Profound. I performed this week at @generation_women ’s May show and it was truly one of the most profound experiences of my life. I have performed since I was a kid but getting on stage as me, and sharing my writing (which included some of my deepest vulnerabilities), was another ballgame.
My story is complicated and sad and funny. Deeply personal. But important. Staying true to the theme of unexpected connections, I could not have predicted the way my story would resonate. And I could not have told it without the support of my best people, many of whom were in the audience. I’m so grateful. I posted two clips here but if you want to watch in full DM or comment here and I’ll message you the full segment.
Thank you to @georgialouclark for choosing me to represent Team 30s tonight. It was an honor. And thank you to my friends and family who came out to support my return to the stage. And thank you to my best friend @aliza_kahn215 whom is the reason I have this story to tell in the first place. I love you all. 🤍
📸 @distilled.studio
👗 @nuuly
DING DONG MY LOANS ARE DEAD💀
It is with immense pleasure that I announce the death of my student loans. On August 2, 2019, after 6 years, I finally killed them. It was a slow death but was worth every bit of the fight.
Let me tell you about my journey: It began in 2013, when I graduated with a total of 75K in student loans. I moved to New York, but I made sure to pay more than the minimums, which totaled to $1K a month. It was like another rent. I took jobs not based on what I really wanted but what could help me survive. I did this for five years straight. Even after a lay-off during this journey I hustled like hell and never missed a payment. It was more than most people can do, and I, a single, childless, able-bodied woman consider myself lucky. But still, I carried this burden alone. I never asked for or received help. No one ever paid my bills.
Then last fall, something in me broke. Maybe it was feeling like my life was on hold, but I just remember thinking I was DONE. I didn’t want to owe anyone anything more. I wanted to start saving for my future. A house. Kids. A life. So I made a decision—I’d become debt-free by 30. I’m proud to say I accomplished my goal 2 years early. In fact, I killed that last 32K in EIGHT months.
I cut my budget and lived off of less than a third of my monthly salary. (Turns out, packing lunches and not taking Ubers can save you a ton.) I worked my ass off at work and asked for raises, and got them. I worked three jobs at once, my day job and then side hustles. I walked dogs until my feet literally bled. In the cold. In the rain. In the heat. Nothing was beneath me. I babysat. I cat sat. I stayed up for 24 hours straight to make a few hundred bucks as a TV extra on shows they filmed overnight. I cut my food budget down to merely salad, eggs, chicken and rice. I said “no”—my God I said no—to making memories with my family and friends and prayed there would be other opportunities in the future.
Was it easy? No. Worth it? I’m smiling in a cemetery. 102K lifted from my back. You tell me. 1/3 📸@120ish
___
#studentloans #loans #studentdebt #studentdebtcrisis #freecollege #studentloanforgiveness #debtfreejourney #babysteps
I see us in black and white
Crystal clear on a full MOONlit night
In all your gorgeous colors
I promise that I'll love you
for the rest of my life
🤍🖤
📸 my hero @thepcride
In the years before Shiloh was born, I would pray for peace during my lowest moments. “I just want peace” I would say both internally and out loud, not really knowing what that meant. I just knew if I had it, I’d feel whole. Little did I know that my peace would take the form of a baby boy whom I love more than life itself. I love being a mom. I love being his mom. I didn’t put it together at first but “Shiloh” means “peace” and “his gift.” Becoming a mom literally answered my prayers. I’ll never get over that for as long as I live.
Happy Mother’s Day mamacitas. May you find your peace in motherhood, too 🤍
Happy 35th birthday to the one who makes our world turn, the reason my postpartum experience was magical, the father, dog dad and husband of my dreams. Love you Zachy 💙
Last day of mat leave photo dump. The hardest and most incredible five and a half months of my life. 🤍
I’m so proud of myself. I want to hug the girl who was terrified back in the fall to take care of a newborn alone during the day. When leaving the house seemed impossible and the days and nights were all one big repetitive blur. I’d hug her and tell her she will find her footing. She’ll gain so much confidence as a mom who stays true to who she is and the adventure in her she never wanted to give up. In fact, this baby will become the best adventure buddy she ever had. She’ll be brave, and patient, and yes many times panicked and very much overstimulated but she’ll learn that every day brings a fresh start. She will even make incredible mom friends along the way.
I’m so thankful for every minute I got to focus all my energy to healing, emotionally and physically, and to learning how to be this baby’s mom. I got to be present for so many firsts. Our bond is so strong. Every parent, every mother, deserves that time without worry. I’ll always remember this time as the greatest gift of my life. Cya Monday, Conde.
Big day for Jesus, the Easter Bunny and Shiloh 🤍🥹🐰
Our son was named, dedicated and showered with love today. He comes from a plurality of beliefs and religions which is why celebrating his life with the @morristown_uu_fellowship felt right. He will decide his own spirituality one day but we all made a promise, his godparents especially, to show him what it means to lead a life in service of others and with love. That’s the North Star of all our collective faiths. Im so honored he has so many people setting an incredible example.
God Bless Shiloh Alexander 🤍
I never not wanted a year to end before. 2025, thank you for the happiest moments of my life. And sending love to those whose 2025 was the hardest. May 2026 bring us all even more joy, hope, and things falling into place when we least expect it but need it most 🤍
