Published inFearless She Wrote·PinnedMember-onlyWhat I Learned From My Ex-Boyfriend’s New GirlfriendI never realized what he did to me. — I’ve always tended to blame myself for everything wrong in the world. Someone doesn’t like me? It must be because I’m a horrible person. The adversities I faced? I probably deserved them. My dysfunctional family? It’s my fault for ruining them. So when my first college relationship didn’t go the…Feminism6 min readFeminism6 min read
Feb 28Member-onlyAnd then I cried because the 13-year-old I was — chubby, awkward, snotty me from a decade ago — was…And then I cried because the 13-year-old I was — chubby, awkward, snotty me from a decade ago — was crying for a self only a decade ago from that point. In one decade, I had transformed from toddler to teenager. From VHS tapes to iPhones. In this past decade…2 min read2 min read
Published inILLUMINATION-Curated·Mar 8, 2021Member-onlyAmerica’s Children Are Facing A New EpidemicLockdown policies are driving up suicide rates to record-breaking numbers. — The worst night of my life happened two years ago. My hands trembled in the bitter January wind as I looked out across the water. The city in front of me, peaceful and calm at the late hour, seemed so far out of reach. I believed the loneliness pulsating through…Covid-194 min readCovid-194 min read
Published inBeautiful Hangover·Sep 12, 2020Member-onlyHow Writing Letters to Alcohol Helped Free Me From AddictionReflections from my 19-year-old self in rehab. — I was cleaning my room when I found it: the old, purple composition notebook, stuffed in a storage container under my bed. My rehab journal. I pull it out and slowly skip through the pages of messy handwriting, remembering how much my hands shook during withdraws. …Addiction5 min readAddiction5 min read
Published inILLUMINATION-Curated·Aug 25, 2020Member-onlyCoping With an Extremely Rare Genetic MutationHow do I navigate my 20’s knowing I’ll never be normal? — What. The. Fuck. That was my first thought as my dermatologist burst into the consultation room. He seemed shocked, excited even, as he grabbed his phone from the counter. “I found something!” He exclaimed. “Hold tight. I’ll be right back.” The door slammed, rattling the walls, followed by silence. Muffled…Health7 min readHealth7 min read
Published inP.S. I Love You·Aug 19, 2020Member-onlyI Blamed Myself for My Mother’s Suicide AttemptsBut then my high school teacher saw my pain, and saved me. — I sensed that something was wrong before I started Kindergarten. It wasn’t like my toddler years were traumatic. I had caring parents, countless friends, and every toy a kid could dream of. Yet, I felt like a puzzle piece that didn’t fit the picture. So one day, my four-year-old self…Education8 min readEducation8 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Jul 30, 2020Member-only28 Captivating Articles You Need To Read TodayThese inspiring 2020 news stories will brighten your mood. — As 2019 came to a close, my friends and I chatted about our aspirations for this century’s ‘roaring ‘20s.’ Gatsby-like parties, a booming economy, and new technologies painted our imaginations. As young, carefree adults, life was infinite — and we believed the next decade would be even better. Needless to…Life9 min readLife9 min read
Published inFearless She Wrote·Jun 10, 2020Member-onlyI Was Terrified of FeminismBut I turned my fear into power — here’s how. — If you asked me about feminism last year, here’s what I’d say: Women can vote My dad pays his female and male employees the same salary It pisses people off, and I’m a people-pleaser Case closed; I’ll never be a feminist. I didn’t hate feminism, per se, although it felt…Women6 min readWomen6 min read
Published inFearless She Wrote·May 23, 2020Member-onlyI’m Being Attacked By My Own BodyMy femininity is fading, but I refuse to let my disease define me. — I woke up this morning drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. Panicking, I untangled myself from my sheets and scrambled to the mirror. Once I realized I still had hair, my pounding chest calmed down, and I collapsed back into bed. It was just a nightmare, I reassured myself. …Health7 min readHealth7 min read
Published inILLUMINATION-Curated·May 18, 2020Member-onlyGeneration Z Will Save the WorldIt’s time for us to speak for ourselves — and we need you to listen. — I spent 16 hours and 48 minutes on TikTok this week, according to my iPhone. But believe it or not, my average is low compared to others in my generation. My sister reached over 30 hours a few weeks ago. A girl on my FYP (‘For You Page’) claims she…World4 min readWorld4 min read
