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9 Things to Consider When Starting Therapy
OK, so, look: I am not a mental-health professional yet. I am, however, starting my journey toward becoming a therapist next spring and am developing an ultradope mental-health nonprofit to address the unique mental-wellness needs of black folks. I am but a humble, grits-loving chile who loves some therapy, writes about mental health, and loves…
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How I Found Inner Peace Through Ballet
A few weeks ago I walked into Broadway Dance Center and bought a 10-class card, ending months of wanting and planning and needing to get back into dance, specifically ballet. I promised myself that I would dive back in when I landed in New York City in July, and then life happened. But still I…
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I’m Reading James Baldwin for the 1st Time as an Adult, and I’m in Love
As a book-loving black, literary homo-thug who writes openly about life, sexuality, society, the innumerable consequences of white terribleness and the absence of Teen Summit in post-Y2K childhood development (hint: They’re doomed), I’ve always felt that Sir James Baldwin occupied a peculiar space in my world. I’ve always known that his work was important to…
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The 5 Stages of MacBook Charger Death
I realized the depths of my technological dependency when I first had the misfortune of watching the vibrancy and life fade from my MacBook Pro charger. I wouldn’t wish the experience on my worst enemy or the most fervent Slim Jesus fan. As Rebbie (my charger) gracefully transitioned from this world, I danced with hysteria…
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A NY State of Mind
If I had moved to New York City last fall as intended, you would surely be referring to me in the past tense today. I wasn’t ready—mentally, financially or emotionally—to give up my chill yet scatterbrained and spiraling life in Panama to write and power-walk for a living in the City That Never Covers Its…
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Mom’s House or Flophouse? Where to Live After College
The thing I, as a shorty, looked forward to the most about transitioning from jailbait-hood to manhood was the right to move out of my parents’ house and “be grown” somewhere, anywhere, on my own. “Give [me] free!” my autonomy-hungry heart cried out as I signed the lease to my first apartment two days after…
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Dear 20-Somethings, Stop Chasing Perfection!
Work-life balance? What’s that in your 20s? I didn’t think I needed it. I didn’t even consider it. Not when I was willing to ditch the States to “make it or break it” overseas. Emphasis on “break it.” In June 2011 I sold “Tima,” my beloved 2001 Nissan Altima, shipped most of my belongings home…
