Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
jeudi 28 février 2019
Princess Lottie! Kate Middleton Revealed Another Sweet Nickname For Her Little Girl
Kate Middleton and Prince William made a surprise trip to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, and while chatting with a group of waiting well-wishers, the Duchess of Cambridge spilled one of her cute nicknames for 3-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte. Belfast-based blogger Laura-Ann was one of the excited fans to get a few moments with Kate during her visit to Windsor Park Stadium, and she shared her unexpected encounter with the royal via Instagram Stories later that day. The mom of two had her son George with her as she handed a bouquet of pink flowers to Kate, and after telling young George that he has a "really cool name," the duchess then asked how old Laura-Ann's older son, Bertie, is. According to Laura-Ann, after hearing that he's 4 years old, Kate replied, "Oh! He's the same age as Lottie."
Princess Charlotte - or "Lottie" - was born in 2015 and will be celebrating her fourth birthday this May. Both Will and Kate have casually dropped small details about the "very sweet and very confident" young royal over the years, and we recently found out that she takes ballet lessons and loves olives and cheesy pasta. And Lottie likely isn't Char's only family nickname. In December, Kate was spotted on a rare shopping trip with Charlotte in tow and was overheard telling the toddler, "Get up, Poppet." Keep scrolling to see Kate speaking to Laura-Ann and little George, then check out even more facts about the British royal family.
A Star Is Born Is Returning to Theaters With 12 Minutes of New Footage and a Brand-New Song
You might have naively assumed that because Lady Gaga won an Oscar for A Star Is Born and also gave a performance at the award show with costar Bradley Cooper that left the world collectively swooning, that the buzz for the musical drama was officially over. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, we're still very much in the midst of the Born-aissance.
Cooper's Oscar-nominated film will be rereleased in over 1,150 theaters with 12 minutes of new footage included, starting on Friday. The special edition of the film is apparently being shared to celebrate Gaga's Oscar win for best original song for the film's hit, "Shallow." (A Star Is Born was also nominated for best picture.)
So, what will these 12 never-before-seen minutes of footage entail? If it were up to me, it would just be an extralong montage of Cooper's Jackson Maine playing with his dog, Charlie, in the yard. But since it's not, the new footage will contain extended performances of the songs "Black Eyes" and "Alibi," as well as of Gaga's character, Ally, singing an a cappella performance of "Shallow" in the grocery store parking lot at the start of the film. Audiences will also be treated to longer looks at Ally singing "Is That Alright?" to Jack at their wedding, as well as Jack recording "Too Far Gone" in the studio.
If Friday feels like it's too far away for you to wait, you can check out one of the special "encore" scenes right now over at THR, which features Jack and Ally writing a brand-new song, "Clover," which never made it to the film's soundtrack.
Did Olivia Colman Give the Most Endearing Oscars Speech Since Sally Field's?
If Olivia Colman hasn't already won your heart with her incredible talent and earnest wit, her adorable speech at the Academy Awards is sure to do the trick. On Sunday, the 45-year-old actress was visibly stunned as she took home the Oscar for best actress for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite. "It's genuinely quite stressful," she laughingly admitted. "This is hilarious . . . I got an Oscar!"
Colman went on to thank the film's director, Yorgos Lanthimos, along with her castmates and her agent. Possibly the most endearing moment of her speech came when Colman mentioned fellow nominees - Lady Gaga, Melissa McCarthy, Yalitza Aparicio, and Glenn Close - and couldn't help but fangirl over Close (which is completely understandable). "And to be in this category with these extraordinary women . . . ," the Oscar winner began, before getting distracted by Close. "Glenn Close, you've been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be. I think you're amazing and I love you very much!"
Again, definitely an understandable reaction to any proximity to Close. The actress then thanked her parents and her "best friend" and husband, Ed ("25 years and you've been my best supporter"), and she shouted out her children, who she said she hoped were still up watching at home because "this is not going to happen again." Colman also dedicated her Oscar win to aspiring actresses, saying, "Any little girl that's practicing her speech on the telly, you never know."
Watch the truly delightful speech ahead - including Colman ending her speech by just exclaiming, "Lady Gaga!"
Chris Evans Wasn't Nominated For Any Oscars, but He Definitely Left With Our Hearts
This might not be a commonly held takeaway here, but Chris Evans seemed to have had the best time at the 2019 Oscars. One might ask, "Wow! Did he take home any awards?" Not exactly, no. "Oh . . . OK. Well, was he nominated for anything?" Nope, not that either. It's just that between laughing it up with Jennifer Lopez and momentarily serving as Regina King's escort, the actor genuinely looked like he was having a blast from start to finish. Enjoy all of our proof ahead, and feel free to update your ranking of the Hollywood Chrises as you see fit.
Taylor Swift Basically Shared Her Throwback Playlist, and It Includes Songs For “Bad Breakups”
Taylor Swift rarely participates in interviews anymore, so when she sits down to share her thoughts, you know fans are going to listen. In the midst of speculation about her possible seventh album, the 29-year-old singer penned a touching essay about the power of music for Elle UK's April issue, which will be released on March 7. She opened up about the songs that have impacted her life as she's grown up, and coincidentally, we've added them all to our "throwback" playlist! Here are a few of Taylor's nostalgic picks:
- "Cowboy Take Me Away" by the Dixie Chicks: "I instantly recall the feeling of being 12 years old, sitting in a little wood-paneled room in my family home in Pennsylvania. I'm clutching a guitar and learning to play the chords and sing the words at the same time, rehearsing for a gig at a coffee house."
- "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" by Panic! At the Disco: "I'm transported back to being 16 and driving down the streets of Hendersonville, TN, with my best friend, Abigail, euphorically screaming the lyrics."
