They love me even on the days I can’t stand myself. They forgive me when I raise my voice. They teach me softness, every single day. Parenting is hard—but it’s also holy. And I’m learning as I go. I love being a mommy more than anything in this world even through the chaotic days when I wanna scream😂 I love my 5 babies.
Comment: Moms—what’s something your child has taught you?
Leave a 🧸 if your kids changed how you love.
By Alazè The Poet
Thriving isn’t just about surviving the chaos. It’s about choosing joy. It’s about healing out loud. It’s about planting seeds where it seems nothing can grow — and blooming anyway.
We hear the word “thrive” all the time, but what does it truly mean?
To thrive is to live with intention.
To thrive is to honor your growth, even in the mess.
To thrive is to rise with purpose — not perfection.
🌿 So, How Does One Truly Thrive?
It starts small.
Thriving doesn’t require you to have it all together. It just requires you to keep choosing yourself. Here are a few steps to get you started:
1. Check in with your truth. Ask yourself — How am I really doing? What do I need? What can I release?
2. Give yourself permission to grow. Growth is messy, non-linear, and uncomfortable. Thrive anyway.
3. Create sacred routines. Whether it’s journaling, crocheting, praying, or morning tea — find what grounds you and do it often.
4. Set boundaries that honor your peace. Saying “no” isn’t rejection — it’s redirection back to your own soul.
5. Celebrate your wins — even the tiny ones. Showing up counts. Resting counts. Healing counts.
💫 How Alazè Is Choosing to Thrive
As for me? I’ve been learning how to thrive in real time.
Pursuing my Master’s in Social Work with a 3.833 GPA while navigating bipolar disorder hasn’t been easy — but I’ve learned to show myself grace through the sleepless nights and long papers. I’ve leaned into my calling. I’ve allowed myself to cry, rest, and rise.
Thrive With Alazè isn’t just a brand — it’s a lifestyle. I create courses, write poetry, coach others, and pour into community because I believe healing is contagious when we live out loud.
Lately, I’ve been reminded that thriving is just as much about giving as it is about receiving. So I’m putting that into action…
🧶 My Random Acts of Kindness Challenge
Over the next two weeks, every time I leave the house, I’ll carry a little bit of love with me — literally.
✨ I’m crocheting face scrubbies to give away.
✨ I’m making keychains stamped with powerful words like worthy, resilient, enough.
✨ And I’ll attach a handwritten positive note to each one.
No strings attached. No “special” reason. Just to remind someone they are seen, valuable, and loved.
Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s turning point.
💛 Your Turn: Thrive With Intention
This week, I challenge you to join me in spreading intentional kindness.
🎯 Choose one random act of kindness — big or small.
🎯 Do it quietly, without expecting anything in return.
🎯 Watch what happens… to the world and to you.
Thriving isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. And when we move with love, we create a ripple effect far greater than we’ll ever know.
Engagement Prompt:
What’s your random act of kindness going to be? Comment below or tag me in a post to inspire others to thrive on purpose. 💛
#ThriveWithAlazè #ThriveThursday #RandomActsOfKindness #LiveWithIntention #HealingInAction #CrochetForTheSoul #MentalHealthMatters #CreativeHealing #AlazèThePoet
Loving Out Loud While Healing
Being in love while healing is brave. It’s soft and scary. It’s showing up honest, even when it’s messy. I’m learning that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing each other through the chaos.
‘Her love didn’t fix me. It found me in pieces and sat beside them.’
💬Comment: What’s one thing you’ve learned about love while healing?
Leave a ❤️ if you’re learning to love again, softly.
Thrive Thursdays Keeping it Real With Alazè The Poet
By Alazè The Poet
They say chasing your dreams will test you… but they never said it would be at 2 a.m., halfway through a 10-page paper, eyes heavy, mind racing, and your heart still whispering, “Keep going.”
This is Thrive Thursday, and today I want to speak on my journey as a graduate student in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program — not just the highlight reel, but the honest, in-the-trenches, still-going kind of story.
