January is often seen as the month for dreaming. It’s that quiet time where we recover from the holiday whirlwind, jot down half-hearted resolutions in shiny new notebooks, and envision an ideal version of ourselves that feels just beyond our grasp. But if January is for dreaming, February is for doing.
This week, I am drawing a line in the sand. I am embarking on a personal 90-day challenge I’m calling The Radiant 90.
For too long, I’ve felt a subtle but persistent void in my life—a gap where community and true connection should be. It’s easy to fill that void with distractions: endless scrolling, busywork, or just the noise of daily life. But ignoring it hasn't made it go away. This challenge isn't just another fitness reboot or a hair growth journey, though those are parts of it. At its core, this is about mending that gap. It is about showing up for myself, and by extension, showing up for others, in a way I never have before.
I am choosing "Radiance" because radiance isn’t surface-level. It’s energy. It’s the heat you generate when your internal world is aligned with your external actions. Over the next three months, I am committing to building that heat, day by day, habit by habit.
The 5 Pillars of Radiance
To structure this journey, I’ve broken my life down into five key pillars. These aren’t random; they are the areas where I feel the most friction and, conversely, where I see the most potential for growth.
1. The Soul
This is perhaps the most critical pillar. We live in a hyper-connected world, yet I often find myself feeling isolated. The Soul is about stepping out of my comfort zone to find real, tangible community. It also involves creating time for a digital detox to quiet the noise so I can actually hear my own thoughts and the voices of those around me.
2. The Move
Movement is medicine. For the Radiant 90, this isn't about punishment or changing my body; it’s about celebrating what it can do. It is about consistency—committing to training not when I feel like it, but because I respect my vessel. Whether it’s a run, a heavy lift, or a slow recovery flow, The Move is my daily pledge of allegiance to my own physical strength.
3. The Crown
As a Black woman, my hair is more than just hair; it is a crown that requires specific, loving attention. Honoring my natural hair is a lesson in patience and self-love. It requires moisture, care, and time. In The Crown, I am rejecting the rush. I am committing to consistent moisture and low-manipulation care, treating my hair not as a burden to be managed, but as a crown to be polished.
4. The Oasis
They say your environment reflects your mind. If my bedroom is chaotic, my thoughts are chaotic. The Oasis is about transforming my immediate surroundings - my bedroom - into a sanctuary. But it’s also forward-thinking. I’m curating this space to be peaceful while I save for my future home. It’s about loving where I am while preparing for where I’m going.
5. The Audit
Financial wellness is a form of self-care. The Audit is the discipline pillar. It’s about finding the delicate balance between enjoying my life now and securing my freedom later. This involves a careful review of my savings and spending, ensuring every dollar has a purpose and that I’m not sacrificing future security for fleeting wants.
The Protocol: How I’m Doing It
A philosophy is nothing without a plan. To turn these pillars into reality, I have established a set of non-negotiable rules. These are the promises I am making to myself for the next 90 days.
☀️ Daily: The Non-Negotiables
These are the tasks that must be accomplished every single day, no matter how tired or busy I am. They form the foundation of my radiance.
- The Move: 30–60 minutes of intentional movement. This could be a run to clear my mind, a strength session to build resilience, or active recovery to honor rest. The method may change, but the commitment remains.
- The Crown: Daily moisture and care is key to my hair thriving. Each day, I will spend 5-minutes doing some form of hair care. This could be spritzing my hair with a leave-in conditioner, sealing the ends for protection, or performing a scalp massage to encourage growth and relaxation - whatever I feel like my hair needs at the time.
- The Oasis: I’ll kick off my day with order. Making my bed right after waking and spending 10 minutes "resetting" the room - clearing surfaces, putting away clothes, and restoring the vibe before the day begins or ends.
- The Audit: A quick daily check-in with my bank account. Awareness is the antidote to anxiety. Knowing what’s coming in and going out helps me avoid the ostrich effect of hiding from my finances.
- The Soul:10 minutes of analog input - reading a physical book , journaling my thoughts, or even coloring. No screens, no notifications - just 10 minutes to reconnect with my mind.
š¹ Weekly: The Growth Pillars
These are the deeper dives - tasks that require a bit more time and planning but yield the highest returns.
- Social: I must attend at least one club, event, or social meetup. This is the scary part—walking into a room of strangers or engaging with a new group. But this is where the void gets filled.
- Content: I will write and publish one blog post. Documenting the journey is part of the process. It holds me accountable and helps me process the transformation.
- Finance: I’ll transfer a set, predetermined amount into my savings fund and review my budget for the upcoming week. This turns saving from an afterthought into a priority.
- Hair (The Sunday Reset): A dedicated session for full washing, conditioning and styling. This is my spa day, my ritual of renewal for the coming week.
š Monthly: The Milestone Review
Every 30 days, I’ll pause to assess, recalibrate, and celebrate.
- Room Refresh: I’m allowed to buy one small item for my Oasis, strictly within budget. A vase, a plant, a fresh pillowcase - something that signals "this space matters."
- Social Reflection: I’ll audit my contacts list and ask: "Who do I want to know better?" I’ll proactively invite one person for a 1-on-1 meetup. No groups, no distractions - just connection.
- Fitness: A review of my training logs. Am I getting stronger? Am I faster? Do I need to pace myself better? Data over feelings.
- Finance: I’ll total my savings for the month and celebrate the "wins," no matter how small. Seeing the number grow is the motivation to keep going.
I’m nervous, but I’m ready.
The truth I’m holding onto is this: Radiance isn't about being perfect. It’s not about never missing a step or having a flawless hair day every single day for three months. It’s about glowing from the inside because you are finally aligned. It’s the peace that comes from knowing you are keeping your promises to yourself.
This is my journey to connection and strength. I’m done dreaming about it. It’s time to be about it.
Here’s to the next 90 days of showing up. Let's get to work.
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