My mornings start one of two ways: a park run with my housemate or walking my gorgeous dog, Cuba. Running allows me to use my body and mind at the same time. It's an escape and provides a place of comfort.
We go running at the Modderfontein Reserve, where you are greeted by crisp air on this semi-secluded natural wonder and can disappear within a swarm of enthusiastic park runners. The best part is the feeling of achievement afterwards and of course, going home to Cuba.
After breakfast I start making plans with friends for the day, or I get to watching my favourite series (such as Claws, Pose and The Handmaid's Tale, to name a few).
Afternoons are for discovering anything new. I can go from taking a 5km walk looking for vintage items and locations to take pictures for inspiration, to sitting in a restaurant the whole day, reading and stuffing my face with delicious food.
My favourite thing, however, is to take walks with my puppy or play winter games with my friends - indoors, of course. Playing Jenga and Speak Out have become my calling cards for when I am hosting people.
The ideal way to spend my evenings on a weekend is to be thick in someone's arms, being reminded of how beautiful I am. Since that is currently not an option, I am often found scouting the streets of Joburg and dancing to the beat of the vibe. It can be highly intoxicating enjoying the sun on Braamfontein and Maboneng rooftops and ending the night dancing away with friends at Mootie Bar in Melville.
But I truly enjoy my time alone at home. I'll sit in my house with my puppy, watching documentaries about Japan. I've always wanted to go to Japan - the fashion and culture there have always been something I am most curious about. Beyond the culture and travel, I have always been fascinated by how Japanese people haven't always been very inventive, but they will find something that exists and make it better. I love that innovation.Most of the wildest stories I have always have something to do with my stomach, so I am very particular about what I eat. I am lucky that my housemate is an amazing cook. My favourite is when he makes dumplings with beef stew, or when he makes his creamy spaghetti with chicken breasts.
Cooking is not something that interests me and I think I have a weird relationship with food. Because I battled with my weight from childhood, food was either a comfort thing or something I've had to control. Over the years I have been teaching myself that food is not an inconvenience, but rather a great, leisurely escape.
I read a lot of blogs and books about self-actualising. One trend I found myself in was the culture of glorifying the external. We are so focused on building and collecting these things we assume are measures of success, but won't get a chance to truly enjoy them because we haven't done any work internally. I also want to build a strong pillar in-self, so I am not easily shaken as I am creating my life. I tend to believe that I am not a victim but a survivor and I do not live life like a passenger, but I create it.I am such a big softy, I have always been more inclined towards melancholic music. I haven't had my heart broken in over 10 years, but I have the largest collection of heartbreak music. So I'll immerse myself in that, even on weekends. I love relaxing to Nao - when Another Lifetime kicks in, I can feel it in all corners of my gay soul. I have been recently introduced to Ella Mai and I am loving her music. When it comes to music, I like to call myself an equal opportunity employer...