Welcome to "Lines of Lives," a heartfelt exploration of love, community, and creation In this immersive journey, we delve deep into the interconnected tapestry of human experience, weaving together the threads of self-love, artistic expression, and the power of human connection
Embracing Self-Love and Liberation 1
In the first chapter of our dedication, we embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and liberation At its core lies the transformative power of self-love – a radical act of defiance against societal norms and expectations Here, we challenge the pervasive notion that our worth is tied to external markers such as physical appearance, race, status, or socioeconomic class Instead, we honor the intrinsic value of our bodies, minds, and true essence, recognizing them as sacred vessels of our unique identities
In this chapter, we confront the insidious effects of capitalism, which seeks to commodify and exploit our insecurities for profit Through the lens of self-love, we reclaim our autonomy and agency, asserting our right to care for ourselves as a fundamental act of resistance and survival As we navigate the complexities of our inner landscapes, we discover that true liberation begins with the radical acceptance of ourselves – flaws, scars, and all
2 :Navigating the Complexities of Romantic Love
In the second chapter, we embark on a journey through the labyrinthine corridors of romantic love, guided by the evocative poetry of Nkiru With each verse, Nkiru delves deep into the heart of human emotion, exploring the highs and lows of love's journey Her words resonate with raw honesty and vulnerability, capturing the ecstasy of new beginnings, the anguish of heartbreak, and the quiet solace of self-discovery
Through Nkiru's poetry, we come to understand that romantic love is a beautiful and integral part of the human experience It is okay to desire love and connection, to yearn for companionship and intimacy As we navigate the complexities of romantic relationships, we are reminded that love – in all its forms – is a testament to the depth and breadth of the human heart And while self-love is essential, so too is the capacity to open ourselves to others, to share our hopes, fears, and dreams in the tender embrace of another's love
3 Celebrating Life Through Art and Creation
In the final chapter, we are transported into the vibrant world of artistic expression, guided by the visionary talents of Noye Through her captivating photography and art, Noye captures the essence of love found in the everyday moments of life Her images serve as windows into the soul of humanity, revealing the beauty and complexity of the human experience From the tender embrace of a family to the awe-inspiring majesty of nature, her creations evoke a profound sense of connection and wonder
In Noye's art, we find a celebration of life in all its myriad forms – from the mundane to the extraordinary Through her lens, we are invited to see the world with fresh eyes, to appreciate the beauty of existence in its simplest pleasures As we immerse ourselves in her images, we are reminded of the profound connection between self-love, community, and the boundless possibilities of human expression
In "Lines of Lives," we celebrate the intricate interplay of love, community, and creation Through the lenses of art, self-love, photography, and poetry, we discover the beauty of the human experience and the infinite possibilities that await us when we open our hearts to love
AVA’SR AKES ON T
BODY
IMAGE
IMPOSTER SYNDROME &
LEARN MORE
EATING INTUTIVELY >>> DIETS AND LABELING FOODS AS ‘BAD’
With this one I highly recommend seeing a doctor to check for food allergens and get the go ahead before you try this. Intutive eating allows oneself to listen to their body’s hunger and fullness cues Timely meals are usually focused on regular meal times which might not align with hunger. Allow for flexibility and understanding the body’s signals and avoid rigid schedules Timely eating can be too structured As this encourages a positive, guilt free relationship with food, without labeling as good or bad Shift in overall well-being by integrating physical hunger with emotional and psychological health.
BODY NEUTRALITY >>> BODY POSITIVITY
Body positivity has been revolutionary for a lot of people. Especially when we are talking about aspects of representation in skin tones, ages, body shapes, people with disabilities, etc Body neutrality allows acceptance without a constant positive feeling, which is more realistic It can reduce the stress of always needing to feel good about ones body. Emphasizing the function of the body and not how it looks. It allows more a more balanced view and the mixed or neutral feelings one can have about their body
DIVERSIFYING WHO YOU FOLLOW
Shifting who you follow to include more diverse beauty standards can greatly benefit mental health by reducing the pressure to conform to narrow, often Eurocentric, ideals, which in turn lowers feelings of inadequacy Exposure to a variety of body types, skin tones, and beauty ideals promotes self-acceptance and enhances self-esteem by fostering a more positive body image It broadens perspectives, challenging and expanding your understanding of beauty to be more inclusive. This encourages embracing your unique features and reduces the urge to fit into unrealistic beauty molds, while also helping to dismantle harmful stereotypes Incorporating diverse beauty representations into your social media feed can lead to a healthier and more inclusive perspective on beauty, positively impacting mental well-being
The article "Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome" by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey challenges the notion of "imposter syndrome" as an individual failing, instead framing it as a response to systemic biases and exclusion. Imposter syndrome, which involves doubting one's abilities and feeling like a fraud, is often diagnosed in women, but this diagnosis can be problematic. The concept originated in the 1970s without considering the impacts of systemic racism, classism, xenophobia, and other biases. As a result, a universal feeling of workplace discomfort and anxiety was pathologized, particularly for women, and the responsibility to overcome these feelings was placed on individuals rather than on the systems creating them.
