Where the Heck Has Christina Been?! Behind the Scenes of The Mane Objective

Update from The Mane Objective

I can't believe it has been so long since I've updated the blog! This is really unlike me, and I don't like it one bit! I haven't written a blog post here or anywhere else (gasp) in about two weeks. Even before that, I was only updating about once a week. And for that, I'm sorry. I know many of you look to my blog as a resource for thoughtful, honest, and helpful content about natural and transitioning hair. For that, I am grateful.

Please don't abandon me!

The truth is, I've been super busy because God has been blessing me immensely in the career department. I know I don't really talk too much about what I do outside of the blogosphere, but I wanted to give you guys a sneak peek into Christina Patrice beyond The Mane Objective.

Let's do a little rewind. Back in 2011, I made a return to my alma mater to become the full-time director of a non-profit program aimed at helping at-risk youth pursue higher education. I loved every minute of the work (even if some of the office politics got on my last nerve). My heart was filled as I laid the foundation for my staff to be able to engage and support youth across Inglewood and Hawthorne. But then reality set in around November/December 2013: I was on a contract. A contract that was expiring in July 2014. What the heck was I going to do? Pursue another program management-style position? Try to go back to school (which I am absolutely dreading)?

At the same time, things for The Mane Objective were really taking off. The pageviews were rolling in, I got accepted to the Glam Contributor program (from which I had been rejected at least 3 times prior lol), I was creating content like crazy for Black Girl with Long Hair and NaturallyCurly.com, companies were knocking on my door for collaborations, and more. I started doing math in my head (not the best idea, FYI) around my bills and saving goals, and figured that if all else failed, I just might be able to make it as a full-time blogger. So as my contract at UCLA was coming to an end, I focused almost all of my energy on creating content and being about that blogger life. I applied for jobs here and there, but my heart wasn't in the process.

Once July hit, I was nervous and a little afraid. What the hell had I just done? Can I really do nothing else but blog for the rest of my life? Was that even a thing that people did (and not just pretended to do for the 'gram)? For the first 3 months, I was good. I absolutely loved being in charge of my own schedule, writing whenever the creative muses took hold of me, having fun on social media, and more. Then I began feeling run low around month 4. Blogging full-time had lost its appeal. It began feeling forced as opposed to fun. Watching waves and waves of "natural hair bloggers" crop up out of nowhere began to irk my nerves for some reason. Seeing people take my style (and sometimes my content too) without credit started making my left eye twitch.

I wanted out. I needed out. I felt myself taking blogging too seriously, and it was becoming a source of anxiety instead of a creative outlet. At the same time, my investment in understanding social media began to blossom. Analytics became my new best friend. Instead of looking at the who of blogging, I started focusing on the what, when, where, why, and how. And oddly, it was fun. So I kept at it, kept blogging, and started applying for jobs in a completely different career direction: content creation and social media strategy.

It was scary, intimidating, and didn't go over too well with those closest to me. Could I really change careers so drastically? Would anybody take me seriously enough to give me the chance? Am I gonna make enough money? Lawwwwd, what about my bills?!? Luckily, there was a solution for all my nervous uncertainty: prayer. I began praying about this new direction. I talked to God, and asked for peace. I wanted to ask him for a lot more -- a job, money, a sign, a sneak peek at His plans for me...but I know that He's not my cosmic wish-granting fairy Godfather. Many of us have committed Philippians 4:6 to memory, but didn't bother going on to verse 7. Verse 7 doesn't say that God will grant us everything we want, but rather that our hearts and minds will be guarded with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Knowing that, I could only ask for peace and for my own faith to be strengthened in this process.

Let's be clear: none of this means that I didn't worry, or grow concerned, cry, doubt myself, or want to quit and slide back into my comfort zone (education/program management). But when I tell you that every single time I fixed my mouth to complain, God came through...believe me. Whenever bill time was coming up and I thought I'd be short, He pushed through one or two (and sometimes three) sponsored opportunities. When I got frustrated as all heck and started doubting Him, I backslid into what I have a bad habit of doing -- thinking I know more about what's better for me than God does. I started trying to strong-arm situations, started trying to bend His plans to my will. I even started applying for jobs only in my comfort zone areas, and guess what? I haven't heard back from a single one of them to this day.

But when I finally snapped back to reality and realized that He had set me on a certain path, the friggin' floodgates opened. I mean so much blessing that I've literally and figuratively run out of room enough to receive it. Since March, I've been offered 3 contracts to work with clients in developing and executing their social strategy, forged a long-term partnership with a brand, and got offered a job with a digital marketing agency in Southern California.

All. Without. A. Background. In. Marketing.

If that ain't God's favor, I don't know what is.

This post may be getting long and a little preachy, but I can't come this far and not give God His proper dues. I also wanted to do more than the run-of-the-mill "sorry guys I been busy with life, but good things are happening" post. Most of all, I wanted to be an encouragement to those of you who still stop by my blog, share my content, comment, follow, and engage with me on social media.

