Posts by Akilah S. Richards
Unschooling, Radical Self-Expression, and Other New-Age Necessities: Tips for Managing Your Life as a Nontraditional Thinking Parent
My daughters are the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had in my 36 years of living. They’ve helped me to see both my potential and my limitations, and they’ve helped me to understand the need for deeper, more consistent dialogue around self-exploration and radical self-expression. These understandings have led to some pretty radical shifts in how the four of us choose to live.
Read MoreA Personal Story about Calm Waters, Closed Mouths, and Other Ways Women Might Die
Have you ever been defined through a calm waters lens? You know the type, right? That “Why does she always have to make shit so uncomfortable for everybody by speaking out?” type. Surely, there are moments when the best thing to do is to shut up and wait for safety. But don’t default to that logic, because your safety and your enslavement aren’t always the only two choices you have.
Read MoreWe Need to Stop Making Assumptions About Why Women Wear Make-Up — Here’s Why
I still, on occasion, wear make-up. But what is the rationale behind the choice? I still question myself about it, mainly to minimize any risk of my falling into the trap of presenting versus being present. What is your make-up motive? Is the choice to wear make-up yet another trap that women fall prey to when battling between who they are expected to be, and who they authentically are?
Read MoreOverly Sensitive, Highly Emotional, and Other ‘Feminine Flaws’
This author is tired of people calling her “highly emotional” or “overly sensitive.” In this article she offers some insights on the reasons people feel the need to label you and your emotions, and your options for managing those labels.
Read MoreThe Fix-a-Feeling Dilemma: How to Be There for Someone During an Emotionally Difficult Time
I get particularly unnerved when I can’t readily identify the fix-a-feeling brew for a loved one’s emotional ailment. But I’ve learned over the years that every bit of the energy you create with your friend as they work through their emotional struggle, can serve as part of their elixir for healing their hurt – if you can just be there without fixating on the fix.
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