The authors illustrate this with the story of Talisa Lavarry, a Black woman who experienced severe workplace bullying and racism while leading a major corporate event. Despite her competence and praise from clients, her colleagues’ subtle and overt racism led her to doubt her qualifications and experience deep anxiety and selfhatred. This narrative highlights how systemic racism and exclusion exacerbate feelings of imposter syndrome, turning normal workplace anxieties into profound self-doubt and trauma.
The article critiques the original development of the imposter syndrome concept by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, who focused on high-achieving women but did not account for the varied impacts of systemic discrimination. As a result, imposter syndrome initiatives often fail to address the root causes of why women, especially women of color, feel like impostors. The authors argue that imposter syndrome pathologizes natural feelings of uncertainty and ignores how workplace systems of discrimination and stereotypes contribute to these feelings.
For women of color, feelings of not belonging in corporate environments are intensified by the intersection of race and gender. This is not due to any inherent deficiencies but because many corporate and academic institutions are still steeped in biased practices and cultural norms that marginalize these groups. Women of color often find themselves in precarious positions, facing both subtle and explicit messages that they do not belong in predominantly white and male-dominated spaces.
The article calls for a shift in focus from fixing individuals to transforming workplace cultures. Creating an environment that values diverse leadership styles and identities can help mitigate the effects of systemic biases that lead to feelings of imposter syndrome. This means recognizing and addressing the cultural and systemic barriers that contribute to these feelings, rather than simply urging women to overcome them on their own.
The authors also point out that confidence, often equated with competence and leadership, is typically modeled on white male standards. This results in women being unfairly judged for their confidence levels, with white women being penalized for lacking confidence, women of color for showing too much, and all women for displaying it in non-traditional ways. Such biases reinforce narrow definitions of acceptable behavior and leadership, further entrenching systemic discrimination.
Ultimately, the article advocates for inclusive workplaces where systemic biases are addressed, and diverse identities are seen as equally professional. This would help reduce the experiences that lead to feelings of imposter syndrome among marginalized employees. By fostering supportive work cultures, healthy self-doubt can be transformed into positive motivation, allowing all employees to thrive without the burden of feeling like impostors.
I wanted to share with you the importance of positive self-talk and how it can positively impact your neural pathways and overall well-being.
As we navigate through life, our thoughts play a significant role in shaping our experiences and perceptions. When we engage in positive self-talk, we are actively rewiring our brains to focus on constructive and empowering thoughts This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows our brains to adapt and change in response to our repeated thoughts and behaviors
By consistently affirming our strengths, abilities, and achievements, we strengthen neural connections associated with self-esteem, confidence, and resilience. This can lead to greater emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety, and improved overall mental health
Moreover, positive self-talk fosters an optimistic outlook, helping us see opportunities and solutions rather than dwelling on problems or setbacks This mindset shift can enhance problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and even our physical health.
