Reclaiming My Time
I wrote this last year about my 2025 word of the year (WOTY): Time. As I reflect on everything that happened in 2025, it is clear how “time” manifested over these last 12 months.
End of Time
In 2008, I received a Shih Tzu puppy as a gift. She was only about four pounds and toothless. She had a white spot on the top of her head and was jet black everywhere else. I named her Cookie because I thought of my favorite black-and-white items: Oreos and cookies & cream ice cream.
On June 16, I said goodbye to my girl. I used to say I could never take my dog on the “Green Mile” but once she stopped eating and was experiencing labored breathing, I knew it was time. For nearly 17 years, she was a major part of my life.
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From two apartments to one townhome to our house, Cookie was with me. On my good days, bad days, best days, and worst days, she was in sync with me. She was a passenger princess who hated when I stopped to fill up the gas tank because she loved the feeling of a moving vehicle. She loved potato chips, Law & Order SVU, her toys, and my mom. She hated taking pictures but loved little kids.
We would visit PetSmart on her birthday where she would get a bag of treats. In the past year, we started going to Starbucks for her pup cup. Cookie loved walking at Silver Comet Trail but it got to the point where her arthritis wouldn’t allow it. I began investing in puppy pads and Stanley Steemer as she continued to age. But she was still my Cookie, even as her eyes began to cloud and she could no longer hear when someone rang the doorbell.
I have her ashes on my mantle in a beautiful urn. Above it is our last Christmas card together. Her paw print is in my bedroom. I still feel her presence around the house, and she comes to me in my dreams. Seeing her transition was painful, but I know I did the right thing. In Cookie Thee Monster fashion, she tried to bite the vet at her last visit. My girl – using her last little bit of energy to cause a little bit of chaos.
Luckily, I was working with a wonderful team who gave me the space to grieve. Thanks to WomenLead at Georgia State University, I began teaching, planning events, moderating panels, enjoying bucket-list level experiences like TEDWomen, and so much more. I walked away from a position in state government in 2021 and was hired by WomenLead a few weeks later. It was exactly what I needed and I never took it for granted. Teaching WomenLead in Business for seven semesters was a blessing, and providing administrative support for two years helped me to pour back into a program that means so much to me. I also believe in perfect timing, and it came in the form of a full-time teaching role at the University of West Georgia. Although I had to say goodbye to WomenLead, I was grateful and excited to teach more classes related to communications.
I also experienced change on the entrepreneurial front when I sunset The Lassiter Firm, LLC. I launched this business at the encouragement of a friend, and it saved me when I resigned from my job in June 2021. I was able to do what I loved – help people with their professional presence – and make a living. However, the demands of returning to full-time work, advancing to Ph.D. candidacy, and managing two part-time teaching roles became my priority. I also was falling out of love with being a business owner. Our time is valuable, so I made the right decision. It was a great run!
Time to Graduate
I am still in the throes of my Ph.D. program. I thought I would finish in 2023 … then 2024 … and here we are heading into 2026 and your girl is still ABD (“all but dissertation/done”). This means that I passed my dissertation proposal defense (please clap) and am getting closer to getting approval for data collection.
TL;DR – I have more work to do. Do not ask me about graduation.
The point is … the timeline I set for myself is moot. I’ve been working since I began this program in 2019. Maintaining a full-time job while also being a full-time student during the pandemic, #TheGreatResignation, entrepreneurship, career shifts … it’s all so much. All I know is, God continues to steer me (Proverbs 3:5-6) and I will finish this program on His time.
In the meantime, you’ll find me on Zooms most nights with other Ph.D. students and candidates as we write, vent, collaborate, and root for each other. If you are in a Ph.D. program, reach out to me (iamdrlassiter@gmail.com). I will share information about writing groups, virtual gatherings with other grad students. I am in several and they help with accountability and support. It’s been a game-changer. You do not have to do this alone. The community is outstanding.
Quality Time
My No. 1 love language is quality time, and I did my big one when I took two of my nephews to Hawaii. I’ve been blessed to visit several times, so I wanted to pay it forward. The timing (and ticket prices) were perfect. Thanks to my mother, brother, and sister-in-law, we made it work. The youngest nephew had never flown before, so he was intrigued by everything on the plane. His big brother was more familiar with flying, but the “Plane Train” at the Atlanta Airport was a different story. Let’s just say … I had to have a mimosa after a slight scare. It’s fine. IT’S FINE.
After a very long flight, we touched down and had a great time. I was exhausted when we got back stateside about a week later, but I would do it all over again. The joy on their faces was priceless, and this was an experience of a lifetime. I’m pretty much the best “TeeTee” ever.
I also got to spend some time with my besties during Spring Break. When you live in 4 different states, it’s hard to connect but we made it work! From watching movies to escape rooms to bowling to nature walks, it was a perfect trip. They are truly a blessing. After 30+ years, we are locked in for life.
I also saw Beyonce … twice. Nuff said!
I Had Time
“’No’ is a complete sentence.”
This was me all year. I experienced several rough seasons. I had to advocate for myself in my professional life and set serious boundaries in my personal life. In 2015, I withdrew from a doctoral program and my mother told me, “You have to know your limitations.” The program was not a good fit for my academic goals, and I accepted that I made the best decision for my life. This year, I reached my limit with certain situations. The “D” in Davia does not stand for “doormat.” In the words of Megan The Stallion, “Big D stands for big demeanor” and that’s the energy I am taking into 2026.
That’s why I am choosing “Reclamation” as my WOTY for 2026. It’s #MeSeason.
God bless you. Thanks for reading, and have an abundant 2026. AND DON’T FORGET TO VOTE.
