Meet Minerve Jean | Author & Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Minerve Jean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Minerve, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
We live in this “hustle and grind” culture. One where if you’re not constantly working, then you’re not doing anything significant, or you’re a failure. If you’re not up late working on your craft or always in focus mode, then you aren’t working towards your dreams. It’s a toxic mindset to have because you can burn out when you’re in that constant hustle and grind state. I’ve learned the hard way that when you burn yourself out in pursuit of your passion, you can become tired and lose that creative spark that once fueled you. Over time, I went from being in a constant state of work and burnout to having boundaries and peace of mind. Boundaries are the most important thing you can have in all aspects of your life, especially work. A cutoff time to relax, go to sleep, or even breathe can make all the difference in your mental health. I’ve learned that it’s okay to take breaks and, some days, not hustle and grind at all. I don’t feel guilty (anymore) because allowing my mind and body to rest helps prevent burnout and spark new ideas for my projects. Inspiration can come from anywhere, a Netflix show, a book, even a simple walk in the park. Balance is all about allowing yourself to recharge and knowing that your mind and body come first. After all, you can’t work at 100% if you aren’t at 100%.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have a blog called MinerveJean.com, which discusses Lifestyle and Wellness, Culture and Beauty. It’s growing, and I’m constantly coming up with new and creative things. My biggest goal for my blog, and with my writing in general, is to inform and inspire. This is where I came up with “Intimate honesty” because I want to be as authentic as possible when I write. I’m not afraid to point out the elephant in the room or write how I feel on topics.

I’ve also published my first poetry book, titled “For The Secrets That Gave Themselves Away,” a collection that touches on self-love, Black womanhood, growth, culture, and healing. Books are something I want to publish more of, and that’s something in the works.

My last creative endeavor is launching this year. It’s called Eunoia Creative Studios, and it’s a writing and content studio that I’m super excited about. It ties into my love of writing and creation. It isn’t an easy process, but it’s a fun one.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Two words. Brunch and Museums. Those are the best things ever! But in-between brunch at Peacock Garden or Not Another Broken egg café and museums (Museum of Illusions!), there’s shopping at Aventura mall and hitting up boutiques in South Beach. There’s also discovering hidden wonders in Wynwood, like The Salty donut. In Miami, it’s hard to do the same thing twice.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is a hard one! I’ve got a bit of everything from books to people to organizations! Firstly, I want to give a shoutout to my support system. I think it’s essential to have a strong foundation that supports you through thick and thin. I’m blessed to have that support in the form of family and friends, especially an incredible sisterhood. I also want to give a huge shoutout to my friend Moni Basu who offers fantastic advice and is such an amazing and inspirational woman.

My second shoutout is to a book that has helped me to step back and examine myself is “Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself” by Nedra Glover Tawwab. It’s a book about creating and setting boundaries in your life and the importance of doing so for your mental health.

Lastly, I want to shout out Citizen’s Climate Lobby. I recently became a Team Action Leader of the Climate and Culture Action team, and it’s helping me hone in on my leadership skills while doing my part in the climate solutions conversation. I want to thank some of the wonderful members of my team including Princella Talley, Karina Ramirez, and Susan Adams.

Website: https://minervejean.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minerverii/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinerveJeanWrites/