Hey y’all, it’s ya girl! I’m Vilissa Thompson, a woman who wears many hats & goes by many titles. If you’re new here, I’m a: macro social worker, writer, speaker, consultant, and Founder of Ramp Your Voice! I’m also a visionary, creative, and currently establishing the second act of my career with new and exciting projects.
Thank you for reading and subscribing! This newsletter is for YOU - those who may be new to me and those who are “long time listener, first time reader. This newsletter gives you a bird’s eye view of who I am, what I’m getting into, and what I’m working on.
Photo of a Black woman with her hair parted and hanging down straight. She is smiling and facing the camera sideways in her wheelchair. She is outside under the tree branches while wearing a white and black dress.
Patron Saint of Boundaries
Who cares if it’s November 1st, 15th, or 30th - put up those Christmas lights and tree if it makes you happy
I wanted to cover something a bit lighter this month, and felt I wanted to affirm whoever may be leaning to do this.
Put up the Holiday lights, decor, turn on the Christmas music, etc.. If it puts a smile on your face, then why not do it?
Online, there’s a “debate” (I use that word loosely as I roll my eyes) about whether people should put their Holiday decor before or after Thanksgiving. I don’t know why people feel so passionately about what people are doing in their homes that 1) aren’t their business, and importantly, 2) not creating or being harmful. Of all the ratchet things people could be doing… this isn’t one that I give a damn about. LOL.
Personally, on November 1st, I tuned into the Magic Upstate radio station in Greenville, SC that turns into a Christmas music station from November 1st through January 1st. It has been a new discovery of mine for about 3 years now. I don’t decorate much for the Holiday, but you can guarantee to hear Christmas music playing in my house for the next two months.
Why don’t I care deeply about this? Outside of the fact that I view it as silly debate, the main reason - let people find joy where they can. Look at the state of the world, and if you live in the United States, this country. If people pulling up a tree or Santa keeps them from spiraling into despair, let them. Do we have to be Ebenezer Scrooge when we’re fighting against people who are worse than the fabled character himself before he saw the error of his ways? Plus, the Holiday season is about finding community, happiness, and taking stock of the past year - if people want to get a jumpstart on that early, what’s the big deal?
We have to find and hold onto glimmers whenever they come to us. Let people get the glimmers they need in this way.
Plus, the holiday season is my favorite season for decorations, so seeing people fill their house with Christmas cheer is a welcomed calm in the sea of chaos. Let people enjoy things - it’s that simple.
Unapologetically HER:
The Boy is Mine Tour!
This month, I went to the Brandy and Monica show! To see two music icons from my teenage years still look great, sound phenomenal, and put on an incredible show was perfect.
Seeing your childhood favorites at this stage of both their and your lives reminds you that they’ve been a part of the soundtrack of your life for so long. The longevity of Brandy and Monica cannot be disputed - they are who they think they are. I love seeing their friendship and the love they have for each other on and off stage. I’m here for the sisterhood between them!
I felt like the Millennial auntie that I am because of the nostalgia of the songs. And yes, I know we are the Aunties and Uncles now. LOL. I’m glad I went to the show - it’s the last concert I had on my list for 2025.
Vilissa is pictured in her wheelchair with a grey dress and black kn95 mask under the “Boy is Mine” elevator sign.
Picture of Brandy & Monica in all white wrapped in microphone cords
My Faves!!
These are a few of my favorite things…
As a planner person, I’m using November to start dreaming, brainstorming, and outlining my goals and wishes for 2026. Yes, it’s early, but I realized that waiting to do this in December doesn’t work for me - I like to get a head start.
One of the free tools I’ve discovered and used is Year Compass, which is a good reflection guide as we go from the current year into the new one. I figured that this would be a good one to share with folks who may also want to get ahead of the game before January. It’s never too early or late to start - believe that.
YearCompass https://yearcompass.com/
Take Action
As we gear up for the Midterms next year, I thought it’d be great to share this newsletter that centers voting, politics, and disability.
Dear friend and comrade Sarah Blahovec created The Accessible Voting Booth newsletter this year as a way to keep people informed about the voting and political rights of disabled people in this country. Now more than ever, we need such resources as this to not just inform us, but to nudge us to take action if there’s a need to do so.
Sarah’s focus for this newsletter deeply connects to her activism work regarding politics, disability rights, and supporting disabled people who desire to run for office. Grateful for Sarah doing this work each month, and I look forward to continuously reading more in the new year.
Pictured is “The Accessible Voting Booth” Logo with a Ballot box that has three starts in the front.
Until Next Time…
We’re now in the midst of the Holiday season. I’m deep in my Christmas movie watching bag, figuring out how to explain to Santa that my “naughty” moments were justified, and excited to wrap up a weird year.
I hope that each of you spend the next two months around chosen loved ones who energize and care for you in the ways that we all deserve to be adorned.