There’s never been a better time to check in on our friends, Pretty Birds. Life in the time of COVID-19 is full of uncertainty and stress, but no matter how we’re coping, we can all agree it’s a time to be grateful for the people in our lives who show up for us. Checking in With Friends is dedicated to touching base with our fabulous friends all over the world. Today, we chat with Nneya Richards!
Checking in With Friends: Nneya Richards
Nneya Richards is a digital creative, consultant, stylist, and blogger. She started in the industry at 16 as a founding contributor of TeenVOGUE. You’ve definitely seen her work as a stylist here on All The Pretty Birds editorials from the picture-perfect Palazzo Avino on the Amalfi Coast to the beautiful vineyards in Tuscany. Catch up with us as she answers some questions while staying fabulous as ever inside her apartment in New York City.
All The Pretty Birds: How are you? How are your loved ones?
Nneya Richards: I’m good! We’re doing the best we can. We’re a very social family — processing this has been strange, and stressful. But we have our health and roofs over our heads and that’s the most I can ask for right now.
ATPB: Where are you currently staying?
NR: At my apartment in Brooklyn. I came back to New York for a speaking engagement early March and ended up having to stay.
ATPB: Are you in lockdown/isolation? Describe your new circumstances.
NR: Yes, more or less in New York. Practicing social distancing, so I’m in my apartment. Going out about once a week for groceries/ the occasional pharmacy run. They are limiting the amount of people in grocery stores near me which is great. Honestly, I really appreciate that time outside in the line!
ATPB: How is it affecting your work and personal life?
NR: Work has slowed down as a freelancer. In the US there is supposed to be aid for that that was just approved by the current administration but New York States’ Department of Labor’s system to distribute it is horribly flawed, site crashes telling you to use Netscape, a phone number to call that’s perpetually busy. People that have been out of work since early March calling more than 2,000 times and still not getting through.
As for my personal life, it’s an extensive time away from my partner, I’m in NY and he’s in Italy. We miss each other terribly but are making it work. I’ve traveled for a month before. The hardest part now is when I’ll be back in Italy, even after this passes, the idea of a 9 hour plane ride is far from appealing. My personal life is travel as well as my work and there is going to be a great deal of reimagining how I do it.
ATPB: What have you learned about yourself during this time?
NR: That I can knotless box braid my own hair! Haha, but really, this is a hard one. I’m still in the midst of processing a lot of this so I haven’t dramatically changed to tell you the truth. Philanthropy and giving back was always a major part of my life with Glam4Good as was speaking on behalf of women and people often disenfranchised. Due to the nature of my work, I’ve always been pretty aware of the world as a community and while very social, I have always spent a great deal of time alone and have been pretty introspective. I’m constantly in a state of learning about myself and I’ve faced adversity before. I also check in with myself and sit still alone a lot more so in recent years so I’m not suddenly in my apartment with a stranger haha! I have always thought that my lifestyle can’t be go go go forever, but that was solely considering myself. I never imagined society being truly knocked on its bum like this.
ATPB: Can you tell us about a daily ritual that has been keeping you sane?
NR: Meditating! I lead a 21 Days of Abundance on IG Live every day and it’s a great way for me to show up and be present in the meditation not just for me but for those I meditate with. Also, skin care. I’ve always been big on skin care and I have a LOT of products split between New York and Italy, my apartment, my family’s house so I kind of mix up my regimen. Now, I’m on a pretty strict regimen to shrink the appearance of my pores and I’m testing one product in particular to see if it does indeed work in 4 weeks of consistent use like they claim. It’s the small things.
And reading during my lunchtime. It’s a luxury but I love to read by daylight vs. lamp before I go to bed. I’ve been writing more and voraciously consuming books. Actually on a grocery run this week, I have to go “check out” a few titles from my mom’s library.
ATPB: What’s something you hope to take from this experience?
NR: The feeling of the general collective and connectedness. We definitely live in a “look at me” time. Especially with social media, but there is a rise in awareness of, “ok, what is looking at me doing for you? Doing for the collective, or are world as a whole?” Whether it’s a change in how we consume fashion and the kinds of brands we choose to support. The message of the influencers we choose to follow. The celebrities and DJs giving us free concerts to just get us moving and make us feel good.
ATPB: What are some things you’re grateful for?
NR: The health of my family. We have had so much loss as a collective. My heart breaks for everyone that has had to lay family members to rest right now. My family’s safe, my partner’s family safe. My loved ones are good. So I’m good. I’m grateful that I have a safe place to shelter in place. My access to fresh food, fruits, and vegetables. I think the disparities in the country have never been more glaringly obvious than it is right now. I’m not tone deaf, I’m not living like Ellen and saying it feels like jail but I do recognize I’m in a privileged position and I am grateful.
ATPB: Is there an album or playlist that you’ve been feeling lately?
NR: 80s and 90s dancehall. It reminds me of family parties as a kid. Shabba, Beanie Man, Chaka Demus, etc. Haha maybe I’m reverting to the most carefree time of my life.
ATPB: Do you have a poem, quote, article, and/or image that you’d like to share to inspire others?
NR: It’s ok not to be Quarantine Queen (or King). Do you! There have been a lot of quotes going around like “if you’re not taking this moment to level up…” you’re essentially doing something wrong. It’s ok to wallow, mourn, be at a loss and worry about putting food on the table. It’s ok to still want to order and not try recipes that you see influencers and celebrities make. Or do an IG Live work out every day. Take time for your mental health right now.
Read more by Nneya on her blog N’ A Perfect World and discover her services creative consulting services on nneyarichards.com
