GOOD GIRLS LIKE PLEASURE, TOO!

LAUREN HOPE: GOOD GIRL CHRONICLES

I n t e r v i e w b y J a y L . H a r r i s

JLH: Tell us more about Good Girl Chronicles and the new direction you are taking it.

LH: The heart of Good Girl Chronicles, LLC, is storytelling. I help people own their truth, live it, and then share it. That is still very much the philosophy of Good Girl Chronicles. However, I’ ve always wanted to write about love, sex, and relationships. When I was younger I was a huge fan of Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City. I wanted to be the black Carrie Bradshaw. At the beginning of the year, I set out on a self-love journey, honoring my body and doing positive affirmations. Then, I said to myself, “Why am I not writing about sex through the eyes of a goody-two-shoes?” The answer, I was afraid. I am not afraid anymore, and I feel lots of women in my audience want to have these conversations. I want to be bold enough to lead them through those conversations online.

Our new direction is to empower women to own their sexy, their story, and their purpose.

JLH: What made you decide to take this direction with Good Girl Chronicles?

LH: I love writing about love and sex. I am a hopeless romantic at heart. Also, my parents raised me with a lot of shame around sex. It affected several of my romantic relationships. I want to free women of that shame. I believe when sex is discussed in an non-intimidating way, and in safe places, we can all grow and became better partners.

JLH: What does pleasure mean to you?

LH: Wow! Pleasure is such a sensual and powerful word to me. When I think of pleasure, I think of the obvious: making love; those passionate, slow kisses that take your breath away; the foreplay that makes you want me. Pleasure is such a deep word to me; it can ’t be described in a sentence or word. It’ s the hotness you feel all over your body when you ’ re aroused. Pleasure is divine.

Lauren Hope: Living Her Best Life

photo credit:Stacey Salerno Photography

JLH: If, as SWV says, "pleasure is your destination, " where are you going?

LH: I enjoy love-making. It’s the connecting of two people who are expressing their love through sex. I am currently single, so if pleasure is my destination, I am going into the depths of my mind, to the memories of some of my best lovers. I am a mental lover, so remembering and meditating on past lovemaking is a turn-on for me.

JLH: I see you’re an advocate for Body Positivity. Tell us more about your stance on this concept and why it is important to promote body positivity in today’s climate?

LH: To me, body positivity is giving space for every shape and size at the table. For too long, the mainstream media has shown a narrow view of what is beautiful. Beauty comes in all shapes and colors. I fell into a deep depression during the pandemic, and I gained 20 pounds. I was so anxious and depressed about all the opportunities I lost. I started following body-positive influencers like Stella Williams; her confidence inspired me. I took a few pics showing my legs and revealed to my followers I secretly always wanted to model as a teen. The feedback was exhilarating, and it motivated me to keep going. Each picture I took was fueling me to look in the mirror and really love myself. After a while, my confidence started to grow. Seeing other plus-size women boldly claim their sexyness motivated me to give it a try.

Body positivity is so important in expanding the discussion on beauty. It’ s really about representation. We need to see all types of bodies represented in media, fashion, Beauty, everything. Representation shows other people their shape or size is just as beautiful as anyone else ’ s.

JLH: I noticed you recently participated in boudoir photography. How was that experience?

LH: I’ve honestly always wanted to do Boudoir. I always told myself I’d do it when I was under 200 lbs. That may take some time. An amazing local photographer, Stacey Salerno Photography, offered me a chance to model for her launch; and I jumped at the chance. So I thought to myself, I’m going to do this - all 220 pounds of myself.

Stacy’s encouragement and motivation that day melted away any insecurities I had. We played music, talked about girl stuff; and in the process, I felt myself loving the curves, the dents, the lumps that are me. And, seeing the pictures of myself really helped in my self-love journey.

JLH: Did it bring up any insecurities?

LH: I am self-conscious about my stomach and butt. The photos Stacey took of me were surprising. I recall saying, “Oh my goodness Is that me?” It was the beginning of me falling in love with my breasts all over again and reclaiming my sexy.

JLH: Why did you decide to do something so daring?

LH: The photographer, Stacey Salerno, was looking for a model for her launch and offered me a spot. I was nervous, but I trust Stacey. I’ve secretly always wanted to model but didn't think I had the nerve. I am so glad I did. It is the beginning of me claiming that I am a sexual, sensual woman, and that is nothing to be ashamed of.

JLH: Was this a way to shake off your “good girl” persona?

LH: You know -- I’m finding that, really, aren't we all “ good girls ”? Weren’t we all raised to be good girls? I want to show women that being a sexual or sensual woman doesn't mean you still can't be a “ good girl” or “ goody two shoes. ” Your goodness is not connected to your sexuality, sexual preference, or desire. I still have a lot of “ goody-two-shoes ” tendencies; but what I am shaking off is shame about my sexuality, my body, and my sex drive.

JLH: As a fellow “good girl,

” I know how this title can be stifling. How has the title held you back? What are you doing to redefine the persona of good girls?

LH: I am hoping to redefine the persona of good girls. I’ve been called a goody two shoes since I was a teen because I talked about loving God and saving myself for marriage. People would whisper or not do things around me because they said, “Lauren is a good girl.

I am a woman with feelings and desires like everyone else. What is “good,” and why does that label get snatched away when we give up our virginity or we drop an f-bomb? We don’t do that to men. You can be a good girl and like sex. You can be a good girl and sometimes say shit!

Lauren Hope: Good Girl Chronicles

Stacey Salerno Photography

At the end of the day, what matters is how you feel about yourself. Also, I firmly believe in loving God and loving people. I try hard to do all things from a place of love. I am going to change the good-girl persona by being my authentic self and featuring other women who are their bold selves. We ’ll all proclaim and own that we are STILL “ good girls. ” That is how we change the narrow-minded narrative about being a “ good girl. ” We are a lot more fun and open than people give us credit for.

JLH: How do you incorporate pleasure into your self-care routine?

LH: We all have sexual energy, and I am currently single, so I find healthy ways to release that energy. I have a music playlist with all the songs that arouse me. When I work out or do cardio, I play those songs. Sometimes I play those songs in the shower; sometimes I play them on the highway driving long distances. I generally listen to them every other day. It’ s part of my sexual self-care, I guess. Listening to those songs, sometimes pleasuring myself, or burning the sexual energy through cardio is an amazing release; and, it keeps me celibate.

JLH: Tell us about any upcoming projects you have.

LH: I am currently working on a memoir about my life - from being a television reporter to being homeless, to becoming owner of my own business and brand. It is definitely a reverse rags-toriches story. I started off with so much and lost it all. Now, I am rebuilding and coming back stronger.

I am also relaunching all of my workshops on storytelling, public speaking, and story branding. A lot of them will be available virtually. I plan to produce and host my show, Spark of Hope Storytelling Night, at least once a quarter.

I’ m also laying the foundation for a boutique Public Relations and Media company in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The sky 's the limit for this good girl.

JLH: Where can our readers find you on social media?

LH: YouTube: https://youtu.be/I _ w1dSYGe4k (Good Girl Chronicles)

Twitter: LaurenHope84 IG: @goodgirlchroniclesllc Facebook: www.facebook.com/goodgirlchronicles Patreon: patreon.com/goodgirlchronicles

JLH: What parting words of wisdom would you share with our readers?

LH: You are the only YOU in this world. You’re the ONLY YOU you get-- be kind to yourself. Self-love really is the best love. It’s what everything else flows from.