Living the Lesson
What nonnegotiables taught me about myself, my energy, and my truth
Mood: Surprisingly chill even though I’m @ an airport 😳
Vibe: Early afternoon with lots of buzz and movement around me.
View: Sunny skies over the Dominican Republic
The other day I was having a moment. A moment of reflection. In full transparency, it didn’t feel like a particularly important thought at first. But the more I sat with it, the more it brought me back to the core of who I am. My values, my energy, and ultimately… my nonnegotiables.
I felt compelled to share this on social:
“I can’t talk enough about nonnegotiables.
When you are clear about who you are, your values, your energy, your worth…
You really see nonnegotiables through a different lens.”
It’s taken a lot of self-work, grace, and radical awareness to stay aligned with my nonnegotiables, while also being open enough to evolve them as I evolve. To stretch with them. To honor them even when it doesn’t look picture-perfect.
The more I understand my energy, what fuels me, and what truly matters, the more clarity I’ve been able to offer to others and to myself. But let me be real, implementing those boundaries and nonnegotiables wasn’t always easy, especially with family. In the beginning, I was constantly justifying my why to make others feel more comfortable or accepting. I also held those values tightly, with a bit of tunnel vision, believing they could only look a certain way in a specific environment.
But life has a way of shifting things.
What I’ve come to realize is the what can stay the same, but the how might look different. The path may curve or take a detour. That doesn’t mean I’m off track. It means I’ve grown flexible enough to evolve without compromising who I am.
To me, that’s what it means to be grounded in authenticity. Things around you can change. Circumstances shift. Even you grow. But at the core, what you bring to each space is still you. That’s the anchor.
So here’s the reminder I needed, and maybe you do too:
Nonnegotiables aren’t about being rigid. They’re about being rooted.
Let them grow with you. Don’t shrink them to make others more comfortable.
I know, I know. This got a little deep.
Welcome to the random thoughts of a Chief Purpose Officer.
Now, switching gears…
What’s New in My World!
🎤 Join Non-Corporate Girls™ for our third event in our Art of Series—The Art of Navigating Human Resources. In partnership with Techqueria and powered by Wunderkind, this interactive session features AI-Driven HR Innovator Angie Espinal and breaks down when and how to engage HR strategically to advocate for yourself in key workplace moments. Secure Your Spot HERE.
👉🏾 On April 15th, I’ll be leading another “Elevate Your Brand” workshop for the Level Up Cohort. While this session is closed to the cohort only, if you're interested in bringing me in to present to your team or organization reach out here.
📌 As Always—share my Substack with a friend (because sharing is caring), and grab time on my Calendly to chat, book a consult, or schedule an interview.