With God on your side, you can do anything. He will open doors you never thought possible, and take you places you didn't ever think you could go. All you have to do is be open and available. My pastor said something nearly a year ago about God using people who are "unqualified but available" to fulfill his work.

I'm a living, breathing, 2015 testament to that word.

Update from The Mane Objective

Stay blessed, be encouraged, and talk to me in the comments section! I missed you guys!

17 Comments

  1. Girl if this isn't the best testimony I have heard in a long time. That statement from your pastor is profound "unqualified but available." It is such a blessing to turn a passion you stumbled upon into a career. We should all be so lucky. Thank you for the post and the further proof that God will lead the way (just let Him). And so I must end this with the obligatory "WON'T HE DO IT!"

    ReplyDelete
  2. This post is so personal in nature to me! Your testimony is strong!


    Alot of times God closes doors so bigger and better ones can open. We, being human, sometimes don't understand to be humble and faithful in the most difficult situations. Just today God blessed me with a place to live in an upscale neighborhood. Some may not think anything of getting an apartment but I do. I've been homeless and in situations where I didn't know what to do next.


    Through it all, God has been by my side and always taken care of me even in my darkest hour. I've always been safe and I know he made me go through these situations so I can be a resource and help others. It was all a taste of my faith, strength and humilty. Just this morning I read "Our Daily Bread" and the devotion was "Guard Your Focus" with scripture from 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9. Spoke right to me.


    Congratulations on the new chapter in your life and may God bless you.


    My favorite blogger!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So excited with you and happy for you. See what happens when you just leave yourself available and trust He will provide?! God qualifies you and sets your feet in places you could have never dreamed or imagined.. Congrats for these milestones and wooo wooo on the "greater things than these" on the horizon! Very powerful testimony, to God be all glory. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Christina Patrice as I told you Sunday, I'm so excited for you! You are stepping out, you are trusting God, and you are embracing the next phase of your life. Who says God has only given us 1 gift? He has so much in store for you mama. You're a very talented, intelligent & beautiful young woman with an awesome attitude. Anyone would be lucky to have you on their team! I'm so proud of you! Stay focused and press forward my sistah. Love Auntie M

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your blog is the second hair/beauty blog one today I've read about God making a way out of no way as far as career is concerned. Thank you so much for the testimony.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yay!!! Congratulations Christina and thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us! I'm very happy for your accomplishments. ;p

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations! I'm glad I came here this evening because I just ended a six year relationship and have spent most of my time reconnecting with God and focusing on my blog. And while I'm not making ANY money from writng right now, I find that blogging has bought me alot of joy and peace. I've been coming up with ideas for content left and right.I'm so grateful! #wontHedoit

    ReplyDelete
  8. I always stop by your blog, whenever I need insight on what to do with my natural hair, but this post....phenomenal. I was in the same situation as yourself last year and prayed. Also, I went thru your same range of motions, too. But, God stayed true. Thank you for confirming the things that God can do in your life and others, he gets all of it! Like I said, I usually come here (without commenting...oops) looking for a dose of laughter with hair advice but I truly enjoyed this post, immensely.
    Keep walking in his favor and no matter what, remember God is with you thru it all :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi. I haven't been following {read: stalking} your blog for very long, but I love your content, honesty, and overall outlook on life. This might sound odd, but reading this post gave me hope to truly believe in God's power and in the power of prayer. I've fallen into a place of complacency and dare I say, apathy about all things spiritual; not because I don't believe anymore, but as you put it, I have this "I-think-I-know-what's-better-for-me-than-He-does" attitude. I needed a wake up call for sure. Thank you for sharing, Christina. ALSO, your hair is FABULOUS and I wish mine looked like yours!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, I haven't been following you for a long time but I have been binge reading your posts! But, your posts have definitely been helping my hair lately. I definitely believe that God puts signs in front of you, just to confirm that he is still there, that he is still working. Your post has done that for me. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing.I found a lot of interesting information here. A really good post, very thankful and hopeful that you will write many more posts like this one.
    vidmate.onl
    viamichelin.onl
    showbox.run

    ReplyDelete
  12. For the job interview, I was given the task of writing a business essay on any company on the list. There were Amazon, Google, Uber, and many other things. I settled on Apple. At first it was hard to find material, but after a little searching I found a lot of useful information on click here now which I later used for my successful essay, which helped me get a place in a good company.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is really good post. You have to manage your anxiety to get a better result. It will give you panic attack and will draw you back. You can check the therapist for anxiety to control your emotion at the very moment.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Awesome points such a beauty-full post, thanks for sharing this post.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good one! Thank you for sharing such an amazing post I found it really very useful and interesting

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your blog is amazing it gives so many ideas and information.
    rubmd.com

    ReplyDelete