I’m currently taking my 7th and 8th course at Capella University, on track through the middle of September. And as of today, I hold a 3.833 GPA and was recently inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Yes, I’m proud. Yes, I’m humbled.
But also — I’m tired. I’m healing. I’m still learning to balance all of it.
Because see, I don’t just do this for a paycheck. I do this for the people — for the kids in underfunded schools, for the adults who never learned to name their trauma, for the women who carry everything in silence.
I do it for the communities that look like me.
I do it because this is my calling.
But being called doesn’t mean it comes easy.
Sometimes I reread the same paragraph three times and still can’t retain it because my mind is caught in a storm of everything else.
Sometimes I lose track of time while writing, only to look up and it’s nearly sunrise.
Sometimes I stare at the screen in full-blown writer’s block, while my bipolar 1 mind fights for focus.
Sometimes I just… don’t feel like doing it at all.
But every time I feel like quitting, I remember the nonprofit I’m building. The therapy practice waiting for me at the finish line. The generations of healing I want to ignite. And I press on.
I take notes. I watch the videos. I do the work — even through the fog.
Because this is more than a degree.
It’s more than a resume booster.
It’s a revolution I’m preparing for.
So if you’re in school, working toward something bigger than yourself, or trying to show up even when your mind makes it hard — know this:
You’re not alone. And you’re not behind. You’re just becoming.
And baby, becoming takes time.
Keep showing up. Keep choosing your purpose.
Because one day soon, the tassel will turn, the vision will manifest, and all the sleepless nights will make sense.
Engagement Prompt:
How are you showing up for your dreams this week — even when it’s hard? Drop a comment or share this post on social media or with someone who needs the reminder to keep going. 💛
Use these hashtags on social media so I can see your posts: #ThriveWithAlazè #ThriveThursday #MSWJourney #BipolarAndBrilliant #SocialWorkStudent #MentalHealthAdvocate #CapellaUniversity #BlackExcellence #HealingInProgress #PurposeDriven #StudentLifeUnfiltered
Thrive isn’t just a cute name—it’s a declaration. I’ve survived more than I speak on. And now, I want to help others move from surviving to thriving. That word holds power, purpose, and personal truth for me.
📝Reflection Prompt: What word holds power in your life?
Comment your power word.
Create a short 10-15 second video clip saying your word out loud—speak life into it. Speak life into you.
Signed with ❤️
Alazè The Poet
Building Thrive With Alazé: The Messy Middle
Everyone talks about the launch day. The big reveal. But no one talks about the late nights, the imposter syndrome, the re-recorded videos, the tears between breakthroughs. That’s where Thrive With Alazé is being built—in the messy middle.
📌Real talk: I don’t have it all together, but I have the vision and the fire to keep showing up.
💬Drop a 💼if you’re building something from scratch.
📣Comment with one word that describes your current hustle season. If you want, take it further and explain why you chose that word.
Signed,
Alazè The Poet
One week I’m journaling, singing, working out, feeling whole… the next I’m crying over things I swore I was done with. Dragging to get out of bed. Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s a loop, a spiral, and a dance. And that’s okay. Everyone’s healing journey is different. Sometimes I’m very productive and depleted at the same time having racing thoughts and triggers I thought I was past. I just take it one day at a time learning to give myself more grace than criticism. More compassion than judgment. I encourage you to do the same.
📣Have you had a spiral moment recently? Share with grace.
#HealingJourney #SelfHonesty #TruthTeller #MentalWellness
The Lie I Told Myself to Survive
I told myself I had to be strong 24/7. That if I broke down, I was weak. Crying was weak especially around others. That lie carried me through chaos but cost me softness. Truth is: strength is being seen, even when you’re not okay. Strength is being vulnerable. Strength is having feelings whether negative or positive. Strength is sitting with your feelings. Having a moment of weakness doesn’t always have to be bad.
