“Healing is so ugly, it’s low self-esteem, it’s resurfacing trauma, it’s crying, it’s not wanting to speak to anyone. It comes up, so we can clear it out and make room for a new outcome and perspective on life. Healing is not a trend! It’s real *expletive* work!”
– Pepper Brooks
Section 1: THE ROOTS (2020)
Well I decided to start a blog.
It’ll be something along the lines of my online diary discussing my personal experiences as a single parent, black woman, recovering addict, maintaining mental health issues, trying to date over 40 with a full matching LV luggage set worth of baggage, being a medicinal cannabis user, write my autobiography, attempt to self-publish, find a way to market my natural hair and body products all while just trying to find time to walk my 3 fur babies and knit.
Oh and I use the “F” word like punctuation.
Section 2: THE GROWTH (2025)
Well, that blog I decided to start in 2020? It turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined.
Update: February 2025
Five years later, and life has beautifully evolved. That LV luggage set of baggage? Still here, just better organized. I’ve transformed from someone trying to find their way to an entrepreneur running three businesses (As Told By Anya Ltd., Inner Child Curative Inc. & Naturalist Arcanum), a university student breaking through generational barriers, and the proud mama to a growing animal kingdom (2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 turtles, and a rabbit – yes, I’m basically running a tiny zoo).
Most importantly? I’m 2,460 days sober (since May 22, 2018), and counting. One day at a time, one victory at a time.
Anya Nicola’s Mission Statement
I don’t know everything nevertheless what I do know is the following:
Power
• Without my higher power I ain’t got shit
• Let go and Let god – my higher power doesn’t contradict.
Family
• Comes first after God – no exceptions.
• Blood related is not a requirement
• Family could even be a stranger I haven’t even met yet.
Purpose [Updated February 2025]
• By the grace of god I’m still alive despite numerous events that should’ve changed that.
• I can’t define my purpose yet but I know god has one for me, my job is to fulfill it. • That purpose I couldn’t define before? It’s crystallizing: amplifying marginalized voices, healing generational trauma, and bridging traditional Jamaican wisdom with modern wellness.
• Supporting BIPOC families through trauma-informed care
• Creating spaces where cultural sensitivity meets mental health advocacy
• Bridging traditional Jamaican wisdom with modern wellness
• Still using the “F” word like punctuation, because authenticity never goes out of style
I’m a:
Creative Director | Writer | Mental Health Advocate | Cultural Sensitivity Consultant | Mother | Herbalist | University Student | Proud Animal Mom | Sober Warrior | Still Very Much Human
More to come as I discover them along this journey… stay tuned.
“Healing isn’t just about fixing what’s broken – it’s about honoring where you’ve been while creating space for where you’re going. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s worth every moment of the journey.”
– Anya Nicola, 2025
Success is a journey not a destination…
I WILL FOCUS on being the WARRIOR that I've become."
- Anya Nicola
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”
- Arthur Ashe