 402 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:48,399 Speaker 2: that you embody because you have spoken your truth and 403 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:49,680 Speaker 2: you're living in your truth. 404 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,439 Speaker 3: So that takes us to the next one, which is 405 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 3: go through with it and dom You already talked a 406 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:00,440 Speaker 3: bit about going through with the wedding. I like, if 407 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:02,560 Speaker 3: you go through with it, here's the thing, there is 408 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,360 Speaker 3: no judgment here. We're just sharing options, lady. But I'm 409 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 3: sure there are some people listening who you actually went 410 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:10,800 Speaker 3: through it and you saw what it was about, and 411 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 3: we all have our lessons to learn, Like I've made 412 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 3: decisions on life that in hindsight, I'm like, I probably 413 00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:20,160 Speaker 3: shouldn't have done that, but I signed up for that, 414 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:22,359 Speaker 3: made the decision, and I learned the lessons from it. 415 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:24,640 Speaker 3: And so some of us we end up going through 416 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 3: with it and then we learn the lessons and we 417 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:30,320 Speaker 3: understand later, oh, this is probably why I should not 418 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 3: have done that. Right. So I think that when you 419 00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:36,080 Speaker 3: go through with it, you'll end up learning some probably 420 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:41,720 Speaker 3: hard lessons and your intuition will be validated because you 421 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 3: realize later, oh, this is why I had that gut feeling. 422 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:49,919 Speaker 3: And then ideally we can use that for future situations 423 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:52,080 Speaker 3: when our gut and our intuition is telling us something 424 00:26:52,119 --> 00:26:54,360 Speaker 3: we can listen. So going through with it and then 425 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 3: no show, I don't know again, no judgment, but if 426 00:26:58,320 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 3: you know show, I feel like that could be a 427 00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:02,000 Speaker 3: bit more or damaging than calling it often and taking 428 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:04,640 Speaker 3: the initiative and getting ahead of it, because no show, 429 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:06,879 Speaker 3: people are going to be worried about you, like, wait, 430 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 3: did something happen? They can be embarrassing because it's the 431 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 3: day of you're leading zone at the altar. Although people 432 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 3: have done this and they do it. I think that 433 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 3: it could be the backlash could be a bit worse 434 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:20,080 Speaker 3: and it might be more difficult to recover from it 435 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 3: if you just don't show up at all. 436 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:27,639 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would agree with that. I would agree, so lady, ideally, 437 00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:35,440 Speaker 2: we would encourage you to call it off. However, we 438 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:40,199 Speaker 2: understand that we all have our journeys to take, and 439 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:42,760 Speaker 2: sometimes that journey means we're going through with it, and 440 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:47,480 Speaker 2: sometimes that journey means we are having a runaway bride situation. 441 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 3: Hey, lady, have you ever been listening to the podcast 442 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 3: and been like, Damn, I wish I could be in 443 00:27:57,560 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 3: the same room with doctor dom T and the other 444 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 3: listening ladies. Well, you ain't the only one. Dim and 445 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 3: I often talk about how we wish we could bring 446 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 3: our authentic sisterhood energy to you in real life. 447 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 2: So on Saturday, July eighth, twenty twenty three, at seven pm, 448 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 2: we are hosting a live podcast show and meet and 449 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:25,160 Speaker 2: greet in Oakland, California. And guess what, lady, You're invited. 450 00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:30,200 Speaker 2: We even have an exclusive VIP experience where you can 451 00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 2: meet with us one on one and attend a twork 452 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:38,080 Speaker 2: class with us if you so choose. Did somebody say, oh, 453 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 2: you blatchet, and the first twenty five people to register 454 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 2: will be entered into a raffle to when a cultivating 455 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:48,240 Speaker 2: her space podcast swag bag worth more than two hundred 456 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:48,760 Speaker 2: and fifty. 457 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 3: Dollars visit herspacepodcast dot com to learn more and register 458 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 3: today before tickets sellout. 