If I’m keeping it 100 I still struggle sometimes with my ability to be vulnerable because my sensitivity, empathy and feelings weren’t viewed as strong when I was a child and teenager growing up. I was always referred to as the sensitive one or the crybaby. I can’t help that when I feel I feel hard. And why is it that society makes us think it’s weak, Idk, but I’m raising my kids to know how to express themselves, how to sit with their emotions and also how to cope in many different healthy ways. I’m teaching them crying is healthy. Feeling is healthy.
✒️Today’s Poetry Line: ‘I stitched my smile with survival thread, but the seams still bled truth.’
📣What truth are you learning to sit with?
“Your wound is probably not your fault, but your healing is your responsibility.”
Meaning: This quote reminds us that while we may not have caused our pain, we hold the power to heal and grow beyond it.
Reflection Prompt:
What wounds am I still holding onto, and what steps can I take toward healing today?
I love this quote because it’s so accurate. We have to take responsibility and be intentional in our healing journeys.
This is a deep question that requires a thoughtful yet raw response. Honestly, there are several wounds I feel are still bleeding all over me. Where do I even begin?
1. Grief of several people I loved dearly, especially the ones lost to gun violence. Tereo (murdered), Akeem (suicide), Grandma Lois (cancer).
2. Domestic violence, toxicity
3. My bad experiences with men especially with being manipulated and taken advantage of sexually.
4. Abandonment in many areas of my life.
5. Losing myself.
6. Loss of “friends”
What steps can I take towards healing today?
Written June 27, 2025
What does this quote mean to you? What wounds are you still holding onto, and what steps can you take toward healing today?
Whew… where do I even begin?
Life has been lifing in the most wild, stretching, beautiful, frustrating, fulfilling, and overwhelming ways lately. If you’ve been wondering what I’ve been working on—it’s a lot, but I’m still standing… still blooming… still healing.
Let’s talk about it.
My #1 Focus Lately? Loving Myself More, On Purpose.
Lately, my energy has been laser-focused on my self-love course, and babyyyyyy, it’s been healing me as much as I hope it heals others.
“Love Yourself Sis!” isn’t just a course—it’s a journey. Every time I write a module, record a video, or draft a worksheet, I’m reminded that healing is a process, not a destination. I’ve cried writing it. I’ve laughed. I’ve paused. I’ve peeled back layers I thought were already gone. It’s showing me just how far I’ve come and how far I still want to go.
This course is my heart in digital form. And I can’t wait for y’all to experience it.
Thrive With Alazé is my heart-led coaching business built to help women heal, grow, and glow through self-love, mental health skill-building, and creative expression. Whether it’s through transformative courses, healing-centered workbooks, or intentional coaching sessions, Thrive With Alazé is here to guide you back to your power. The official launch is coming very soon, so be sure to check back for the release date—or better yet, subscribe to get email notifications straight to your inbox and be the first to know when it’s live. Your healing era is calling. Let’s thrive, sis.
I’m Still Writing Through It All
Books? Still writing ‘em.
Workbooks? Still stacking those too.
I’ve got a few I’m working on behind the scenes—some for healing, some for reflection, and some for helping folks get their mind and spirit aligned. And yes, they’re all in different stages of “almost done” (because my brain be braining at 3 AM).
But it’s coming together. Slowly. Surely. In my own divine timing.
School? Still Schooling.
I’m deep into this Master’s in Social Work, and babyyy when I tell you it’s not for the weak. Between group projects, discussion posts, research papers, and trying not to throw my laptop across the room, I’ve been pushed. But I’m also learning so much that’s shaping me as a future therapist, advocate, and change agent.
Every assignment reminds me why I started this journey—to be the healer I once needed.
Business is Building. Bit by Bit.
I’ve been putting bricks on the foundation of my business, Thrive With Alazé, even if I can’t always see the full structure yet. Between my courses, content creation, coaching plans, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff most folks don’t talk about… yeah, it’s a grind.
But I believe in it. I believe in me. And I believe that impact is being made, even when the numbers don’t always show it yet.
A Little Secret Project (That I Won’t Name 👀)
Okay look… I have been working on a fun, spicy, silly little couples game. I’m not ready to say too much ‘cause trademarks and legal stuff (you know how it go). But just know—when it drops, it’s gon’ shake the table a lil bit. Stay tuned.
