Skip to main content

The Red Season: Suitcase of I'm Sorry!

 "Check the sign at the door, You are no longer welcome here anymore, And take with you, your suitcase of 'I am sorry," Eloya Somaine.




There's nothing worse than wearing disappointment like a badge of honour. I'm not good with disappointments, even when I logically leave room to expect them. Yes, we are still here, but I'm slowly mentally exiting whatever "ship" that I've been on. You teach people how to treat you. I would like to be treated with integrity. 

You teach people how to treat you.

I'm not self-sabotaging parce que of my anxious-avoidant attachment style. I am cognizant of my shortcomings and insecurities. However, I am being guided by a relationship coach on how to manoeuvre through all this. I gave this male my being (time and space) because I really liked him. I was hoping for a mutual, reciprocal getting-to-know-each-other and relationship with him. But accepting being treated poorly doesn't reflect virtue, substance, or being a high-value woman. 

And sometimes in life we don't always get what we want. And that's okay. Take your 'L' with grace. 

I'm adult enough to take my 'L'. Yes, we ladies also take our 'L's when it comes to dating or relationships. Unless you've been validated, you have no entitlement. Remember, "You could have the best intentions, you could have the most sincere feelings, and you could be a good woman and you still wouldn't be able to keep a man because the only way to keep a man is if that man wants to be kept by you,"  Sipho Mbhele.

Bonjour mes amies! Comment allez vous? I'm honestly feeling low. Mariah Carey's "Breakdown" begins to play. Welcome back to the red season as we pick up where we left off with the red flags, texting, and breadcrumbing. The last article was brutal because we had to rethink our dating life or relationships. I myself realised that I am that fowl pecking at the trail of breadcrumbs only leading to my slaughter. But not anymore. (LeToya Luckett's "Not Anymore" starts to play.)




With a show of hands, how many of us single ladies are exhausted by insincere apologies? I raise both my hands. We aren't perfect, and to err is human, but how many times will "he" apologise and not repent? "How many times are you going to apologise for the same thing?" Kelly Rowland sings on "Bad Habits." Apologies are meant to be followed up with rectification. "I'm sorry" means that you acknowledge offending or hurting the next person. With this acknowledgement, you are now saying that I will not repeat the hurtful act or say the offensive words, and I will do better.
I myself realised that I am that fowl pecking at the trail of breadcrumbs only leading to my slaughter.

Beware of that person who just says, "I'm sorry," just to keep you from walking away from them. They know that they treat you poorly, and you might grant them grace with your patience. You call them out on their behaviour and set your standards so that you will not tolerate their bad behaviour. They might put more effort into communicating, give you more time, and even act like they are changing for the better. And then, just when you are flying in your hot air balloon, they will go right back to being an asshole. 

Today, we are sending back those suitcases of insincere apologies. I want us to meditate upon the pieces of poetry about those suitcases of "I'm sorry." "Sorry" from the 'sorry excuses of human beings' who project their own internal dissatisfaction in order to belittle your affection.
 
I think of the film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf." In particular, Lady Red's (played by Janet Jackson) poem as she confronts her husband. She says, "Save your "sorry." One thing I don't need are any more apologies. I got a sorry greeting at the front door. You can keep yours." 




For how long are we going to be aiding and abetting repeat offenders of the words, "I'm sorry?" 

And here's a piece titled "You Got Served" by yours truly. The mantra is intention, effort, and commitment. Apologies should be sincere and offered with change. I will apologise for my shortcomings and work on treating you better. I will work on ensuring that your thoughts and feelings are considered. I say sorry so that I can work on making our relationship work. We expect the same from others. So when we are fed up with the insincere apologies, bad treatment, and just being sick and tired, of being sick and tired - you serve the papers. I think that I'm now tired:

"Final Notice

Check the sign at the door.
You are no longer welcome here anymore, 
And take with you your suitcase of "I am sorry."
There is no space in my storage room.
A room that's filled with all the empty promises that you gave me
What I needed from you was a box of assorted "I love you," "I need you," and "You are beautiful."
Each form of affection melting in my mouth like toffee-flavoured chocolate.
I wanted alms left at the altar of my body as you entered me.
Instead of withdrawing my soul from me as if I were an ATM machine,
Right now, I have every right to unleash my wrath on you.
You should turn into stone in full view.
You have no access here anymore.
I changed the locks.
This is the final notice accompanied by an eviction letter.
I gave you too many chances to be better.
No more breaking into my heart with sweet nothings.
The alarm system can detect you good for nothing." - Eloya Somaine 

Breathe.

Again, you teach people how to treat you. 

Here's to unpacking suitcases...