459 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 2: Whichever you decide that, well, we hope that you do 460 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 2: have a support team out there to help you navigate 461 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:16,080 Speaker 2: whatever decision you choose. That takes us to the second one. 462 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 2: You know, I think so this second one usually, I 463 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:26,400 Speaker 2: think sometimes with this second scenario, when people go through 464 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 2: with it, it can end up helping them decide not 465 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,000 Speaker 2: to go through with our first scenario. 466 00:29:33,320 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, yes, all right, so let's not leave 467 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:38,160 Speaker 3: the people in suspense. 468 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 2: Our second scenario is the decision on whether or not 469 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:51,520 Speaker 2: to live with someone before marriage. Now. I know, you know, 470 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:55,440 Speaker 2: for some of the younger folks out there, that might 471 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:57,160 Speaker 2: not be such a big deal, might not be such 472 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:01,640 Speaker 2: a hard decision, right, But I think about our folks 473 00:30:01,640 --> 00:30:08,720 Speaker 2: who are thirty and over, and our parents and grandparents, 474 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:13,400 Speaker 2: and everyone said, shacking up, girl, don't you be out 475 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:17,760 Speaker 2: there shacking up? And then what's the other one about 476 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 2: sampling the cow buying the movie. 477 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 3: Why they're gonna buy the cow if he can get 478 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 3: the milk for a free. There we go, yes, yes, 479 00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:29,960 Speaker 3: so all right, let's talk about it. 480 00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:35,600 Speaker 5: Yeah yeah, well, don let me just say, growing up 481 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:38,480 Speaker 5: in a very religious household, this was definitely shunned like 482 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:42,400 Speaker 5: this was this was looked down upon for sure, even 483 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:46,000 Speaker 5: so much so that when I got engaged, I moved 484 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:48,360 Speaker 5: in with my fiance and I did not tell my 485 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:49,880 Speaker 5: family for the longest because I was like, I don't 486 00:30:49,920 --> 00:30:50,800 Speaker 5: want to hear their shit. 487 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 3: I'm grown, number one, but I'm also a responsible grown up, 488 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 3: Like I'm not just oh, I'm grown, but they still 489 00:30:56,120 --> 00:30:58,480 Speaker 3: paying my buildings to I'm grown grown, And I was like, 490 00:30:58,480 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 3: I'm gonna do this is what's best for me, my life, 491 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:02,480 Speaker 3: and so I made the decision. And then later on 492 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 3: when I told them, it was kind of like all right, y'all, 493 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:05,440 Speaker 3: I mean, y'all got to deal with it, because my 494 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 3: family was like, I feel like they always try to 495 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 3: like baby me, even when I was grown, they tried 496 00:31:09,560 --> 00:31:12,360 Speaker 3: to still be very much like helicoptery, and it was like, oh, 497 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:16,160 Speaker 3: I pay all these bills, I'm grown, grown, like, come on, right, So, 498 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:18,160 Speaker 3: even though I was in my twenties, I feel like 499 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:20,120 Speaker 3: they were there was still a little bit of judgment. 500 00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:22,760 Speaker 3: And of course you hear, don't get pregnant when you 501 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:25,240 Speaker 3: move in, so if you're not trying to start a family, 502 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:26,960 Speaker 3: you may want to go on birth control, just saying. 503 00:31:27,440 --> 00:31:30,000 Speaker 3: But yeah, there's a lot that comes with this too. 504 00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:31,960 Speaker 3: I mean there's a lot that comes with the don. 505 00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:37,800 Speaker 2: Shame shame yep mm hmm. I think you know what 506 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:39,840 Speaker 2: I think about when I think about this is the 507 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 2: nuance of it, right, yes, and the reasons why people 508 00:31:45,960 --> 00:31:51,960 Speaker 2: decide to live together before marriage. Right So, in this 509 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:56,480 Speaker 2: particular economy, finance is one that comes up for me 510 00:31:56,600 --> 00:32:04,040 Speaker 2: right away. Right. I personally am not a proponent of 511 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:12,680 Speaker 2: moving in with someone solely based on finances. However, I 512 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 2: am also acutely aware that the current housing market in 513 00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:24,120 Speaker 2: a lot of places in this country are kind of 514 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 2: forcing people to make a decision to live with someone 515 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:35,440 Speaker 2: because hey, if we get a one bedroom apartment and 516 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:39,840 Speaker 2: right now, rent is twenty five hundred a month for 517 00:32:39,960 --> 00:32:41,440 Speaker 2: this one bedroom apartment. 