Con

Consistency is a weird thing for me suddenly.

If you are new here, let me be the first to tell you. I am not usually consistent in my writing … or posting. I’ll have a burst of creative writing energy, and I’ll write for about a week, if I am lucky. Then poof! I disappear for any length of time. Then inspiration, or something that looks like it, will hit then I’m back again. However on this go ’round, I am making an effort to be consistent. Is it that simple? You make a choice and follow through? Has consistency always been that uncomplicated?

Well Has it?

Tristan Jonez.

One Night Only Tour

I thought I would try something new when planning my overnight adventures. Truth be told, I am not a planner, I just ‘do’. Its especially easier when traveling alone, I just have to ask myself, “Self, What would you like to do?” Then I go out and do it. I wanted to be able to have a set of guidelines, so I could follow the plan no matter the city I explored. Are you ready for those set of guidelines? Well loosely, our focus would be The Arts, The Food and the Culture of any set place. No matter what city I am in, I will ALWAYS seek out the arts, usually a museum will do but there are times when none are opened, or they aren’t in the vicinity of where I am staying, etc. Food is my first love. I try my best to immerse myself with the culture of a country, when I fly out. If I am somewhere local, then I familiarize myself with what’s popular in that city. It wasn’t until I was thinking about what Culture is, that I had a harder time placing that in a way I could explore it. However I was able to verbalize culture in a way that COULD be explored.

Now that you know my guideline, Sit back, Relax and Read all about My One Night Only .. Atlanta.

Tristan Jonez.

Dear Diary …

Recently I was asked to be a contributor for a publication which caters to a no bs approach to living a chill life. I haven’t said yes, I’m still debating what I have to offer this publication. Before I started writing this, I had to ask myself, if I didn’t jump at the chance to reach a bigger audience because I genuinely don’t have the time or if I’m questioning if I’m good enough. Most likely it’s the latter, self doubt it such a strange thing. I know I’m a good writer, and I know other people feel the same way about my writing but having to actually put it out there for strangers to read … am I good enough for that?

To calm myself, I usually remember reading Kimora Lee Simmons book, Fabulousity, where she writes, “Believe in those who believe in you.” So that usually how I calm those wicked thoughts in my head. It’s funny how you get older and question everything in life, but as a younger adult, I was beyond fearless. Slowly but surely I’m seeking to get back to ‘that’ place, but it starts with pushing myself beyond my comfort zone.

Here goes nothing …

Tristan J

Wine? More Please!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with Gabrielle Union’s book, and therefore I had no expectations. So she pleasantly surprised the shit out of me. I’m not sure why I pictured her as someone who was a bit rigid in her personality but the book was such a good read. Obviously there was some chapters that wasn’t easy to read, although I wasn’t the one living that particular truth, I could still feel her. I’ve added Gabrielle Union to the very short list of women who are friends in my head, Monica is number one, if you was wondering. I respect the level of honesty required to write her book. I’m thankful she found the courage to explore her past, to relive the not so nice parts, to be able to be a story teller to us.

As long as I can remember I was willing to support Gabrielle Union, the actress, now, I’m ready to support Gabrielle Union the woman.

Tristan Jonez.

Luv U.

As much as we may want the very best for our friends. As much as we may want nothing but greatness for them, we cannot be willing to work harder for it than them. Trust, I know that shit sucks but you’ll kill yourself trying to obtain greatness on behalf of someone else. I’ll continue to be there for my friends, I’ll continue to be a listening ear if necessary but I will not longer shoulder their issues. I will no longer accept their problems as my own, looking for solutions and alternatives. No. I can’t. I’ve tasted the sweet taste of happiness, it’s taken me a while to get here but NOW, that I’m here I can’t let anyone threaten that peace.

To my friends, I love you. Sincerely. I want you to learn who you are, trust in yourself and know you deserve the very best from another human being. Trust that if s/he isn’t willing to offer their best, they aren’t willing to compromise to see you happy then Be prepared to move forward without them. Know that it’s healthy to be alone, and it’s necessary to carve time out to place yourself first.

Love yourself.

Tristan J {AKA} Tiffany, Your Friend.

When?

When did we get into the habit of glossing over the ‘struggle’? I find that folks are so eager to show that they are winning, that it creates unrealistic expectations so when you do lose, personally, you lose your fucking mind. We know, with all forms of social media, you have to keep up airs, stay put on but isn’t that exhausting? Now don’t get me wrong, who the hell wants to solely focus on failures? Nobody. That’s a depressing place to be, but shit happens, right?

I want to create a place of equal balance. A place where we celebrate the lows just as fiercely as the highs. Now maybe I won’t be the actual person to create this haven I’m looking for but i do want to play my part. So although I do believe I vocalize my lows and highs equally, I will be more aware of the content I put out. Just as often as I scream men ain’t shit but fuck boys, I’ll turn around and showcase men who have the qualities that’ll make your knees buckle.
Balance.

T. Jonez

Excuses.

I’ve missed writing. I’ve missed sharing my stories of adventures past, of the wild things that happens during a trip, during a flight, during the course of trying to get to that next destination. However lately I’ve been living life, instead of penning about it. When I would hear artist, specifically Adele, say she needed time off to live so she could have material to write about, I didn’t fully understand her statement. Not until Now! Now I get it, granted traveling gives you all the material you need to write a story but I want it to be deeper than that. I want to write an experience, and sometimes you need time to let the lesson become known to you.

