By Kristen H., TIWP Student “There is no final test for how to be human — only the open question of how to be yourself which you must answer daily.” – Maria Popova It rises like light in a windowsill through a thin curtain—soft, unavoidable. Before words, before certainty. A quiet pressure beneath the ribs, gently […]

By GG, TIWP Student Longing. Yearning. Aching. Craving. Desire is a funny thing. With desire comes longing. The desire to belong, to fit in, to be likeable, mixed with the desire to be yourself without shame or fear. It is in our nature to crave connection, it’s why shame is born. In the early days […]

By GG, TIWP Student Life is in the little moments. In the small things that make you human. Your fears, desires, mistakes, triumphs, and everything in between. Life is deep, breathless, laughs when your friend tells you a story or a joke. In the moments where you’re sitting on their couch watching a movie, or […]

By Rose U., TIWP Student Having grown up in what some might consider an oppressive society, maybe even dystopian, I’ve found that beauty standards are deeply entwined with patriarchal society. Further, the attractiveness of a person is associated with their morality, a false narrative that’s been pushed for generations. Worse, forgiveness of a man’s unattractiveness […]

By O. Deng, TIWP Student I see beauty in imperfection: my uneven brows, the floppy swirls of my frozen yogurt, the flecks of burnt candle wick that fall into my candle wax, the way my sheets fold delicately into random shapes when I don’t make my bed, and the messiness of my room during the […]

By Nick Brevik, TIWP Student I once witnessed a boy in love get down on his knees and apologize over and over again. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. The words spilling out of his mouth as if they were the only things he knew how to say. I still think about that […]

By Katelyn, TIWP Student In Japanese, the word for harmony is “wa,” a belief that is emphasized throughout Tokyo and reaches into Kyoto and across Japan. Experiencing this “wa” offered a refreshing contrast to the chaotic pace of life in America to me. The metro over there was filled with peaceful silence, where the only […]

By Oriana, TIWP Student “Be nobody’s darling, be an outcast.” — Alice Walker Being “nobody’s darling” means choosing truth over approval. From the time we’re young, we’re taught constantly, to be likable. To not aggravate the other person to attack. To smile politely and nod even when we disagree. To say we agree even though the […]

By Avery C., TIWP Student There is a quiet expectation placed on a girl to be pleasing. Not powerful. Not loud. Pleasing. It begins early. Sit nicely. Don’t interrupt. Don’t be bossy. Smile more. Share. Be kind. The lessons are subtle, but they settle deep. A girl learns that approval comes when she is agreeable, […]

By GG, TIWP Student “Boys will be boys” and just like that all is forgiven. You can’t blame him, he’s just a boy, it’s only natural. If he teases you, he likes you, if he bullies you, he likes you, if he stalks you, it’s okay, it’s just because he likes you. It’s sad how […]