- "How to Save a Life" by The Fray, "Breathe (2AM)" by Anna Nalick, and "The Story" by Brandi Carlile: "I immediately flashback to being 17 and on tour for months on end. When I'd get a day at home in between long stretches on the road sharing a van with my band and crew, I would spend my rare nights off painting alone with candles lit in my room - just being alone with those songs. (Those are all from the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack. My commitment to that show truly knows no bounds.)"
- "You Learn" by Alanis Morissette, "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae, and "Why" by Annie Lennox": "Have actually healed my heart after bad breakups or letdowns."
In her essay, Taylor also uses recent pop hits like Drake's "In My Feelings," or Camila Cabello's "Havana" as evidence of how music resonates most when it's personal. Could this be yet another clue that Taylor's planning on releasing a few new songs of her own? Perhaps we'll find out more when she's honored at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 14.
Yep, The OA Is Officially Returning For Season 2 - Watch the First Wild Trailer
It looks like the interpretive dancing that was powerful enough to prevent a school shooting (sort of?) will return in The OA season two - yep, Netflix's weirdest original series is back.
The first trailer for the second season sees the return of Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling) and Dr. Hap (Jason Isaacs), who both appear to have successfully "jumped" into alternate realities, which house alternate versions of themselves. Prairie wakes up in a hospital in San Francisco and discovers that although it's the same year (2016) as when she was shot in the season one finale, Barack Obama not only isn't president but doesn't even exist. She also lives in a swanky apartment and seems to be called by her original Russian name (remember that whole flashback about her being Russian royalty in season one?).
With the help of a cynical private detective, Karim (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Prairie sets out to solve new mysteries in season two, which seem to revolve around a missing boy. Prairie also makes mention of Homer, so we'll just have to wait and see if her long-lost love (played by Emory Cohen) returns as well. Watch the first trailer above before season two begins streaming on March 22.
After a Decade of Drama, Lady Gaga and Madonna Kiss and Make Up After the Oscars
Drama? We don't know her. After years of feuding and back-and-forth comments about each other, Lady Gaga and Madonna are ready to put the past behind them. On Sunday night, Gaga attended Guy Oseary and Madonna's Oscars afterparty, where Time partnered with the event and photographer JR to capture the iconic moments of the night, including the two songstresses embracing each other alongside Gaga's award. Gaga and Madonna's feud goes all the way back to 2009, when Gaga first burst onto the music scene and many people drew comparisons between their musical styles.
In 2012, Madonna spoke openly about how "Born This Way" reminded her of her 1989 hit "Express Yourself," and she even famously called Gaga "reductive." In 2016, during an interview with Zane Lowe, Gaga couldn't hold back when Madonna's name was brought up. "Madonna and I are very different . . . I don't mean to disrespect Madonna. She's a nice lady, and she's had a fantastic huge career. Biggest pop star of all time. But I play a lot of instruments. I write all my own music. I spend hours and hours a day in the studio," Gaga said. "I'm a producer. I'm a writer. What I do is different." Most recently, Madonna even accused Gaga of copying her "100 people in a room" quote.
But it's during these incredibly special nights that drama is forgotten and friendships are formed. Gaga had a huge night - she gave us the "Shallow" performance of a lifetime and won her first-ever Oscar for best original song - and it looks like Madonna couldn't help but be excited for the A Star Is Born actress. Ahead, see more footage from their sweet moment together.
Richard E. Grant's Admiration For Barbra Streisand Got Its Hollywood Ending at the Oscars
Apart from being an Oscar-nominated actor, Richard E. Grant is a "lifelong fan" of Barbra Streisand. In fact, earlier this year, Richard made a pilgrimage to the icon's home in Malibu for the simple purpose of taking a selfie in front of her gate. He also shared a letter he wrote to Barbra when he was 14! The whole thing was incredibly sweet and Barbra ended up responding on Twitter, to which Richard promptly freaked the f*ck out. Then, the Oscars happened.
On Sunday, Richard was nominated in the best supporting actor category for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?. Barbra was also at the ceremony to introduce the BlacKkKlansman best picture package. As soon as she stepped onstage, Richard looked visibly overcome with emotion. Following the award show, the two finally got to meet at the Governors Ball afterparty! Alongside a series of (albeit blurry) Instagram photos from their encounter, Richard wrote, "Being Oscar nominated was pretty amazing, but meeting with @barbrastreisand and having a proper conversation was an absolute astonishment." Dreams do come true! Witness how the story unfolded ahead.
You Bring the Sweat, We'll Bring 30 Songs to Power Your Next HIIT Workout
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the calorie-burning, fat-torching workout that can only be made better with a really good playlist. That's why we've put together 30 songs to drive your next HIIT workout (or three), no matter what kind of intervals you're doing. You'll find a variety of tempos on this list, with artists ranging from old-school pop to new-school indie. You might even spot a song from a film from your childhood. (Hint: it's from A Goofy Movie, the best soundtrack of our time.) Scroll through to see all the songs, and find the full Spotify playlist at the end.
Remember: you'll need to download the free Spotify software or app to listen.
Netflix Is Streaming a Version of The Notebook With a Totally Different Ending - Um, What?!
Is The Notebook a perfect movie? No - there are large swaths of people out there who believe James Marsden's character, Lon, deserved better, and I personally am not fond of the way Noah all but forces Allie into a date by threatening to kill himself on the Ferris wheel. But hey, it's The Notebook; we all know what we're signing up for when we watch it! (Romance, heartbreak, anguish, house porn.)
However, it seems Netflix has decided to either tweak the film's iconic, devastating ending, or air a rarely seen alternate ending now that the Nicholas Sparks adaptation is streaming on the platform in the UK. Naturally, fans are upset.
Warning: spoilers for the film's ending to follow. But also it's been 15 years, guys! Come on.
