Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s red lip. The image alone carries power and symbolizes the strength of femininity. And what an interesting concept: strength in femininity. When I read it, I can’t help but consider it an ironic juxtaposition. Women can be strong, yes, but the notions of society don’t associate that as feminine. A strong woman is […]

As humans, we adapt to situations and often present ourselves differently depending on the setting. We take pride in this. Our ability to speak professionally, make conversation with adults, make friends easily and often. We wear many masks and that is part of life. However, we often have many moments throughout our day and lives […]

Belonging. Belong. A simple verb and feeling that can consciously and unconsciously steer the direction we take, the choices we make and ultimately how we feel. For such a common word, it really does encapsulate volumes of our experience and needs. It’s most often felt when it’s missing, it’s the absence of belonging that hurts […]

The plant on my window sill is sprouting new leaves. I am a mother for a small moment, gawking, fussing and rushing to show the household. I peel off the protective layer that has kept the delicate leaves safe from failing. I’m aware of the chlorophyllic processes of plants, which is why I keep him […]

In early March of 2020, I was a full-time student at Virginia Tech. Like any average college attendee, I constantly struggled to find a balance between academics and social life. Accompanying this, I was embarking on a difficult period in my life; relationships were falling apart and my seasonal depression was at its yearly peak. […]

Here is a fact I generally try to keep secret: I am 30 years old, and I’m living with my parents. As much as I’d like to smudge the narrative, save my pride, and say I’m here because of the pandemic, I’m not. I left Brooklyn in September, because after nine years in the city […]

Cellulite is a bitch. Little dimples, staring back at me in the mirror with a look as if to say “Oh, sorry you don’t want us to hang around here?”. I remember it’s something that crossed my mind whilst having sex with one of my first boyfriends. Wondering if he too was speaking to the […]

A love letter to running and to Maggie Rogers. On a particularly bleak day at the end of March, having been furloughed and in the grip of pandemic panic, I very dramatically did not get out of bed for an entire day or open the curtains, in the manner of an Edwardian society lady with […]