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I will not be sharing my usual posts this week. Instead, I’ll be using this time to direct energy and attention towards black voices.
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I’ll also be donating all of this month’s proceeds from my e-book sales to @colorofchange so if you need body-image support, that is available to you.
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Movement created by @jessicawilson.msrd and @blackandembodied 🖤
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#amplifymelanatedvoices

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Stop👏 Trying👏 To👏 Learn👏 About👏 Racism👏 From👏 White People👏 That’s part of the problem. Here’s a list of resources created by black people:
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Books to read:
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (@ijeomaoluo)
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (@ibramxk)
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad (@laylafsaad)
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Why Are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum
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Courses to take:
@thegreatunlearn by @rachel.cargle
@ihartericka ‘s courses in her bio
@ckyourprivelege by @myishathill
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Note: this is just a starting point and some of the work I’m diving into. There are many, many more black people to learn from. Go find ‘em.
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Edited note: do NOT reach out to black people asking them to educate you. It’s not their job and it is very exhausting to be flooded with DMs asking for free labor. Pay for the work they already have out there!
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Bookmark this post and share it with your family and friends!!!

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Here are some black people I’ve been learning from:
@amandaseales
@rachel.cargle
@moemotivate
@theconsciouskid
@sassy_latte
@ihartericka
@laylafsaad
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Of course, there’s many more. Please tag them in the comments section.
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Follow them. Support their work. Sign up for their Patreons and buy their courses. Listen to them. Use your voice. Talk to your family and friends about racism. Acknowledge your privilege. Donate to anti-racist causes. And most importantly, be the change.

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Wearing a bra should be a personal choice, not a social norm. With the quarantine, I’ve completely ditched my bras and it feels sooo good. I can’t believe I’ve been forcing myself to wear those boob prisons for so long just because it’s “sexier” or more “socially-acceptable.” Ladies, these are social constructs!!! Unless YOU feel better wearing a bra, there is nothing that indicates that bras are better for your boobs. In fact, I’ve actually found that I’m able to breathe deeper, have better posture, and feel more comfortable without a bra. What I hate is that sometimes when I go to like the grocery store, I force myself to put on a bra just to avoid the stares from people. It’s so fucked up that women have to live their life constantly being conscious of the male gaze, but it’s the reality. Not to mention all the ways we’re supposed to manipulate our appearance simply to be accepted in society (hair, makeup, bras, clothes, no “resting bitch face” but “don’t smile too much or else it’s flirting”, etc 🙄). Questioning these social constructs and refusing to obey them (when it feels safe to do so of course) has been fucking LIBERATING. 10/10 would recommend. 🙌
How do you feel about bras?? No judgment either way, I’m just genuinely curious!!
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#feminist #womensempowerment

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Here to remind you that your bumpy lumpy butt is cute too!! I know with swim season being here, the thought of putting on a bikini can be anxiety-provoking, but please please don’t let your body IMAGE take away from your life EXPERIENCE. Put it on anyways, go lay out in the sun, and enjoy your life!! ♥️
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P.S. The first pic was taken in portrait mode and the second wasn’t. See how portrait mode blurs the background? That’s how I take all my pictures: on iPhone in portrait mode!
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#bodyconfidence #shotoniphone

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Mornings like these ♥️ I’ve spent more time with my sister these past few months of quarantine than I have her whole life. I worked on projects that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the time to. I connect with my partner deeper and deeper each day. I started spending less money on eating out and more money on supporting local and small businesses. I hosted 3 online retreats, making @retreatsbymary more accessible and affordable than ever before. I learned new recipes, including age-old ones from my Russian culture. I reconnected with my grandma. I’ve felt more creative with my content than ever before, even though I wasn’t taking pictures on the beach or traveling the world. I sleep better than I ever have before thanks to no alarm and my @sajewellness essential oils (besides that one time I had a dream/nightmare that Donald had a crush on me 😂). I learned to work from home and actually enjoy it. We painted our cabinets and some walls- piecing together a home that we actually look forward to living in. I connected deeper with my friends, from long FaceTime sessions to simple check-ins via text. I started going to therapy consistently (thanks to @betterhelp online therapy) and found my therapist Nina, who has already changed my life. I started educating myself on topics ranging from virology and immunology to racism and privilege. I’ve donated to causes I’m passionate about- including a campaign with @organicup to donate period cups to women in need. I’ve learned that I never liked going to the gym anyways lol so gentle yoga and long walks are just as great. I had plenty of days where I was anxious, scared, and down, but I survived those too, proving to myself that I am strong, resilient, and capable AF. This wasn’t the best time of my life, but this time allowed for some of my best moments. 🙏
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👉 Your turn! Tell me something good that came out of all this! Doesn’t have to be anything big, just something you’re proud of. ♥️