In the film, we bounce back and forth in time between two couples: Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams), and a much older pair in a retirement home named Duke (James Garner) and Allie (Gena Rowlands). It's not until the end that we discover Duke has actually been an older Noah all along, and Allie, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, is indeed an older version of McAdams's character. One night, Duke/Noah sneaks into her room, and she blissfully remembers who he is and their history shortly before they die in each others' arms in their sleep. Cue the sobs.
Some users in the UK are now reporting that the version of the film they're seeing on Netflix cuts off before Noah and Allie are found dead in their room the next morning. Instead, it apparently jumps from the pair embracing before they go to sleep to a shot of birds flying in the sky, leaving their fate vague and open-ended. We have to wait until March 1 before it starts streaming in the US to see if that version of the film will get the same treatment. In the meantime, you can read through the entertaining (and irate) reactions from fans, ahead.
The Most Exciting Drugstore Beauty Products Hitting Shelves This Spring
Spring is bringing us everything from neon makeup to freshly scented body washes, and a lot of these launches don't break the bank. Ahead, see the drugstore beauty products we're most excited to see hit the shelves this season.
The Bachelor: Here Are the Women Who Colton Has Eliminated So Far
Are you ready for a whole lot of Colton? Because the 23rd season of The Bachelor is reaching its last few weeks, and the former NFL player has already taken some serious steps toward finding true love. The man of the hour, who was dumped by Becca Kufrin on the last season of The Bachelorette and also linked up with on-again, off-again flame Tia Booth on Bachelor in Paradise, is searching for his soulmate, and he certainly has some interesting women trying to woo him.
But sadly - for the ladies, anyway - not everyone has made it through with a rose. In fact, most of the contestants have already been sent packing, and a few decided to leave of their own accord. Now, only three contestants remain. Check out the status of all the women on the show ahead, and keep checking back each week to see who is still in the running for Colton's heart!
200 Anthropologie Home Items That Are Worth Every Freakin' Penny
With it being the season (and honestly, thus far, the year) of cleaning and organizing our scattered homes, it's easy to heed the phrase "out with the old, in with the new" - especially in the wake of Marie Kondo. Which is why once the hard Spring-cleaning labor is over, your fresh space may shed light on empty corners and blank walls that could use a little TLC. To rework a bland room, a reward from a beloved store like Anthropologie will definitely spark joy. Whether you're searching for couches, pillows, wall art, or kitchen supplies, Anthropologie has all of the trendy pieces that are worthy of a splurge. Not to mention, Chip and Joanna Gaines just collaborated with the brand for a new collection, so we're even more obsessed than we were before. Ahead, see our favorite Anthropologie home items that are worth the price tag!
Adam Scott, Sanaa Lathan, and More Star in the Spooky Trailer For The Twilight Zone
When CBS announced the brand-new reboot of The Twilight Zone quite some time ago, the network had already attached Jordan Peele as an executive producer. But thanks to the ad that dropped during the Super Bowl in February, we've been able to catch a glimpse of the horror auteur in his other role for the series: as the even-keeled host of the show itself, just like the original's Rod Serling. Now there's ANOTHER trailer in the mix, which is appropriately creepy, setting up the strange multiverse we've come to expect from the mysterious show. We'll just have to wait to get some answers about the mysterious reboot until it drops on April 1. In the meantime, you can check out the star-packed cast (Adam Scott, Sanaa Lathan, Greg Kinnear, and more) and scour the trailer for Easter eggs.
Super Bowl Teaser:
Here's Proof That Lady Gaga and Irina Shayk Clearly Have Nothing but Love For Each Other
The chemistry between Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper was felt by everyone during their dazzling performance of "Shallow" at Sunday night's Oscars. Even though the internet would love to believe that the A Star Is Born costars are also in love in real life, let's not forget that Bradley is already taken by girlfriend Irina Shayk and they have a 1-year-old daughter named Lea together. Awkward, right? Actually, not really. While people are convinced that there's some sort of weird tension between the ladies, it looks like they have nothing but love for each other.
In addition to sitting next to each other and giggling during the ceremony, Gaga and Irina were also caught sharing a sweet hug in the audience. Now I don't know about you, but that hug seemed pretty damn real to me. So, while the internet may choose to believe that Gaga and Bradley are secretly in love, I think what's really going on here is that Gaga and Bradley are just that good at acting. I mean, Gaga did win the Critics' Choice Award for best actress, after all.
Pack Your Bags - These Top 10 Spring Travel Destinations Are Calling Your Name
In the dead of Winter, it's hard to think about anything other than warmer climates. But luckily, with Spring on the horizon, escaping to a new paradise is closer than ever before. Airbnb has shared the top 10 trending vacation spots for this upcoming season, and we're already packing our swimsuits.
These Spring break destinations range across the globe from Arizona all the way to Germany, and we couldn't be more intrigued by them. "Airbnb travelers are bidding adieu to typical beach locales and instead opting to explore more under-the-radar sandy oases, rich cultural centers, and unexplored regions at a slower pace," according to the travel company. If that sounds like something you're into, take a look at the top destinations - complete with suggested Airbnb rentals - and get ready to jet set! Counting down from No. 10 . . .
According to Meghan Markle, These 5 "Badass" Books Should Be on Your Reading List
Before Meghan Markle married Prince Harry and became the Duchess of Sussex, she played paralegal Rachel Zane on Suits and she ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig (named after her favorite wine, Tignanello). Sadly, The Tig no longer exists, but thanks to the internet, we were able to dig up an old post about her favorite books. From "a guide to personal freedom" to a book about a little prince (hmm . . . interesting), here are five "badass" Markle-recommended books that should honestly be required reading.
The '80s Called, and They Want to Make a Movie About This Classic Childhood Toy
Long before the days of Instagram and Netflix, I remember flipping through pics on my View-Master - the height of technology at the time - and thinking to myself that nothing could possibly be cooler than having a 3D picture of a giraffe in front of my eyeballs any time I wanted. Technology has come pretty far since then. Today, the most similar toy you'll find to a View-Master is probably a VR headset, but there's nostalgia in the simplicity of such a unique toy that allowed kids to see desert landscapes and snapshots from around the world with a single click. So much nostalgia, in fact, that MGM studios and Mattel are partnering to develop a live-action film based entirely on the View-Master, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively learned.
