MADEUS
is two fold. Not only do
I have pressure from
social media to always
be relevant, to make
moves, to be successful
and engaging, but I also
have pressure in real life
to have it together and
be an example. I’m a
leader at my church, my
husband is a pastor, his
parents are the pastors of
our church, my parents
have their own church.
There’s a lot of pressure to
uphold a certain standard
and people are always
watching no matter where
I go! So I have to take time
for myself to really make
sure I’m emotionally and
spiritually stable. This year
more than ever I’ve had to
find my secret place
and get closer to God
on my own without all
the voices in my ear. I’m
trusting God with it,
and I can't let anything or
anyone else distract me
from his plan for my life.
How do you handle the
negative comments? Most
times I just shrug it off
because I know many
of the people who are
negative online would
never say any of those
things to my face. Twitter
fingers only work online.
They talk big in all caps
but would never attack me
in real life. Plus they don’t
even know me, so their
opinions flawed and
they’re only opinions, not
facts. I know who I am,
but sometimes the words
do get overwhelming.
The times where the
negativity did get to me, I
was not in a good space
emotionally. I spent way
too much time in my own
head, focusing on myself.
Around that time I was in
a vulnerable situation and
I had to realize that my
life and everything I do
has a greater purpose, not
to please myself, but to
help others! I constantly
remind myself I don't just
do this for me. If it means
I can help someone be
a better them, I’ll take
the jabs! It just makes me
stronger.
Has there ever been a time
when you felt like you
shared too much with your
followers? I’m an over
thinker, so of course at
times I think really hard
about what I’ve put out
there and if it was a good
or bad decision. Once it’s
out, you can't take it back!
But at the same time, being
open and honest with my
followers only works in my
favor because then they
can relate to me, it may
help someone, and we
can share experiences. I
appreciate when people
I follow and look up to
share parts of their lives
that may have been tough
for them, because it helps
me get through tough
times where I may have
felt alienated. So when
I do share, I make sure
there’s a purpose for it and
I’m not doing anything
disrespectful to
anyone, including myself.
That’s when it becomes
too much.
Have you gotten used to
people recognizing you
when you’re out? Do you
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ever feel pressure to look
nice all the time because
you never know who you
may run into? I’m used to
being recognized but when
people start screaming
or crying, that I never
get used to! It’s strange
because I don't see myself
as a celebrity or famous
person, so I feel like I’m
nothing to cry about! On
the other hand, I grew up
loving fashion and dressing
up so I personally just like
to look presentable when
I go anywhere, even if no
one sees me. I may
not wear heels to the
grocery store but if I’m
out and about, it’s an
opportunity to look cute!
I have way too many
clothes and shoes, so I try
to take advantage of those
opportunities. The world is
my runway! I can imagine
there are times that you
just don’t feel like making
videos or posting pictures.
How do you get through
those tough moments?
The pressure to be “on” all
the time is draining. I get
through those moments
by simply letting them
happen. I’m a strong
believer in rest and taking
a break. Especially as
women, I feel like we
put way too much stress
on ourselves sometimes.
We tend to worry and get
anxious, and if you let
those feelings fester they
can grow into serious
health problems! We have
to find the time to take
the edge off and recharge.
And then once you’re
done recharging you can
be more effective and