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For as long as I can remember I've hated being late.
Whether its brunch plans with friends, a coffee date with a client, or just a regular work meeting - I always make sure I am on time. Punctuality is in my DNA.
Unfortunately, being late seems to be on trend these days. In fact, we all have that one friend or coworker who is never on time and practically brags about it. As the poster child for punctuality, it kills me that society has glorified tardiness. Since when was consistently being late something to be proud of?
I'm here to debunk the idea that always being late is acceptable, and share 5 reasons that you should work harder to be on time. Check them out below!
1. Being on time is a form of good manners
Let's be clear: no one enjoys waiting on you. No matter how profusely you apologize for being late to an engagement, chances are the person you left waiting is a little, if not extremely, irritated. Being on time is a form of good manners because it shows that you respect other people's time. To keep someone waiting on you could infringe on their plans for the rest of the day. It can also be quite selfish. Do you really think the world revolves around you? Show a little respect and keep your word by being on time.
2. Being on time shows that you are disciplined
Showing up on time doesn't require much, but it does require that you plan. This may mean leaving the house 30 minutes early instead of 15, picking out your clothes and packing your lunch the night before, or setting three alarms to make sure you wake up on time. Even putting your keys and wallet back where they belong so you don't waste time searching for them can help you stay on top of your schedule. These are simple tasks that can easily be done. Of course there can be things out of your control that cause a delay, but if you know that you're the problem, it's time to make some changes. If your chronic lateness is due to your personal failure to plan properly, address the issue head on and take the steps to schedule your days a little bit better.
3. You could lose your job and reputation
According to CareerBuilder, more than 2 in 5 employers have let someone go for being late. Not only is being late unprofessional, but it may cost you your reputation as well. Who would want to work with the person who is always late? The phrase "Time is money" doesn't ring any more true than it does at work. Even if you are self-employed, you could potentially lose clients and damage relationships if you are always late, and deadlines are not met. Time is money, so don't waste someone else's.
4. Punctuality keeps you stress-free
When you're late, more than likely you're rushing. And when you are rushing, there is a high chance that you are a little stressed or on edge. Being on time eliminates this unnecessary anxiety and will allow you to breathe a bit easier by smoothly sailing through your day. You also won't have to waste energy thinking of yet another excuse for why you're late!
5. Your productivity will skyrocket
Being on time and in control of your schedule results in a huge productivity boost. Without the stress of being late, your mind has more room to focus and get things done! If you're looking for a way to better manage your day, write out personal deadlines and stick to them. There is no better feeling than working at your highest level of productivity, and being on time is the key. You will thank yourself for it!
Do you like to be on time? What are some habits you practice that keep you punctual?
Featured image by Getty Images
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De'Osha is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and voracious reader who discusses race, culture, and work/life wellness. She is a media and public relations professional, and proud member of the Beyhive. When not nose deep in a book, you can find her on Twitter @whatsgoodDe.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Forget About Filters. Try The Cloud Skin Makeup Trend Instead.
Okay, so I know that I can’t be the only one who has seen those AI bikini pics that seem to be popping up more and more on Instagram. What’s truly wild to me about them is not the portraits themselves but the comments. What I mean by that is the number of people who have no clue that what they are looking at isn’t exactly real.
Know what I think was the gateway drug for the illusion? A lot of these filters. Boy, the way filters have folks thinking that what they see is what is happening…off social media is a trip. And to be real about it, like King Solomon once said, there isn’t anything new that’s under the sun. Before social media filters, there were camera lenses — both on- and off-screen — that also “softened up” people’s looks.
Thing is, though, no one can be behind a camera forever. Eventually, folks are going to see them, live and in living color and so, if they still want their face to appear absolutely flawless, what ever should they do then?
One solution? It’s a makeup trend known as cloud skin. If you’ve never heard of it before, I’ll explain.
What Is Cloud Skin All About?
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Although I wouldn’t exactly say that I’m afraid to fly (been on far too many flights for that resolve), at the same time, I must admit that flying isn’t my top 10 favorite things in life to do. Still, there are moments, while I’m thousands of feet in the air, that I do appreciate the experience. Like when I’m above the clouds, the sun is about to set, and the clouds look both fluffy and radiant at the same time.