... find your corner to cry, realign, and wear those heels as you strut out of situations that don't bring out the best in you.




A prochaine fois...

Cheers!

P.S.: Always write your own love story!


Ciao!


Lady E


Comments

Popular Posts

Script My Life: Love By the 10th Date

Finding love shouldn’t be a duty but it should be a journey that you enjoy the ride while you get to it... I don’t remember when was the last time I related to a number of female characters in one movie. I finally watched Lifetime movie ‘Love By the 10th Date’.  The trailer to the movie, written and directed by Nzingha Stewart, enticed me for a good chick flick...about women of colour. The all star cast includes the gorgeous Kelly Rowland, Meagan Good, Keri Hilson and Kellee Smith. We also see Cat Deely, Joshua T Jackson, Andra Fuller and UnReal’s Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman. The story line follows a group of young, successful black friends who work for a high end, digital magazine Nina. The protagonist is Gabrielle Fateful a.k.a Gabby played by Meagan Good. Gabby is a graphic designer at Nina whose love life is an actual struggle. The scene that kickstarts the plot of the movie is when Gabby goes out for dinner with friends and workmates, Margot (Kelly Rowland), Bi...

Script My Life: Marry Me

If you want something different, you have to do something different! Woo, Jennifer Lopez really grated the cheese on this rom-com but I love it! Yes, this Valentines day, J Lo reminds us of all our fantasies of what really love should be. Jenny has always been a girl who loves love. So art somewhat imitates life. Following her reunion with former fiancé, Ben Affleck, we are definitely seeing Jenny from the Block 2.0. Who knew that getting back together with 'the one that got away' two decades later would revive romantically in J lo? We all know that Jennifer loves to be booed up. She's been married three times, engaged five or six (I've lost count). I believe relationship experts would consider her a love addict. But that's none of our business! Just in time for Valentines day, a romantic comedy simply titled, "Marry Me". The stars Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley, Sarah Silverman, and Chloe Coleman. The movie opens with the title trac...

Script My Life: Mulan

Never despise chasing a chicken on top of rooftops! Oh my, I felt like a fortune cookie right there. I'm never the one to jump onto trends. I proudly stand as the few who aren't phased by FOMO. However for the 2020 adaptation of Mulan, I had to be on point with my movie watching. Between watching the trailer and a few expectations, I wasn't sure about my reaction. I'm a staunch Disney classics fan. I am one of those ladies who grew up on the  Disney princess  trope. I love Belle, Jasmine and Tiana, although Tiana was a frog ¾ of the film. The strong willed female with a free spirit is my spirit animal. Belle read books, Jasmine wanted to see the world and Tiana was a businesswoman. Hmm, sounds like someone we know. Wink! Disney decided to offer CGI, live action versions of all the animations that most of us millennials grew up on. To be honest, I hate most their reimagined versions especially 'The Lion King'. It was so bad, I didn't watch it twice. I really ...

Solo

Be the person whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. Porque eres el único cuerpo con el que estás atrapado para siempre ! With that said, it's good to have our feet back on solid ground. I can't wait for the  next trip ! Now ladies, we are dressing up for not just one, but several dates. Through our journey to  becoming , we are all about self-introspection and self-love. We are going on a solo date where we assess if we enjoy our own company, embrace our flaws, and seek to be better versions of ourselves.  Single ladies, bring your A-game with the wardrobe, face, body and most importantly, personality because we are putting our best foot forward. Put on your favourite outfit because we're going on a couple of dates with ourselves! Gentlemen, y'all invited to observe. A nous allez!  Date #1: Restaurant  I'm wearing a midi, nude pink, chiffon dress. I'm pairing the outfit with gold jewellery, and rose gold heels. I made a reservation at my favourite ...

Sing My Life: Birthday By Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd

"Can I call you on your birthday? Just to make sure that you're okay"   Birthdays can bring out the real in all of us. Happy Friday and it happens to be the Queen’s Birthday. Yes Beyoncé! Yeah,yeah, everybody loves Beyoncé. Shout out to all the Virgos! I'm so loving the Disclosure video for 'Birthday' featuring Kehlani and Syd. The visuals take on the 'Alice in Wonderland' aspect where Syd and Kehlani are stuck in a shrunken room. The giant versions of Syd and Kehlani wrestle with thoughts of reaching out to each other. The visual ends with claymation version of Syd and Kehlani, who who are shown in a candy land. They talk to each other while experiencing adventures including flying on the top of a single engine plane. And then they both get burnt. The closing of the video has voices singing 'Happy birthday'. Then a heart shaped box with Syd and Kehlani's names, and a cake with Disclosure's faces appear on the screen. Most of the wor...