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You Are Not Powerless in America — You’re Being Tested
Read more: You Are Not Powerless in America — You’re Being TestedLet’s start with the uncomfortable truth: it is absolutely insane that the expectation right now is for daily life to continue in America as though nothing is happening. People are being detained, harmed, stripped of due process, and gaslit in real time. And yet, we are told to keep working, keep consuming, keep scrolling, keep…
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A Different Approach for the Year Ahead
Read more: A Different Approach for the Year AheadHappy New Year!~ I hope you rested. I hope you reflected. I hope you closed 2025 with at least a little more clarity than you had going into it. Now… let’s get to business. This is usually the part where we talk about resets. Fresh starts. New versions of ourselves. And that’s fine—truly. There’s nothing…
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If He Switches Up Out of Nowhere, Read This
Read more: If He Switches Up Out of Nowhere, Read ThisOne day, he is attentive and engaged. The next, his energy feels different. His tone shifts. His interest feels inconsistent. You replay conversations, wondering if you said or did something wrong. Often, you did not. When a man is uncomfortable with a woman who is secure in herself, he may reach for behaviors that make…
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Diagnosing Racism: What Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Reveals About America’s Collective Disorder
Read more: Diagnosing Racism: What Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Reveals About America’s Collective DisorderIn the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s historic New York City mayoral victory, America was again reminded of its uneasy relationship with identity, power, and belonging. Mamdani, a Muslim of Ugandan-Indian heritage and democratic socialist, won on a platform rooted in affordability, public housing, and equity. Yet, much of the backlash he faced had little to…
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You Are Enough—Even While You’re Still Growing
Read more: You Are Enough—Even While You’re Still GrowingThere have been seasons when I looked around and felt like everyone else was racing ahead while I stood still, wondering if my pace meant I was falling short. It’s an uneasy feeling, the quiet pressure to be further along, to have more to show for the time that’s passed. But, there’s a quiet strength…
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Manchild Syndrome: How Nurture, Not Nature, Keeps Men Dependent
Read more: Manchild Syndrome: How Nurture, Not Nature, Keeps Men DependentAdulthood is supposed to mark the point where independence and responsibility become the norm, yet not everyone makes that leap. Some men cling to adolescence well into their adult years, relying on their partners to carry the emotional, mental, and practical weight of daily life. Maybe you’ve seen it firsthand: What can look like harmless…
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If Caring Makes You a Simp, We Need More of Them
Read more: If Caring Makes You a Simp, We Need More of ThemThe word simp isn’t new. It dates back almost a century. It first appeared in the early 1900s as shorthand for “simpleton,” describing someone seen as foolish or naive. Over time, especially in hip-hop and online culture, the meaning shifted. By the late 20th century, simp was being used to mock men who were perceived…
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You’re Not the Black Sheep. You’re the Blueprint.
Read more: You’re Not the Black Sheep. You’re the Blueprint.Being pegged as the “black sheep” isn’t always about mistakes or rebellion. More often, it happens because you stand out. Maybe you think outside of the box, are intelligent, creative, attractive, fearless, or nonconforming. Maybe you carry a confidence that others haven’t yet found for themselves. Instead of being celebrated for those qualities, you become…
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Preparing to Leave the United States Quickly: A Practical Guide
Read more: Preparing to Leave the United States Quickly: A Practical GuideWhether it’s political instability, natural disasters, or personal circumstances, many people are quietly asking themselves: “What would I do if I needed to leave the U.S. in a hurry?” The answer is not to panic, but to prepare. Having the essentials in place can turn chaos into clarity if you ever need to make a…
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How I Manage Anxiety and Stuttering in Public Speaking
Read more: How I Manage Anxiety and Stuttering in Public SpeakingPublic speaking used to feel like standing at the edge of a cliff. My body betrayed me: palms sweating (*cue Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”*), voice catching, thoughts racing so fast I couldn’t keep them in order. Sometimes, I’d stumble over my words. Other times, an anxiety attack would creep in and my mind would go completely…
