Happy New Moon in Aquarius and Happy Lunar New Year ! Happy Happy Happy!
Today is a real one’s birthday—the real one being my blog, The Juicy Expressions. I hold TJE so dear to my heart. What started in 2011 as a simple hobby blog, with no business plan or expectations, has grown into something much greater. In the beginning, my only goal was to express myself.
Fast forward 14 years, and this “blog thing” is still an everyday nudge in my soul—something I simply cannot ignore.
Just imagine if I had gone all in for the entire 14 years. Where would I be now?
But honestly, those questions don’t matter. What matters is that I’m locked innow! And there’s no shame in my game because, whew, chile—I have done a lot of living (and learning how to truly live in the process). I’m grateful for where I stand today, filled with knowledge and wisdom. I have no regrets about my journey because I know my work has an impact. And that is everything.
I am proud to be a conscious blogger. I am The Dopest Blogger Alive. I own The Juicy Expressions, the dopest blog out here. Let’s goooooooooo!
My Kwanzaa Reflections
December 26, 2024, marked the fifth Kwanzaa celebration in the McGruder household. Kwanzaa is a non-religious African American holiday celebrated for seven days, each honoring a different invaluable principle. These Seven Principles—spoken in Swahili—are:
- Umoja (Unity)
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
- Nia (Purpose)
- Kuumba (Creativity)
- Imani (Faith)
Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa draws inspiration from African harvest festivals, honoring culture, community, and ancestors.
For me, Kwanzaa has always been a time of deep reflection, and this year was no different. I took this time to recognize just how blessed I am and to fully embrace the space I’m in.
And while I may not fully understand things like why or how my brother has become one of my ancestors, I do know this: this journey is bigger than me.
His spirit, his legacy, and the lessons he left behind continue to guide me in ways I never imagined. Our ancestors aren’t just figures from the distant past. They are the loved ones who shaped us, who still whisper wisdom in our ears, and whose impact lives on through us.
Embodying Faith, Expression & The Dopest Blogger Alive
This Kwanzaa, I embraced Imani (Faith) with my whole heart—faith in my journey, faith in my purpose, faith in The Juicy Expressions, and faith in my focus.
On December 26th, I made a powerful decision: I committed to going live every single day.
As I step into this new era with The Juicy Expressions, I am done playing small. This is my year of embodiment.
I started on Instagram, and now, I’m live on YouTube daily—building my stats, staying consistent, and working toward monetization. This commitment has become second nature. Now, over a month in, my mind and body instinctively remind me, Oh, it’s time to go live!
I’m proud of this dedication. This isn’t just a challenge—it’s a lifestyle shift. And I know this daily practice is only the beginning of something even greater.
Embodiment is about being. Being the thing you want. Feeling the energy of it. Aligning with it. By showing up live every day, I’m pushing past my comfort zone and fully stepping into daily expression.
I’m no longer just claiming the title of The Dopest Blogger Alive, (owner of The Juicy Expressions) —I’m living it. So get used to hearing my voice and seeing my face every single day.
If you’ve been rocking with me, stay tuned. And if you’re new here—welcome to The Juicy Expressions!
Vlogzaa is LIVE!
If you haven’t already, go watch, like, comment, and subscribe to my Vlogzaa series—now live on my YouTube channel!
Vlogzaa is where I documented all seven days of Kwanzaa, sharing my reflections, celebrations, and the deeper meaning behind each principle. This series is straight from the heart, and I can’t wait for you to experience it with me.
The Juicy Experiment: Momentum & Key Ingredient
The Juicy Experiment is picking up momentum in my life, and with it, my clarity has deepened. The beauty of this experiment is that you literally can’t get it wrong—because no matter what, you’ll come out as a better version of yourself.
Here are the key ingredients to making The Juicy Experiment work:
✅ Feeling good
✅ Locking in for one hour a day
✅ Releasing the “when” and “how” of outcomes
That last one is major. If you miss a day—so what? We are releasing guilt in this creation process. The energy you use to create is embedded in the final result. Just like baking—if you use salt instead of sugar, you’ll get salty cookies. The same goes for your journey. You want the right ingredients.
And the biggest ingredient? Enjoying life. That’s the whole purpose of The Juicy Experiment—to truly enjoy the present while evolving into your highest self. Putting pressure on yourself is counterproductive. If you miss a day, just pick it back up the next.
I’ve been getting so many questions about The Juicy Experiment, so I’ll likely share more updates and insights soon. Stay tuned!
Last But Not Least—Thank You!
Thank you for supporting me and The Juicy Expressions.
Over the years, I’ve encountered so much love from people all over the world. From St. Louis, MO (my hometown) to Jackson, MS (my college home), to Illinois and beyond—this blog has reached places I never imagined, both physically and across the internet.
I appreciate every like, share, comment, and word of encouragement. Your support means everything.
And trust me—it’s only up from here, believers! Keep believing in yourself. Keep it juicy.
See you in the next blog post! ✨
Love Always,
