By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
Long before she became an author, award-winning journalist and lifestyle blogger, Nicole Sade’ Daniel was a girl sitting on the floor flipping through magazines.
Like many girls her age, she loved the glossy posters tucked inside the pages. But what fascinated her most wasn’t what ended up on the wall.
It was the story.
“I’ve been interested in writing since I was a little girl,” Daniel said. “Girls my age would collect magazines just for the posters. I collected the posters too, but I was always interested in the actual story that was being told. I knew early in life that I wanted to be somebody who told or contributed to stories.”
That early curiosity eventually grew into a career rooted in storytelling, reflection and connection — work that continues today with the upcoming release of her new book, Ladies, How Did We Get Here? — arriving March 22.
The Birmingham-based writer, who publishes books under the name Nicole Sade’, says the idea for the project came from a question many women quietly ask themselves.
“I was inspired by my own dating experience and the patterns that I saw, not only in myself but the women around me,” she said. “Many of us were dating potential and normalizing emotional unavailability. And we would call it loyalty.”
That realization sparked a deeper reflection.
“One day, I just had to ask myself, ‘How did we get here?’ And that question basically became the foundation of the book,” Daniel said.
For Daniel, writing has long been both a creative outlet and a personal refuge.
Pain on the Page
Growing up, she described herself as naturally guarded and reserved. While others might express their feelings openly, she processed hers through writing.
Life after high school added new layers to that understanding. Working at a neighborhood pharmacy exposed her to the everyday realities people carry quietly — relationship struggles, family pressures and personal challenges.
“The pharmacy paid the bills,” she said. “But I found myself becoming physically worn out, emotionally stressed, and at times depressed. Because I’m naturally guarded with my feelings, I kept my pain to myself and felt the only way to release it was to write it.”
Eventually, Daniel realized the experiences she was writing about were not hers alone.
“I knew based on my experiences and those around me, I wasn’t the only one going through this distress,” she said. “I felt the need to share with other people who could relate to what I was going through in an impactful way.”
From Blog to Business
In 2013, Daniel enrolled at Miles College, majoring in communications. Being surrounded by students navigating relationships, identity and adulthood helped shape what would become her first platform for reaching women who felt the same pressures.
That platform became Nicole Sade’ — a digital lifestyle brand and blog focused on cultural conversations, relationships, careers, mental wellness and the lived experiences of millennial women of color.
What began as a blog quickly evolved into something larger.
“At first, I thought I was just using my words to express myself and connect with other women,” Daniel said. “I didn’t know I was stepping into entrepreneurship.”
Building the platform meant learning skills far beyond writing — from website design and branding to marketing and media training.
“I made a decision early on that I would not be left behind because I didn’t know something,” she said. “So, I signed up for every workshop, webinar and course I could find. Every step has been a lesson.”
As her platform grew, so did her opportunities as a journalist. Daniel began contributing to several publications, including The Birmingham Times, Reckon South, Forty Magazine, Red Pash Magazine and CampusLately.
Through each piece, she remained focused on a mission that continues to guide her work.
“It’s important to make sure our generation is being highlighted for the amazing things we are doing to shape our communities,” she said. “While also being uplifted, encouraged and inspired.”
Reflection and Self-Worth
Her first novel, No Room for Trust, explored the emotional realities of young women navigating friendships, dating and trust as they build their lives.
Her latest book, Ladies, How Did We Get Here? expands that conversation by encouraging women to examine the relationship patterns they may have inherited, normalized or accepted over time.
“We saw a lot of these patterns growing up,” Daniel said. “And so, of course, these things look normal. But it’s like, no, it’s not normal. There are a lot of things we need to unlearn.”
Although the book focuses heavily on dating and relationships, Daniel says the deeper message is about reflection and self-worth.
“I want women to examine where they are right now in life and where they want to be,” she said. “Think about what legacy means for you and what you want it to look like.”
When asked who she was thinking about most while writing the book, Daniel offered a simple answer.
“Myself,” she said with a laugh.
But the reflection extended far beyond her own experiences.
“I was looking at my own patterns, my younger self and my future self,” she said. “And I’m thinking about the women around me, too. I just want to see better for us. We deserve more, and we don’t have to settle just to say we’re in a relationship or in a marriage.”
Much of the pressure women feel, she believes, comes from expectations about timelines — when to marry, when to have children and what life should look like by a certain age.
“The reality is we are all on our own paths,” she said. “Everyone’s path is totally different than the next person. Society tries to rush life, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”
At the center of those choices, she says, is self-worth.
“I think self-worth is how you behave when no one is watching,” Daniel said. “It’s what you tolerate. It’s also what you walk away from — heavy on what you walk away from. And how quickly you detach yourself when someone shows you they cannot meet you where you are.”
Readers will have an opportunity to celebrate the book’s release with Daniel next month. She will host the official launch party for Ladies, How Did We Get Here? on April 20 from 5–7 p.m. at Pink Lantern.
For Daniel, moments like this are reminders of how far a simple love for stories can travel.
From a young girl reading magazines on the floor to a writer creating spaces where women can see their own experiences reflected, her purpose has remained steady.
To tell the story.
And to make sure the women reading it know they are not alone.
Follow Nicole Sade’ Daniel’s writing journey at nicolesade.com.
