Weekly Wrap-Up Check-In

Hey, y’all. JDE here. And as you can tell, it’s almost the end of the first half of 2026 and yours truly is feeling all types of emotions and yet needs to pull it together.

As I write this post, I’m wondering what my next move will be like for the rest of this year regarding not just my writing career but also my personal life. And yours truly is thinking about making some move that may or may not jeopardize my already-strained relationship with my family members. I won’t get into all the details, but you can say that I’ve been told what to do and how to do it and yet want to be taken seriously and have independence for life. Because I know that nothing can last forever and I need to start preparing for life outside my family when they pass on.

As for my current job, I’ve been learning a lot about work as a front-service clerk (janitor, cart-service manager, and bagger) at the grocery store and yet I still need to know more about financial stability and all that. Seems like I have to know more about my futures and understanding how it’s serving customers despite how I’m feeling. I’m improving, trust me, but I’m understanding that I can do more.

And when it comes to my writing career, I understand that I need to continue to find the balance between my work life and my creative-writing life- let myself make time for writing, blogging, and creating. Now, I am going to make this clear: I’m going to invest more time in writing poetry again since I’ve been looking at my old portfolio that’s full of written poetry coming from 2017 and 2018. And I intend to transcribe them as well as a short-story piece that I’ve also written back in 2018. I don’t know when I’ll publish them, but when I do I’ll be sure to make the announcement when the time comes. This is going to be when I share all my aspects of my life in my rhapsodic spoken words.

As for my stories on Wattpad, I’ll be working on my ongoing pieces- three of them being close to finished before the end of July while the rest of them being finished by the end of the year. And I intend to publish one of them by next year. All I ask is that you bear with me as I get through with them all while sharing sneak previews and what to expect. And remember, folks, that I’ll be starting a spinoff blog known as “Unscripted Jarrick Exum” and the launch date for that website is set for my 35th birthday (August 29th).

This new blog will detail everything regarding my ongoing journey as an indie/self-published author, my life with Asperger’s Disorder (autism), and my take of the world’s version of events. And I will give you fair warning: I won’t be holding back. So get ready for the official launch, you guys, because I intend to be unfiltered and unapologetically authentic about myself and how I see the world.

With that said, you guys, I thank you all for listening to my words and giving me this space for venting my emotions. I still feel a bit mentally and emotionally exhausted, but I am feeling better about talking about what I want for my next move in life and what I’m envisioning for my future. As for any future sneak previews from my ongoing stories on Wattpad, I will share something next week. I will see you guys later.

#AfternoonCheckIn #BeingAnAuthor #BeingMyself #BeingReal #BlackAuthors #BlackBloggers #BlackCreators #BlackWriters #BloggingCommunity #ComingSoon #Confessionals #CreativeWriting #Creativity #Creators #DailyGrindWeekendEdition #FeelGoodFriday #InTheKnow #KeepIt100 #KeepItReal #KeepingItReal #Life #PersonalBlog #PersonalGrowth #PlansForTheFuture #PlansForTheSummer #SelfImprovement #WeekendBeatsAndVibes #WeeklyWrapUp #WriterSLife #Writing #WritingCommunity #WritingPromotions

The Mid-Year State of the Union of an Autistic Writer (June 2026 Edition)

Welcome to June, my fine friends. And as the middle of 2026 spproaches, so comes this important state of my life as of now. Regarding my writing career, it’s currently having its hits and misses as I’m juggling to get all my stories finished by the end of July while juggling family dynamics, my day job, and even the unavoidable moments when I have to just step back and focus on my personal matters.

Speaking of personal matters, it’s also having its hits and misses. From my older brother having myoloma (a treatable form of blood cancer) to learning what it means to be financially independent to working on my spiritual life; there are days when I’m always playing the masquerade games of life where I’m lying to myself and everyone…and days when I need to be candid and lie low for a while. So, you can tell that things are chaotic to a point where I’m hardly recognizing myself anymore.

But as I’m learning from a quote from Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code,” a little faith can do wonders. 

I’m going to still write my stories, get a good grip on my personal goals, and just take things one paragraph and one chapter at a time. And that’s all I can do at this point because I’m still telling myself to not be ashamed of who I am with my lack of social skills and my own eccentricities. Because I am who I am and yet I know I can be a better person than who I was the days before. Yes, there are still areas in my life where there can be improvement. And I still have more bridges to cross that I can’t do so until I’m learning what they are. But I can still be someone with great talents and unleash the successful man that’s hidden in me. All I need to do is keep God first and keep things transparent with Him. 

So pardon me for not posting as much as I hoped in the last post like this one. But life’s not stopping for those who waste away. And all I can do is permit myself to ride off into the sun where it never sets for people like me. But I will be doing what I can to embrace my destinies. And I hope this post can inspire you to do the same. 

As for future previews from my ongoing stories on Wattpad, that might be of some time before I can continue because of what’s going on right now. But I will share previews of one or two of my stories either tomorrow or Saturday. For now, I hope you guys have a blessed day and remember the final quote from a movie that has me nostalgic: “The sun never sets on those who ride into it.” 

#BeingAnAuthor #BeingMyself #BeingReal #CandidPosts #GettingReal #HumpDayWednesday #KeepIt100 #KeepingItReal #MidWeekCheckIn #MidYearCheckIn #MorningDriveCheckIn #NewContentComingSoon #NewMonth #PlansForTheFuture #StateOfTheUnionAddress
What Makes a Person Unique - Rick Ollie

Before I tell you about my thoughts on the matter, I give you this ...

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One Thing I Hope People Say About Me - Rick Ollie

I hope you're saying he's 'real.' Real in every sense of the meaning.

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Valuing Authenticity: What Trait Defines You? - Rick Ollie

I believe the first was my most difficult to master. Saying no is to those you care about and love is hard.

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Our Mind on Music Podcast: Interview with Stan Stewart (aka Stanley G) of Muz4Now

In this week’s episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing Stan Stewart (aka Stanley G), a talented musician from Muz4Now. Stan is known for his captivating piano improvisations and heartfe…

Our Mind On Music
From the moment I decide you're my friend, it doesn't matter how long I have known you, or how far away we may be from each other - I make a commitment right then and there to be there for you when you need me, to have your best interests at heart, and the balls to tell you what you need to hear. That's the only way I roll.
Love & Respect,
Monty
💗🔥💗
#thefullmonty #friendship #whatyouneedtohear #nobullshit #beingreal #authenticity #truth

When we set unrealistic expectations we deprive ourselves & others of so much. Perfect (~!) is overrated. Real is underrated. It is a brave thing to do to be real, honest & authentic. Perhaps a little more courage & bravery is in order for us all each sunrise...

#real #honest #perfect #brave #courage #compassion #beingthere #beingreal

Beautiful video (released yesterday). So much creativity and talent. Loved the message of tossing away the shiny masks (and formal suits) and being oneself, i.e., that the "hero" or saviour needed is oneself, the real version without masks.

#AdamLambert #BeingReal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB7NsWHCQv4

Adam Lambert - Holding Out for a Hero (Music Video)

The official music video for Adam Lambert's Holding Out for a Hero, taken from the brand new album High Drama. Order limited edition and signed copies now: h...

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