In social interactions, positive self-talk can boost self-assurance and charisma, making us more approachable and likable to others This can strengthen relationships and create a supportive social network, further contributing to our well-being
In essence, positive self-talk is not merely about boosting our ego; it's about actively shaping our inner dialogue to support mental and emotional well-being. By cultivating this habit, we can transform our thoughts, improve our outlook on life, and ultimately lead happier, more fulfilling lives
I encourage you to practice positive self-talk daily and witness the profound impact it can have on your life. Remember, the way we speak to ourselves matters, and by choosing positivity, we can create a brighter and more empowering reality. SIncerely,
Blue hues
Early morning crisp air Early morning crisp air
City view before sunrise City view before sunrise
I like how quiet it is I like how quiet it is
And I want you to stay by my side And I want you to stay by my side
Before the day starts Before the day starts
I want to be up with you I want to be up with you
Living freeLiving free
In the middle of this city In the middle of this city stuck with you stuck with you
Loving meLoving me
Blue hues fill my room Blue hues fill my room
I lay deeper in the sheets I lay deeper in the sheets
Closer to you Closer to you
And we don’t want the day to start And we don’t want the day to start
“Blue hues tells a story of those intimate moments In our lives when we would rather take in the present, and all we have for ourselves is the tillness of 4am morning air.“
Sweet prince
Sweet prince of the ghetto Sweet prince of the ghetto
I wanna say to you I wanna say to you
I like the way you say your words I like the way you say your words
The way you make me sing like birds
The way you make me sing like birds
You’re so perfect in every way You’re so perfect in every way
You smell like sunday
You smell like sunday
I'm not quite sure that you can be true
I'm not quite sure that you can be true
How your jaw clinches and you blink the way you do
How your jaw clinches and you blink the way you do
The way that everyday day The way that everyday day
I find something new to enjoy about you
I find something new to enjoy about you
Your brown skin like gin mixed with something nice
Your brown skin like gin mixed with something nice you've been the apple of my eye since back when you've been the apple of my eye since back when
The only one that could ever make me feel shy
The only one that could ever make me feel shy
As I As I sigh at our ephemeral summer romance sigh at our ephemeral summer romance
I can still feel the warmth of your soft hands
I can still feel the warmth of your soft hands how they’d glide down my waist how they’d glide down my waist
And And tug on my pants tug on my pants
Once again, closer to you
Once again, closer to you
i see who you are i see who you are
Sweet prince, never hold your head low for bliss is your name
Sweet prince, never hold your head low for bliss is your name
She’ll never stop glowing pink
You draw me in You draw me in Like smoke Like smoke
I can’t seem to stop I can’t seem to stop Taking a hit Taking a hit Of you Of you
Lover Lover Be love Be love Now Now
I am always around I am always around Every time you see a flower Every time you see a flower
I whispered like a gentle breeze
I whispered like a gentle breeze Into your ear Into your ear
Warm words I wanted to hear Warm words I wanted to hear Come out of your mouth Come out of your mouth And fall into my heart And fall into my heart
I’ll be inside the memories
I’ll be inside the memories of Pleasure of Pleasure
We love the time we spent together
We love the time we spent together
Taking care, how have you been?
Taking care, how have you been?
Im hoping to know the truth hidden Im hoping to know the truth hidden between your glimpse between your glimpse of shy eye charm of shy eye charm
I’m hardly ever here, really I’m hardly ever here, really So tell me So tell me
Tell me loving, Tell me loving,
if not you then who’s warmth if not you then who’s warmth was holding me till sunrise was holding me till sunrise
She’ll never stop glowing pink She’ll never stop glowing pink
That’s why you’ll always think of her That’s why you’ll always think of her
You’ll find out soon You’ll find out soon while looking at the moon while looking at the moon
When you see the sunsets of magenta When you see the sunsets of magenta shades and deep blue hues shades and deep blue hues
And she wakes And she wakes And waits And waits
For some real understanding, not for For some real understanding, not for you you
When you are standing in her essence
When you are standing in her essence She offers all to you She offers all to you
Bring me to that place
Bring me to that place you made yourself up to be you made yourself up to be I’d like to see your heart lead I’d like to see your heart lead Show me strength Show me strength
You are hard on yourself
You are hard on yourself
Not hard with yourself
Not hard with yourself when I’m not there when I’m not there
To thrill To thrill cause blood fill cause blood fill and I miss being a helping hand and I miss being a helping hand Ever so gentle Ever so gentle
Don’t let winter make you go cold but if it means you’ll seek shelter but if it means you’ll seek shelter Let it all freeze over Let it all freeze over For i AM home For i AM home
Don’t let winter make you go cold
Between us
He can feel the tension between our lips and as our bodies come closer the first kiss is always hot like a built up eruption at a cliff. My face goes close and yours comes to meet mine. I think about how happy I am that you ’ re here now in real time and not in my mind. You ask me why I was up through the night. I thought, because my vision of you is better than a dream tonight.
Nervermind
I love the way time passed with you
Sweet serenity
Deep in me
Keeping me up
I’ll be yours all night
Just keep me there keep me coming
I’ll be tight
Spread me like butter
Workin all day
You need some space away from all the ways of this world so I give you lightning
That lies in the left of your full chest while I lay down my head there I hear a song I am warm
I love you more than the way I take my time on you I love you more when I take the time to
I want you today Who are you today?
