Candice Nikeia is just like you. After years of political upheaval and social unrest, she’s tired. She wants to experience lasting change—to exist in a world where more diverse voices are being heard—and like you, she has her days. But this might be Nikeia’s distinguishing trait: When her body is telling her that it’s tired, she rests. It’s a simple premise, and one that’s often quieted by the idea that success can be found in a constant hustle. And yet, by listening to her body, she is creating a conversation around what it means to advocate while practicing self love. 

Nikeia starts her mornings with meditations, which is when she heard an inner voice that said she should use her already established lifestyle platform to encourage her audience to check in with themselves. She posted simple yet impactful Instagrams that asked, “Hey, self, how are you feeling?,” and began interacting with her followers on a much more personal level.

Soon, her “daily affirmations” got traction, and her individual mantra became a more common one: When you take care of yourself, it’s easier to take care of others. So, go ahead and nap! Answer emails later! Do what you need to do to be healthy, even if that means stepping away from your phone! To a generation that’s used to always being on, Nikeia is showing her peers how to do it all from a more calm and loving place. She’s saving her energy for herself, and like you, she’s hoping to make the most of it. 

Take us back to the beginning!

Upon graduating from Taylor University with a degree in public relations in 2011, I spent the summer in Madrid, Spain before deciding to move to Los Angeles. I began attending The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), and while at FIDM, I got an internship within the costume department at the television show Entertainment Tonight. I began styling celebrities for movies, and even did styling for a boy band! 

(Cont’d…)

As my internship was underway, I began posting my journey on Instagram and a daily blog. Through hard work, I eventually went full-time with my blog and became a professional influencer. This turned into a seven-year journey. Just one year ago, during my morning meditations, my inner voice spoke to me and encouraged me to post daily affirmations. Sharing these affirmations was a natural process for me, because I was already doing them personally. Today, Daily Affirmations with Candice is a place to find uplifting words of encouragement to begin your day.

Your entire platform advocates self-care with daily affirmations that remind us to get in touch with our heart, to slow down, and to show up for ourselves before we show up for others. Why is this counter-narrative of slowing down—napping, resting, meditating—the key to liberation and social justice, especially for the Black community right now? Can you explain how rest is a form of resistance?

Black females face a great deal of pressure in our society. In my social media influencer industry, I have seen how I, along with other Black females, are expected to go above and beyond just to be noticed. On the other hand, white females have the privilege to just be themselves without the fear of faltering and losing their entire following. With this kind of pressure confronting Black females, it is important to ensure that you’re doing okay before posting on social media. I believe napping, resting, and meditating all are far from resistance and more about embracing and loving yourself. It is a form of self-love. Many people see doing something for yourself as being selfish, but it is the most beautiful form of self-expression and healing. These actions create space for you to accomplish more and be more. 

Your authenticity has been key to your success on social media and continues to attract an engaged community. When did you realize that being yourself was the key to growing an audience online, and how did you gain the confidence to be so vulnerable with thousands of quote-unquote strangers?

This form of communication with others is a process that develops with age and maturity. As I have grown older, I have enjoyed being who I am. I feel comfortable in my own skin. I love Candice! The longest relationship I will ever have is the one I have with myself. Loving myself makes it easy to show up as myself for my audience.

I have learned that if I love myself, others will love me. And when I focus on the many people who love me, then I only see love all around me. Having this mindset attracts the right people to follow me and join the self-development journey and spiritual force I’ve created. This gives me intellectual courage and sustains my platform through positive affirmations, clarity of thought, the law of attraction, and even-tempered manifestation.

How have you remained true and authentic to who you are, and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that? 

I ask myself every day, “What do I need?” If I am feeling lonely, I may need more love. If I'm feeling overwhelmed, I may need more time. From there, I find the things that bring me love or time through gratitude. Asking for what you need and following up with gratitude has been the most powerful force to find authenticity in my life.

What career mistake has given you the biggest lesson?

Giving up too easily was something I struggled with in the beginning of my career. When you work for yourself, it’s easy to be hard on yourself and make your journey more difficult than it has to be. I never see these moments as mistakes. Instead, I see them as a bump in the road and not a cliff. I enjoy looking back on those frustrating times in my life as a reminder that I’m a survivor. I have proven myself to be strong, fearless, and more than enough just the way I am.

2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?

I am so thankful that I listened to my inner voice on October 18th, 2019, the day I started posting daily affirmations. It was perfect timing, too, since our country was about to go through some especially trying times. During the Black Lives Matter movement week in June, I posted YouTube videos and Instagram content that really made me show up for others, and it was one of the most rewarding moments in my career. I am very grateful for this journey and where it is leading me.

Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams? 

I have such lovely parents, and they have instilled in me the importance of having confidence as a Black woman. I have learned through my life that confidence is a daily choice, and that’s why I love affirmations so much. The more you speak positivity over your life, the more you can change it in phenomenal ways.

What has been the biggest learning curve throughout your career?

The most beneficial lesson I have ever taught myself—and achieved with practice—was that whenever I saw someone who had, done, or been something I desired for my life, I was not going to get jealous of that person. Instead, I would thank God for revealing what my desire looks like, and that it is coming my way with determination and hard work. Life is constantly speaking to us, and it is important to listen and find joy to the greatest extent possible. 

When you separate yourself from your job title and the bells and whistles of your business or career, who are you and what do you like to do?

I am a fun, joyful, and encouraging person. I love restaurants and their atmosphere. I play tennis and the piano. I love to dance, having taken dance classes from grade school through high school. I enjoy listening to R&B and country music. I love cooking and making cocktails. I love my friends and I love meeting new people. I also love my family, and even though they live in Indiana and I live in Los Angeles, we communicate every day.

It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?

Disappointment is something we all have to deal with at some point in our lives. I have learned that when I lower my expectations and those of others, I am able to have a peaceful experience, no matter what the outcome may be. I have also learned the importance of forgiving myself and giving myself grace in every situation. Whenever I am confronted with failure, I am reminded that I must trust the process. When I truly trust the process, I can celebrate my failures knowing that my answer will come in time.

With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?

Thankfully, I am exceptionally good at listening to my inner self and what my body is saying to me. If I need rest, I will rest. If I need to turn off my phone, I will turn off my phone. If I am not in a good headspace to answer emails, I will not answer emails. I am extremely sensitive to my needs, and this is the greatest gift I can bestow upon myself. It goes back to showing up for yourself before showing up for others. When I do things in this order, I find I am a much happier, secure, and motivated person. Another way I have learned to stay motivated in challenging times is to lower my pride and ask for help. There are so many kind people who want to help me succeed, and that is the greatest feeling.

What is the #1 book you always recommend and why?

The Power by Rhonda Byrne. I read this book once a month, it’s just that good! It is a book about love, and how love is extremely powerful in every situation of your life. Practicing love works tremendously.

If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now—what advice would you give yourself? 

I would tell myself that my journey is uniquely created for me. Even in hard times, my journey is mine, and that is super special. Also, it is important to follow more creators who look the same as me because representation matters. It is so motivational when you do!

Fill in the blanks:

When I feel fear, I…
Find gratitude to heal my fearful moment.

The best career advice I always give is…
You don't need to know how to do everything involved with making your dreams happen, you can start now and learn along the way!

To be successful, you need to be…
Understanding of your needs and how to love yourself.

I turn bad days around by…
Letting myself be sad, and when I am ready, I get back up!

Three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
I am determined, self-healing, and strong.

The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
More diversity in models and products, and more Black female creators with millions of supporters and high engagement. I would love to see that!