The procedure is parliamentary

I didn’t think I’d be saying any of this, but it was inevitable with my lack of content over the past year(s).

When I started this blogging journey, I hardly saw people who looked like me showcase their thoughts and feelings. But going to blogging events and see fellow Black people I knew I had a space to talk certain topics.

However, my blog/stories/life lessons have touched the world and I have been able to connect with so many talented people over the Internet.

My purpose was to bring laughter through my pain. I go out of my way to write down things and showcase them to the public because I know the pain that we as people deal with every day. I deal with the same pain and I struggle which is why I journal it. If I can make one person smile, laugh, and potentially get through what they’re going through I’m happy with that and know I’ve been walking my correct path in life.

With my hood, I was able to have an alias and ‘hide’ behind my words as I didn’t want to be on the Internet like that and I suppose I was trying to stay in the dark despite showcasing light on my life.

Blogs like Cheating, Goodbye, OMG and Never Been loved to name some of my standout blogs. I know some others have touched people but the above showcased my talents as a writer.

However, in 2025, it’s safe to say, I am no longer what to be known as the ‘Darkside Don’ (online anyway) because life is just different now. I am a new improved man with responsibilities which is bigger than me.

I don’t have many friends but thank you to those who check in on me on a regular. I had to make tough decisions and cut the fat that was around me. Nevertheless, no beef on my side but if I see you at a mutual event, I might just air you. Don’t take it to heart.

I don’t owe people the person I used to be. I don’t have to talk to people who are speaking to the old me. If they want to drag me out, and I’ve already left that person behind, they don’t get to talk to me. I’ve gone from weakness to strength, I don’t owe a show of my former self to someone who just can’t wrap their head around my change.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you stop making an effort, a relationship or friendship ends? It was never two-sided, it was just you. Friendship breakups happen but you see the part where one person starts airing out their business of someone they claim to have had a love for? Bottom-barrel behaviour.

That tells us way too much about your character. Respectfully, some people only mess with you because it’s beneficial, not everyone has the same heart as you so I had to do what was best for me.

Allowing myself the space to grieve the friendships I once believed would last a lifetime — grieving the closeness I overestimated, and those where we naturally grew apart. I grieve the memories we never got to make.

When I know I haven’t wronged you… Idc if we never speak again🫠

Some friends, I had an extra different friendship with but the pleasure of you being around was also stopping me from meeting my future. Championship Mind Games.

My career is not 100% where I want it to be but I can tolerate it at the moment and it’s bringing home the bacon, so as long as my family is eating even if I am on my Rasta man thinking of “No pork on my fork”. I can’t complain with others struggling.

I go through so much and never show it on my face! We as men are taught to just deal with it and show no weakness. I feel like all we do is internalise it until it starts to eat away at us. In my experience, the effects of that are unable to build and maintain relationships, unable to be consistent and disciplined. Living a life filled with procrastination and regret.

The true weakness is internalising it and not dealing with it all. I’m an advocate of mental health and I just want all to know I’m here with you and support all the struggles you’re going through and don’t show.

A year ago, everything was different. I was literally made redundant from my job. I have realised that a year can do a lot for a person. I wouldn’t have pictured myself like this and now that I look back. I am now working for a multi-million £ brand (again) with a big role with my highest ever wage (for now). Moved out the ends and now a father! Like how????

Men, please be with women who genuinely love you. I know it’s an accomplishment to make money and jack up your ego towards a certain type of woman. But please for all your suffering and hard work, for all the responsibilities, be with the one that truly loves you. The one that would actively make your burden. You deserve to be loved properly and taken care of. You deserve plenty of attention and someone that thinks highly of you. You deserve ease and peace. Lads, the sad truth is that most of you aren’t thriving because you won’t let go of that woman who keeps stunting your growth.

My biggest pet peeve is when people over-promise and then under deliver because you could’ve just shut up.

When people act shady, allow them. When people betray your trust, allow them. But never, sink to their level. Their choices are not a direct reflection of who you are. No matter how angry, hurt or disappointed you may be – do not allow them to make you bitter. Be better. React with love. Sometimes that means retaliating with understand and compassion; other times it means sheer silence. Whatever it is, make sure it benefits you as a human being instead of lowering you into a position which you rather not be in. Normal people don’t go around destroying other human beings. Only those who are hurt, lost, and confused cause pain. Don’t be one of them. Just take the lessons and move on gracefully.

Something I’ve learned about accountability is that a person who genuinely loves you will hold you accountable. The problem is that when you aren’t actively growing, healing, and working on yourself, accountability feels like an attack on your character because of the simple fact that you know deep down inside that you aren’t putting the work into the exit. Heal yourself; you aren’t putting the work into exit to get rid of those traumas. Instead, you deflect because you feel like this person can see the part of you that you are trying to hide so profoundly. Or you simply try to avoid that person. You should appreciate that person for loving you and caring about you enough to hold you accountable and want the best for you. That’s someone who sees something in you that you may not see in yourself. That’s someone that literally genuinely wants to see you win and want to see you grow.

One day you wake up and you’re in this place. You’re in this place where everything feels right. Your heart is calm. Your soul is lit. Your thoughts are positive. Your vision is clear. You’re at peace, at peace with what you’ve been through and at peace with where you’re headed.