You’d like to know where my heads at Lately I’ve heard your voice in jazz
Soft to the touch I am Too beautiful for the heart
As I overwhelm all of your senses
Lessons through time find me Learning them, And how you move. How I watched you move
Memories feel tangible Harder to let go
Of the feeling you get when you touch her lips fall asleep on me As you stand elevated I think of the ways I’ll enjoy you I dream to feel deep inside, Your passion melting upon me like white candle wax When I arrive
It is to see your face That relaxes me
Like a lullaby
I can tell you know that I would do anything you want me to I’ll do anything to make you come
And everything to make you stay
Not still for too long I want you to hold on when I look to your face
you look like someone I want to come with
You wipe the spit falling down from my lip and feed it back to me
I want everything you put in
I take you happily
You kiss me like you want some of me
To suffocate into you you can have a sip
Of my water
I look only at you, when I come I know you see And like a lullaby I put you to sleep
Wake up to watch all of the pieces of me unfold
For I am a flower
You lay between my thighs like a baby
Fast asleep slow to leave
You’ll stay another hour
My hands wake your body
You watch me
I want you to put me in my place
On a pedestal
I want you to arrive many times
Just to watch your body shake on top of mine
Until I found it
I recall a time where I couldn’t tell the difference between your skin and mine as we lay hold me through the night While resting on top of you I rise with your chest as you breath In and out
I take down the air you release nothing else feels like this i notice things about you
Today is the day I let you know how I really feel I’m thinking about the way You made time feel still From the heart I tell you I am real As sunlight I looked everywhere
Until I found it there
How you show you care Speaks clearer than words I can here your urgency
To take care of me
I wonder where your mind wanders if you imagine you and I together on late nights
In the time of those early mornings no one else
Could take your place or replace you
In the air
I feel that he is falling in love Overseas
Maybe he thinks he’s found the one I feel It’s not me
I can tell by the way He takes his time to get back to me
I could melt by the way he would kiss my body
I won’t waste my time
Wondering how he will exercise his will but I will hold near
The moments where we didn’t resist to feel
The connection that exists between two souls meant for just that moment
I watch for your acknowledgment of my possibilities
I lay and imagine how I’d rather be loved
How I’d rather be beloved
I pray to never wonder but rather
To always know deeply
That I do not speak alone
When I say that I care I caught the last kisses he blew into the air
As we drove parallel
Through the early morning breeze until the rode split
And we went different directions For longer than expected For longer than we connected
We’ve been separate
Maybe that’s why I feel deselected
“In the air invites the reader straight into the thoughts of a woman who is reminiscing on memories with a man she felt for, who flew away too soon. ”
Vessel
Let me be your reminder that beauty is always alive
As long as I have breath in me
As I am reminded of beauty through the peony you gave me I am yours only if you want me to be
My intentional touches send chills through your warm body I know the words you don’t speak
I see in your eyes the night sky
You see in mine
A reason to believe in the divine, As I am your altar and your incense
Come to me with your secrets and desires
As I am the flame that began the fire inside of you
The same way that I am the water that washes over your sweet skin
Tonight I’ll reach the light while you touch the inside of me
At dusk I will be all of your dreams as you sleep
When you rise I will be the reason for your smile
walking alone
I practiced walking like i had him beside me The way that girls look so free when they are with their love. But i was with myself, trying to teach me to look that same free way without you in my way.
Thought i knew you but I didn’t you smelled like smoke and cologne. You ask if I ever get tired of being alone truly i get more tired of waiting by the phone.
Forbidden Fairy
Do you want because you can’t have
Do I want more What makes me drawn to you Is it mutual
I would like to know you deep
So I can replace my theories Of how you may be With real life fantasy
I won’t deny it
Because when I see you I stare Felt by you, before I grace your eyes. You then see my physical self
You would never know When I made it home
I thought about the site of you
Feeling like you’re the one id like to explore
Just a glimpse is enough for us to las t
She’s Forbidden fairy, they could never be Forbidden fantasy
An Undisputed, undiscovered universe unexplored to unravel like a deep pink peony If ever ignited
At peace
I wasn’t the same girl that they thought they knew before not going to let just anyone walk through the door It has never been so easy for me to say that I don’t want anything that doesn’t bring flowers to my day
Flowers in my tea flowers in my joint flowers on my body
A magic flower when you open the inside of me
Replenished with forgiveness I gave myself love Picking off each petal asking if it is or if it isn’t Tossing down each petal as it was what it was Praying to the endless light up above Only time will tell and fails no one
If it’s time to heal then let the past go on
Noye Stansberry
Capturing Love in Creation
Loving one's self through creation
"Creating is an act of self-love; through art, we find and nurture our true selves."
“The subjects of my artwork reflect parts of myself that I find pride and solace in. I gain h t t f inspiration from the women in my life and take pride in being omanhood in a way that showcases our many presentations of strength beauty, and vulnerability.”
“Acacia Rests” “”Coming Undone”
As we close "Lines of Lives," we reflect on the heartfelt journey we've shared We've delved into self-love, explored the depths of romantic relationships, and celebrated life through artistic expression Here, we honor our true essence, embrace love in its many forms, and find beauty in everyday moments
This zine is a testament to the power of love, community, and creation May it inspire you to cherish your unique journey, connect deeply with others, and celebrate the art that lives within us all Thank you for being part of this exploration of the human experience
