Women and Happiness

Grief

We Heal From Grief in Relationship

Ariel Gore on June 3, 2024

We don't "move on" from grief but rather learn to make room for it. A new novel explores the necessity of friendships and connections in that process.

We don't "move on" from grief but rather learn to make room for it. A new novel explores the necessity of friendships and connections in that process.

Psychology

Toward a Psychology of Wonder

Ariel Gore on July 5, 2022

When study participants could keep their level of curiosity pretty consistent throughout the day, their entire sense of well-being bloomed.

When study participants could keep their level of curiosity pretty consistent throughout the day, their entire sense of well-being bloomed.

Imposter Syndrome

Even Bestselling Authors Can Suffer Imposter Syndrome

Ariel Gore on March 17, 2022

"I realized that as a Mexican living in California, a state which was once a part of Mexico, I am not the foreigner or the outsider."

"I realized that as a Mexican living in California, a state which was once a part of Mexico, I am not the foreigner or the outsider."

Happiness

Joy in the Time of COVID

Ariel Gore on April 29, 2020

Is the pandemic getting you down? Here's how women are tapping into joy and resilience.

Is the pandemic getting you down? Here's how women are tapping into joy and resilience.

Happiness

Does Witchcraft Hold the Secret to Happiness?

Ariel Gore on October 15, 2019

Claiming the witch archetype is a means of self-empowerment.

Claiming the witch archetype is a means of self-empowerment.

Grief

Drawing Out Grief

Ariel Gore on June 18, 2018

A new memoir explores girlhood friendship, hippie parenting, and buried grief.

A new memoir explores girlhood friendship, hippie parenting, and buried grief.

Pregnancy

Young, Queer, and Pregnant

Ariel Gore on February 22, 2018

Teenage pregnancy gets a new narrative.

Teenage pregnancy gets a new narrative.

Trauma

What Does It Take to Transform Trauma Into Art?

Ariel Gore on December 4, 2017

Want to write through trauma and mental illness? Chelsey Clammer illuminates the art and craft making excellent essays out of tough experiences.

Want to write through trauma and mental illness? Chelsey Clammer illuminates the art and craft making excellent essays out of tough experiences.

Religion

Is it Time to Bring Back Mysticism?

Ariel Gore on August 22, 2017

"I wouldn't draw any direct or concrete connection between mental illness and mystical experience, but I did see lots of patterns in the lives of the prophetesses I wrote about."

"I wouldn't draw any direct or concrete connection between mental illness and mystical experience, but I did see lots of patterns in the lives of the prophetesses I wrote about."

Gender

Born Both: Intersex and Happy

Ariel Gore on May 24, 2017

"I want parents to know that intersex kids can decide who they are for themselves and have that turn out beautifully."

"I want parents to know that intersex kids can decide who they are for themselves and have that turn out beautifully."

Domestic Violence

We Have the Right to Resist

Ariel Gore on November 11, 2016

The jump to normalize all of this feels very familiar to those of us who know too much about domestic violence. We reject that normalization.

The jump to normalize all of this feels very familiar to those of us who know too much about domestic violence. We reject that normalization.

Adolescence

Representing Young Mothers in Literature

Ariel Gore on October 31, 2016

When The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom was first published, I’d never seen myself—a young mom—represented in a graphic novel. The brilliant book broke ground...

When The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom was first published, I’d never seen myself—a young mom—represented in a graphic novel. The brilliant book broke ground...

Alcoholism

Black Wave: Alcoholism, Creativity, and Today’s Truth

Ariel Gore on September 5, 2016

"The similarities between being a writer and an alcoholic far outweigh the differences. They both seem to spring from what may be a glitch in my neurochemistry." —Michelle Tea

"The similarities between being a writer and an alcoholic far outweigh the differences. They both seem to spring from what may be a glitch in my neurochemistry." —Michelle Tea

Sexual Abuse

There's No One "Right" Reaction to Childhood Sexual Abuse

Ariel Gore on July 24, 2016

A writer who wrestled for years with the feeling that she'd been "doing her sexual abuse wrong" finally gets comfortable owning her experience.

A writer who wrestled for years with the feeling that she'd been "doing her sexual abuse wrong" finally gets comfortable owning her experience.

Trauma

The Power of Seeing Ourselves in Literature

Ariel Gore on February 18, 2016

Young Latinas and queer youth need more stories "told by us about us" to provide hope and to help each other survive. Ariel Gore interviews novelist Gabby Rivera.

Young Latinas and queer youth need more stories "told by us about us" to provide hope and to help each other survive. Ariel Gore interviews novelist Gabby Rivera.

Laughter

When Gentrification Hits Home

Ariel Gore on September 24, 2015

I belonged here because my new father said I belonged here. "If anyone asks you where you're from," my new father said, "you say 'who, me?' and you point to the tallest, closest mountain you can see and you say, 'I just hiked down from the top of that mountain this morning. Where are you from?'"

I belonged here because my new father said I belonged here. "If anyone asks you where you're from," my new father said, "you say 'who, me?' and you point to the tallest, closest mountain you can see and you say, 'I just hiked down from the top of that mountain this morning. Where are you from?'"

Suicide

Get on the Train

Ariel Gore on March 30, 2015

I'm going to give you some advice your parents and teachers might not: Drop out of high school.

I'm going to give you some advice your parents and teachers might not: Drop out of high school.

I would like to talk about wage equality and not talk about celebrities.

Fear

Trigger Me

Ariel Gore on November 16, 2014

Recent research proves what memoirists already know: Far from re-activating the stress of traumatic or emotional experiences, the process of writing serves as real medicine—even making our physical wounds heal faster.

Seriously. Writers’ BIOPSY WOUNDS heal some fifty percent faster than folks who don’t jot down what they’re going through.

Recent research proves what memoirists already know: Far from re-activating the stress of traumatic or emotional experiences, the process of writing serves as real medicine—even making our physical wounds heal faster.

Seriously. Writers’ BIOPSY WOUNDS heal some fifty percent faster than folks who don’t jot down what they’re going through.

Embarrassment

Creative Shame

Ariel Gore on July 21, 2014

Does creative expression require a sense of entitlement? Is the artist better-served by a life of privilege or a life of suffering? And would everyone be better off if we'd all just shut up?

Does creative expression require a sense of entitlement? Is the artist better-served by a life of privilege or a life of suffering? And would everyone be better off if we'd all just shut up?