Mattel is constantly upping its game when it comes to releasing fun movies for a younger audience, including Barbie: Fairytopia (2005) and Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001). Maybe the View-Master movie will take some of Mattel's surprisingly insightful dialogue and The Wizard of Oz's vintage charm to put a whole new kind of movie onto the screen.
This isn't the first time a View-Master movie has been suggested. Back in 2009, DreamWorks and K/O Paper Products planned to make the movie a reality, but the project later became inactive. While no specific writer or filmmaker has been announced for the project just yet, we're excited to see what a movie about a classic kids' toy will be like. After all, if Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear can make it through four movies, then the View-Master can have one, right?
30+ Recipes to Jump-Start Your Mediterranean Diet Journey
The Mediterranean diet has already been dubbed the best diet of 2019, so it's time to get familiar with it and get going on it. Not only is it good for your gut, but it's also incredibly easy to follow and will help you meet your weight-loss and health goals.
This diet doesn't force you to cut a bunch of stuff out of your day but instead focuses on eating clean and fresh. Your meal plates should typically have half a plate of veggies or fruit, a quarter of protein, and a quarter of whole grains. And don't forget your healthy fats! You need those too. And while this diet has a lot of lean, healthy proteins and not much dairy, you can still have minimal servings of cheese, red meat, and wine, though probably no more than once a week.
For some recipe ideas to get you going on this diet, we pulled together more than 30 options that are great pieces to each meal. Most of them require other portions, whether it's the meat or the grains, to make a complete meal, but once you get the hang of what all you need for a meal to come together, you'll have no trouble following along!
Jennifer Garner Brought Her Kid-Friendly Smoothies to Costco, and Yep, She Served Samples
Jennifer Garner is a woman of many talents. She's an actress, mom of three, philanthropist, fitness marvel, and now, a Costco sample employee! That's right, there were some lucky superstore shoppers who got to see Jennifer handing out Once Upon a Farm cold-pressed smoothies earlier this week.
Kids and adults can enjoy the dairy-free, no-sugar-added, organic smoothies, as shown by a few adorable Instagram photos. The snacks are currently only available at the Los Angeles and Bay Area Costco locations, but fingers crossed they hit shelves nationwide soon.
Pack Your Bags - These Top 10 Spring Travel Destinations Are Calling Your Name
In the dead of Winter, it's hard to think about anything other than warmer climates. But luckily, with Spring on the horizon, escaping to a new paradise is closer than ever before. Airbnb has shared the top 10 trending vacation spots for this upcoming season, and we're already packing our swimsuits.
These Spring break destinations range across the globe from Arizona all the way to Germany, and we couldn't be more intrigued by them. "Airbnb travelers are bidding adieu to typical beach locales and instead opting to explore more under-the-radar sandy oases, rich cultural centers, and unexplored regions at a slower pace," according to the travel company. If that sounds like something you're into, take a look at the top destinations - complete with suggested Airbnb rentals - and get ready to jet set! Counting down from No. 10 . . .
Pop Culture and American Politics Continue to Obscure Working Moms' Realities
Midge Maisel at work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
I didn't have childcare arrangements for my final class of the teaching semester. My usual sitter had a final exam, relatives were working, and back-up sitters weren't around. I called my eldest son's nursery school and arranged to pay the fee for him to stay late, but I had no one to watch my 10-month-old. I emailed the office to inform them I would have to bring my infant to class. "Sounds like you have taken into consideration that there should not be a disruption in your students' learning," the English coordinator responded. "So it should be all right."
"I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience."
I did my best to occupy my son, who whined and thrashed in my arms. I let him crawl on the dirty floor while listening to my students read from their memoir essays. Halfway through the class, I had to excuse myself to change his diaper on the floor of the women's bathroom; my office was full of other instructors meeting with students and there were no changing tables or family bathrooms available. The whole scenario felt right out of a sitcom, as my son tried his darndest to escape the small pad separating his bare bottom from the restroom tile - except I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience.
Mothers have faced scrutiny and discrimination since they've pursued equality in the workforce. Today, 70 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 work outside the home. In the 1960s, only 11 percent of women were the breadwinners, compared to the 40 percent of working mothers who are the sole or primary household earners today, but policies like paid leave or proper nursing rooms to accommodate working mothers lag far behind the sheer number of us in the workforce.
Last year, 102 women were elected to Congress, several of whom have young children. Change on Capitol Hill began with the installation of nursing stations and changing tables, but extensive reform is needed to keep women in positions of power.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reenacts her swearing-in ceremony with her family by her side. Photo courtesy Getty Images.
A current policy bans lawmakers from using official funds on childcare needs, but the congressional schedule makes it difficult for parents to get home to relieve sitters or have dinner with their kids even three times a week. A single mother to three school-aged children, like California Democrat Katie Porter, needs childcare before and after school and during the many overnights, which could easily overwhelm her salary. Many women, like Senator Gillibrand, move their families out of the home states they serve to DC and enroll them in local schools because of the time commitment expected.
Howard and Bernadette dote over their baby on The Big Bang Theory. Photo courtesy CBS.
As is our reality, pop culture often reinforces stereotypes that make it difficult to advocate for the reform working mothers need. In wildly popular shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Big Bang Theory, children hardly factor into the storyline or, in some cases, are reduced to mere whines in the distance. It's easy to forget Howard's wife, Bernadette Wolowitz, has any children as a working mother.
