Newly Engaged Angie Martinez Shares Gems On Being Single, 'Me Time' + Defining Your Own Success
After umpteen years of speaking on the radio, Angie Martinez has been spoken for!
Earlier this year, the veteran radio mogul revealed to Latina Magazine that she's no longer a single lady during an interview about how she supported the new film How To Be Single. While Auntie Angie gave hardly any details on her new nuptials, she did have plenty of advice on how single girls can be completely happy without having a date.
Check out what she had to say to the magazine on how single girls can have the time of their lives, sans the man.
On What's Great About Being Single
I have to tell you something. I’m not single anymore and it’s fairly new but I was single for a long time in NYC. Well, I think the thing about being single is that there are other single women too. So there is a bonding that happens with other single women – there is certain support that you get from other single women and honestly, you don’t need a man to be happy. You could be perfectly happy in your life and great relationships and friendships and fun. If you’re young and you’re still exploring the world, you kind of should be single, so you could figure out who you are all the way first and mess up every now and then and do dumb things. But especially in this city, it’s such a fun city to be single in and you don’t have anyone to answer to.
ON WHAT SUCKS ABOUT BEING SINGLE
The worst thing about being single, is when you have to go to weddings or go to events where everyone is matched up with somebody else and they give you that look like ‘are you ever going to have a date?’ that kind of sucks or just in those moments where everybody has a lonely moment where it’s kind of like, your girlfriends don’t really cut it. But those are just moments; it doesn’t mean your life cannot be happy.
HER BEST ADVICE FOR THE SINGLE LADIES IN THE HOUSE
Just to have great friends – great girlfriends, great network of people to hold you down and to share life with and experience all of the city has to offer. You don’t necessarily need a man for that; you just need people who you enjoy being around for that. I just say, pick your friends wisely.
Back in October at a luncheon in New York, the "Voice of New York" also had some gems of advice for ladies seeking to be entrepreneurs while looking for something that fulfills them. Angie has found plenty of fulfillment in her career as a radio host and an entrepreneur through her website and book, Healthy Latin Eating. The healthy living advocate was able to share some helpful hints on defining your own success that can definitely be applied to any woman trying to forge a path in business while they're not actively dating. Check out what else she had to say.
Define Your Own Success
“Sometimes, we as women put so much energy into our career and then it doesn’t make us happy. You work so hard, but is that success? Like, how much money do you have to have? What is your purpose? What fulfills you inside? You start chasing something, but why? You want a million dollars? And when you get it, what happens? Answer me that. What happens?
[Tweet "You want a million dollars? And when you get it, what happens? Answer me that. What happens? -@angiemartinez"]
Have some "Me" time
“I know it’s cliché, but you have to take time for yourself. It’s the realest thing I wish I could have learned earlier. You need to give yourself energy. Because you’re giving out energy all day to your man, your kids, your work. You need to put some energy back into yourself. And also accept that it will never be [perfectly] balanced. It’s the truth! But if you give yourself enough time to be aware, then you would notice danger a little bit before it arrives. You will be constantly readjusting your life. Forever. There will never be a time when you’re like ‘I got it!’ It’s never going to happen!” “It’s always hard. What I just started doing maybe three years ago — once a year I go somewhere alone. And I’ve always been the type of person who hates doing things alone. I don’t go see a movie by myself, or have dinner alone. But when I take that trip without anyone, I come back with so much peace and so many ideas. I write, I read. [You have to] make sure you take those moments for yourself, because work and life can make you crazy. You’ll find little tricks that help you. A trick for me is taking a trip once a year alone.”
CHASE YOUR DREAM
[Tweet ""A lot of people get stuck chasing somebody else’s route" - @angiemartinez"]
“A lot of people get stuck chasing somebody else’s route, I see it all the time.” “You have to be authentic to who you are. Pay attention to your own spirit, your own gut, your own instincts. Learn from people but do you. Maybe you’re slowing yourself down trying to fit into a piece that’s not for you. There is no answer to everything. It’s just a job and if there isn’t one for you, you can’t let that stop you. You have to figure out another way. F-ck ‘em!”
Fail to Win
“I’m just deeply inspired by how [Oprah] left what she had, multiple times in her career and wasn’t afraid to do something different, something new, start over. Not afraid to fail. People were talking a lot during the first year of OWN and she said, ‘It’s cool, I failed the first year, I’m going to learn and pick it up again.’ To me that is super inspiring because it’s a journey. Failing is part of it and if you don’t fail, you’re not in the game and then you really have a problem. Failing is not the problem. Not being in the game is the problem.”
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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6 Spring Events To Boost Your Professional And Social Networks
When spring arrives, we all want to be outside, looking fabulous, and back to socializing. And now is the perfect time to add a few great events to your calendar to get you through the quarter in order to make new friends, build new partnerships, and talk new opportunities to level up.
Spring is a high season for networking and social events for Black women, with many organizations and event entrepreneurs booking prime locations and offering dynamic experiences that you can maximize in whatever way possible. Write down your goals, and get out there. Start with a few of these events between now and the start of summer:
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, April 23 - May 3
The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival is a 10-day event held over two weekends, bringing together thousands of musicians, craftspeople, and food lovers to share in common threads of culture in the heart of New Orleans. You'll get to enjoy works by artisans local to Louisiana as well as from across the U.S. and around the world.
Black Food Truck Festival, April 26-28
Hosted in Charleston, S.C., the Black Food Truck Festival includes an opening party, access to more than two dozen food truck vendors, and a time to workout with other attendees. Charleston has long been known as a Southern foodie destination, with global recognition due to James Beard-awarded chefs heading popular restaurants there and a renewed focus on Gullah and Geechee culture and food in the region. And what better conversation ice-breaker than to talk about food with a new acquaintance?
Black Women's Mental Health Conference, May 4
Hosted by New York University, this is a one-day event to tackle issues of mental wellness and health that uniquely affect Black women and girls. The keynote speaker for this year is Kim Young, MSW, LCSW, founder of Dope Black Social Worker® and host of the podcast Revolutionary Hoodrat, and leading licensed professionals in the field will offer their insights and share their experiences. And, of course, no college-led event is without time blocked specifically for networking.
Strength of a Woman Festival, May 11-12
Anything with Mary J. Blige headlining or leading is a win, especially if we're talking about women's empowerment and enjoyment. This event will be held in New York City, and beyond the performances from some of our favorites like Muni Long, Jill Scott, and The Clark Sisters, there will be a Gospel Brunch. And even if you're not able to attend or concerts aren't your thing, just being in the city during that time will mean you're bound to run into plenty of other women to network with at local bars and restaurants nearby.
Carefree Black Girl Cookout, May 4
Held in the Queen City, Charlotte, N.C., this is a day festival amplifying the voices and brands of Black women entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. There will be vendors, glam and beauty bars, and complimentary meals for the first hour (according to the platform's website). They're hosting another cookout in Philadelphia on May 25.
Black Women Leading Live, May 13-16
Touted as an “intimate retreat + conference,” this Virginia Beach, VA event will be held on a resort and is offering a professional development experience led by Laura Knights, founder of the Black Woman Leading® program and podcast. It’s an ideal fit if you’re a mid-level or senior professional, as the topics and approach are set to cater to those levels of career experience, with coaches and speakers pouring into attendees with a holistic approach.
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