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A Sob Story Upfront? Good—He’s Telling You Everything You Need to Know
Read more: A Sob Story Upfront? Good—He’s Telling You Everything You Need to KnowWhen a man shares personal misfortunes right from the start, especially without prompting, it’s usually a tactic to gain sympathy. He’s hoping you’ll feel sorry for him, drop your guard, and emotionally invest without getting to know him as a person first. This isn’t about building trust through shared experiences; it’s about creating an emotional…
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The Calm One Doesn’t Always Win — Here’s Why
Read more: The Calm One Doesn’t Always Win — Here’s WhyWe’re often taught that the person who remains calm in an argument is the one who’s in the right. That emotional control equates to having the moral high ground. That composure is the badge of wisdom, strength, and even virtue. But, let’s talk about the flip side of that narrative. Because sometimes, the calm one…
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The Art of Saying No: Graceful Ways to Decline in Any Situation
Read more: The Art of Saying No: Graceful Ways to Decline in Any SituationSaying no is a skill everyone needs and, yet, many of us struggle with it. We worry about hurting feelings, burning bridges, or seeming unkind. But, the truth is saying no is not rude or selfish. It’s an essential act of recovery and self‑respect. Whether you’re turning down a date, a work project, or a…
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You Can Be a Good Person — and a Terrible Partner
Read more: You Can Be a Good Person — and a Terrible PartnerOne of the most common misconceptions in relationships is that being a “good person” automatically makes you a good partner. It’s an easy assumption to make. After all, if someone is kind, responsible, and generally well‑liked, why wouldn’t those qualities translate into their intimate relationships? But, the truth is…you can be a good person and…
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Why an Insecure Friend Is Worse Than a Full-Fledged Enemy
Read more: Why an Insecure Friend Is Worse Than a Full-Fledged EnemyMost of us know how to handle an enemy. They’re clear, open, and predictable in their opposition. You know where you stand, and you know they mean you no good. But an insecure friend (“I.F.”)?That’s far more dangerous. Because an insecure friend wears the mask of love while planting seeds of harm. They sit in…
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When Rejection Turns to Retaliation: The Petty Playbook of Fragile Men
Read more: When Rejection Turns to Retaliation: The Petty Playbook of Fragile MenSome men feel entitled to a woman’s attention. To them, her interest is a debt she owes simply for being asked. When that entitlement meets a fragile ego, rejection doesn’t just hurt, it devastates. And when they can’t regain control physically, they often turn to something quieter, but just as malicious: trying to ruin her…
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Moving Soon? Here Are the Most Useful (& Overlooked) Tips To Save Stress Later
Read more: Moving Soon? Here Are the Most Useful (& Overlooked) Tips To Save Stress LaterMoving can be both exciting and exhausting. Whether you’re relocating across town or just down the hall, there’s always more to do than you expect. While the internet is full of basic checklists (e.g., hire movers, change your address, buy boxes), there’s a whole category of actually useful, but often overlooked tips that can make…
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Dealing With Bullies at Work, Especially as a Black Professional in a Post-DEI Era
Read more: Dealing With Bullies at Work, Especially as a Black Professional in a Post-DEI EraAs Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts are rolled back, the systems meant to address workplace harm are fading and the impact is getting harder to ignore. DEI roles dropped 5% in 2023 and another 8% in 2024. By 2025, 1 in 8 companies plan to cut or reduce funding entirely. DEI was never just…
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Joy Doesn’t Need Permission
Read more: Joy Doesn’t Need PermissionI’m happy. Just not in the way people expect.Not the kind that comes with a ring, a title, or a picture-perfect timeline.I’ve said it out loud, more than once, only to be met with a half-smile and doubtful, “If you say so.” But, this happiness isn’t performative.It’s not polite gratitude or the kind of happiness…
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You Can Pray for It, But You Still Have to Move
Read more: You Can Pray for It, But You Still Have to MoveThere’s a quiet danger in sitting back and hoping life will unfold the way it’s supposed to. The idea that “what’s meant for you won’t miss you” can feel comforting, but it can also create a false sense of security. It encourages a passive approach, as though effort is optional and things will work out…
Lence in Layers 