Midge Maisel, an embodiment of the privileged elite, is more mythical than marvelous as she's never had to drag her kids to a nightclub because of a childcare conflict, and hardly receives pushback from her husband, parents, or community for the amount of time she spends away from her children working both a day job and a night gig. At the end of season two, when Midge decides to accept an offer to perform on a world tour for six months, she does so without hesitation or consideration for her children. As refreshing as it is to see a woman make a bold career move without thought of the family she leaves behind, it's grossly unrealistic and problematic, especially when it hurts real working women with all-encompassing careers who need employers who respect familial responsibility. As a mother watching in 2019, the scene feels highly unlikely given it's set in the late '50s. Careers like Mrs. Maisel's exist - see music artist Pink on tour with two kids - which is why it's that much more important our television breathes life back into these real-life complicated scenarios.
It may say something that many of the contemporary shows honoring the complex reality of working motherhood are produced outside of the country. In the British sitcom Catastrophe, Sharon - a grade school teacher and new mom of two - begs her principal to let her come back early from maternity leave after months of isolating childcare at home and a bout with postpartum depression. She has no qualms complaining about the drain her children pose on her body, sex life, and overall well-being.
A still from the Amazon series Catastrophe. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
If American entertainment portrayed more complexity facing parents in the workforce, maybe the women in Congress would have less of an uphill battle trying to pass reasonable family leave that sustains a working family. For example, in Australia's The Letdown, mothers are judged if they don't work and judged if they work too much, and stay-at-home moms are denied participation in career day at their child's school, which feels a bit more real.
"Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality."
Many of the policies put forward recently that seem like a great step for families and working mothers fall egregiously short. Ivanka Trump's six-week family leave proposal, which would deplete Social Security benefits even farther for a generation that isn't guaranteed any, simply won't cut it. Senator Amy Klobuchar's former plan, for parents to work three times the leave they took - or pay it back - certainly wasn't it either.
Though we're at an all-time record-high number of women in the workforce, America is still the only developed nation without a mandatory national parental leave across the board from employers. More exposure to the reality we face in entertainment will help to address the other large issues that continue to harm working mothers today, such as the large gender and racial wage gaps, or the limited availability and affordability of good childcare. Something American television could use more of are working moms maintaining both their identities as caretakers and contributors to their communities, and as women who adore their children and sometimes resent the burden they place on their lives. If TV better reflects our reality, maybe our political leaders will be more motivated to address it.
Show creator and star Frankie Shaw in a still from SMILF. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
There are some US television shows that are helping the cause. SMILF's struggling single mother Bridgette often has to tote toddler, Larry, to her tutoring job, and once had to leave her son with his father's girlfriend because he had to see the doctor when she had to work. Homeland's Carrie is another example of a woman striving to balance motherhood with her demanding career as a freelance ex-CIA agent. Eventually, she surrenders custody to her sister after her job overruns her ability to provide a safe environment for her daughter. This is Us's Beth, mother of two, asks husband Randall to drop out of a political race when it seems unlikely he'll win. This moment becomes an issue in their marriage after he promised to give her the time to put her career first for once. Allowing women to make these choices onscreen opens possibilities for other women to make difficult work decisions in their own lives - and helps hold fathers accountable as equal partners in child-rearing.
American politics and popular entertainment often hinge on the family, but gendered policies and outdated tropes hurt families. When a baby is born, most men still have limited opportunity for parental leave, and those who do, don't tend to use it. Mandatory paid parental leave for fathers helps women get back to work sooner, keeps them on a leadership track, and prevents gender discrimination in the hiring process. On average, only 13 percent of companies offer paid parental leave and men are unlikely to take more than two weeks because of peer pressure in the office. Like family leave, a nationwide policy should mandate that all public men's restrooms include accommodations for changing their children's diapers. Even as we expect more of fathers than we have in previous generations, we haven't made necessary changes that encourage stay-at-home fatherhood or won't harm a two-father family. In Canada's Workin' Moms, there is a stay-at-home father who enjoys raising his daughter while his wife goes to work.
I spent the drive home from the last day of class worried over my student evaluations. I imagined a few would mention my son on the last day and how it made me less professional than other instructors, affecting my desirability to be hired by the college as an adjunct in following semesters. But as I got home and picked my oldest up from school, I reconsidered the benefits of bringing my child to a college class. I showed my students that you can have a career and a family, you can teach a class and parent at the same time, and that working motherhood is complicated, but most importantly possible. When I checked my student evaluations, not one mentioned my infant. In fact, one student said, "she is really professional and competitive."
Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality. And as our policies continue to fall behind our growth as a society, it becomes easier for this misrepresentation in our entertainment to continue. It's time to stop celebrating when a show features a female protagonist or when Congress has a record number of women elected, and start fighting for a world where a woman can run a company and a household - even a country - in all the complexity that entails, without scaling unnecessary hurdles that intend to stand in her way.
Why I Introduced a Drag Queen Superhero Into the Marvel Universe
Months before the release of Iceman issue four in December 2018, I made a last-minute decision to write in a new character, one who was merely meant to pepper a scene with a little fun and humor. Little did I know it would change the landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in comics.
Amid the drama of our titular hero Iceman preparing to go toe-to-toe with Mr. Sinister, his cohorts run a sprawling parade for Mutant Pride. The emcee? A drag queen named Shade who emerges onstage from a pocket void dimension, harnessed through her fan accessory, natch. A few puns and one fight scene later, readers instantly fell for her. In less than a month, fan art, memes, and drag cosplay galore poured in. The real tea about all of this, however, is that the love caught both Marvel and myself completely by surprise.
" . . . None of us spent much time thinking about the impact a visibly queer drag queen mutant would have on the audience."
