Pro-Tips for a Happy VJJ

1. Drink water like your life depends on it (because it does).

2. Wash with plain water after intimacy or a workout.

3. Respect her boundaries she doesn’t need scented lotions or oils. Let’s own our bodies, empower our minds, and normalize these conversations. Your vulva is not a secret it’s a celebration.

Because joy begins with self-love.

There’s something profoundly beautiful about writing to the girl you once were. It’s a conversation with your younger self, full of lessons learned, love given, and wisdom gained. These letters carry the power to heal old wounds, honor the journey, and spark hope for what’s still to come. We asked women to reflect on their past and share the truths they wish they’d known. Among the many heartfelt submissions, these three letters stood out poignant, tender, and brimming with the kind of love only hindsight can offer.

Dear Maria,

Just remember the soul of California raised you with its warmth, its grit, and its golden skies. You saw so much at such a young age, and though you grew up fast, inside you’re still that little girl who used to visit her grandmother in Mexico. Do you remember how you cried every time it was time to leave? No one ever asked why, they just hugged you tight and let you feel it. Now, looking back, you know the answer: it was the love. Your grandmother’s love was like a balm, poured into you through her soil, her food, and her arms. Her kindness made you feel whole in a way nothing else ever did. When she called you beautiful, it wasn’t just a compliment it was a truth she planted deep within you, one you still carry. Her advice stays with you even now: “Close your legs and open your mind.” It was her way of telling you to honor yourself, to protect your essence, and to lead with wisdom.

Dear grandmother, rest in peace. You were my first love, and I will always carry your lessons in my heart. Thank you for everything.

With all my love, Maria

Dear Joyce,

Hi, we made it! Can you believe it? Turning 40 once felt like a dream too distant to touch, but here we are proof that grit and grace can carry us through the unimaginable We went through hell and came back stronger, refusing to let destruction dictate our direction. At 18, you were a single mother, juggling diapers and dreams of becoming an engineer. You dared to hold onto that dream, even when the world seemed to bet against you. You didn’t run from the challenges you wet your bed and lay in it, owning every part of the struggle and the triumph. I don’t have much advice to offer because, honestly, you’ve done more than anyone could have asked. But I do want to say thank you for being brave, for loving fiercely, and for never giving up. Let’s keep grinding, Joyce. We’re doing just fine, and the best is still ahead.

Yours, Younger Joy, With so much love and pride

Dear Zoe,

I just have to laugh loud and unapologetically. If someone had told you 30 years ago that he was just a boy, a loser, and not the end-all-be-all, you’d have laughed them right out of the room. Oh, how wrong you would’ve been.

I can still feel that heartbreak from when Mr. Right (or so you thought) dumped you. You were convinced he was the only man in the world for you. But, girl, let me tell you you dodged the bullet of the century.

Have you seen him lately? Oh boy… a drunken mess with kids scattered across the map, and I’m not even sure he owns his own bed. Imagine if you’d stayed with him? Now, look at your life your incredible husband, smart and kind, the partner you deserve. It’s proof that the art of letting go will never steer you wrong. Thank you for trusting the process, for believing there was more ahead, and for letting life surprise you in the best way possible.

Yours, Happy and in-love Zoe

Thank you so much for sharing these heartfelt letters with us. Each one has been received with care, and we treasure the pieces of your past you’ve trusted us to hold. Among the many submissions, these three truly stood out, but every letter we read was a testament to the strength and wisdom women carry. We love this section and are excited to keep it alive! Please continue sending your letters to your 16year-old selves. Your advice, reflections, and stories don’t just resonate with you they have the power to inspire and uplift millions of women around the world. Send your letters directly to our editor at honey.aljabri@gmail.com. We promise to honor your words and share them with the same love they were written with.Until the next letter, keep shining, keep reflecting, and happy voyage!

Warm regards, The Her Voyage Team

More than a book it's your hair's new best friend.

This isn’t just a guide it’s a soulful, honest journey to healthy, thriving hair. Whether you’re transitioning, protecting, or just trying to figure it out, this book meets you at every stage of your crown story. Rooted in truth, love, and a little humor, it’s a celebration of self-care, self-worth, and the sacred rituals of hair

✨ Inside you'll find:

– Step-by-step care routines

– Hair journaling prompts

– Empowering reflections on beauty, culture & healing

– Practical tips with spiritual vibes Your hair isn’t a trend. It’s your testimony.

Cora Cora Cora Cozzolino Cozzolino Cozzolino

At 21: At 21: At 21: Owning

Her Voyage sits down with Cora Cozzolino, born in Kenya to Italian and Kenyan parents. Her talent redefines storytelling through her cultural roots and global lens.

The age of 21 is often a celebrated milestone, a time of independence, exploration, and embracing newfound freedoms. Yet, it comes wrapped in myths: the supposed prime of youth, worry-free and radiant. For Cora Adriana, this chapter of life is more than just a milestone. It’s a testament to identity, responsibility, and creativity. Born in Kenya and raised across East Africa, Cora’s journey took her from motherland to the cobbled streets of Europe at the tender age of 12. “Being raised across East Africa, I was immersed in soulful living and a powerful sense of community from an early age,” she shares. “My mother’s Swahili coastal heritage continues to influence me, instilling love expressed through elegance, warmth, and creativity.”

