Pisces Ponderings

He asked me what my hobbies are and I said "vibes." Did this actually happen? No. But maybe we should start saying it? Women's hobbies and interests have long been dismissed. They are seen as silly, shallow, unimportant, cringy, or a complete waste of time. And unfortunately, many of these hobbies are related to art, emotion, and subculture (which, by the way, are extremely important and beneficial hobbies that do matter). When men have hobbies, it's considered "passion," "identity," or "craft." They use terms that indicate a level of respect, legitimacy, and productivity. Women never see these terms used to describe their hobbies. This coincides with the cultural and social tendency to essentially make fun of the interests of women. And in doing this, we not only dismiss the important role of art and creativity, but also contribute to patriarchal norms. Ew.  The ridiculous thing is, these hobbies truly do matter. Women have such creative...

The past two months have involved some wild situations -- a strike that cancelled most of my classes and exams, two moves, and some unpredictable weather (hello hail). Thankfully, this provided me with manyyyyy opportunities to read. Below are some of my most recent favourites: Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham I am obsessed with how Lena Dunham writes. I think that she is an absolute literary and creative genius. My roommates and I actually started watching her show, girls, a couple months ago, and I am so excited to continue watching that. This book delves into her life story and combines both memoir-esque writing with a collection of personal essays. Her writing is raw, unfiltered, and both self-deprecating and confident. The book feels super conversational and intimate, like talking with a best friend. It's filled with witty remarks, neurotic commentary, intense emotional reflection, and is a must-read for any woman -- especially if you are in your twenties. Just Kids by ...

It's a major problem that has plagued society, especially in recent years. Everywhere I go, I am reminded of it. It is rampant in schools, the workplace, and even in local parks or coffee shops. If you haven't caught on by now, I'm talking about the hyper-individualist mindset that's cursing society. I truly believe that this individualist mindset is destroying the way that people develop and maintain relationships, interact with each other, and engage with society at large. I believe that it all goes back to a famous quote that seems to get tossed around all too often: "you don't owe anyone anything." I call bullshit . Although I understand the importance of putting yourself first (to an extent) and not people-pleasing, this quote has created a generation of people who try to justify unhealthy emotional unavailability. Don't get me wrong -- healthy boundaries are essential, and we should all have them. However this quote has been twisted into a sick e...

While I still have plenty of my twenties to live, I've learned a few things so far -- and I figured I'd share them. 1. Finding a mouse in your house isn't the end of the world (even though it might feel like it in the moment). I promise --  you'll survive. Buy some traps, use the peanut butter method, and maybe don't leave that sandwich crust out next time. You got this. 2. A good friend is a good friend - regardless of how long you've known them. I have met some amazing people in the past two years, some of whom have become my closest friends. It's true when they say that some people enter your life and just show that they are a great friend. Let these people into your life, and don't count them out just because you haven't been friends since elementary school. Sometimes, the right people come into your life exactly when you need them. 3. You don't have to have it all figured out. Point, blank, period. You are supposed to be a work in progress....

This past week I was out with a friend at a cafe, when she made a very interesting comment. As we walked past a girl sitting in an orange, fluffy chair in the corner of the room, she nudged me and said: "Oh my god -- she's reading The Bell Jar in public!! That's so performative!" "Oh yeah, haha," I laughed awkwardly, not thinking too much about it. I came home later that day and thought about that comment. Performative reading . Upon further reflection, I'm annoyed that I didn't respond to her comment more thoughtfully. Now, I adore my friend, but I do believe that it is comments like this that have led to a major lack of reading. For some reason there is copious judgement when it comes to reading and literature, and this disproportionately affects women more than men (but then again -- what else is new??). Every day I see people get judged for what they read -- whether it's a romance, graphic novel, or magazine. It's like if you aren't ...

"How to tap into your divine feminine." If I hear that phrase one more time, I might actually scream. I'm sure you're familiar with this recent social media craze. The "feminine energy" trend is all over my For You Page, highlighting women who offer tips on tapping into their so-called "true femininity". It hides behind a mask of softness and romanticization, but at its core, is deeply rooted in misogyny. Now don't get me wrong -- I can see the initial appeal. At first, it seems fun to watch content made by women, for women . The videos look aesthetically pleasing and lighthearted, giving off a calming vibe. However, this is a ruse meant to hide the message that is actually being sent -- that women need to resort back to stereotypical, structured gender roles. This trend reinforces the idea that feminine energy equates to being quiet, passive, agreeable, soft, and submissive, and that masculine energy means being loud, assertive, decisive, and ...