518 00:32:44,600 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 3: Right now, I don't make. 519 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:49,640 Speaker 2: Enough to pay twenty five hundred a month on my own, 520 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:56,440 Speaker 2: but me and my boyfriend being kicking it for a 521 00:32:56,560 --> 00:32:57,720 Speaker 2: hot little minute. 522 00:32:58,240 --> 00:32:59,840 Speaker 3: His lease is about to be up. 523 00:33:00,240 --> 00:33:04,080 Speaker 2: I'm trying to not have any roommates anymore. How about 524 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:11,200 Speaker 2: we move in together and pull out finances. Because I 525 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:14,200 Speaker 2: can't afford twenty five hundred on my own, he can't 526 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:17,160 Speaker 2: afford twenty five hundred on his own, but together we 527 00:33:17,240 --> 00:33:23,080 Speaker 2: could make it work. I get that, and I'm frustrated 528 00:33:23,120 --> 00:33:26,080 Speaker 2: that our current economy is set up that this is 529 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 2: what is forcing people to make this decision. And I 530 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:37,520 Speaker 2: also know of people making this decision not solely on finances, 531 00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:42,560 Speaker 2: but also because they are trying to get out of 532 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:43,880 Speaker 2: other situations. 533 00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:44,560 Speaker 3: Right. 534 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:55,040 Speaker 2: So, I'm still living at home, and it's five of 535 00:33:55,160 --> 00:34:01,400 Speaker 2: us in this two bedroom apartment. If me and Bouthang 536 00:34:01,680 --> 00:34:05,960 Speaker 2: decide to get a place together, hell, we can get 537 00:34:05,960 --> 00:34:08,400 Speaker 2: a studio apartment for all I care. But it's just 538 00:34:08,480 --> 00:34:13,600 Speaker 2: me and booth Thang creating our little love nests. Or 539 00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:19,360 Speaker 2: it could be, Hey, I'm in a long distance relationship. 540 00:34:21,239 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 2: We decide we don't want to continue to be long distance, 541 00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:35,760 Speaker 2: so we're gonna pick a city, and we're both gonna 542 00:34:35,800 --> 00:34:38,840 Speaker 2: leave our respective locations and move to this new city 543 00:34:38,880 --> 00:34:43,799 Speaker 2: together and that means we're gonna we're gonna move in 544 00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:47,280 Speaker 2: together as well. We're starting a life on our own 545 00:34:47,320 --> 00:34:54,560 Speaker 2: in this new city together, I know, you know, creating 546 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:56,000 Speaker 2: our cute little love nests. You know. 547 00:34:56,239 --> 00:35:02,440 Speaker 3: Yes, girl, there's so much. Okay, so let me see. 548 00:35:03,520 --> 00:35:04,960 Speaker 3: There's so much that I want to say about this. 549 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:09,480 Speaker 3: I will say that one. I'm just sharing in my experience. 550 00:35:09,719 --> 00:35:11,960 Speaker 3: I believe that these things are important. I believe that 551 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:15,120 Speaker 3: as a woman, it is important to experience and have 552 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:18,799 Speaker 3: your own space at some point in your adult life. 553 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:21,960 Speaker 3: That is a belief that I believe is extremely important. Lady, 554 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:24,239 Speaker 3: I don't care how much your partner loves you and 555 00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:26,520 Speaker 3: wants to be with you, having your own space and 556 00:35:26,520 --> 00:35:31,000 Speaker 3: independence is so important. It really is. And I know 557 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:34,120 Speaker 3: some people who you know, left their parents home and 558 00:35:34,120 --> 00:35:38,160 Speaker 3: went right into their partner's space. And there are some 559 00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:41,360 Speaker 3: challenges that can come up when you when you aren't 560 00:35:41,680 --> 00:35:45,320 Speaker 3: given the liberty to be on your own and no 561 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 3: independence and no independence right. So I believe that it's 562 00:35:49,640 --> 00:35:51,960 Speaker 3: really important to establish yourself as an adult and to 563 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:54,840 Speaker 3: have that overall experience on your own and also to 564 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:56,440 Speaker 3: really see what do you like. That was one of 565 00:35:56,520 --> 00:35:59,839 Speaker 3: the things when I moved out of my dorm room, 566 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:02,560 Speaker 3: moved him to my first apartment by myself. I had 567 00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:04,640 Speaker 3: a chance to really, like I call it date myself 568 00:36:04,640 --> 00:36:06,680 Speaker 3: where I was like, well, dam this is your space. 569 00:36:06,719 --> 00:36:08,279 Speaker 3: You don't have roommates, what do you want to do 570 00:36:08,520 --> 00:36:11,160 Speaker 3: Before I coupled with someone else and kind of meshed 571 00:36:11,239 --> 00:36:15,400 Speaker 3: my life with them and intertwined my likes and dislikespased 572 00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:16,920 Speaker 3: on what they wanted to do, what they wanted to 573 00:36:16,920 --> 00:36:19,239 Speaker 3: watch on TV, and what they wanted to go, you know, 574 00:36:19,320 --> 00:36:21,160 Speaker 3: where they wanted to go out and eat. I had 575 00:36:21,160 --> 00:36:22,839 Speaker 3: a chance to get to know me so that when 576 00:36:22,880 --> 00:36:25,279 Speaker 3: I did meet someone else, I was coming as a 577 00:36:25,320 --> 00:36:28,120 Speaker 3: full person that already had my own life with me. 578 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:30,760 Speaker 3: So I do believe that's important at the same time, 579 00:36:31,120 --> 00:36:33,520 Speaker 3: although this may not be popular opinion, although