My sister has already started being bullied by the white kids in her class for having body hair.

She's in 5th Grade.

Growing up as a brown girl, I had the same experiences with being ridiculed for dark body hair - on my legs, arms, face. I was emasculated by my peers and started over performing femininity. I began shaving behind my mamás back as soon as I started Middle School. It left me with scars from where I had a shaky hand and slipped, and I didn't know how to do it properly.

I bled to be "normal" by their standards.

From my trauma, I've been unable to shave in over a year. Now, I'm making the conscious choice to leave my body hair and embrace it - not for myself, but for my sister and for all the small brown girls who share our experience.

I'm still feminine and "normal" with body hair. It's beautiful and natural, thick and dark.

Let's change the standards, together.

♡✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ ♡✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡ ♡

♡✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ ♡✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡ ♡

“You all in your feelings, baby

All into me

I'm one in a billion, baby

Don't you agree?”

Ring -Selena Gomez

Unpopular opinion but watching women who aren’t black women try to immolate that black aesthetic that’s popular right now when they’re really not black but they’re only trying to appeal to and attract a certain audience is a scary sight. I can’t imagine not finding a way to exist as myself and present myself in ways that are better suited for me. Getting your body and face completely redone to appeal to certain types of people, doing your hair a certain way, stealing fashion, etc. making a character out of people who’ve coined that fashion and wears it well is insanity. Like watching the Kardashians and other white women in the media revert back to white women aesthetics, get their butts reduced, etc. is satisfying because you can always see when someone is trying to embody something they’ll never be or when their choices or motivated by the approval of others.

MY 2023 SUMMARY:

"Sleep felt productive. Something was getting sorted out. I knew in my heart—this was, perhaps, the only thing my heart knew back then—that when I'd slept enough, I'd be okay. I'd be renewed, reborn. I would be a whole new person, every one of my cells regenerated enough times that the old cells were just distant, foggy memories. My past life would be but a dream, and I could start over without regrets, bolstered by the bliss and serenity that I would have accumulated in my year of rest and relaxation."

Ottessa Moshfegh, My year of rest and relaxation.

I am so pretty it’s insane

I am my biggest fan

In nature, I find solace and connection, a reminder that just as the trees stand rooted through seasons, I too am a part of the ever-unfolding of existence. I am a part of the endless creation.

☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️Its been a good day ☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️

🌴☀️🌴☀️With many more to come 🌴☀️🌴☀️

☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴

"Baby, I'm afraid to fall in love

Cause what if it's not reciprocated?"

-Honestly, Pink Sweat$

Rest!!!

Sleep is one of the most if not the most important part of self improvement. Resting your body and mind is important for growth, and being open for growing. The list is kind of short right now, but when I find and test more things that work I will update and add onto this list! That being said , here are some habits that I have been exercising that have helped me have a more rejuvenating sleep.

1. Waking up at a set time! Falling asleep "on time" can be very challenging for people with sleeping problems like insomnia. Doing this will over time regulate your body to get tired at a time suitable for it to get enough rest! While doing this you will feel very fatigued for a week or so until everything settles down, and you might need to take a nap. That is alright! Its ok to take naps during the day.

2. Putting away your phone for at least 45 minutes before going to bed. This is pretty self explanatory. Phones can be very distracting, and not only that but it can keep you up later then usual. I know its hard to get there, so start off slow like no phone 20 minutes before bed time, or after a certain time in the night like 9 or 10 pm.

3. Drinking tea or warm water. Getting cozy and hydrated can leave you feeling comfortable and ready to sleep! This isn't a super important step, but it might help you!