Let me rewind a bit. Iceman, which I write, first launched in 2017 and was canceled due to low single-issue sales. But Marvel revived it soon thereafter when its book market afterlife proved strong. With a new arc in mind, I wanted to apply the mutant metaphor - where the thing that makes you unique is also what makes you society's problem - to aspects of my queer identity beyond "coming out" and "I kiss boys." I landed on the story of a hero who is learning how to be a true ally, and how the most privileged often have the system's most marginalized to thank for their safety. While Iceman has the requisite third act fight with Mr. Sinister, Shade helps Bishop, Emma Frost, Christian Frost, and the Morlocks stave off a group of murderous henchmen from attacking Mutant Pride. It's very intentional who I placed on the front lines, thanklessly protecting a bunch of oblivious partygoers in the city where the Stonewall riots took place.
There was no cinematic beauty to my conceiving Shade. I was probably in a coffee shop, thinking: "Wouldn't it be rad if . . ." I always toyed with the idea of a drag queen who becomes a reluctant hero, and I had an unused character in a Generation X proposal that never saw the light of day: a young girl named Shade who could create pocket voids (all for the "throwing shade" pun.) I quickly put the pieces together and sent series artist Nathan Stockman a sketch of what Shade would look like: a drag queen of color who had bold curves and a penchant for incorporating X-Men visual motifs into her "lewk." She'd have green hair like Polaris, the X emblem on any corner of her body, and more pouches than every '90s X-character combined.
Considering we were tackling stories that dealt with a survivor of conversion therapy, and used the underground Morlocks as subtext for the trans-slash-non-binary community, none of us spent much time thinking about the impact a visibly queer drag queen mutant would have on the audience. For me, it was my normal to go to a rally, and then watch some drag queens do death drops for tips at a local bar. Considering the massive success of RuPaul's Drag Race, Shangela and Willam's roles in A Star Is Born, and FX's award season darling Pose, drag queens and ball culture felt very much ingrained in mainstream pop lexicon. I was brought on to tell a story through my lens, and I had no clue just how starved readers were for that authenticity. So that's why LGBTQ+ creators should be hired to make myths!
You always hope to create something that matters to people. Shade is evidence that you can't really guess or control how fans will react. As of typing this, I have collected over 50 pieces of fan art, half a dozen drag interpretations, action figure mods, and a picture of a cake one guy even designed, inspired by the character's visual motifs. Instead of shying away from the ardor, Marvel Comics requested that if we do this character, we do her right. Make her a real Marvel hero, with a fresh name and compelling backstory to match. After some back and forth, the drag queen formerly known as Shade would like to be known from here on out as simply Darkveil. If Kitty Pryde can have multiple aliases like Shadowcat and Spryte, so can Darnell Wade aka Darkveil.
It makes me happy that folks feel seen in pop culture because of Ms. Darkveil. I'm similarly grateful that Marvel took notice of the positive press, and allowed me to sneak her into March's Uncanny X-Men: Winter's End, where Darkveil continues her iconic streak with a '60s-inspired outfit emceeing Iceman's birthday party, and gets a Marvel Hero Spotlight after the letters column. Werk!
11 Real-Life Towns That Are Pretty Much Stars Hollow Come to Life
There are a ton of reasons we've been obsessed with Gilmore Girls for almost 20 years now: its quirky characters, surprisingly great life lessons, and rapid-fire dialogue. But perhaps the best part of the entire show is Stars Hollow, the fictional Connecticut small town where the Gilmores (and a wide array of colorful townspeople) live. Stars Hollow is basically its own character; its quirks (Taylor), history (the gazebo), and longstanding businesses (Luke's) form the backbone of what makes Gilmore Girls so unique.
According to Gilmore lore, Stars Hollow was founded by early colonial settlers and even played a (roundabout) part in a battle in the Revolutionary War. It's as proud of its small-town charm as it is its centuries of history. And although some of the antics seem too silly to be real, there are actually plenty of small towns across America that are as historical, charming, and occasionally over-the-top as Stars Hollow. If you're looking to immerse yourself in a real Gilmore experience, add these real-life small towns to your bucket list.
People Are Flocking to This "Cliff" in Thailand to Take Some Truly WILD Photos
Does a photo ever quite literally take the breath right out of your lungs? That's exactly what happened when I stumbled upon Instagram pictures of a particularly crazy-looking "cliff" in Thailand. Located on a mountain called Phu Bak Dai (spelling varies) in Thailand's Loei Province, the rock formation attracts adventurous visitors who pose on its edge, making it look as though they're on the brink of falling. In reality, the ground is just a few feet below, and it's all chocked up to clever camera angling and photo cropping.
From what I can tell after attempting to translate Thai and watching some travel vlogs on YouTube, getting to the Phu Bak Dai cliff is pretty tricky - and finding information about how to do so is even trickier if you don't speak Thai. It looks like most people hitch a ride from locals to get to the top of the mountain, and some serous hiking seems to be involved, so the journey is definitely not for the faint of heart. But hey, in the wise words of every millennial, "Do it for the 'gram," am I right?
Keep reading to see some impressive snaps visitors have taken at juuust the right angle on the popular cliffside. They'll definitely make your stomach drop.
23 Signs Your Significant Other Is Also Your Best Friend
Relationships are the best, but they're also hard work, especially if you've been together for a long time. That's why finding a significant other who doubles as your best friend and who you can trust completely is so important. It makes life so much more fun and beautiful! They understand you, accept you, and know everything about you and love you anyway. When you've found this, you know you have a true partner in crime for life. Keep reading for 23 signs that your lover is also your best friend in the entire world.
11 Signs That You're Being Taken For Granted in Your Relationship
A solid relationship calls for mutual appreciation and respect. If one person is putting in all the work while the other sits back and takes without giving anything in return, it could mean serious trouble ahead. It's only natural for the partner who's feeling undervalued to gain resentment and animosity, as people want to feel appreciated and cared for when in a relationship. But there are plenty of signs that that's not the case.
Your partner can show they're taking you for granted in subtle ways, which might be hard to miss if you're very infatuated or in love with them. If that's the case, you might try to deny that these things are happening or focus only on the good in order to settle with the bad. But nobody should have to settle, ever. If you think your partner might not be reciprocating your feelings or gestures, it's time to stand up. Look to these signs if you're unsure.