these days 580 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:35,799 Speaker 3: it might be, I do think it's important to live 581 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:38,000 Speaker 3: with someone before you marry them, because baby, I don't 582 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:39,800 Speaker 3: care how much time you all spend together. Because I 583 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:41,440 Speaker 3: used to be like, oh, we spend like every week, 584 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:43,920 Speaker 3: key moment together, I already know him. Uh uh. You 585 00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:46,200 Speaker 3: don't know somebody until you live with them and you 586 00:36:46,239 --> 00:36:48,839 Speaker 3: see how they are under pressure, you see how they 587 00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:52,480 Speaker 3: how clean or not so clean they are? You see 588 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:55,480 Speaker 3: how they manage a household? Are they paying the motherfucker bills? 589 00:36:55,520 --> 00:36:58,960 Speaker 3: Because I've heard stories where y'all split bills in this 590 00:36:59,120 --> 00:37:02,120 Speaker 3: motherfucker not hand the bills, and then the ship is 591 00:37:02,200 --> 00:37:04,879 Speaker 3: getting turned off because they're not responsible. So little things 592 00:37:04,880 --> 00:37:07,919 Speaker 3: like that, I personally would want to know that before 593 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 3: I get married. 594 00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:08,839 Speaker 4: Right. 595 00:37:09,760 --> 00:37:12,360 Speaker 3: The other thing I'll say is, if you do decide 596 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:15,560 Speaker 3: to move in with someone, always have I think someone 597 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:18,640 Speaker 3: called this year it's called like a fucket fund, a 598 00:37:18,680 --> 00:37:21,680 Speaker 3: fucket fund or something like that, where maybe have your 599 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:25,560 Speaker 3: money set up aside, because ninjas are known to act 600 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,360 Speaker 3: a little funny when you move into their space, because 601 00:37:29,360 --> 00:37:31,440 Speaker 3: one day you want to be arguing potentially, and not 602 00:37:31,560 --> 00:37:34,600 Speaker 3: to say all people are like this, but you might 603 00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:36,600 Speaker 3: be arguing one day and they might ask you to 604 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:39,120 Speaker 3: get your shit and get about, And if you don't 605 00:37:39,120 --> 00:37:41,680 Speaker 3: have a place to go, what are you going to do? 606 00:37:41,719 --> 00:37:43,960 Speaker 3: If you don't have that backup fund? What are you 607 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:46,279 Speaker 3: gonna do? If you don't have a backup plan, it 608 00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:49,520 Speaker 3: leaves you vulnerable and in a very compromising position that 609 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:51,760 Speaker 3: can then turn it out to be financially abusive. 610 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:54,759 Speaker 2: And what I would add to that because I think 611 00:37:54,760 --> 00:37:59,160 Speaker 2: that's very important to consider right to have that backup plan. 612 00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:02,600 Speaker 2: But which part of that backup plan is also the 613 00:38:02,600 --> 00:38:06,360 Speaker 2: flip side of that right? Is that Let's say that 614 00:38:06,480 --> 00:38:11,680 Speaker 2: you let your partner move into your space. Oh, and 615 00:38:11,719 --> 00:38:14,399 Speaker 2: then all of a sudden they start acting up, and 616 00:38:14,480 --> 00:38:22,040 Speaker 2: you like, uh, you gotta go pack your shit. We're 617 00:38:22,080 --> 00:38:25,799 Speaker 2: gonna have a waiting to exhale moment, pack your shit, 618 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:33,560 Speaker 2: get us out, and and so then now you are 619 00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:39,880 Speaker 2: left with managing your household on your own? Can you 620 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:43,200 Speaker 2: afford to manage your household on your own? 621 00:38:45,680 --> 00:38:47,440 Speaker 3: Last thing I want to add, unless you have anything 622 00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:50,960 Speaker 3: else down is potentially having a contract or something in 623 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:54,480 Speaker 3: writing that establishes the responsibilities because you also don't want 624 00:38:55,080 --> 00:38:57,040 Speaker 3: y'all why did I make this up? So don't try 625 00:38:57,040 --> 00:38:59,200 Speaker 3: to cancel us please, But I saw this on social 626 00:38:59,280 --> 00:39:01,880 Speaker 3: media and it's something called you all ready? Are you 627 00:39:01,920 --> 00:39:06,640 Speaker 3: all ready? It's something called a hobosexual okay? And these 628 00:39:07,840 --> 00:39:15,840 Speaker 3: Donald's facial expression donad's makes me laugh? Are people? Sometimes? 629 00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:18,239 Speaker 3: There are usually men, they say, who like to shack 630 00:39:18,360 --> 00:39:19,920 Speaker 3: up with you and try to live in your crib 631 00:39:21,040 --> 00:39:23,400 Speaker 3: just because they don't have nowhere else to go, and 632 00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:26,800 Speaker 3: it typically happens in the winter seasons when it's chilly 633 00:39:27,320 --> 00:39:28,080 Speaker 3: and they want to cut. 634 00:39:30,120 --> 00:39:37,840 Speaker 2: Listen, ladies, before you make the decision to live with someone, 635 00:39:40,480 --> 00:39:42,359 Speaker 2: please vet them. 636 00:39:42,120 --> 00:39:51,000 Speaker 3: Yes, credit score please, please right right, please, yes, yes. 637 00:39:51,960 --> 00:39:54,560 Speaker 2: Make sure you've known them for more than two weeks 638 00:39:54,680 --> 00:39:55,520 Speaker 2: or two months? 639 00:39:55,960 --> 00:40:00,680 Speaker 3: Yes, Because sometimes they don't leave. You may say you 640 00:40:00,719 --> 00:40:02,399 Speaker 3: need to pack your shit into the left to left, 641 00:40:02,400 --> 00:40:04,680 Speaker 3: but they may not leave. And if you don't have 642 00:40:05,120 --> 00:40:08,160 Speaker 3: the what is it the landlord policy or the least 643 00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:11,200 Speaker 3: the guideline the least for your area, you might be 644 00:40:11,200 --> 00:40:12,480 Speaker 3: ship out of the look and then you might have 645 00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:15,040 Speaker 3: to leave your own spots. So it's a lot to consider. 