Welcome (Back) to the Chronicles

Well, hello.

I’m Chalina—but most people call me Lena.

If you’re new here, I’m honored you stopped by. So many people say they hate reading, so the fact that you’re here means the world. If you’re an OG (Tamara and several others—you know who you are), you already have the entirety of my heart. And if you landed here by “coincidence,” let me just say: I don’t believe in those. Everything has a purpose, and I hope you stick around long enough to discover yours.

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A Little Life & Book Club Recap

I started a book club called PJ’s & Pages (cute, right?). And well... it's not going great. Life be life-ing. I’ve been learning how to be more present, more engaging, and less caught up in who doesn’t show up for me—instead, I’m leaning into the beauty of who does.

✨ I’m planning my very first in-person meeting this year!
Huge love to Erica, Sheree, Ta, Janelle, Jenice, Reeny, and JaQuasha. If I forgot you, charge it to my head, not my heart.

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My Reading Journey (and New Obsession)

I’ve read so many books since my last check-in, and I recently discovered that I love a genre called Romantasy—yes, it's a thing, and yes, it’s absolutely giving.

Here are some of my recent faves:

1. Before I Let Go – Kennedy Ryan

2. Fast – Millie Belizaire

3. The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah

4. Only for the Week – Natasha Bishop

5. The Inmate – Freida McFadden

6. Drew Collins Series – Granger (Pro tip: Listen on Audible. The print version has a lot of typos.)

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Creator Goals: Let’s Talk YouTube

I’ve really amped up my content creation lately. Ideally, I want to become a successful, well-paid digital creator, but I wish I had more time to dedicate to editing and uploading polished videos.

🎯 At the start of 2025, I set a goal to hit 500 YouTube subscribers on my channel @lenathelazynatural by May 31st.

📅 It’s now June 1st, and I’m just 27 subscribers away!

Special thanks to my Daddy, Mrs. Mary, Monte, Tiff, and Sheree for always cheering me on—even when I don’t feel consistent. The goal is still the same: Keep going.

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Health Is Wealth (and Whew, It's a Journey)

So, I’ve been working out.

For years, I’ve battled with insanely high cholesterol and severely low iron. Things got serious enough that I had to get tested for plaque around my heart. Thank God, there was none. But that was my wake-up call.

🧠 I’ve been quietly praying to God for a long, healthy life—not just to be around, but to thrive and watch my babies grow up.

💪🏾 I want to be rich financially and mentally. So I chose to show up for myself instead of only getting down on bended knee begging God—or whatever Boyz II Men said.

And get this... my husband noticed my shoulder muscles popping! 😍

Big love to Sheree, my accountability partner. We’ve been consistently hitting 3 workouts a week (with a few breaks) since February. And the results? Are RESULTING.

✨ My iron is finally normal.
✨ My cholesterol dropped 50 points (still high, but improving!).

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Grief in Real Time

Sometimes I’m sad... a lot.
And without going too deep, I’ve been sitting with the heartbreaking truth that the day may come when my Grandma—my best friend, my pat-na—leaves me. It’s a thought that sits with me daily, and it tears me apart.

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Big Milestones Ahead

We’re preparing for high school graduation and college.
Just typing that feels surreal. Every time I think about it, the tears start flowing—so I’ll leave it at this: Please pray for me... for us.

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And Lastly, a Gentle Nudge to Start Again

Today, my sister-friend Shawn asked me if I was still podcasting. I told her no, because “people don’t listen.”

But the truth is... she did.
And I love her for that.

Her simple question encouraged me without her even realizing it. I’ve wanted to write here and check in for a while, but I’ve felt discouraged. Still, like my very first blog post said: “Start by starting.”

The time will pass anyway.

It might be corny, but it’s true—you have to grow through it to get to it.

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Wishing You...

🧠 Great mental health
❤️ A loving community
🙏🏾 And the strength to keep showing up—especially for yourself.

Peace,
Lena