You Know the Bali Tree House That's All Over Instagram? Yeah, It's Only $38 Per Night
When it comes to bucket list travels, staying in a tree house is probably high on your list. After all, who wouldn't want to live out a childhood dream as an adult? But not all tree houses are made equal, and this particular one in Bali, Indonesia - which you probably recognize from your Instagram feed - is a few steps above the rest (literally).
Located on the island Nusa Penida, which is just southeast of Bali, this photogenic spot has put the relatively undiscovered island on the map. Perched atop a cliff edge, the tree house offers jaw-dropping panoramic views of the beach, sea, and rocky outcrops. Naturally, it's the perfect place to watch an epic sunrise or sunset, which is why it seems almost every travel blogger has stopped here.
While the bamboo-style hut offers only basic accommodations for two, it's worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime experience and, of course, some excellent social media content. Best of all, prices start at just $38 per night! You better move quick if you want in on the action, as it's currently booked up until the Fall.
Keep reading to see more stunning photos of the Bali tree house.
Just 43 Beautiful Photos of Ireland to Fuel Your Irish Pride
Ireland is one of those beautiful countries that deserves a visit any time of year - not just for St. Patrick's Day. The Emerald Isle, home to rolling green hills, stunning cliffs, and Guinness (don't think we'd forget about Guinness), is a stunning European vacation that deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.
We combed the internet and found 40-plus of the most beautiful photos of Ireland, from Dublin city to the Cliffs of Moher and everything in between, to inspire your next vacation. Or if you don't have any travel plans, let these scenic shots of Ireland brighten your day . . . and maybe make you thirsty for a Guinness.
Fila Has a New Rugrats Collection, and My Inner '90s Baby Is SCREAMING
Fila and Champs Sports have partnered to release an exclusive Rugrats-themed collection, and wow - that's a lot of nostalgia. The collection features Fila's Ray Tracer, Disruptor II, and Original Fitness sneakers with a nostalgic twist. Each piece pays homage to the beloved '90s cartoon and features Tommy, Chucky, Angelica, and even Reptar. From sneakers to hoodies and soon-to-be released accessories, there's no shortage of options for Nickelodeon-lovers.
The collection comes just months after Nickelodeon and Paramount announced the relaunch of the franchise with a new series and movie. In a statement, Jason Brown, vice president of marketing at Champs Sports, said, "Champs Sports and our partners at Fila and Nickelodeon are (also) excited to bring these well-known characters to life for a new generation, ahead of their big-screen premiere."
Even though the collection is only offering men's sizes, that's not enough to hold us back! While the full collection is yet to be released, you can already purchase some cool pieces in select stores or online. Scroll to check out our favorite pieces and then check out some different ways to incorporate menswear into your wardrobe.
Is Dating Outside Your Political Party Impossible in 2019?
A couple months before the 2016 presidential election, I came across a study that revealed that just nine percent of Republicans and eight percent of Democrats said their spouse or partner was a member of the other major political party. The study comprised survey results from the Spring of 2016 - roughly one year since then-candidate Donald Trump had launched his misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, and generally intolerant presidential campaign.
The results seemed to suggest a distinct shift from previous, similar surveys, including one from 1958 that revealed 72 percent of parents had no party preference for their child's spouse - compared to only 45 percent as of 2017. They were also in contrast with a trend of increasing interracial and interfaith marriages through the years. Party politics have indisputably become more polarized since the 1950s, especially as women have become more empowered to partake in politics and share opinions that may be different from their male partners. As feminist journalist Rebecca Solnit has pointed out, unsaid numbers of husbands have influenced or even controlled their wives' votes, and some still do today. But another stark reality is that young women - and women of all ages - are increasingly finding our voices, and this could yield long-term paradigm shifts in the worlds of dating and marriage.
For many, the option to stay silent about politics and social-justice issues with a partner in this political reality feels like a symptom of privilege at best and an impossibility at worst.
Of course, the divides between millennial women's experiences in relationships and previous generations aren't limited to politics: millennial women are getting married later, having fewer children - if having children at all - and more of them are the breadwinners in their households than ever. But their politics are different: young women have become one of the most reliably liberal political blocs, and an increasingly politically engaged one, too. Our growing independence and our politics are inextricably linked, and we're not afraid to disagree with and challenge differing views around us.
In either case, I didn't think much of the study about declining interpolitical couples at the time, even over the course of my own almost year-long relationship with a libertarian, Republican-leaning white man. (I'm an Asian-American woman.) We started dating a few months after I stumbled across the study. It would be almost three years later, at the onset of 2019, that I found myself thinking of the study once again and interrogating my own experience with an interpolitical, heterosexual, and cisgender romantic relationship.
It wasn't that my then-partner and I hadn't discussed politics. Frankly, politics was sometimes all we'd discussed, often in long, drawn out, and emotionally laborious debates that left me exhausted and disheartened. It often seemed that no amount of statistics or moral arguments I offered could convince him that something Trump had said was offensive, or that reproductive rights comprised an urgent, existential issue for many women - and specifically for me. As deeply as I wanted to show him my lived implications around issues over which we'd shared disagreements, comments he often made during our arguments deterred me from ever opening up about them. As a result, I never felt fully emotionally safe or close to him.
But why hadn't his politics bothered me enough to leave? Especially as an Asian-American daughter of immigrants, whose life had been deeply, personally affected by sexual violence and a taxing journey to access reproductive health care? The end of our relationship had been the result of disagreements over commitment; not whether abortion was a fundamental human right or the fact that he'd cast his ballot for Gary Johnson in a swing state. Three years later, with that question nagging at me, I decided to ask other women like me - specifically, liberal women of color who date men - to share their experiences in the hopes of shedding some light on my own.
