Everyday Extraordinary: Artrice Weems

In 2021, after four years with my fiancée, and two weeks before our wedding, I was ghosted. The man who I thought was the love of my life abruptly left with no warning or explanation. 

I was completely blindsided. The day before he cut me off, we talked on the phone about how much we loved each other and how we couldn’t wait to get married. I haven’t spoken to him since that conversation.

It honestly felt like a death. When we were together, he was my life. Our hopes and our dreams were woven together into one forward path. I thought I knew where I was headed, yet suddenly, I was lost without a compass or a map. For the first time in my life, I was forced to figure out what I wanted. 

Even though I was still unsure what to do next, I knew that I needed to get momentum going ASAP. I vowed to do something good for myself every single day. Slowly, I began filming videos for TikTok and increasing my presence on Instagram. I decided to share my story with the world.

I did not expect my story to gain the traction it did. As the post went viral, I began to get messages from people who had also experienced heartbreak and loss. As hard as it was to share, knowing that I could inspire people made my vulnerability feel worthwhile and purposeful. 

The thing I’ve learned about heartbreak and loss is that it feels incredibly lonely and isolating, but that's only a deception. In fact, your most challenging moments can be one of the most powerful sources of connection between you and other people. If you’re ever feeling alone, I encourage you to search for others going through similar situations; the depth of connection you will uncover will remind you of the beauty of the human experience.

Though what happened was incredibly difficult, I’m incredibly grateful for the way it allowed me to evolve as a person. I’ve changed so much, I’m not sure if we would even be compatible anymore. It hurt, but it made me so much stronger. I no longer outsource my happiness to other people — it comes from within me.

To keep up with Artrice, follow her on Instagram and TikTok. If you're in the Dallas area and are interested in brow treatments or permanent makeup, you can book an appointment with Artrice at her studio, Prim and Plucked.