We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lakia McDaniel. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Lakia, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
On the days when I’m not working my 9 to 5, I make sure to include some light stretching or go crazy on the mat with some full yoga. I follow that with a good breakfast and a cup of coffee. Coffee and breakfast are a must have for me before I crack open the computer. Most of my morning consist of writing, planning content, creating content, and filling out the calendar with a week worth of brand strategies.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Lakia McDaniel…a restorative writer, personal blogger, and creator of The Musings of Kia. My work is rooted in helping Black women heal and grow through the art of restorative writing, reflection, and real talk.
I create spaces—on and offline—where we can be honest about our pain, unpack our stories, and write our way back to ourselves. Whether it’s through my blog, my upcoming workbook Heal, Queen, Heal!, or my soul-stirring writing prompts, everything I do is about reminding us that our voices matter, our feelings are valid, and our healing is necessary.
What makes my brand unique is that I don’t sugarcoat the journey. I write with heart, humor, and a little edge…because healing isn’t always pretty, but it is powerful. I speak to the woman who’s been overlooked, heartbroken, stuck, or simply tired, and I let her know she’s not alone.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself was the one that hurt me the most. It was the kind of connection that made me question everything about who I was…my worth, my value, my voice. I spent so much time trying to be “enough” for someone who was never emotionally available to begin with. And in doing so, I lost parts of myself.
But here’s the twist: that heartbreak became my mirror. It showed me the areas where I was still seeking validation, still shrinking, still tolerating what didn’t serve me. As painful as it was, it also cracked me open. That relationship broke me and built me.
It’s what pushed me into deeper self-work, restorative writing, and healing. It’s why I speak so loudly now about self-worth, emotional honesty, and growing through what you go through. Because I never want another woman to feel like she has to earn love by losing herself.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of not being chosen.
Not just in love, but in life, in friendships, in opportunities, even in rooms I knew I belonged in. I spent years dimming my light, overthinking my words, playing it safe… all because I was afraid of being overlooked or left behind. That fear had me settling, second-guessing, and silencing parts of myself to feel “worthy” of being seen.
But what I’ve come to learn…through healing, reflection and a lot of writing, is that being chosen by others will never matter more than choosing myself. Every time I show up as my full, flawed, honest self, I’m rewriting that old story.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One belief—and project—I’m committed to, no matter how long it takes, is convincing the world that the pen in their hand can change their life.
I truly believe that writing isn’t just about words on a page. It’s about freedom. It’s about healing. It’s about facing your truth, rewriting your story, and becoming the version of yourself you’ve been quietly craving.
So yes! I’m in this for the long haul. Because if I can get just one more person to believe that what’s in their heart, when put on paper, can lead to transformation… then I’ve done what I came here to do.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Whew! Yes. And I have.
There’ve been seasons where I showed up, poured out, created from the deepest parts of myself—and not a single clap, comment, or “I see you” followed. But I’ve learned that purpose can’t be tied to praise. If I only give my best when I’m being seen, then I’m not rooted—I’m performing.
What keeps me going is knowing that my work is bigger than applause. It’s about impact, even if it’s silent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themusingsofkia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakiamcdaniel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakia.mcdaniel/