Believe it or not, that is where “cloud skin” gets its name — it’s all about cultivating a matte skin look without it looking dry or caked up. Another way to look at it is it’s where matte and the dewy skin look “meet up” and find some common ground on the same face.
From what I’ve read and researched, a make-up artist by the name of Dominic Skinner actually coined the term and, according to him, “It’s all about specifically placed powder, a touch of foundation, and a facial oil to prime the skin.” When he was quoted as saying this, it was back in 2020; however (surprise, surprise), thanks to TikTok, cloud skin has experienced a resurgence in popularity and is predicted to be one of the most popular cosmetic looks for the next several months.
Why Cloud Skin Is Such an Appealing Make-Up Trend
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And why is cloud skin something that you should consider for your own face (at least every once in a while)? To me, I think it’s a dope approach to makeup if you’re looking for a way for your skin to look youthful, even-toned, and delicate without having a pack on a pile of layers of foundation in order to do it. Plus, even if you’re not an expert at applying makeup (or you don’t have a ton of time on your hands), the steps are relatively easy, even for a novice.
Another perk is, if you apply each step correctly, your skin will remain well-hydrated, your face will look picture-perfect and you won’t have to worry about using a filter when you do make a social media post.
These all sound like huge wins to me, so let’s get into how to actually achieve the cloud skin look.
5 Steps to Achieving Amazing-Looking Cloud Skin
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1. Hydrate your skin. It doesn’t matter how well you apply the other four steps if you overlook this one. That’s because, there is no way around the fact that if you want your skin to look dewy and fresh, you are going to need to make sure that it is well-hydrated. You can do this by applying a moisturizing serum or a lightweight moisturizer. Just make sure that it’s more water than oil-based. Oh, and in order to “lock everything in,” follow this up with a skin primer.
Primers are the unsung hero of make-up looks because they do everything from “fill in pores” (temporarily) and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to make sure that the cosmetics that you apply are able to last for a longer period of time. If you need help selecting one, TikTok has posts for days on the topic. Just go to the app and put “best primer make-up Black women” in the search field.
2. Apply a semi-matte foundation. Now you’re ready to put on your foundation. It’s important that it has a semi-matte finish to it because that is what will help to “blur away” any imperfections that your skin may have. Come to think of it, you may actually want to go with a foundation that also has concealer in it, just to keep the application steps down. Oh, and definitely apply with a damp cosmetic sponge instead of your fingers — that will help to create the cloud effect too.
3. Next up: blush. In my opinion, these days, blush isn’t given enough of the respect that it deserves. Not only does it add a pop of (subtle) color to your face, but it helps to contour, hide imperfections, and even bring out the best in some of your facial features (like your cheeks and chin). That’s why I think it’s dope that it’s a part of the whole cloudy skin process. For this look, opt for a cream or liquid blush in a color that will bring out the best in the next step: bronzer.
4. Definitely add a touch of bronzer. Although I personally try not to wear make-up often (beyond mascara and lipstick), when I do, especially during the warmer months, I am definitely gonna apply some bronzer. In my opinion, few things can make your skin look sexier in a really short amount of time. Bronzer also has a way of making your skin appear absolutely radiant. The hack here, for us (Black women), is to go with a warm and rich hue, one that is a shade or two darker than your complexion, and to preferably apply it with a brush; that way, it’s not too heavy on your face.
5. And now it’s time to “bake” your skin. Final step, do what is known as “baking your skin” which simply means that you set the work that you’ve just done with a translucent or finishing powder (and the help of a foundation brush). This is what ensures that your final result will last for hours at a time (you can read more about how to bake your skin here).
BONUS: Gloss those lips up. If you Google the whole cloud skin look, you may see a lot of women with a matte lip color to boot. My two cents? Go with a glossy look instead. There’s something about the way that the gloss plays off of the bronzer that really sets everything off in excellence!
There you have it — a way to look like you’re using a filter…when you’re not on a screen.
Enjoy sis. Enjoy!
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