About The Budding Season
The “In-Between” is where the life really happens.
Most people talk about blooming as if it happens overnight. “She’s really blossomed into her career” or “It’s so great to see that they’ve blossomed into themselves”. They show the highlight reel, the finished career, the perfect relationship. But I’m much more interested in the budding season—that messy, unpolished “in-between” where we’re still figuring out who we are and why we’re here.
I’m Monique. I’m 25, navigating a transition phase in my life, and trying to make sense of the world through my experiences and the media I consume. The Budding Season is a space for the twentysomethings, the emerging creatives, and the chronically curious who want to explore difficult conversations and ask themselves the tough questions.
What do we talk about:
Self-Discovery in your 20s: Relatable, personal essays on navigating jobs, friendships, and the search for true identity. I take you through new and emerging chapters in my life as I endure the last few years of my twenties.
Media Anthropology: In my series, Only If You Care, I deep-dive into the books and TV shows that shape us. I look at culture through a diasporic lens to ask: What do Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Cebo Campbell’s “A Sky Full of Elephants” have in common? How can Black women continue to go on reality dating shows like Love Island USA without being policed or held to a higher standard?
Uncomfortable Truths: I say the scary things out loud. Raw and vulnerable observations about my life and the lives around me that will get us one step closer to self-discovery, integrity, and community with one another.
Why Subscribe?
You’re probably entering your own budding season, or already in it. It helps to know you’re not the only one growing through the muck. When you subscribe, you get:
Weekly Essays: Fresh and introspective reflections delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday.
Early Entry: Paid subscribers (my Gardeners) get access to new posts 24 hours before the general public.
The Watch List: My curated monthly recommendations of the books and television shows that are actually worth your time.
The Greenhouse: Join a community that craves depth and vulnerability. No ads, no algorithms—just us.
Whether you’re here for the deep dive media analysis or the personal growing pains, I’m glad you found my corner of the internet. Let’s grow together. 🌱
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