Personal Life? Whew. Let’s Talk About It.
Let’s start with this: I quit tobacco the first week of January and haven’t looked back since. That alone has been HUGE for me. I had to choose my breath over my stress. And while it hasn’t been easy, it’s been worth it. I can breathe better, think clearer, and I feel like I reclaimed a piece of myself I gave away to a temporary escape.
Now let’s slide into this dating and relationship growth segment real quick…
Whew chile. I’m dating an amazing woman, but navigating love while unlearning survival-mode communication is not for the faint of heart. I’ve had to really sit with myself and face the ways I unintentionally shut down or pull away when I feel overwhelmed. Learning how to communicate without making her feel unseen or neglected is a journey, but I’m on it. Love requires accountability and softness—and I’m practicing both.
Family Struggles? Still Navigating Those Too.
Let me tread lightly here, ‘cause this ain’t about bashing nobody. I love my father. But it’s complicated. There are days I feel invisible or dismissed by him, and other days I feel like the little girl in me is screaming, “Why can’t you just see me?” That back and forth… it’s draining.
I’m learning how to protect my peace while still holding space for hope. It’s hard, but necessary.
And Then There’s Me… Just Trying to Be Okay.
Through all this, I still battle my own mind sometimes. Bipolar 1 and anxiety don’t disappear just ‘cause I’m helping others or chasing dreams. Some days I’m high-functioning and locked in. Other days I need to disappear for a bit and catch my breath.
But no matter what—I keep coming back to me.
I’m learning to give myself grace. To honor the seasons I’m in. To rest when I’m tired. To feel everything but not let it define me.
So Sis, If You’re Reading This…
Just know you’re not alone if you feel like you’re juggling 97 things and still trying to remember to eat.
I see you.
I am you.
And we’re gon’ be alright.
Until next time,
Alazé The Poet
🖤✨
Hello Beautiful Souls,
My name is Shaquana—but you may know me as Alazé The Poet. I’m currently a graduate student working toward my Master’s in Social Work, and today I want to share something deeply personal: why I chose this path and the challenges I expect to face as I grow into the social worker I’ve always needed.
Let me take you back for a moment…
Even as a little girl navigating school hallways with trauma tucked behind my smile, I had a heart that fought for others. I was the one who defended kids being bullied, even while I was being bullied myself. I couldn’t bear to see others hurting in silence—I still can’t. That empathy—that fire to protect, support, and see people—has always been in me.
But my “why” runs deeper than compassion.
I’ve lived through poverty. I’ve watched childhood friends fall victim to poor decisions, untreated trauma, and a system that never cared enough. Some ended up incarcerated. Some didn’t make it past their twenties. And I was almost one of them.
After surviving sexual assault (again), I was 18 years old and drowning. I didn’t know how to cope, didn’t have support, and didn’t have guidance. So I turned to research. I looked up what trauma does to the brain. I dug into treatment options, searched for therapists, and tried to make sense of my pain—on my own.
And when I finally began to heal, I realized something: I wasn’t weak for breaking down. I was powerful for putting myself back together.
Piece by piece.
Now, I want to be that source of strength, hope, and healing for others. Not just by offering clinical care—but by understanding. By truly seeing people. Because I’ve been the person who didn’t know how to ask for help. I’ve been the person judged for seeking therapy. And I’ve been the person who had to learn how to love herself again.
That’s why I’m pursuing this degree. That’s why I show up every day as a Qualified Mental Health Professional in training. And that’s why I will keep showing up long after I earn my license.
Because healing shouldn’t be shameful.
Because trauma doesn’t have to define you.
Because sometimes, knowing someone else has been through it is all you need to take your first step.
But let’s be real—this journey isn’t without its challenges.
As a future social worker, I know that boundaries will be one of my biggest growing edges. I’m naturally nurturing. Everywhere I’ve worked, people want to stay connected after I leave—and the same happens with my clients. It’s hard for me to disconnect because I care deeply.
