No More Red Lipstick

This is a very special post! It is my official first blog post as Amanda Fantastic! Only way to describe it...liberating!

For almost 3 years I went by the name, Red Lipstick! I didn’t admit it at the time or even truly realize why I did it to be real with you. I felt that since I revealed so much of myself in my book that I want to have something for myself and that was my real name. Yes, it's just a name but so much more if behind that. Hmmm, little did I know it stemmed from a deeper root. Granted I was working in corporate America at the time, a link to a book about dating and the crannies behind the scenes would have probably have had me fired! Deep down, I was scared what people would think of me! I’m only human and just started accepting and embracing my self worth. I wasn’t strong enough to take the negative feedback as when you put yourself out there people sometimes, well more so than none (let’s be serious), try to bring you down. As a result, without realizing I hid my true identity and my full face from the world. The years would go back and I found it harder and harder to connect to this alter ego. I took myself out of the dating world and focused on making my life the best it could be. Not to mention, I didn't even wear red lipstick anymore. See, I wore Red Lipstick when I went on dates to give me extra confidence yet I found I didn't need it anymore. This stage wasn’t easy as I had to come to terms that I was in a different place than many people surrounding me and that was ok. My life became less worry about getting married and motherhood rather how can I make myself happy?! Gosh, 9 years single now and doesn't phase me in the least! Spent a lot of time soul searching and testing out the waters to truly see what put a smile on my face. Eliminated people from my life that didn’t fuel me in the direction I wanted for myself. Especially after I got robbed (story for another day). Sometimes people aren’t meant to be in your life forever rather to grant you the experience to spark another chapter. For that, I am thankful for! I even create a 30 before 30 list to expose myself to 30 new things before I turned 30! Now, talk about purely doing something to embrace yours sole! I felt so alive doing each of those 30 things!

Looking back, 31 was my changing point. This year has truly been my year! Quitting my job and taking a leap of faith on something that felt right with every part of me! Working with kids which I never knew/thought I would get such joy out of teaching them dance! It isn’t just dance, it’s someone who cares and someone who believes in them! Their smiles mean it all! Taking on little projects to keep myself busy now! From my Heel Dance Class, to being Certified a KerboomKa Instructor, to becoming a self love advocate, to re-launching my book “Table for One Please”, to blogging again and finally to simply being Amanda Fantastic!

Every single moment, the good, the bad and the ugly has brought me to here! A place where I FINALLY can be me without any doubt or hesitation! I am honored to have people in my life who inspire me, push me, understand me and fuel me to help me along this journey. Understand, this woman was always inside of me just needed the right time to come out to the world! Everything does happen for a reason and need to trust the process. A year ago even 7 months ago, I never would have imagined this would be my life now! Living my dream and being Amanda Fantastic...I am speechless! (Well, I found some words! ha) This is the beginning of a new chapter that I have no idea what is going to happen next! All, I know is, it’s not going to be easy but will be worth it! I leave you today with my favorite saying I love to say, be the butterfly in the world that brings beauty by simply being yourself!