Feminism.

When a male friend asked me what class I was taking, I said Intro To Gender and Women's Studies,
and he replied, "Hmm sounds pretty boring."
I almost fainted.
This wasn't the first time.
I grasped for air.
I could have smacked him in the face with a fist full of feminism.
I didn't know what to do,
So instead, I simply said...
"No. It's actually a great class. A lifestyle even."
I took the easy way out.
I cowardly bent my pride in front of all the women who stood strongly before me with bent backs, bent rules, bent men, but never bent hearts.
Karen. Hazel. Robin. Emma.
I let them down when I decided to close my mouth.
To not make people too uncomfortable.
To be quiet, to be pretty, to be submissive.
To be less of a "boy" and more of a "girl" so,
What's in a woman?
Is she anything more than the care she gives, than the love she holds, than the lives she changes?
Is she anything more than a nice body, than a pretty face, than a dumb mind?
I have learned more in one year than I ever have in my entire life and I've learned the beauty of feminism.
I've learned that not many people like that word.
That it's okay to be pro-something, but pro-women...that's a bit much don't you think?
Hush Hush little girl. Don't speak too often, Don't dream too big.
Stop growing so large, you're beginning to pour over your cookie cutter pieces.
SHRINK.
Don't you want to fit like the other girls?
Like Barbie?
Cook, clean, stay your ass at home.
Be hidden.
Take the punches.
It doesn't matter what you say, they'll believe him anyways.
Ask for it. And when he takes it from you, they'll tell you NO isn't a complete sentence.
You were asking for it, remember.
Wearing a skirt and too high of heels made you a victim that day.
Tell them listen up.
Tell them dress code has nothing to do with it.
Tell them I, as a woman, have rights.
To equal opportunity, equal access.
I, as a woman, have the right to walk alone and not fear my life.
I, as a woman, have the right to go off to college without my parents worrying sick about my safety.
I am a victim before I am even a victim.
Tell them I'm scared.
I don't fit like they do, and until this very moment I didn't understand how much I was morphing, uncomfortably into this being.
Tell them Gender and Women's Studies is a class that changed my life.
That has opened my eyes.
That has made me a feminist.
Pro-Black, Pro-Chicana, Pro-Trans,
Pro-Broke, Pro-However you come--- FEMINIST.

How To Get Out Of A Funk

Hi guys!
This is a short blog post but I felt like it was very necessary. I am finishing up my junior year of college in great spirits, but it wasn't always like this.
I was unmotivated. Sad. Annoyed. Frustrated. Confused. And at some points I didn't feel any emotions at all.
I want to strongly encourage all of my sister-readers to pay close attention to this article. I know alot of times we're told that we are too emotional, or crazy, or just straight up tripping. lol.
I want to let you all know that it is okay to feel things and live in those moments. Not everything will be peaches and cream, but here are a few things I use to get me out of a funk!

1. PRAY- I cannot stress this enough. God is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than all of our problems. He doesn't give you anything you cannot handle.

2. CRY- Sometimes a good funk, deserves a good cry. LADIES and MEN it is okay! We were not created to move throughout life not feeling anything. The moment after a good cry, feels like a brand new day!

3. SLEEP- Allow your body to relax, release all the built up stress life can bring and have a good snooze!

4. READ- This may be the nerd in me, but reading is like watching tv in my head. I get to make up character traits, escape to a new world, or think of something in ways I've never imagined. READ A BOOK.

5. SHOWER- Take a hot shower or bath. Play some music and take your time!

6. JOURNAL- I always have a notebook with me. So if I'm at school and I get into a midday funk, out comes the pen and paper! Write down your thoughts and goals. Write down what's upsetting you. Write a poem. Write a novel. It is like releasing tension you may not know you had.

7. FRESH AIR- Nothing clears the mind like the smell of God's greatest creation. I encourage you to go for a walk, sit on your porch, or drive to a park in your area. Look around at all he's created. And dare yourself to be mad at the petty situations that flesh brings.

~Naturallykbiggie

The Story Behind My Tattoo

Hello Loves and Welcome Back!
Lately I've been in a really great space and in a sharing spirit, so today I decided to talk a little more about myself.
Today I want to tell you all, The Story Behind My Tattoo.