I’m also a woman living with bipolar 1 and anxiety. That means when someone is sad, I feel it. When someone is angry, I feel that too. I’m a true empath—and that can be a gift and a weight at the same time. Emotional regulation and self-care will be crucial in my future practice, just like they are now.
Another real challenge? Organization and structure. I know that if I don’t have an intentional workspace, I can become overwhelmed. That’s part of why I dream of opening my own private practice—a safe, sacred space that reflects my energy and allows me to thrive while helping others do the same.
In my current role, I deal with frequent no-shows and a lot of non-communication, especially from clients who are battling depression or other mental health challenges. I understand it—I really do. But it still makes the work harder. I have bills to pay and responsibilities to meet. It’s a balancing act between offering grace and protecting my own peace.
So what keeps me going?
The belief that my story, my voice, and my pain all have purpose. That every time I show up for someone else’s healing, I honor the little girl in me who needed someone to show up for hers.
I’m not here to save the world. I’m here to walk beside the ones who feel like the world gave up on them.
And if that sounds like you—I see you. I believe in your healing. I believe in your power to transform pain into purpose, just like I am.
Let’s continue the conversation.
Have you ever considered what your own “why” is? Or what healing looks like for you?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, connect with me on social media, or explore more of my poetry and reflections here on AlazeThePoet.com.
With love, truth, and the courage to grow,
Shaquana “Alazé The Poet”
In this video, I bring to life my poem “One Drunken Night”—a raw and vulnerable piece that explores the pain, confusion, and aftermath of sexual assault.
I’ve started creating visual storyboards for my poetry because some truths are too powerful to be left on the page. They deserve to be spoken—heard in my voice, felt through every pause, every word.
This poem is part of my healing journey, and I share it not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt silenced by trauma. I hope this piece resonates with you, and that you’ll join me as I continue to share more of my story through poetry and visual expression.
Thank you for witnessing this with me.
— Alazé The Poet 💚🤞🏾
Hey, it’s Alazé The Poet.
I know I haven’t been as consistent with blogging as I intended to be, but today marks a reset—one rooted in grace, healing, and truth. Life has been heavy lately, and I’ve been navigating a lot mentally, emotionally, and physically. Between chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, and doctors not fully listening to my body’s cries—some days, I’m just trying to breathe. Add in emotional waves of grief, generational trauma, parenting through heartbreak, and finally allowing myself to love and be loved—and it’s safe to say, I’ve been feeling everything deeply.
But in the midst of the chaos, I’ve also found clarity.
For years, I said I was going to do something with my poetry. I talked about publishing, about sharing my voice, about turning pain into purpose. But talking turned into doing—and I finally did it. I started building my manuscript for my first poetry book. And y’all—it’s not just a book. It’s my soul in stanzas. It’s my scars in rhyme.
This project is my truth. Raw. Reflective. Rebellious. Healing.
The book is structured in three parts, each capturing a chapter of my life. Part 1 holds my aches, betrayal, depression, and the quiet battles I’ve fought in silence. But I didn’t want to just release trauma into the world. I wanted to guide my readers through the process of reflection too. That’s why every few poems, you’ll find a pause—a reflective page that invites you to sit with your own emotions, to breathe, to feel, and to heal.
This book wasn’t designed to be consumed in one sitting. It’s meant to be experienced. Slowly. Intentionally. With gentleness.
This is more than poetry. This is a mirror. This is medicine. This is me.
Thank you for being on this journey with me—from the girl in 6th grade scribbling verses, to the woman standing in her truth.
Let’s keep healing out loud.
With love and resilience,
Alazé The Poet
Creating this book for me was such a big accomplishment for many reasons. Since I started it back in 2020 and published the eBook in January of 2021 I have watched myself grow and form a love for me I never had or was taught to have. See it’s okay to go through trauma, to struggle mentally and physically sometimes but you have to love YOU everyday despite those bad things and days. At the end of the day you are amazing flaws & all, tears and pain. You’ll always be worth loving. I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t know how to properly love myself how can I expect anyone else to whether it’s friends, family or significant other. Fill your glass before you try to fill someone else’s or expect someone else to fill yours. Take care of and love yourself and everything else will surely start to fall in place. Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself and most of all SHOW YOURSELF SOME COMPASSION daily. As always I love you guys. Stay tuned on this journey of love & growth while enduring the trauma and pain. I WILL OVERCOME IT. Don’t forget to grab your copy from my personal link to get a signed copy && a free gift. It can also be found on Amazon.