646 00:40:15,120 --> 00:40:20,719 Speaker 2: It is a lot to consider, and I think you 647 00:40:20,760 --> 00:40:24,680 Speaker 2: know part of that in thinking about your feelings, right 648 00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:29,239 Speaker 2: and thinking about like the options that you might have 649 00:40:29,320 --> 00:40:34,759 Speaker 2: in this regard. One thing that you might consider is 650 00:40:37,520 --> 00:40:41,960 Speaker 2: living on your own or living with the roommate. And 651 00:40:42,080 --> 00:40:47,680 Speaker 2: you all continue to date, and so maybe it's okay 652 00:40:47,760 --> 00:40:51,880 Speaker 2: you all have separate spaces, and maybe those separate spaces 653 00:40:51,920 --> 00:40:55,000 Speaker 2: aren't ideal in terms of where you would really like 654 00:40:55,080 --> 00:40:58,720 Speaker 2: to live, but it's within each of your budgets, right, 655 00:41:00,160 --> 00:41:04,520 Speaker 2: And so then that's teaching each of you financial responsibility, 656 00:41:05,480 --> 00:41:08,600 Speaker 2: and then you all can spend time at each other's 657 00:41:08,640 --> 00:41:12,120 Speaker 2: spaces to get a sense of what that person is like. 658 00:41:12,640 --> 00:41:18,040 Speaker 2: Although you could spend every night at that person's house 659 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:21,160 Speaker 2: and it is still not one hundred percent the same 660 00:41:21,440 --> 00:41:26,640 Speaker 2: as when you all are actually living together, but it 661 00:41:26,719 --> 00:41:29,839 Speaker 2: does give you a sense of who they are and 662 00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:33,640 Speaker 2: is this It gives you some insight into is this 663 00:41:33,719 --> 00:41:36,799 Speaker 2: a person that I could live with. I'm over at 664 00:41:36,800 --> 00:41:42,120 Speaker 2: his space three nights out of the week, and of 665 00:41:42,160 --> 00:41:47,200 Speaker 2: those three nights, he's up playing video games till three am, 666 00:41:47,880 --> 00:41:52,080 Speaker 2: and I need to be in bed by midnight because 667 00:41:52,120 --> 00:41:54,440 Speaker 2: I got to get up at five. And then he 668 00:41:54,480 --> 00:41:59,000 Speaker 2: comes into bed at three am and he wants to 669 00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:02,399 Speaker 2: have sex, but I'm like, I got two hours before 670 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:04,640 Speaker 2: I got to get up to go to work, So no, 671 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:10,440 Speaker 2: we're not doing this. That's a potential issue in your relationship, right. 672 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:13,880 Speaker 3: If you live. 673 00:42:13,760 --> 00:42:18,919 Speaker 2: Together and that becomes a point of contention. Now you're 674 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:23,560 Speaker 2: looking at having to find a new place to live. 675 00:42:25,400 --> 00:42:28,560 Speaker 2: But if you all aren't living together yet and you 676 00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:31,279 Speaker 2: see that this is the pattern, this is a conversation 677 00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:36,960 Speaker 2: that you all can have to sort it out to 678 00:42:37,120 --> 00:42:40,640 Speaker 2: figure out what would it really look like for you 679 00:42:40,760 --> 00:42:46,080 Speaker 2: all if you were to actually live together, so you 680 00:42:46,160 --> 00:42:52,440 Speaker 2: can spend time at each other's houses without the financial implications, 681 00:42:52,480 --> 00:43:01,040 Speaker 2: without the deeper emotional implications that come along with living together. 682 00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:07,239 Speaker 3: Yes, I love that, love that option, dom and I 683 00:43:07,280 --> 00:43:11,600 Speaker 3: will say, Lady, even though we're sharing our perspectives on 684 00:43:11,600 --> 00:43:14,200 Speaker 3: this topic, you really have to think about your situation 685 00:43:14,280 --> 00:43:16,799 Speaker 3: and what's best for you. So we shared, we opened 686 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:18,920 Speaker 3: up the conversation. Like we opened up the dialogue, we're 687 00:43:18,960 --> 00:43:23,120 Speaker 3: sharing various scenarios. So I think, just going back to 688 00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:26,839 Speaker 3: the quote of the day that can ground us make 689 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:29,880 Speaker 3: a decision that's not emotional. Don't let anyone pressure you 690 00:43:29,920 --> 00:43:32,120 Speaker 3: into doing this. Really weigh your pros and cons again, 691 00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:33,600 Speaker 3: go back to the pros and cons. Weigh the pros 692 00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:35,880 Speaker 3: and cons. And when we think about all the scenarios 693 00:43:35,920 --> 00:43:38,560 Speaker 3: that we shared, be honest with yourself about the red 694 00:43:38,560 --> 00:43:40,839 Speaker 3: flags that you see, because a lot of times the 695 00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:43,280 Speaker 3: red flags that we sense and see in the beginning, 696 00:43:43,760 --> 00:43:48,560 Speaker 3: they're going to be glaring horns and sirens in the future. 697 00:43:48,600 --> 00:43:50,440 Speaker 3: Like there's more to the red flag, right, It's not 698 00:43:50,480 --> 00:43:53,080 Speaker 3: just a red flag just to be cute, Like there's 699 00:43:53,120 --> 00:43:55,319 Speaker 3: something bigger. It's like the tip of the iceberg. You 700 00:43:55,360 --> 00:43:57,520 Speaker 3: look up underneath that water and you're like, God, damn, 701 00:43:58,280 --> 00:44:00,920 Speaker 3: this is all the stuff, This is all the. 702 00:44:01,120 --> 00:44:02,279 Speaker 2: What you know. 703 00:44:02,400 --> 00:44:03,839 Speaker 3: So think about you on a. 704 00:44:03,800 --> 00:44:07,520 Speaker 2: Real visual A red flag is like a red light 705 00:44:08,080 --> 00:44:12,839 Speaker 2: when you are at a traffic stop. That red light 706 00:44:13,000 --> 00:44:17,440 Speaker 2: is there to tell you to stop because otherwise danger 707 00:44:17,600 --> 00:44:23,239 Speaker 2: is on the way. You choose to keep going, and 708 00:44:23,520 --> 00:44:27,320 Speaker 2: next thing you