February: Extra... with love
I find inspiration in the most random places. It could be a song lyric that sparks an outfit. Or maybe a picture that gives me Youtube ideas. I love I can gleam creativity out of the most benign places. However, it was an Instagram Reel that bought about not just this post, but the entire theme for the month of February. The theme is Extra Love. Oh, I guess I should start by saying that I’m doing themes. I narrowed in my content this year and have it more tailored and cohesive—hence themes. I will give you more about the theme later. Let’s discuss this Instagram Reel.
The Reel in question is by @yaniqueduke. It came across my feed while I was sick and unable to do much of anything but scroll. The reel is simple. She’s holding a microphone and basically saying if you’re going to show up, show out. She then adds that she doesn’t like to blend in. It’s funny. It’s cute. She’s pretty, and it made me laugh. I scrolled on and thought nothing else about. Since I was sick all January, the following month would have to count as my so-called New Year’s content. However, it’s hard to do “The things I’m doing in 2022” type content when you’ve already been in 2022 for a full month. Valentine’s is obviously going to be a topic. Naturally, I’m going to do some black history type stuff because… well, I’m melanated. However, I needed a theme because I’m doing themes now, and black girl magic and valentine’s day aren’t a theme. It was then that I thought back to @yaniqueduke’s Reel and February’s theme was born. EXTRA… with love.
What is being extra?
The oxford dictionary defines extra as:
Adverb
To a greater extent than usual; especially
In addition
Noun:
An item in addition to what is usual or strictly necessary
The Urban dictionary defines extra as:
over the top, excessive, dramatic behavior; way too much
In short, being extra means you’re doing more than usual. Some would define the word as meaning you’re doing “too much.” We usually only call someone extra when we feel they are doing too. Whether that “too much” is being overly dramatic about a situation, or being too much during an event. For example, it’s a casual affair and you get too dressed up. One might say you’re being extra. You’re doing too much for what the day calls for. Being extra is associated with being more than a person can handle. It’s almost a signal for you to stop doing a certain thing because it’s more than that person can take.
It wasn’t until my over analyzing brain started breaking Reel on a deeper level that I really thought about the term “being extra.” Like many people, I never want to be on the side of the conversation where I’m being described as extra. Who wants to be the one that everyone thinks is going to a greater extent than needed? The one that is adding more than the usual. The one who is over the top and way too much? I didn’t, but I changed my mind about that. I want be the one. I voluntary a tribute. I want to be that girl that is doing a little too much.
Now, let’s be clear, I don’t want to be the bad version of extra. The person who is causing unneeded drama and doing things with the intent of hurting people. Rather, I want to be the person who exudes showing up and showing out. I want to show up as the best version of myself. I want to live this life on my own terms. So, if that means showing up a little louder, bolder, and braver, please know that it’s with love. It’s not a personal attack, but rather me showing up and doing what I want. It’s me finally living my life and not being held back by the fear of being labeled EXTRA. I am extra, but I do it with style.
So, this month we are being extra. We are wearing our bold outfits. We are saying our big truths. We are trying new things, and we are setting month two of twenty twenty-two on fire. I’m being extra and going into this new year ready for what doing a little more than usual might bring.