Black Girls Living Lavishly

By Chrystal Anderson

For the past few years, I’ve been quietly rebuilding.

There are parts of my story that I used to feel ashamed of—times when I planned something beautiful, but life unraveled beneath me. Times when I committed to something I believed in, but my body or spirit simply couldn’t hold the weight anymore.

A few years ago, I completely fell apart.
Not because I didn’t care.
Because I was human. Because healing took priority over perfection.
Because life asked me to sit still and listen.

And here’s the part no one tells you:

Sometimes the people we admire the most—business owners, leaders, healers, community builders—have all had seasons where everything crashed down.
They just don’t always share that part publicly.

But I believe in sharing it.

Because the truth is, recovery isn’t linear.
It’s messy. It takes time. And sometimes it means making mistakes in real time, learning lessons you never wanted to learn, and still having the courage to begin again.

I’m in a season of beginning again.

I founded Booked and Bougie a year ago, and I’m still committed to creating spaces where Black women can live well, travel well, and heal in community.
I’m also now guiding other entrepreneurs—especially women of color—through similar transitions.

If you’re building something after a hard season, or if you’re trying to figure out what’s next, I see you.
That’s what my Community Coach offerings are here for:
support for the rebuild, not just the highlight reel.

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, know this:
You’re allowed to return.
You’re allowed to evolve.
You’re allowed to try again, even if your path has been complicated.

And it’s never too late to start living the next chapter.

For those who need support in this season—whether you’re rebuilding, reimagining, or simply trying to figure out your next step—I’m holding space for that, too.

Through The Community Coach, I’m working with women who are creating new offerings, launching communities, or learning how to lead after life has shifted them.

If that resonates with you, you’re welcome to comment below, or follow my content here. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned about beginning again—with honesty, soft power, and grace.