Saw this writing challenge and loved the self indulgence! I’m sure there’s a profound moral message to be raised but this post is not it. I’m keeping it vain and shallow because – well catharsis rocks x

So probably the biggest misconception about me is that I’m an extravert..

But despite the carnival feathers and my joy of doing the “Ricky Gervase Robot” on the dance floor- I’m actually really shy!

I love carnival for the music and sense of freedom and community it evokes. It is never about one person- it’s a celebration of people- a huge party where everyone is invited. When I used to perform on stage with a Samba carnival school, it felt very different. The spotlight literally being on me was an introvert’s nightmare.. my stage dance career did not last very long 😉 but my love of carnival is lifelong.

My hair is probably the next biggest misconception. Generally, people assume that the wigs or weaves I wear are my real hair and when I have my hair in an Afro it’s a wig. I suppose it’s one of the joys of being “ethnically ambiguous” in a society with Westernised beauty standards. I should probably discuss here the endless conversations I have about my “race” or heritage but – nah not today.

I’ve only heard this a couple of times, but being very political and opinionated there’s an assumption ,by some, that I am a serious person with “the weight of the world on my shoulders”. People who have met me for five minutes know that’s not the case. Joy, as they say, is a revolutionary act.

Strangest idea I sometimes hear is the assumption that I’m a good singer…

Even laughing at that as I type! I mean I love singing, but I’ll be first to acknowledge that not one note is in key- as a singer I make a good butcher 😂

Anyway this is probably the most shallow post I’ve written in a fair while and I enjoyed every. single. word. I definitely didn’t expect that! Lol BHW xx