Identity, Identity, Identity,

Influence Influence Influence & &

When asked the simple yet profound question, “Who are you?” her response radiates depth:

“I am carving out a name for myself in a world of visual storytelling. I am a daughter, a woman shaped by the lands I’ve lived. My early travel experiences taught me to see the world with wonder and to carry out all the different stories and adventures with pride. They also gave me a sense of responsibility to share the continent’s magic with the wider world.”

Storytelling:

A Mission of Love and Legacy

For Cora, storytelling isn’t merely a career path; it’s a calling. “It’s not what you pursue, it’s why you do it,” she explains. Her aim? To ensure that when she rises, she drops the rope for others, pulling as many people along with her as possible.

“I believe many doors have been easier for me to crack open. Yet, I know so many people who are giving their best, but things don’t come as easily. I know I’m blessed, and I want to bless others through storytelling.”

Fashion as a Language In her world, fashion and storytelling are intertwined. “A piece of clothing can tell a story, highlight culture, and stand tall to add value to people’s lives,” she says.

We couldn’t resist asking for her top three rules of fashion, and her answers were as vibrant as her personality:

1. Color and Texture: 2. Avoid Trends: 3. Identity Speaks:

“Remember, everything has feelings.”

Instead, find a connection and feeling with your style.”

“Fashion is identity. Speak loud and proud through your style tell the world who you are.”

A Principle of Purpose

Cora lives by a simple yet profound principle: Your voice matters. “People’s dreams are possible,” she insists. Trusting one’s intuition and embracing one’s unique journey shaped by past experiences, culture, and heritage unlocks true power and purpose. Who is Cora Cozzolino?

A model, storyteller, and advocate for cultural pride and creative expression, Cora is a name to watch. With her luminous confidence and her mission to elevate others, she’s already paving the way for a legacy of love and impact. Cora, thank you for sharing your story with Her Voyage. Keep shining, queen you’ve just begun.

Let’s set the record straight Seattle isn’t frozen like Alaska or Canada. No blizzards or ice storms here. But when does it comes to its people? Oh, honey, the chill is very real. Locals call it the “Seattle Freeze,” and it’s less about temperatures and more about a polite-yet-persistent “stay out of my bubble.”

Seattleites are known for their reserved nature, often keeping newcomers at arm’s length. And before you blame it all on the rain, let’s dig into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) history behind this social phenomenon.

If rain were the sky’s tears, then Seattle’s skies would need therapy. The city is notorious for its endless drizzle and gray skies. According to Fox 13, Seattle ranks ninth among major U.S. cities for seasonal depression, and it’s easy to see why. Long, dark winters, short daylight hours, and damp vibes can sap anyone’s energy and their social ambitions. But does the weather actually breed introversion? Studies suggest it might. The Seattle Times revealed that 42% of locals socialize less than weekly, a higher rate of isolation than places like New York City or Chicago, where chaos breeds camaraderie.

Believe it or not, the Seattle Freeze isn’t new. This frosty phenomenon has its roots in the 1920s, when the city underwent a population boom and economic shift.

Social initiatives like Arthur Priest’s “Talk to Your Neighbor Day” were launched to warm up the city’s icy reputation. By World War II, local newspapers were already documenting Seattle’s reputation for unfriendliness toward newcomers.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and the rise of tech giants like Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon brought a different kind of boom one that cemented the Freeze. As Seattle evolved from a bluecollar town to a white-collar hub, the social fabric shifted, too.

To be fair, every city has its quirks. New York City thrives on loud, blunt honesty (and shared subway trauma). Minneapolis offers passiveaggressive warmth (let’s do lunch…never). And Portland and Austin? They’ll welcome you with kombucha, quirky activism, and a whole lot of “keeping it weird.” Seattle, meanwhile, is a paradox. The Scandinavian reserve of its early settlers, mixed with tech-world hustle, has created a culture where politeness doubles as a shield. It’s not rudeness it’s just a preference for personal space over small talk.

Now, ladies, let’s talk romance. If you’re single and thinking about moving to Seattle, prepare yourself. The dating scene here can feel like trying to grow roses in the rain. It’s a waiting game until those gray skies turn blue and the garden finally blooms. In a city where connections are slow to grow, you might find yourself single a little longer than

After nearly three years in Seattle, I can confirm: the Freeze is real. But here’s the thing beneath the icy surface, there’s warmth to be found. Once you crack the shell of a Seattleite, you might just find a friend for life. So, is the Freeze inherently bad? Or is it just a different rhythm a city that prefers depth over instant connections, privacy over performative friendliness? Either way, whether you’re dodging raindrops or navigating social circles, one thing’s for sure: Seattle will always keep you guessing.