The Journey

Hi, I am Iledeja

ILY began as my initials, Iledeja Lanique Yancy, but over time it came to mean something much bigger.

ILY means love.

Love for myself. Love for growth. Love for healing. Love for the people who have supported me through every season of life.

In 2016, I began journaling while navigating postpartum depression. What started as a private outlet became a lifeline. Writing helped me process my thoughts, understand my emotions, and begin healing. Eventually, those journal entries evolved into something public. I began sharing my experiences with others, and to my surprise, people connected with my vulnerability, transparency, and honesty.

One supporter even sent me a shirt that said, “It’s okay to not be okay.” I still remember how much that meant to me because it reminded me that healing is not something we have to do alone.

The truth is, I am naturally reserved. I’ve always been observant, reflective, and a little guarded. For much of my younger life, I struggled with boundaries and spent too much time allowing the opinions of others to influence how I saw myself. Like many people, I was trying to find my way.

As I grew older, I learned that peace is valuable.

For the past several years, I have intentionally stepped back. That season of seclusion became one of the greatest gifts I could have given myself. It allowed me to grow, heal, learn who I am, and develop a stronger relationship with God and with myself.

Today, I am still growing.

I’m learning to say no more often. I’m learning that not everyone deserves unlimited access to my energy. I’m learning that growth doesn’t require perfection.

The 18-year-old who graduated high school with fourteen college credits and earned a full scholarship to Syracuse University could never have imagined this chapter of life. Depression made college difficult. Fear made me question whether I belonged. I became a mother at 20 with no degree and very little certainty about what the future would look like.

Today, I am a municipal government professional, a lifelong learner pursuing my second master’s degree, and most importantly, the proud mother of an incredible daughter who inspires me daily.

I don’t know exactly where my journey will lead next, but I am deeply grateful for where I am today.

I value integrity, accountability, curiosity, and quiet.

I read to understand. I ask questions because I want things to make sense. I believe strong foundations matter. I spend a lot of time reflecting, thinking, and strategically planning my next steps. Some may call it overthinking. I call it making sure I move intentionally.

This blog is simply an extension of those reflections.

You’ll find thoughts about growth, motherhood, faith, personal development, boundaries, healing, learning, and whatever else life places on my heart.

You may agree with everything I write. You may not.

Either way, I hope something here encourages you to trust yourself a little more, grow a little deeper, and remember that your story is still unfolding.

My greatest hope is that people become competent, independent, and confident in who they are.

That is how I raise my daughter.

That is how I love the people closest to me.

And that is the spirit behind ILY.

Thank you for being here.

God Bless.

xoxo ILY