Meet January Few: LPC, Psychologist & Author
We had the good fortune of connecting with January Few and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi January, If you are a parent, what do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?
Tell the truth, shame the devil! Being a parent is the hardest assignment that I have ever had! It can frequently be a thankless job, yet the most gratifying. I now hold the titles of, counselor, doctor, beautician/barber, stylist, teacher, chef, multi-tasker all rolled into mother. As a mother of three to a fourteen-year-old daughter, twelve-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter, my cup runneth over literally!
Just being good enough was enough, until becoming a parent. With parenthood came new aspirations, new goals, and a new mindset that just being good enough was no longer an option. The impact I pray I have had as a mother to my children, is knowing that they are so much more than being “good enough”. They have witnessed first-hand me being told “no”, “now is not the time”, and doors to various opportunities shut for no apparent reason. All the while learning that you may sometimes have to do things through trial and error. Sometimes detours will occur, mountains will have to be climbed but how you recover from the setback and learn from the journey are the key elements to living.
They have watched my resiliency, endurance, and perseverance. Keeping with my alma mater’s motto, Clark Atlanta University to “find a way or make one”. You can always create your own path, through passion, Will and faith. The most influential trait that I pray they have taken from me, is how to love infectiously. Love God, love themselves, and love others. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. (1 Corinthians 13: 13)
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an overcomer. I believe in myself and my capabilities despite obstacles that I have encountered. I know that I can achieve anything that I put my mind to and I am willing to do the work. So many of us let our circumstance impact our outcome. I let my Will impact my life.
Professionally, I am a Doctor of Education, practicing as a full-time school psychologist with over 18 years of experience, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. It is my professional mission to assist the children/adolescents that I serve with sensitivity, respect, and empathy all while being relatable. I want them to know that they have an advocate in me and that I am on their team to help them get the best educational experience that they can possibly have. When the school system abruptly shut down in March 2020, it however gave me the opportunity to be still and sit and reflect on life. There were no longer any students to serve, no meetings to attend, no extracurriculars for my kids, or outings with my husband; there was just me and my family, at home. I by nature, like to be active, always multitasking and having my hands in many baskets.
So, the sudden inactivity made me a bit stir crazy as it prolonged. In my stillness I began a private Facebook group called Pretty Introspection in which I would journal everyday occurrences that I had experienced and reflect on my actions or inactions. Introspection in Psychology means “the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings”. Knowing that I was not alone in my experiences I asked trusted women to be a soundboard offering encouragement, thought provoking conversation and validation of feelings.
I then started making custom felt corsages as a way to pass time and offer out to my Sorors. Through the creation of corsages and other items, I birthed Petalled Pretty, as a therapeutic outlet while being what felt like “trapped” at home for months. I have always enjoyed writing, creating, photography and art, however in my adulthood with life’s responsibilities, I had buried my creative passions. Pretty Introspection and Petalled Pretty allowed me to turn stagnation from a global pandemic into progression. I am now an entrepreneur, under the LLC Introspection. I am also now a published author of Pretty Introspection, with excerpts taken from my Facebook group, as well as new untold narrations.
Pretty Introspection available on Amazon, is a body of work that I created to uplift, motivate and encourage women through life’s complexities that women uniquely encounter. It is a workbook of sorts that takes an intimate look at feminine perceptions and scenarios. I found an artistic lane to help me positively maneuver through an unprecedented time in history, coupled with societal injustice- and the everyday stresses of life. My ability to marry my clinical expertise of mental wellness with artistic expression sets my brand apart from others. My vulnerability to be honest with my imperfections through self-reflection, offers me the opportunity to consistently communicate, reset, and re-emerge stronger. My brand was built with love, beauty, self-care and intention. “God is within her, she shall not fail”. (Psalm 46: 5)
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love entertaining! I am a self-proclaimed introvert that really enjoys the company of others. I know oxymoron right! If my hometown California crew were coming to visit, I would have to take those who only eat vegan, to Tassili’s Raw Reality. Hands down the best vegan wraps in Atlanta and I eat meat but will scarf down an entire wrap! My favs. are the South of the Border, and Punany! Then we would head over to Atlanta’s Hometown Whiskey Exchange also in the West End for some good ole, big girl whiskey!
For those indecisive friends whose palate just won’t let them decide, I would take them to Triton Yards Food Truck Park off of Sylvan Road where they have a daily variety of food trucks that will suit even the pickiest taste buds. Can you tell I love the West End area! I can’t help it, I’m an AUC Grad (CAU), it’s like home for me. We would have to get some history by going to The King Center and the Civil Rights Museum. To further get our culture on, we would go see what featured exhibits were at the High Museum of Art or better yet Clark Atlanta University’s Art Museum while showing them the historic Atlanta University Center (gotta rep my school). If they brought their children, I would love to take them for a stroll in Centennial Park, where pre-Covid the children could run through the water fountain as us grownups sipped on something refreshing. We would next walk over to the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel to get a glimpse of beautiful Atlanta.
Next, I would take them to Fontaine’s Oyster House for a delicious lobster roll, oysters and fantastically invigorating drinks such as the hibiscus margarita. The Atlanta Zoo, Aquarium, Children’s Museum, Center for Puppetry Arts, World of Coca Cola and Six Flags would also be options for friends with children. All of which I’ve personally attended with my own children. Another family friendly spot is Wonderkid off of Memorial Drive with its 70’s vibe and music. They have an ice cream parlor for the little ones with baked treats, good eats and delicious unique craft cocktails! There are so many things to see and do! We may opt for a picnic in Piedmont Park so that we could people watch and then head to Poor Calvin’s for some Asian fusion cuisine. I love their sangria, lobster mac and cheese and lobster fried rice! For a financially friendly seafood rice and scrumptious drip roll I would take them to Mekos off of Howell Street. Best egg roll termed “drip roll” that I’ve encountered in the city! We may head to Venkmans for drinks, live music and food while also hitting the afterhours spot of MJQ where there is a variety of musical options to dance to and enjoy.
Depending on time I would also love to take them shopping around Little Five Points, for the eccentric creative types or a stroll down the belt line starting at Edgewood. To share a good meal outside I might take them to Carroll Street Cafe or Highland Bakery on Highland Avenue, where we could eat some sweet potato pancakes, with coffee and grab some “to go” baked treats! For those pizza lovers, I would take them to Edgewood Pizza where they have some excellent pizza and strong adult beverages, my favorite being the rum punch!! We would have to venture outside of the city to end their trip with a girl’s day at the newly opened True Bliss Salt Cave off of I20W in Douglasville, where they offer a full day of pampering with massages, yoni steams, foot detox and salt caves! Oh, the time we would have!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would be remised if not to thank my loving husband Dr. Charles B. Few, for his unwavering support, encouragement and dedication to our family. Thank you babe for supporting the woman that I have become, and the woman I aspire to be, and sharing in my evolution. Your love, consistency and sensitivity has balanced me in a way that I have never before known. To my mother, I think you already know the admiration and love that I have for you. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader in all that I have ever done. You knew me first! lol. To my sisters through blood, my sister friends through life and my Sorors through sisterhood, I thank you for your love, kindness and support in all my entrepreneurial endeavors. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is the only way! I have more than a team behind me, I have an army!
Instagram: @Pretty_Introspection, @Petalled_Pretty
Facebook: Petalled Pretty
Image Credits
Antoine Duane Jones Lelah Few
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