I have a small tattoo on my wrist that says, "Let It Be."
I got my tattoo when I was 18 years old, which some may say is too young but I made that decision for myself as a young adult.
In order for me to share my story, I have to back track to middle school.
My maternal grandfather, the only grandfather I ever really knew passed of pancreatic cancer.
I remember my family flew to D.C. to be with him in his sickness and surrond him with love and care.
One day in the hospital room he looked at me and whispered those very words.
Let It Be.
And back then, I didn't understand what he meant. I was angry. I was sad. It was unfair, and I was in no way mature or knowlegeable enough to Let go and Let God.

In my "rebellious time" I decided to get it tatted. I was old enough. I got to college and I was living on "my own." I had some extra money, I went to the tattoo parlor, and I told them to ink me up.
That was it. That's exactly how it happened.

Three years later, I've finally come to understand his words. It wasn't until much later in my journey that I realized what it meant to Let It Be.
I was often confusing the phrase with giving up, but letting go and letting God takes all of the strength in the world. You don't throw in the towel when you let things be. You have the strength and the love for yourself, not to be overcome by situations out of your control. Let It Be applies to everyone; be it bad habits, unhealthy people, or harming environments. 

Here I am, a much wiser and experienced young adult, and I understand the words my grandfather spoke to me. Let It Be, Kiersten. Life is a journey. All you can do is Pray as often as you can, love and live as fully as possible, work with all of your might, dream with all of your heart, and truly
LET IT BE.

So, that's my story. It didn't start off as deep as it became, but growth will change a lot of things in your life. Growth will allow you to see new perspectives. I am so grateful for growth.
As always, thank you so much for reading!
I don't care if one person reads this, I love you.
~Naturallykbiggie

What Am I Eating Nowadays?

So guys, I keep saying things have changed....
And yes, they have!
I am now following a PESCATARIAN DIET.

Now, a lot of people don't know what that means, so allow me to explain.
I don't eat the meat or flesh of any animal, besides fish or seafood. I still consume dairy products and eggs, but NO MEAT.

This all started in 9th grade. I can remember like it was yesterday. I watched the movie Food Inc. in class, and unlike a lot of my peers, it changed my life! The movie took a deep look into the farming, the meat packing industry, and the horror of it all. At that very moment I decided to stop eating beef. It wasn't a big deal for me, seeing that I rarely ate beef anyways. I just knew I couldn't be apart of that anymore.

Exactly one year later I stopped eating pork (I had a hard time giving up ham lol). I can't remember the significant reasoning, I just knew it was a step towards a healthier life style. I've always been very health-conscious so, I gave up red meat- no big deal.

SIDE NOTE- *I've also ALWAYS been an animal lover. I was a member of the Animal Rights Club at my high school and took over as President my senior year. Shameless Plug lol. So my love for animals and meat eating didn't go hand in hand.*

So let's fast forward...
In January of this year I decided to stop eating meat. I had spent months battling with the decision, researching health tips, and watching all kinds of veggie-friendly documentaries. I finally made the decision. I wanted to stop eating meat but I felt and still feel like the healthiest alternative for ME was to still consume fish and seafood. -- A lot of people ask why I think it's okay to still eat fish and my answer is fish are not killed at the rate and cruelty levels that other animals are. AND at the end of the day, it is my decision!

ALL OF THESE MEALS ARE PESCATARIAN FRIENDLY! :)

It was difficult at first lol. I loved chicken, that Was my weakness. I even "relapsed" and had chicken wings one night. I say that all to say that, I'm not perfect. Most of my family and friends are meat eaters so gatherings are difficult but IT IS POSSIBLE. I have cravings and still eat processed and unhealthy food but every day is a journey. I am extremely pleased with my decision. I have more energy. My skin and body have flourished and I'm very happy.
Now, Im not saying you have to be vegan, or vegetarian, or even pescatarian. I just want you all to take steps daily, into being the healthiest YOU possible.
Loving yourself is taking care of yourself!

Until next time,
~Naturallykbiggie :)