Mary Chau

You are not your choices. You are not your mistakes. You are deserving of new beginnings. You are worthy. Are you ready to tell shame to step aside?

Found this from my niece Katherine inside one of my notebooks. 😩😭😩😭

From Morgan Harper Nichols
instagram.com/morganharpernichols
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When you start to feel
like things should have been better this year,
remember the mountains and valleys
that brought you here.
They are not accidents,
and those moments were not in vain.
You are not the same.
You have grown and you are growing,
you are breathing, you are living,
you are wrapped in endless, boundless grace.
And things will get better.
There is more to you than yesterday.
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instagram.com/marychau

Resources have been made and shared. Books and articles have been written. Movies, shows, and docs have been made available online. We just haven't been listening. REALLY listening and ACTIVELY giving a f**k.
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It's on us to educate ourselves and to put in the work.
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Click the links.
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Take and PAY for the courses.
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Get informed and vote.
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Donate to funds like communitybailfunds.com.
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Support Black creators and brands.
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Donate to mental health initiatives specifically for the Black community.
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Put your money where your mouth and tears are.
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Don't overlook the different communities within the community.
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Figure out what you can do with what you have right now without asking Black people and putting the burden on them.
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CHECK yourself, your family, and your friends.
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Unlearn your subtle and not so subtle racist behaviors and actively be and become anti-racist.
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Acknowledge your mistakes, don't center yourself, and do better.
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Not just now, not just next week, but each and every day forward.

THEY ARE WATCHING. Photo taken by Ifeanyi Uzuegbunam in 2017 for Good Human Campaign.

instagram.com/fonzlennon
instagram.com/goodhumancampaign

Do you get defensive or feel offended when people tell you to ? Maybe life hasn't been kind to you and you've been fighting an uphill battle all your life. I have no idea what you've been through and what traumas you may carry, but I do believe that most of us carry around some sort of privilege with us every day. I have privilege, and chances are you do too.
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Whether we've realized it or not, there are parts of our identity that society values over others. Even if you didn't ask for it. Even if you didn't earn it. Even if you don't even recognize it. Sometimes it's subtle. It's automatically given to you and you benefit from it in ways others do not and will never.
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It doesn't mean you haven’t gone through some real, tough s**t. You might have in one aspect of your life AND have disadvantages in others. This isn't meant to compare your pain to others' or devalue your experiences, but it is a really important question to ask yourself often so you can help lift, amplify, and support the voices of those who don't have the same privileges.
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You can ask questions but you might not always like the answers. Don't expect others to do the work for you when there is a world of FREE resources, articles, movies, podcasts, books, etc. at your fingertips. Google is literally the world's largest search engine AND it's free. If you're feeling defensive right now, ask yourself why. Dig deep, get to the root of it, and create a plan for change.
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I'm not talking about asking about apps or how to make something. I'm talking about hopping into people's DMs and comments expecting them to educate you (and feeling entitled to their time) on the complete history of America or asking them to explain and PROVE their experiences to you or provide you with links and resources when they've ALREADY provided them publicly for everyone to see.
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All you have to do is tap on a highlight or a link in their bio. Or if you really have to after you've already put in the work, ask respectfully. They don't have to do anything for you. And you can react how you want to react, but know that your attitude, lack of respect, and entitlement—whether intentional or not—won't give you the results you're searching for. If you're already taking initiative and putting in the work, 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. If you're feeling some type of way as you're reading this, maybeeee you need to take a second to check your heart.
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Maybe you don't mean to appear lazy, but please respect the time, effort, energy, and headspace they've already put in.
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IT IS NOT ON ANYONE ELSE TO EDUCATE YOU. IT'S ON YOU.
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And please don't dump your tears + guilt on other people (without asking them if they have the space first) and expect them to heal you. What you're feeling is what you're feeling and they're all valid emotions + I know it's heavy and maybe really hitting you for the first time, but not everyone is equipped or has the capacity to help you unpack your privilege and feelings. Your mental health matters AND so does theirs.
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There ARE people out there for you though. If you need someone to talk to, Crisis Text Line could be a first step. They provide free, 24/7 text support.
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🇺🇸 text 741741
🇨🇦 text 686868
🇬🇧 text 85258
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MC ϟ

Are you tired of playing small? Chipping away at yourself to make others feel more comfortable? Yeah, me too. That’s it. That’s the post. ✌🏼

bloom /blo͞om/
come into or be in full beauty or health; flourish

instagram.com/marychau

If you're looking for ways to take action, Google is your friend and first step. If you somehow don't know what this is about, Google is your friend and first step. If you don't want to leave this app, go through the hashtags. Info is everywhere. Use your judgment. Open your heart and your mind.
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Our friends, family, colleagues, neighbors are dying, have been dying, and will continue dying if we do not continue learning (and unlearning), supporting, and DOING. Something, anything. All lives can't matter until ALLLLLL lives matter. 👋🏽
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I know it's heavy and it can be hard to know what to say or how to feel and maybe you're afraid to say the wrong thing or you don’t want to ~upset~ your mom or your peers or you want to stay ~positive~ or you think your voice is too small and you won't make a difference in your social sphere or you feel you aren't strong or "enough" enough to do anything...
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Our black and brown brothers and sisters, friends, mentors, strangers we haven't met yet or may never meet are exhausted. They've BEEN exhausted. These things are happening all the time, whether or not you see it on the news or on social media or wherever you consume. It's time to wake up. It's been time. This is nothing new. Take your shock and do something about it. Talk about it. Think about it. Be about it. Do about it.
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Keep going. Keep growing. Keep living.

instagram.com/marychau

And in that moment I was like MC, YOU ARE A FU***NG GENIUS! Then we moved and our new bedroom didn't have a window in it to attach the car mount. 😂😭😂😭

Beautiful art by Ali Makes Things ϟ
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"The walls of your comfort zone are lovingly decorated with your lifelong collection of favorite excuses." —Jen Sincero

instagram.com/marychau

I've had a couple accountability buddies this week and that has helped me CREATE MORE and CONSUME LESS. Anyone else been obsessed with ? 🥵

Notes from today. Hope everyone is doing okay. What a time. 🤍

I could edit, re-edit, scrap, and cry about my work all day long, but if a friend/client/customer tells me they love the final product, I have to learn to check myself. Can't wait to hear about this bride's reaction to her custom mirror stand!

Ending my first month of markets with Indie Craft Experience's Spring Market this Sunday! Find Shop HeartMercedes, me, and 60+ other awesome craft and vintage vendors there from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hugs await you! 🥰
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Details: mary-chau.com/ICESpringMarket