When I was in primary school, we had an ethnic boy who was really ‘disruptive’- which is one of the words frequently used back then to describe children such as he. He was naughty, and seemed to be of limited vocabulary which consisted mostly of the word 'caca', and he did all sorts of things [...]
Whilst sitting at a friend’s house participating in a Skype call with her 19 year old daughter who lives and studies in Auckland, the conversation of her teenage friend came up. “You’ll never believe what Marnie is up to, Mum!” the daughter exclaimed. “She’s 6 months pregnant and huge!” Marnie and the daughter had been [...]
I never imagined as a grown woman that I could cry so hard and for so long. I was in bed unable to function for a week. I cried on and off with my carved up heart for months. Even now two years on the memory of the pain chokes me. [...]
Q: The annoying dating approach I have had someone approach me within a private Facebook group and ask me out. I said no. Then he has a few times sent me a private message via messenger and asked me out and he also saw me on a dating app and then sent me a message. [...]
We live in a society that is geared to achieve and strive and do, without pausing and reflecting and celebrating. In the past, I did the same. When we don’t pause or grieve or celebrate, we devoid life of meaning… In a society that has forgotten how to celebrate rites of passage, it takes a [...]
The Group Sexuality Shame Game Last month I was approached by a lovely young man (lets call him Sparky) to go to an event called ‘The Temple of Consciousness’. It was a group sexual workshop. I can feel your sphincter tighten as I say 'Group Sex' and your shame attempting to make its way [...]
People...there’s an important day coming up. No it’s not my birthday, you’ve already missed that (asshole). The 17th of May is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Obviously this day is about bringing awareness to an issue that is near and dear to my heart. To help highlight the importance of this day [...]
The word 'motherhood' doesn’t combine the two words mother and neighbourhood the way you might think it does, at first glance. It’s not a gang, but it is a club, and I’m not in it.* Women talk like we’re all in it. We’re not. Some of us don’t want to be, some aren’t by choice, [...]
The Madonna Complex is a psychological concept coined by Freud to refer to the inability of a man to maintain sexual arousal within a committed loving relationship. The complex describes how man can be conflicted between honouring and respecting his partner, the mother or future mother of his children, and needing to freely express his [...]
I lay writing this piece with tears streaming down my face as I reflect on my Self Love journey. The highs and lows, the ebbs and flows... oh what a journey it is. Looking back Self Love honestly wasn’t in my vocabulary, realm, or life until more recently. Growing up I truly never believed [...]