WHAT'S REAL WITH DEJA PETERS
What’s your favourite color?
My favourite colour varies day to day. I really enjoy pastels, neons and monochromatic patterns. My color of the day is celeste!
What’s your favourite ‘go-to’ recipe?
My favorite 'go-to' recipe has to be veggie tacos.
What self-care habits do you intertwine into your daily routine?
Self-care is so important, it definitely makes a difference and it is a staple in my day to day routine. Self-care also lies within simplicity. My skincare routine, daily affirmations, to-do lists, reading, roller skating sessions and simply getting glammed up all fall under self-care in my book!
What's your favourite book, and what book had the most significant impact on you?
My favourite book is 'The Skin I'm In' by Sharon G. Flake; it's truly the most impactful book I've read in my teenage years. It's a realistic fiction novel entailing the reality of colorism.
Who can you talk to when you need to get something off your chest?
I can honestly talk to myself. Journaling has helped me more than anything, for me it's easier to put things into words on paper.
Where’s your safe place?
My safe place is with my plants; they give me life and remind me to be still.
Have you ever dealt with anxiety? If so, what triggers it, and how do you calm your mind?
I have my days, as anyone. Triggers can be so small, sometimes it can happen faster than I realize what actually triggered me. I can calm my mind by taking a few breaths, and taking a couple of moments to myself.
Have you or someone you love ever been in a dark place? If so, what were the steps taken to get out?
Of course. I like to remind myself (or someone I love) to start simple, and be patient with yourself. Getting out of bed, eating meals, reading, drawing, it's really the little things that help.
Do you think social media affects your mental health or has any other negative impacts on you? If so, how do you best deal with it?
Social media can definitely affect my mental health if I allow it. It can bring up insecurities, or trigger past traumas. The best way I deal with it, is by taking breaks and monitoring screen time.
What’s the biggest change you can identify within yourself in the past year?
My biggest change has to be within myself. I have worked through trauma, learned how to communicate and became more self-aware.
What changes do you want to see within yourself in the coming year?
Let's do a little manifesting here. I WILL see positive change within my emotional, physical, spiritual self. I WILL see positive change and growth within my business relations.
What’s one of the hardest things you’ve had to go through in life? How did you get through it?
Healing as a black woman. We are supposed to be "strong" all the time, and built to take certain things, when in reality that isn't the case. The expectation of strength is very harmful for black women + children. Healing isn't linear, and it's definitely not easy. But learning to be patient and taking care of myself as I would anyone else, is where I start.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Some advice I would give my 16-year-old self... That's a big one. But I wouldn't tell my younger self anything. She had to grow and learn all the lessons exactly how she should've. She did very well for her age, and I couldn't be prouder or ask more of a person at 16.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt?
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned was to learn how to accept love. What it looks like, feels like, sounds like, tastes like; to recognize and experience.
If you could change one thing within society, what would that be?
I would change the way of thinking. I think a lot of things are miscommunicated or not given a chance in society.
