Many people correlate the term, “new growth” with hair. Sadé Miller uses the term as a double entendre. The renowned hair stylist and owner of Sade Styles: Beauty Supply & Braid Lounge in Gardena recently released her first book entitled, “New Growth: A Journey Towards Wellness and Self-Worth.”
The self-help book takes readers on a journey where Miller shares how she overcame a traumatic childhood incident to thrive in adulthood. In an exclusive with the L.A. Sentinel, Miller gives insight into her writing process as well as what she hopes readers glean from her book.
LAS: It feels as if reading books have become somewhat of a lost art form because we consume so much short-form content through social media. With this in mind, why did you decide to write a book as opposed to a podcast or a YouTube series?
Sade Miller: I grew up writing my thoughts in journals and was always excited about writing personal essays in school. It’s always been therapeutic for me so I knew it was something I wanted to tackle. Although we are in digital times, I still believe books are timeless, and there are still people that love to have physical books. In terms of a podcast or YouTube series, those things are of interest to me. I plan to use the book as a foundation for those mediums.
LAS: Can you give some insight into your writing process and is there anything you wish you would have known before starting the process?
SM: My writing process has been unconventional because it was something that I started working on as a little girl. A lot of the things I wrote in the book were based on my journal entries. I had no idea then that those exact thoughts would turn into my book today. When I did decide to start the process, in January 2022, I created an outline, a breakdown of the chapter names, and bullet points of what I wanted to talk about. Then, I began working with my team at Live Limitless Group who taught me how to organize the content and how to structure it. We created a flow that made me pull so much out of myself, and be intentional about the verbiage I am using and the message I am creating. I love that I didn’t know everything about the process. I loved being a student to something new, it’s been refreshing to experience this new chapter.
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LAS: How did you manage to write the book in the midst of also being the busy owner of a braiding salon? Were there times when you felt like giving up? If so, what motivated you to keep going?
SM: I made it a priority. I had no other choice but to put myself first and I knew this project was going to change my life. I knew it was time for me to become a new version of myself, hence the title “New Growth,” it was my duty to myself to see this through and bet on myself. For so long I have been in the background of others, helping to grow their brand, but this was my cue to do that for myself. I did push it back a few times because I wanted to make sure my thoughts were going to be translated well by the reader, but I never thought to give up because it was a must to complete.
LAS: What are the main takeaways you hope readers will glean from your book?
SM: My book fits within the “Self-help/empowerment” category, but I always want to be clear that my book is not to advise you on how you should handle a situation, it’s simply a platform for perspective. I wanted to be vulnerable in letting my audience in on how I handled situations in my life. Being an empath, I’ve always tried my best to look at all angles in any situation. That’s what I want to be able to communicate with my book. Those that are empaths will read this book and feel seen.
LAS: For women or men who may have had similar experiences as the ones you shared from your childhood, what are some of the first steps they should take in not letting their past trauma define them?
SM: One of the first things to do is find a safe space to tell someone; it gives you your power back. The more you carry your abuser’s burdens, the more you will experience a life being victimized. You have to choose to be a survivor and not a victim. Own being a survivor, so that you don’t become a statistic. Also, seeking professional help is truly a game changer. I highly recommend therapy.
LAS: Do you believe forgiving the person that hurt you is a requirement for healing? If so, what does that look like for you?
SM: Forgiving people that hurt you does you more justice than it does them. They usually go off to live their lives while you are still holding on to the hurt they gave you. For me, it was imperative for me to forgive my father because I could not live my life carrying his sickness. I knew that forgiving him meant I got my power back, and I take that into every situation when I feel like I have been done wrong. Carrying someone else’s burden is heavy and trust me, you don’t want that load while trying to live your life.
