One thing I love about reality TV is that it is REAL. Addressing issues like stress in one’s career is something we all can relate with. Last nights episode of the new WeTV series Growing Up Hip Hop ATL (GUHHATL) showed a different side of the glamorous life. As I watched the daughter of Tiny and step-daughter of Hip-Hop star TI cry while reflecting on the state of her career, something in me connected. I was immediately drawn in because truth is we all have been there. Stressed with our careers, wondering when it’s going to happen for us and all we’re left with is a few tears. As Brandon Barnes asked her on last night’s episode -“What has being the daughter of famous people got her,” she couldn’t answer. Truth is not matter who we are, some of the blessings we’ve been given, you still have to work for your dreams and you have to manage your stress. One thing I was not for was Brandon’s antics, it was just too much for TV or not, as a coach or manager your job should never be to tear anybody down. I saw a bit of stress arise in the situation with Toya Wright and her daughter Reginae as parents often do, we take on the stress of our children but how much is too much. When do we dry the tears, draw the line and step away.
This is an amazing teaching moment, so let’s talk three easy ways to handle stress.
Set aside leisure time – sometimes it’s all about you. Too often we seek to handle the burdens of everyone else or we’re afraid of speaking our minds to guard their feelings. If you don’t take care of you, you’re not able to take care of anyone else. You come first!
Do something you enjoy every day – you’re responsible for bringing a smile to your face. Looking at Zonnique on last nights episode, I didn’t see her smile. She seems sad, stressed and in the end her tears showed it. Make sure in your daily life you do something everyday that you enjoy, something that brings a smile to your face.
Don’t over-commit yourself – this is huge! We saw it thru the eyes of GUHHATL’s very own Zonnique, was she ready for the career or not? It’s hard to say, but it seemed like Brandon expected more than what she had to offer. This is a classic way to find yourself stressed, be honest with yourself. You can lie to anyone else but never you, if now’s not the time say no, never over-commit.
Looking forward to the next episode of GUHHATL, in just three episodes we can already see we’re in for a treat. How are you liking the season so far? Do you agree that it’s not all peaches and cream growing up Hip-Hop?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The bLink Marketing Network and Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta. The opinions and text are all mine.