know, a mac truck has come through 709 00:44:29,080 --> 00:44:30,319 Speaker 2: and smacked right into you. 710 00:44:32,200 --> 00:44:35,279 Speaker 3: Yes, and we want to avoid that. 711 00:44:35,920 --> 00:44:38,480 Speaker 2: Yes we do, Yes we do. 712 00:44:40,280 --> 00:44:44,279 Speaker 3: Oh boy, let's hop into our final scenario for the 713 00:44:44,360 --> 00:44:46,920 Speaker 3: main episode. But of course, if you go to herspacepodcast 714 00:44:46,920 --> 00:44:49,600 Speaker 3: dot com and you click on Patreon, we'll dive into 715 00:44:49,840 --> 00:44:54,120 Speaker 3: the even juicier, the real sexy scenarios in the after show. 716 00:44:54,440 --> 00:44:58,319 Speaker 3: But our last scenario here for the main show is 717 00:44:58,480 --> 00:45:03,000 Speaker 3: navigating personal boundaries and preen preferences around sex. So just 718 00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:07,919 Speaker 3: think you're meeting with a new person, maybe you met 719 00:45:07,960 --> 00:45:11,800 Speaker 3: them on the dating app and he cool, he cute, whatever, 720 00:45:12,480 --> 00:45:15,920 Speaker 3: and you know, you go to his spot, you're about 721 00:45:15,920 --> 00:45:20,000 Speaker 3: to get it in and he's like, oh wait, this 722 00:45:20,160 --> 00:45:24,239 Speaker 3: condom is too tight. I can't feel nothing. Can we 723 00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:27,480 Speaker 3: just do it wrong? Right? That's one scenario. It happens 724 00:45:27,560 --> 00:45:28,960 Speaker 3: right like you are. You know, you're probably like, oh 725 00:45:28,960 --> 00:45:32,840 Speaker 3: my god, yes girl, that's in scenario. What about if 726 00:45:33,920 --> 00:45:37,279 Speaker 3: I don't know you're having sex and someone is like, 727 00:45:38,280 --> 00:45:39,799 Speaker 3: it's about to get real, y'all. We told y'all with 728 00:45:39,800 --> 00:45:41,560 Speaker 3: the kids to sleep. They're trying to do anal and 729 00:45:41,640 --> 00:45:43,640 Speaker 3: you're like, whoa, we didn't talk about this, like you. 730 00:45:43,719 --> 00:45:47,520 Speaker 2: Just like a finger in my butt and I didn't 731 00:45:47,719 --> 00:45:48,760 Speaker 2: without my consent. 732 00:45:49,000 --> 00:45:55,799 Speaker 3: Hold on, I wasn't ready, you know, like loup me up. 733 00:45:55,840 --> 00:46:02,200 Speaker 3: Okay anyway, so you know some warning, Yes, sorry, we're 734 00:46:02,239 --> 00:46:07,560 Speaker 3: having flashbacks now. So we're gonna we're gonna recruit conversations 735 00:46:07,640 --> 00:46:10,439 Speaker 3: that need to be had, conversations that need to be had. 736 00:46:10,560 --> 00:46:14,520 Speaker 3: So we painted the picture the feelings, right. I have 737 00:46:14,600 --> 00:46:18,200 Speaker 3: definitely been in situations dom where it's been a sexual 738 00:46:18,239 --> 00:46:22,799 Speaker 3: situation and I was caught off guard about something and 739 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:24,879 Speaker 3: did not speak up for myself because I didn't want 740 00:46:24,920 --> 00:46:26,960 Speaker 3: to ruin the mood. So I kind of dis some 741 00:46:27,000 --> 00:46:28,480 Speaker 3: shit that I didn'tely want to do because I was 742 00:46:28,520 --> 00:46:31,680 Speaker 3: just like, yeah, I don't want to cause any issues. 743 00:46:31,719 --> 00:46:33,160 Speaker 3: I'm just going to get this over and done with 744 00:46:33,239 --> 00:46:35,240 Speaker 3: and then I'm gonna want I've definitely been in that situation, 745 00:46:35,280 --> 00:46:37,879 Speaker 3: and it's embarrassing and it's a bit shameful, especially after 746 00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:40,279 Speaker 3: the fact, knowing like I'm this strong black woman who 747 00:46:40,280 --> 00:46:43,719 Speaker 3: speaks up for myself, but in that situation back then, 748 00:46:43,760 --> 00:46:46,759 Speaker 3: I didn't. I didn't do that. So there's some of 749 00:46:46,760 --> 00:46:50,360 Speaker 3: that that comes up. There is I think some fear 750 00:46:50,400 --> 00:46:52,640 Speaker 3: at times because you don't know how that other person's 751 00:46:52,680 --> 00:46:55,840 Speaker 3: going to receive your feedback. Sometimes you can feel awkward, 752 00:46:55,920 --> 00:46:59,279 Speaker 3: like how do I even bring up an STD test 753 00:46:59,400 --> 00:47:01,480 Speaker 3: or like how do I bring up you know, an 754 00:47:01,560 --> 00:47:04,759 Speaker 3: STI status? Like how do I have this conversation in 755 00:47:04,800 --> 00:47:07,680 Speaker 3: the midst of the situation. So there's a lot of 756 00:47:07,760 --> 00:47:09,840 Speaker 3: feelings I think that come up. Did I miss any feelings? 757 00:47:09,840 --> 00:47:12,120 Speaker 2: Don I think no? 758 00:47:12,239 --> 00:47:16,240 Speaker 3: I think you covered them all. And I think really. 759 00:47:18,480 --> 00:47:22,200 Speaker 2: Being honest with yourself about the situation that you're navigating, right, 760 00:47:22,520 --> 00:47:24,319 Speaker 2: because let's be we're gonna keep it all the way 761 00:47:24,440 --> 00:47:31,520 Speaker 2: a book. Okay, So how you engage in conversation around 762 00:47:31,680 --> 00:47:36,000 Speaker 2: consent and or sexual preferences with someone that you have 763 00:47:36,120 --> 00:47:43,080 Speaker 2: been dating for a while versus we you know, we 764 00:47:43,200 --> 00:47:47,239 Speaker 2: met and out. We met out in the club and 765 00:47:47,320 --> 00:47:50,560 Speaker 2: were going home together, right, like I met you, Right, 766 00:47:50,719 --> 00:47:52,480 Speaker 2: it might be okay, Well, I don't know, it might 767 00:47:52,520 --> 00:47:54,759 Speaker 2: turn into more. I don't know, but I just met you. 768 00:47:55,440 --> 00:47:59,719 Speaker 2: And so the conversation that I'm going to have with 769 00:47:59,760 --> 00:48:05,960 Speaker 2: you person I just met and the goal of the 770 00:48:06,040 --> 00:48:09,120 Speaker 2: night is to get it in, is going to be 771 00:48:09,280 --> 00:48:15,160 Speaker 2: slightly different. Notice I said slightly then the conversation that 772 00:48:15,200 --> 00:48:20,800 Speaker 2: I'm having with someone that I've been seeing for a while, right, 773 00:48:21,480 --> 00:48:24,799 Speaker 2: So conversation that I might have with the person that 774 00:48:25,239 --> 00:48:27,520 Speaker 2: I'm just bringing back to my hotel room or to 775 00:48:27,600 --> 00:48:34,319 Speaker 2: my apartment or wherever because we just met condoms, do 776 00:48:34,360 --> 00:48:36,799 Speaker 2: you have any STIs that I need to be aware of? 777 00:48:39,280 --> 00:48:42,359 Speaker 2: What are your likes dislikes and what are your what 778 00:48:42,360 --> 00:48:45,120 Speaker 2: would you like for us to do in this moment? 