Get your signed copy && free gift. You won’t be disappointed but very encouraged and appreciated. It’s the “month of LOVE” What better love than SELF LOVE. Get it for you, your mother, sister, daughter, auntie, grandma and friends. Choose to be intentional for the next 30 days. 🥰
Shop now 🙂 https://uniquebyshaquana.etsy.com/listing/1669156671
I remember making this painting and immediately after my mind kept repeating “the story behind this painting” and my heart felt like a poem was needed to explain the depth of it. I was struggling through the grief of my daughter’s dad’s death and not knowing how to be there for her without smothering her was really bothering me. Making this painting and writing this poem brought me so much comfort.
When I wrote this poem I was struggling terribly with both grief and depression. It was coming up on the 1-year death anniversary of my daughter’s father’s murder, my cousin had just gotten killed in Baltimore a month prior and a good friend of mine (ex) had just committed suicide. I felt like I was losing it because all I felt was sadness and pain. The more I was sad the more this feeling of anger brewed inside of me. I was angry at the cowards who wanted to play God and take lives. I was angry and frustrated with God himself because I felt like, how can I be begging for relief from my pain but then it’s always 5 more things added onto it. My pain was causing anger because it was so overwhelming. Angry because I was always prepared to protect my kids, but not from a traumatic loss such as losing Montereo. Some days there are feelings of being lost in the process and trying to help my daughter grieve healthily. I was even angry at myself for grieving, isolating and not being able to control the depression no matter how many scriptures I read, prayers I prayed, poems I wrote and art I created all the pain was still there all the same. This pain and sadness seemed to have weakened my faith and I was so angry at myself. I felt like my mind and body had no more strength or energy to fight. Sometimes I’m still angry and frustrated with myself and my emotions, but always I push through.
Can you relate to feelings of sadness, grief, frustration, pain and anger? Is there anything you do to help yourself work through these feelings? Please feel free to share in the comment section.
The words of a single mother trapped in the thoughts of her children’s feelings of being fatherless. It’s not easy doing it alone. Sometimes I don’t have all the answers to their wildest questions. I don’t know how to answer the “where he at? Why he don’t call?” Questions anymore. How do you explain to your kids its not their fault their sperm donor missed out on the biggest reward in life. I love writing when I’m emotional because when you read it you can see my attitude change and the poem becomes uplifting & Encouraging. My poems never end on a bad note. Being a single parent gives you strength, double the love & you get to give double the love. 😍😍 #momlife #bloglife #bosslife #poetryistherapy
Have you ever had a story to share,
But you’ve been silenced?
You feel as if you’re shouting,
Yet itsi coming out as faint whispers.
No one wants to listen.
Have you ever been beaten,
But no one would listen?
Cried out for help,
But they think you’re crazy.
Nah, what’s crazy is constantly being
abused and raped, but no one wants
to listen.
The woman is blamed for looking too
pretty, having too little clothes.
The woman is blamed for “his” aggression.
She’s told SHUT-UP!
Dont fight!
Submit!
Give up!
See me, I can’t be silenced.
My story is too big.
&& I have kids.
It’s getting to the point,
this pain I can’t bare.
And so far this fight isn’t fair 😭
How do you see the light when the
sunshine is no longer bright.
You’re tired of this game .
Game of Life or death.
But I won’t die.
Im going to cut the tie that’s
snug all over my body,
So that I can get up and fly.
With every soar, my story I
will pour.
A little here.
A little there, because Shaquana will
NOT shut up or give up.
The fight is mine.
And I’m sure to win it in due time. 😊
Written by: your’s truly Alaze’ThePoet
Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Naked Ink: The Voice of Alazè 