Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Janel K. Lauren of Atlanta

Janel K. Lauren shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Janel, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Might be a bold statement to make straight out the gate, but I think a lot of people struggle with lust. No one wants to admit it, but it is the reason why so many people are disconnected from love and themselves right now. Everyone wants to be in partnership, in community, in relationship or marriage, but most are only willing to satisfy the now. It takes a lot of effort and self control to tell yourself no so that you can find what you are looking for. Access to people via apps and other means has pulled people out of the art of patience. We are so ‘right now’ oriented and driven by what we want NOW, its killing society. I wish people looked inward at how the lust they have for life is killing our culture.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a storyteller through poetry and content creation on YouTube. I have a solid community on YouTube that I have been able to share my challenges with as a woman trying to walk in Christ in a world full of temptations. I write poetry that has usually been about love, heartbreak, loss — but now I’m writing about my evolution in my journey as a woman without the pain. The most unique thing about me is that I am not afraid to tell the truth, even if it be at the cost of someone’s perspective of me. If I did something, you won’t catch me denying that I did it — because I will also claim the growth that came with making the error and even pay homage to it. People think the messiness of growth is to be hidden, or private — but I do my growing in 4K, on display, because the work won’t be avoided on my hands. Having a platform while growing it also forces me into responsibility and accountability.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
During my 20’s, I met someone who helped challenge my vision. I wasn’t allowed to simply talk about who I wanted to be, or what I wanted to do — but I HAD to be willing to showcase the fruit of what I was willing to do to make that happen. They were an artist in their own light through storytelling, film, and music, and little wins were always kept on the scoreboard. I never really believed in my talents or abilities, but every conversation they’d ask me to read a recent poem, or challenge me to perform, and constantly asking me what I was working on next. And although it challenged me to be progressive, I realized in the momentum that I was being seen for who I am and admired for it. I haven’t spoken to them in years now, but I still appreciate the deposits made in that season. Because of them, I became unafraid. I’m thankful for that.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I went through a toxic relationship during my twenties. The stress was so deep that I actually began to go through a healing crisis when I left and my health began to decline. Although I am well now, my mind and body in that season were not. I was in a lot of emotional pain and physical pain and I wanted to feel like all was not lost. I had always written poetry, but I never took it seriously because I was like ‘Will I be judged for subjecting myself for this level of mistreatment?” I let the embarrassment of my reality keep me away from my creativity. But something different happened when I made my first EP ‘Concrete Flowers Bloom in Spring,” I was celebrated. I was embraced, people prayed for my healing, thanked me for being candid. And I’ll be so honest, I was confused. Because there was a lot of pain on that project. But I saw what it did for others. I removed it from streams because it’s no longer reflective of where I am, but I’ve considered releasing it again just for the memory of the accomplishment to continue.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, Its hard not to be. I battled with insecurity for a long time. Mainly because I could never find my people. Ones who loved me and valued me for who I am without compromise. So now, I really don’t care about fabricating who I am. I know I’ve done enough work on myself to esist in spaces unapologetically. And for anyone offended by it, I just stay out of their way. I am though, working on not trying to force everyone to fix something in their heart unless they ask. I’m so used to being honest about what I’m experiencing around me that I have to remember that not everyone is looking to change but simply be.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that most people are only as deep as thier experiences. I have stopped getting mad at people when I know they simply cannot do something because they lack the experience or the self work to know how. I simply remove myself gracefully and quietly. I empathize with everyone, but I don’t excuse. Just because you may have gone through a trauma you did not deserve, it doesn’t mean you are exempt from doing the clean up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youtube.com/@JanelKLauren
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janelklauren?igsh=a3pwb3NwYmN2dnZn&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanelKLauren

Image Credits
photos by Janel K. Lauren