779 00:48:46,640 --> 00:48:49,680 Speaker 3: In any safe words? I guess something it's a little 780 00:48:49,719 --> 00:48:52,239 Speaker 3: too much in the moment. What does our let's choose 781 00:48:52,239 --> 00:48:56,000 Speaker 3: a way, Yes, what are our safe words? Right? You 782 00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:59,880 Speaker 3: can have that conversation right up front, yes, or via text. 783 00:49:00,160 --> 00:49:01,920 Speaker 3: I feel like sometimes if you feel a little awkward 784 00:49:01,920 --> 00:49:03,680 Speaker 3: in the moment, you could have even text about it. 785 00:49:03,680 --> 00:49:05,640 Speaker 3: So you have like a track record. Right. 786 00:49:05,880 --> 00:49:10,040 Speaker 2: Oh, that's a good point. Yes, if it's someone that 787 00:49:11,160 --> 00:49:16,000 Speaker 2: we've been seeing for a while, conversations, but hopefully building 788 00:49:16,160 --> 00:49:24,480 Speaker 2: up right definitely would encourage a conversation around getting tested, 789 00:49:25,400 --> 00:49:29,680 Speaker 2: whether you go together to get tested or you each 790 00:49:29,800 --> 00:49:34,920 Speaker 2: go and get tested and you share the results and 791 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:37,720 Speaker 2: being able to understand what the results mean and making 792 00:49:37,800 --> 00:49:43,200 Speaker 2: sure that the person has a gets tested for everything. Right, 793 00:49:43,480 --> 00:49:47,400 Speaker 2: we're not just testing for HIV out here, we testing 794 00:49:47,520 --> 00:49:51,080 Speaker 2: for all of it. We're getting we're asking for a 795 00:49:51,160 --> 00:50:00,440 Speaker 2: comprehensive STI examination exactly. 796 00:50:00,480 --> 00:50:03,160 Speaker 3: And lady, don't feel any shame about this. Your health 797 00:50:03,200 --> 00:50:07,480 Speaker 3: and wellness is safety is extremely important. And one night 798 00:50:07,520 --> 00:50:11,680 Speaker 3: of pleasure, sheit it ain't worth. It ain't worth the 799 00:50:11,680 --> 00:50:16,359 Speaker 3: bullshit that could come. It ain't worth. No, it's not 800 00:50:16,719 --> 00:50:21,160 Speaker 3: whether it's a once pregnancy, No, ain't no diick or pussy. 801 00:50:21,200 --> 00:50:24,160 Speaker 3: That damn good for you to be. Let's have the 802 00:50:24,200 --> 00:50:28,439 Speaker 3: conversation and if you want, you can look online for 803 00:50:28,920 --> 00:50:33,040 Speaker 3: tips and resources on how to actually bring it up. 804 00:50:33,320 --> 00:50:36,239 Speaker 3: Prepare prepare yourself, like, look up some language so that 805 00:50:36,320 --> 00:50:37,520 Speaker 3: you can say it in a way that makes you 806 00:50:37,520 --> 00:50:40,320 Speaker 3: feel comfortable and it's like on brand for your vibe. 807 00:50:40,320 --> 00:50:42,480 Speaker 3: You know what I mean, like, do it have the 808 00:50:42,480 --> 00:50:44,680 Speaker 3: conversation because you're worth it and your health and safety 809 00:50:44,760 --> 00:50:45,279 Speaker 3: is worth it. 810 00:50:45,920 --> 00:50:51,680 Speaker 2: So yeah, and I will say that having those conversations 811 00:50:51,920 --> 00:50:57,640 Speaker 2: can be pretty awkward, but truly, what's more awkward is 812 00:50:58,239 --> 00:51:02,440 Speaker 2: if you were to have an unwanted pregnancy or have 813 00:51:02,560 --> 00:51:05,120 Speaker 2: an sci and then have to call that person and 814 00:51:05,160 --> 00:51:10,680 Speaker 2: be like, hey, so I know we only was together 815 00:51:10,760 --> 00:51:15,799 Speaker 2: at one time, but you went down. You might want 816 00:51:15,880 --> 00:51:17,480 Speaker 2: get to the clinics. 817 00:51:17,719 --> 00:51:19,839 Speaker 3: Yep. And I've had plenty of friends that have had 818 00:51:19,880 --> 00:51:22,360 Speaker 3: to deal with that and that is so freaking tough 819 00:51:23,719 --> 00:51:25,600 Speaker 3: and anxiety provoking. 820 00:51:26,120 --> 00:51:31,279 Speaker 2: Yes, scary, yes, yes, And so I think you know. 821 00:51:31,360 --> 00:51:35,440 Speaker 2: And now we're we're talking like I want, we're talking 822 00:51:35,440 --> 00:51:38,440 Speaker 2: about like the more negative side of it, but also 823 00:51:38,560 --> 00:51:41,120 Speaker 2: let's talk about like the person that you're with and 824 00:51:41,160 --> 00:51:47,720 Speaker 2: you're wanting to explore, right, And how do you say 825 00:51:47,880 --> 00:51:53,200 Speaker 2: to your partner like, hey, I would like to introduce 826 00:51:53,280 --> 00:52:01,040 Speaker 2: someone else into the bedroom, right, or I don't think 827 00:52:01,120 --> 00:52:04,200 Speaker 2: the sex we've been having has been as enjoyable for 828 00:52:04,320 --> 00:52:11,560 Speaker 2: me as I would like it to be pretty awkward, yeah, 829 00:52:11,640 --> 00:52:14,840 Speaker 2: but if this is the person you're going to continue 830 00:52:14,840 --> 00:52:18,200 Speaker 2: to have sex with, you would want to be able 831 00:52:18,280 --> 00:52:22,920 Speaker 2: to have that conversation because both of you all deserve 832 00:52:23,040 --> 00:52:28,120 Speaker 2: to feel and experience pleasure. Yes, it is important, and 833 00:52:28,600 --> 00:52:33,000 Speaker 2: also discussing you know, like really, what are the things 834 00:52:33,080 --> 00:52:35,920 Speaker 2: that bring you to orgasm? 835 00:52:35,960 --> 00:52:36,600 Speaker 3: What are the. 836 00:52:36,560 --> 00:52:40,400 Speaker 2: Things that maybe you've always wanted to try but didn't 837 00:52:40,440 --> 00:52:47,680 Speaker 2: feel comfortable bringing up with anybody else being okay with 838 00:52:47,840 --> 00:52:52,120 Speaker 2: having those conversations. I also think about as we get older, 839 00:52:52,760 --> 00:52:56,600 Speaker 2: or maybe we experience something physically where our bodies are different. 