Adolescence

  • Navigate religion for yourself, not the people around you

    Navigate religion for yourself, not the people around you

    Since I was born, I’ve been getting up every Sunday to go to church. And every Sunday since my parents were born, they’ve been attending church with their parents. It always felt so normal, a part of my routine and nothing that felt uncustomary. Up until eighth grade, I also attended a private Christian…

  • “Adolescence” makes me fear having children

    “Adolescence” makes me fear having children

    Shame is one of the most powerful human emotions. Shame can manifest in many ways and often coexists with a sense of rejection. According to the American Psychological Association, experiencing rejection can often cause someone to spiral into violence. “If someone’s primary concern is to reassert a sense of control, he or she may…

  • On: Growing Up

    “Grandma can’t cook anymore,” decided the family. It started with the fire. The family adores Grandma’s yams: a thick layer of baby food smooth yams topped with a thicker layer of marshmallow. More marshmallow is eaten than yam. The family called the yams sweet potatoes. Four years ago, Grandma forgot the yams in the…