When I started TristanJonez.com, I told myself I would be consistent. I would have a new post everyday (I was trippin’), but I also told myself I would be true to my experiences and just posting a filler, wouldn’t do. So I’m back (Kinda), while I won’t promise to post something everyday, I will not longer go weeks without updating y’all on my life’s adventures.

Let’s get started.

Jonez.

Ask, Seek and Work

So my life is in a weird space, but it feels like a necessary space for me to be in. “They” always say right before you’re about to level up, your life resembles chaos. I don’t feel chaotic, I do feel eerily calmed. I’m going thru major changes, and real life shit but I know this is the direction I am supposed to be traveling in. How amazing is it to know, without really knowing, that you are on the correct path. There is truly a liteness (word?) I feel. Its almost as If I am not really experiencing this life, as myself, just someone who is watching this life be lived.

Your steps are guided, make whatever decisions feel correct to you, and if they scare the shit out of you, even better. I will always be here to encourage you to do WHATEVER you feel, and we can work out the rest, the bits and pieces. Put in to the Universe what you want, work towards it and the Universe will conspire to give you everything you could’ve thought you wanted. I promise! I spoke on what I wanted, spoke to myself, to the sky, I let my thoughts only think on what I wanted, and the Universe has been showing me exactly what I asked for. Sacrifices had to be made, but that happens often… You ask the Universe, and the Universe will give it but require sacrifices to see if you are really a person who’ll recognize the opportunity.

Be that person.

Whatever you are ‘losing’ will be returned in such an abundance, this I promise!

Jonez.

I’m Back… Kinda.

I’m a bit embarrassed that I haven’t updated my site since December 27! I so sincerely apologize! Honestly, Truly. I could blame it on being busy with life, but I will spare you excuses. I would hate to insult your intelligence, in that way, cuz y’all my people. You want the truth? I just haven’t felt like writing, I was a bit underwhelmed by the numbers. I write my heart out, then I only see a view or two. It was feeling like no matter, how amazing my photos were, or how relative my content may have been, I was getting absolutely no where. So I said off it, why write? Why post? Why be bothered with showing up, If no one else was.

Guess What?! I woke the hell up! Even if nobody ever shows up, I’m supposed to show up for myself. I am supposed to make sure I’m out here doing what makes me happy, and writing makes me happy, throw in some traveling, experiencing new food options and BAM! I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. So while I won’t promise a post everyday, I will post at least twice a week.

Thank You!

Tristan Jonez.

Why Wait?

Why wait for 2018? Do it Now.

Recently I listened to a video snippet, and the author told me, why wait until 2018 to make the changes you’d like to make?

And shorty, is right! Why am I going to wait until 2018 to start fresh, when everyday I wake up translates to a new beginning? With the rise of the sun, I am able to decide who I want to be and who I want in my World. Everyone’s manual for living looks different, so I have to find the instructions that work best for me. Find the people who work best, with my vibe, who brings out the best in me. Letting go is extremely hard for me, especially since my mother died. I hold on to folks tight, I look past their wrongdoings at my own detriment and I allow them to stay in my World. I find them sucking the life from me, and once I’ve hit rock bottom only then do I let them go.

This situation, this friendship, this love is NO longer serving me. Its no Longer allowing me to grow, no longer allowing me to be the best version of myself, no longer making me happy. I wish you the best, take care, thank you. I’ve found that speaking this outloud makes the transition easier. Can people change, sure they can, but for my own peace, they have to change elsewhere. Protecting my own energy is my top priority, everyone can and will be second my own self. Eff how they feel.

I’ve had a few light stealers, and I’ve let each and everyone of them go. God Bless ‘Em

Jonez.

Only When.

I know there’s a saying that if you only worked on days where you felt like it, you wouldn’t be working much, and while that might be true, I think I owe it to myself to be genuine. Sometimes I don’t feel like writing, and I make myself write something, anything. When in reality I should listen to my inner being, and not write. I hate writing some bullshit filler just to say I wrote something. Nah, I’m done with that. I can say that everything that I’ve been posting lately has all been genuine, I’m proud of myself. Trust me, I know folks can read when you just doing to do. I want my craft to be respected, because when pen hits paper I want you to feel every fukking word!

Writing has saved my sanity. Writing saves me. It gives me clarity, especially during those times when I don’t know my left from my right. When I’m doubtful in who I am, I write. When I’m feeling neglected, I write. I fall into these mini depression spells, when I start to thinking too much about the future or the past, I have to remember that writing saves me. I don’t always upload everything I write, because at times, Its just jibberish, its just me putting pen to paper. But for my inner being, when that pen hits paper, its as if my mind is being massaged, all the kinks being smoothed out, and I can finally relax.

Thank you,

Tristan J.

Goals

So for this month, I told myself I would be doing something different with my writing, instead of only writing when something happens, I promised myself I would write every single day for this month. I’ve been told that it takes 21 days to create or break a habit, so consider this my experiment. I wanted to keep it light, so I didn’t place any specifics on what I could write about, the only requirement; I have to write, and publish whatever I wrote.

Seems simple enough as a challenge, right? Well let the writing begin.

Jonez

FYI I am a tad bit late in writing this as work spilled over, I arrived home at 2:32am, and began writing this as soon as my laptop was ready.