840 00:52:58,360 --> 00:53:03,280 Speaker 2: I think about moms and how your body is different 841 00:53:03,280 --> 00:53:06,200 Speaker 2: after you've given birth, whether it was a vaginal delivery 842 00:53:06,320 --> 00:53:12,960 Speaker 2: or not. How you feel different in your body right, 843 00:53:14,440 --> 00:53:17,640 Speaker 2: I think about folks who have had different types of 844 00:53:17,719 --> 00:53:25,520 Speaker 2: surgeries or I also recognize that when someone might be depressed, 845 00:53:25,680 --> 00:53:31,720 Speaker 2: like extremely depressed, or have some other type of psychological 846 00:53:31,800 --> 00:53:38,000 Speaker 2: issue going on, there's no interest in sex, and so 847 00:53:38,080 --> 00:53:41,040 Speaker 2: then how do you communicate that to your partner? Or 848 00:53:41,080 --> 00:53:45,640 Speaker 2: if someone has a physical condition that might be currently 849 00:53:45,719 --> 00:53:48,880 Speaker 2: preventing them from being able to have sex, or having 850 00:53:48,920 --> 00:53:56,320 Speaker 2: sex becomes dangerous, what having that conversation with your partner 851 00:53:57,000 --> 00:54:00,440 Speaker 2: around what are things that can be done so that 852 00:54:01,560 --> 00:54:06,080 Speaker 2: we can experience pleasure in a way that truly is 853 00:54:06,280 --> 00:54:11,759 Speaker 2: physically safe, like legit, like if we do this, I 854 00:54:11,840 --> 00:54:14,440 Speaker 2: might have a heart attack? What can we do so 855 00:54:14,520 --> 00:54:19,320 Speaker 2: that I don't have a heart attack? And being willing 856 00:54:19,400 --> 00:54:25,800 Speaker 2: to navigate these these conversations as awkward as they may be, 857 00:54:25,800 --> 00:54:28,200 Speaker 2: because this is particularly if this is a person that 858 00:54:28,239 --> 00:54:32,759 Speaker 2: you're having sex with on a regular, consistent, potentially long 859 00:54:32,920 --> 00:54:38,920 Speaker 2: term basis you want. There are going to be awkward moments. 860 00:54:39,480 --> 00:54:43,520 Speaker 2: That's just that. 861 00:54:41,840 --> 00:54:46,200 Speaker 3: That's the nature of being human exactly. I feel like 862 00:54:46,280 --> 00:54:54,000 Speaker 3: dom anyone that we're having regular, even if it's casual, 863 00:54:54,080 --> 00:54:57,400 Speaker 3: like regular consistent sex with I feel like we should 864 00:54:57,440 --> 00:55:00,560 Speaker 3: be having these conversations like this is important you if 865 00:55:00,600 --> 00:55:03,120 Speaker 3: it's a one nice stand, I'm like, okay, there's some 866 00:55:03,239 --> 00:55:06,399 Speaker 3: I mean the question, the basics are important, but like, 867 00:55:06,719 --> 00:55:09,720 Speaker 3: as you're continuing to have sex with someone, this should 868 00:55:09,760 --> 00:55:12,840 Speaker 3: be a practice of like having those conversations. I know, 869 00:55:12,960 --> 00:55:15,000 Speaker 3: when I think about younger of me, oh my gosh, 870 00:55:15,040 --> 00:55:17,279 Speaker 3: younger me having sex, it was just like, I mean, 871 00:55:17,560 --> 00:55:20,080 Speaker 3: so timid, not speaking up. I mean I really even 872 00:55:20,160 --> 00:55:23,520 Speaker 3: knew what I liked. It was very different from older, 873 00:55:23,760 --> 00:55:26,239 Speaker 3: more matured me, right where I'm like super vocal and 874 00:55:26,280 --> 00:55:28,560 Speaker 3: it's like oh I like this, don't like that? No, 875 00:55:28,719 --> 00:55:30,360 Speaker 3: thank you know what I mean. So I feel like 876 00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:34,280 Speaker 3: just being able to express what you like and dislike 877 00:55:34,320 --> 00:55:37,520 Speaker 3: even in the moment, Like if someone's doing something that 878 00:55:37,560 --> 00:55:40,560 Speaker 3: you like, let them know, right and it make it 879 00:55:40,560 --> 00:55:42,920 Speaker 3: feels right to you. But if they don't, I'm a 880 00:55:42,920 --> 00:55:45,359 Speaker 3: big fan of like moving the hands like mm hmm, 881 00:55:45,680 --> 00:55:49,080 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. Much yeah, yeah, but finding 882 00:55:49,120 --> 00:55:50,800 Speaker 3: a way where it's like no, I'm not interested in that, no, 883 00:55:50,920 --> 00:55:53,479 Speaker 3: thank you. But yeah, I think the communication is key, 884 00:55:53,719 --> 00:55:57,960 Speaker 3: especially if somebody gonna be in them cheeks, y'all, you 885 00:55:58,000 --> 00:56:05,640 Speaker 3: gotta communicate. I'm just saying you got to communicate, yes, intimacy, 886 00:56:06,200 --> 00:56:08,640 Speaker 3: and so we need to be having these conversations. 887 00:56:08,680 --> 00:56:15,600 Speaker 4: Okay, all right, So lady, we have talked about a 888 00:56:15,880 --> 00:56:19,640 Speaker 4: number of different scenarios, so calling off. 889 00:56:19,480 --> 00:56:24,239 Speaker 2: An engagement or a wedding, living with someone before marriage, 890 00:56:24,640 --> 00:56:31,320 Speaker 2: and navigating your personal boundaries and preferences around sex. Now again, 891 00:56:31,480 --> 00:56:35,279 Speaker 2: as Terry mentioned, go on and hop over to the 892 00:56:35,320 --> 00:56:39,640 Speaker 2: after show where we give you a couple of more 893 00:56:39,680 --> 00:56:47,200 Speaker 2: scenarios of how to avoid some awkward moments in adulting 894 00:56:48,440 --> 00:56:50,400 Speaker 2: when we should maybe tell some personal experiences too. 895 00:56:50,400 --> 00:56:52,680 Speaker 3: Down, let's hope on over to the after show. All right, 896 00:56:52,920 --> 00:56:54,920 Speaker 3: we'll catch you in the after show. Go to her 897 00:56:55,000 --> 00:56:57,800 Speaker 3: Space podcast dot com, click on Patreon, and we'll see you. 898 00:56:57,840 --> 00:57:03,680 Speaker 2: There's doctor dom here from the Cultivating her Space podcast. 899 00:57:04,640 --> 00:57:07,600 Speaker 2: Are you currently a resident of the state of California 900 00:57:08,280 --> 00:57:13,360 Speaker 2: in contemplating starting your therapy journey? Well, if so, please 901 00:57:13,400 --> 00:57:17,240 Speaker 2: reach out to me at doctor Dominique Brusard dot com. 902 00:57:17,720 --> 00:57:22,560 Speaker 2: That's d R D O M I N I q 903 00:57:22,880 --> 00:57:28,280 Speaker 2: U E b R O U ss ar D dot 904 00:57:28,320 --> 00:57:33,240 Speaker 2: com to schedule a free fifteen minute consultation. I look 905 00:57:33,280 --> 00:57:37,880 Speaker 2: forward to hearing from you. Thanks for joining us today. 906 00:57:38,920 --> 00:57:44,400 Speaker 2: Please note that our show may contain conversations about self help, advice, 907 00:57:45,040 --> 00:57:49,240 Speaker 2: self empowerment, and mental health, but is by no means 908 00:57:49,480 --> 00:57:53,360 Speaker 2: meant to be a substitute for an ongoing formal relationship 909 00:57:53,440 --> 00:57:57,200 Speaker 2: with a trained mental health provider. If you are someone 910 00:57:57,280 --> 00:58:00,600 Speaker 2: you know is in need of mental health care, please 911 00:58:00,720 --> 00:58:05,840 Speaker 2: visit a Therapy for Black Girls directory Psychology today or 912 00:58:05,880 --> 00:58:07,560 Speaker 2: contact your insurance provider. 913 00:58:08,080 --> 00:58:09,840 Speaker 3: If you liked what you heard and want to keep 914 00:58:09,840 --> 00:58:14,680 Speaker 3: the conversation going, visit our website at herspacepodcast dot com 915 00:58:14,920 --> 00:58:17,120 Speaker 3: and be sure to click the Patreon tab to get 916 00:58:17,160 --> 00:58:21,280 Speaker 3: access to video content bonuses in our weekly after show 917 00:58:22,080 --> 00:58:25,760 Speaker 3: and before we meet again, Repeat after me, I am 918 00:58:25,840 --> 00:58:28,600 Speaker 3: worthy of what I desire, period