Happy New Year, Dolls!
Surrender isn’t the easiest thing to do, but when I began mapping out my goals for 2023, that’s exactly what I did. As I took time to research, collect data, create a vision board and set goals for this year the word “surrender” kept coming up. My initial feeling was to tighten my grip.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the best gifts of my life came when I decided to surrender and let go. But so often, surrender is paired with other things like fear and uncertainty– and I’m rarely in the mood for those things. Perhaps you feel the same?
But as I dive deeper into the idea of surrender, I began to see that my perspective only skimmed the surface of what it could mean to let go. Surrender can be as simple as saying “I don’t know”, or “There’s nothing I can do about that right now”. Surrender can mean sifting and sorting through your options until you find the next right step.
As we enter a new month and a new year, I am surrendering to the way my new company, Cocoa by CeCe needs me. I’m surrendering to a new way of running my website, So far you dolls have been receiving the new CeCeOlisa.com well– you dolls are leaving actual comments on my website which makes me totally giddy! Thank you!
Surrender can also mean opening up to a new way of doing things.
Personal Life Updates
After years of refusing to share my before and after pictures, I opened up about the process of going from a size 28 to a size 18 in “Before You Lose Weight, Read This (click here to read)” In “Seven Years of Self Love (click here to read)“, I share the results of my radical self love practice and shine a light on mental health. “Quotes to help you build confidence in January (click here to read)” will help you kick off the new year with some refreshing quotes that make great screensavers for your phone. You can join me as I explore yummy vegan recipes like a simple “protein berry smoothie bowl (click here to read)” and “greek chickpeas on toast (click here to read)“. If you’re looking for cute plus size coats that stand up to winter here in New York City, I’ve detailed every single coat in my closet for you in “My Plus Size Winter Coat Collection (click here to read)“.
Professional Life Updates
On the Influencer side, I’m happy to share that I renewed my contract with Nike last month. As part of my work with Nike, I have exclusive access to the best plus size workout clothes on the market, if you’re looking for plus size gym clothes I’ve got you covered with “My Nike Plus Size Picks (click here to read)“. On the Entrepreneur side, I took my body positive body care brand, Cocoa by CeCe to Los Angeles for a holiday pop up shop. Have you heard about the Cocoa by CeCe signature hand facial? Learn all about how I’m growing my new company in “Cocoa by CeCe Sold Out in Los Angeles (click here to read)”
Rumi Quote on Surrender
There’s a quote from Rumi that says “Try something different. Surrender.” and that’s exactly what I plan to do this month, this year and beyond.
Thank you for reading!
I had that as my word and goal a few years ago and it was liberating and hard. God would say lay your burdens at my feet and I’ll take care of things. Don’t worry about it so I would go the the alter lay down my worries and cares but within a few days I’d go back and pick them up. It was later when I realized that I wasn’t truly surrendering. I wasn’t putting my trust in the God I proclaimed to have faith in. It took several attempts and months to truly surrender parts of my life and I still have areas where I have not done so. I know you can do this Cece. Surrender is not easy but it is so worth it.
God bless you, Kathy for your transparent and inspiring words. I appreciate you so much and I hope to meet you in person in the near future xx
Hi Cece,
Thank you for this. This was truly encouraging to read. I always associate surrender with giving up or letting things go in a negative context, so I love looking at it from this perspective (positively). I plan to surrender control. I always have to be type A about everything and need to control things, sometimes to my own detriment. This year I will work on surrendering!
Hi Doll, yes! Surrender can be a positive thing… we’ll work on it together! xx
Thanks CeCe! I have followed you for years and I have always enjoyed your authenticity and ability to speak straight to the heart. Even though you’re much younger than me, you’re still a big inspiration in my life!
Wow, your words truly touched my heart. Thank you Felecia Doll, it’s an honor to inspire you! xx
Such a great read. Going back to click the links. I enjoy your journey and it keeps me accountable to mine. ❤️
Hello my beautiful Darlene Doll! I love watching your journey unfold. You are doing so well! Love you xx
You look amazing CeCe!
Thank you, Katrina Doll! xx
I absolutely enjoyed reading your updates and I understand. I admire you so much and though I am old enough to be your mother I relate so well with your life not only because I gave been plus sized for most of my life especially after motherhood but because I am the mother of 3 daughters who because of me are experiencing plus sized lives. I have lost weight the only way I know how by increasing my exercise and eating less. We’ve tried temporary diets as a family that help but there seems to be a mental component to it as well because it is not consistent. We lose weight but as soon as we return to old ways the weight comes back and sometimes more. I want to help my family but I haven’t gotten all the tools I need so I’m fo using on myself and taking them along with me
I have talked to a therapist when I felt like I was experiencing anxiety and I pray a d read scripture daily to keep me going but to take an antidepressant I have resisted that. Thank you for sharing that info with us but that is a tough one for me still. I have encouraged my daughters to reach out to a therapist as well. I know 1 of them has. I have also shared you with them. I believe together we can help one another. There is so much more work needed when it comes to obesity and mental health. Thank you CeCe for your part in this fight for all of us.
I absolutely enjoyed reading your updates and I understand. I admire you so much and though I am old enough to be your mother I relate so well with your life not only because I gave been plus sized for most of my life especially after motherhood but because I am the mother of 3 daughters who because of me are experiencing plus sized lives. I have lost weight the only way I know how by increasing my exercise and eating less. We’ve tried temporary diets as a family that help but there seems to be a mental component to it as well because it is not consistent. We lose weight but as soon as we return to old ways the weight comes back and sometimes more. I want to help my family but I haven’t gotten all the tools I need so I’m fo using on myself and taking them along with me
I have talked to a therapist when I felt like I was experiencing anxiety and I pray a d read scripture daily to keep me going but to take an antidepressant I have resisted that. Thank you for sharing that info with us but that is a tough one for me still. I have encouraged my daughters to reach out to a therapist as well. I know 1 of them has. I have also shared you with them. I believe together we can help one another. There is so much more work needed when it comes to obesity and mental health. Thank you CeCe for your part in this fight for all of us.
You reminded me of a book I want to read by Michael A. Singer called The Surrender Experiment. It’s sort of an anti-hustle story of entrepreneurship from what I’ve heard. Very cool vibes… ~ ~ ~ ~ Hula with it ~ ~ ~ ~