Do you ever just have an idea in your mind and you can’t stop obsessing over it? Maybe the idea is stuck there, but you’re too afraid to go through with it. You might be clouded with wee nasty “what ifs” that aren’t so positive or thrilling. This was me in January. I wanted change. I itched for change! But did I do it right away? Hell no. Because, even though I’m usually the impulsive, adventurous sort, when it came to chopping off my locks, I hesitated. It boiled down to perception and the unease of the unknown. Post-motherhood, I’d gained weight and I’d lost a lot of my youthful energy. But ..read more

One of the ways in which I measure my success in life is my book collection. If I could live in a house with all the walls covered in endless rows of books, I’d be absolutely satisfied. I have always been very attached to my books – I love to share them with others but I also eagerly await their return. As much as I love libraries, I find myself checking out a book, loving it and then buying it. This immense love for all things literature is becoming a very pricey investment. It is also one that I am not willing to give up. With all this time for extra reading and lack of physical bookstores t ..read more

Several months ago I realized I felt uncomfortable in all of my clothes. They all fit, were flattering for my figure, and were brands that I have shopped at and loved for years. However, I didn’t like any of them, they no longer fit what I feel is my style. So I chose to embark on my journey to build a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a one that includes no more than 30 pieces for each season with each piece being interchangeable plus a few statement pieces. This saves time, money, and energy! Having a few pieces that I absolutely love, are of good quality, and that works with all of my ..read more

Check out what the Womanalia team is reading for the month of May. For us, it seems May is all about dystopian futures and a little non-fiction for the soul with a focus on slow and thoughtful living. Be sure to share your reviews in the comments! What Sofia is reading: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins If you are a fan of British thriller/murder detective shows then this is a must-read! This is a story that centers on a small town in Northern England and the intricate relationships, history, and connections between people and their secrets. Beginning with a murder, we move through the novel ..read more

I shaved my legs for the first time in two months this morning. It was a pretty magical moment. It was magical for one simple reason. I shaved because I wanted to, not out of obligation. This mundane task prompted deep thoughts and overthinking (my specialty). I realized that this is the first time in my entire life that I’ve shaved my legs because I wanted to. I first shaved my legs around 12 or 13 years old. My peers were doing it. Seventeen Magazine suggested it and implied that men wouldn’t accept me any other way. Now I look back and think, “what was a 13-year-old doing thinking about wha ..read more

At Womanalia, as you have gotten to know our writers and become a part of our community, you might have noticed that only some of us are parents. At least, in the traditional sense. We’re a bit non-traditional though. We chose to come together to create an experience for women that transcends our day-to-day roles and explores womanhood from a variety of perspectives. These differing experiences are what make us both unique and powerful. Our divergent narratives ultimately converge under a common philosophy. We believe in choosing for ourselves what is important in life and work to seek out tha ..read more

I went outside today for the first time in almost two months. I love to walk and be outdoors. Although I have been safe at home, I have felt a part of me slowly slipping away. As a member of the immunocompromised and thus, high-risk community, I have taken steps to be extra cautious. It’s not so much that I am afraid of dying but it’s what I’ll leave behind that scares me. I am a mother to two small children and leaving them motherless does frighten me. A high school classmate and nurse, who risked her life to care for others, was so unfairly and unjustly ripped away from this world and her th ..read more

Unfortunately, I’m writing this from a place of anger and frustration. I’m annoyed that I can’t freely express my dislike for my naturally kinky hair. Can you be proud of who you are, where you come from, and still dislike a personal feature or trait? Any sane person would answer “yes!” Not in the African American community apparently.  If you are proud of being black, you embrace everything that comes along with the territory. That means just going through the motions. In order to truly understand my hair trauma we must look at my childhood. Yes childhood, it’s that deep.  From a ve ..read more

I woke up yesterday feeling exhausted. Exhausted from having to transform my teaching platform, clueless as to how to navigate real estate during this time, and sad for so many people and for so many reasons. As someone who constantly tries to put a positive spin on everything, I’ve spent the last month finding the “pros” in what seems like a never-ending slap of “cons.” Yesterday, I woke up and I had run out of positive spins and good outcomes. I finally hit my wall. The day before yesterday, I was on the countdown to my 29th birthday this Friday. The day before yesterday, I tried on my weddi ..read more