Meet Maricia Johns | Lifestyle Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maricia Johns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maricia, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
That’s easy the book that affirmed what I already knew was written by Bishop T. D. Jakes. The book is Destiny—Step Into Your Purpose. I had already stepped into what I knew was my purpose. My purpose was to become a business educator. As a business educator, I not only teach the subject matter, I teach life skills, and “thisisyourbestyear” allows me to continue to educate–teaching both subject matter and life skills to women of a certain age. Being a lifestyle blogger fulfills the role that I was created for. Destiny helped me to blot out the naysayers, the distractions and allowed me to plot a path–the path that would fulfill my destiny of educating.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When “thisisyourbestyear” first started I was writing to be writing, and then as I looked over the articles I realized they were about things that women of a certain age could identify with. Even though it is a lifestyle blog for and about women of a certain age; if you know a woman of a certain age or will one day be a woman of a certain age the information is also for you. “thisisyourbestyear” is different than other lifestyle blogs in that we inform and also educate. The articles encompass information as simple as a new lip color that we like to where to find free cancer screenings. One great thing that sets us apart is our readers–they give feedback and information to use and the other readers which make for great conversation. We want our readers to understand there is no pattern to life as we mature. We recently added “you are never too old to do you” to our site. “thisisyourbestyear” knows this to be true. Naysayers described as friends we have learned are always going to be around trying to put up roadblocks. Learning to detour and realizing that the GPS can get it wrong was one of the most important lessons that we have learned. We want everyone to know that “thisisyourbestyear” is about a journey, and how you choose to take this journey is up to you. You may want to fly by private jet, road trip, stay at home, whatever, it’s your journey. We’re here to assist you to have the best journey possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In Fort Worth there is so much to see and do. A week isn’t enough time, but here we go. We would have to go to the museum district—this is a must for anyone visiting Fort Worth. There are larger museums in the DFW area, but in my opinion, none are better. To learn the history of Fort Worth (and Tarrant County) we would stop in and visit the Tarrant County Black History and Genealogical Society. This is a hidden gem. The information housed in this small museum would fascinate even those who say they don’t do history. Then to continue the history and see real cowboys we have to make a trip to the Stock Yards—you cannot come to Fort Worth and not go there. There is a great museum, cattle drives, and more to see there as you walk the cobblestones. More history can be had when you tour the beautiful historic churches in Fort Worth and hear the wonderful stories of the Civil Rights Movement and more. The beautiful botanical gardens and the Japanese gardens are tours that are a must, plus grabbing lunch at the Garden Tea Room is something that can start the tour off. Even if there are no children, the #1 zoo in the nation—The Fort Worth Zoo can’t be missed. Hopefully, when visitors come to town, they can catch a show at the beautiful Bass Hall, a play at Jubilee Theater, hear the amazing symphony, outstanding opera (yes we do opera), and more. For dinner, we would go on the roof of Reata Restaurant and enjoy the beautiful sights of Sundance Square.

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?
There are several people that I want to give a shoutout to for helping me on this journey to my destiny. First off there is the editor of the Fort Worth Black News, Jill Darden who gave me my first writing job. Then there is a gentleman who I have never met personally, Pete Litterski who convinced my hometown newspaper in Longview, Texas to let me write columns about my memories of growing up there. Dr. Monica Anderson who was the first person that I heard call me a writer/blogger. Local business owners Ruby Powell and Danette Wicker are always there to give me ideas, suggestions, pep talks, and more. But my biggest shoutout goes to my sister Carol and my good friend Marivinell. They are just “the best”.

Website: https://thisisyourbestyear.com/
Instagram: @thisisyourbestyear
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariciajohns
Twitter: @mariciajohns
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisyourbestyear
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCelcj2W7_O0vea-tZ9F_LCA