What It's Really Like to Date Someone With Different Political Views
Well before 2018, Trump made his true colors clear as day. His actions since - overseeing the separation of migrant families, turning away survivors of domestic violence and children at the borders, locking migrant children in cages, and forcing a man credibly accused of sexual assault onto the Supreme Court - should have surprised no one. For many, the option to stay silent about politics and social-justice issues with a partner in this political reality feels like a symptom of privilege at best and an impossibility at worst.
In straight relationships, political gender divides carry deep implications. (Fifty-three percent of men voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016, compared with 42 percent of women.) From #MeToo and the annual Women's March to the cultural ramifications of the president's notorious "grab 'em by the p-ssy" comments, gender and politics have become deeply interwoven into the American social landscape. It's no wonder the political, gendered conflicts that play out in public spill over into personal relationships.
As I continued to think of the 2016 study, I realized my assumption had been that the only way straight couples from opposing political parties could still exist was if those couples avoided talking about politics altogether. But when I started talking to such couples, I learned it wasn't that simple. These people had a wide range of experiences based on what, exactly, was being disagreed upon, the extent of the disagreement, and general feelings about whether discussions of politics and social justice issues were respectful and productive.
Melina*, 21, dated a man who shared her Filipino heritage for three months starting in 2017. She eventually ended their relationship over their vast differences - but not, she said, before plenty of lengthy, seemingly endless conversations and debates about a range of issues. She remembers that many of their disagreements weren't always as straightforward as Democrat vs. Republican, but, as she stated several times: "Existence is political."
Melina said her then-boyfriend made victim-blaming comments about the way women dressed, expressed discomfort with the idea of having an LGBTQ+ child, was frustrated with the #MeToo movement, and seemed "overly sensitive" in conversations about race. He also pushed back on her hypothetical preference to keep her last name if she were to marry, calling it "disrespectful." She said she challenged these views every time, requiring what she called "deep emotional labor" and significant amounts of time researching facts to counter his often problematic and troubling beliefs.
"All of it showed me that in your relationship, you have to feel mentally and emotionally safe," Melina said. She said social justice had been a deeply important part of her life for years, and her relationship had started to feel contrary to these values. "I thought a lot about privilege and the ability to 'opt out' of social justice, and whether social justice really means that much to you if you can coexist with and reward harmful views."
"Coming from a diverse, liberal part of California, and meeting his traditional family in Connecticut, showed me a side of the country I hadn't known before."
Jill Serron, 20, an Indian-American student at Boston University, also talked about the realities of privilege and its role in her ongoing relationship with a white man who voted for Trump in the 2016 election. According to Serron - who said her boyfriend has since recanted his support for Trump - their relationship is not only enabled but empowered by their ability to learn from each other and examine the vastly different cultural experiences and upbringing that were the source of their disagreements.
"Coming from a diverse, liberal part of California, and meeting his traditional family in Connecticut, showed me a side of the country I hadn't known before," Serron said. "Our conversations have shown me how other people think and helped both me and him grow."
But Serron acknowledged the presence of privilege in how their desire to be together, despite their differences, sometimes relies on agreeing to drop a topic. Occasionally, she said, they simply determine that something that divides them actually has little bearing on their lives, and therefore isn't worth fighting or harming their relationship over. "And obviously, there's privilege in that," Serron said. "We can avoid talking about some things, like how we disagree sometimes about LGBTQ+ and trans issues, or about people are overreacting to things Trump does, because we're not directly affected by those things ourselves."
According to Serron, she maintains boundaries and standards for decency she would require of any partner, noting that her boyfriend has been supportive of #MeToo and survivors of sexual assault. She said their relationship has expanded both their ways of thinking despite the fact that she's a Democrat and he's a Republican
Mariah*, 21, a graphic designer based in Orange County, California, shares Serron's sense of boundaries as to how far disagreements can stretch. She met her then-boyfriend, a white man whose experiences differed vastly from hers as a Vietnamese daughter of immigrants raised in a predominantly immigrant community, on Tinder. On their first date, Mariah said he had wasted no time in launching into a "conservative rant" about economic policies and his strong support for Trump's immigration policies.
"I never interrupted him, and that seemed to surprise him: that we could have mutually very respectful conversations despite our disagreements," Mariah said. "But meeting my parents, and learning their stories - that changed and moved him a bit. We both learned a lot from each other and that was so interesting."
Mariah said she draws the line when someone's beliefs shape their treatment of other people, or when their treatment of others is fueled by feelings of supremacy and disrespect. "The fact that he wasn't like that, and he respected and listened to me, made it easy to be with him," she said. Their relationship ultimately ended for other reasons, but Mariah said they remain friends, and she would not only be open to but may even prefer to date someone with different political views again.
Can Liberal-Conservative Romances Last?
Dr. Gary Brown, a Los Angeles-based couple's therapist who has been in practice for 25 years and takes pride in his diverse practice serving couples from all backgrounds, has encountered marriages and relationships troubled with political differences before. But according to Brown, political differences are seldom the sole issue rocking romantic relationships. Instead, couples often seek his help for a litany of other serious, relatively apolitical issues.
"Whether or not you stay in a relationship with someone with whom you have opposite views, I think, might be more about whether you really love each other and have a good relationship in the first place, all of that aside," he said, noting that tolerance "can very well help a couple transcend" their political disagreements.
""With all this polarization, there comes a lot of passion."
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, a clinical psychologist and couple's therapist based in the Chicago area, agreed that when couples who are deeply divided by political disagreements often initially come to her office seeking help with other problems. And certainly, this has become more of a trend in the last three years. "With all this polarization, there comes a lot of passion," she said.
That polarization has reached a head in the Trump era, and Lombardo said it often works in tandem with an inability to hear other views. "I call it 'conditional self-worth,' when you need others to agree with or see eye-to-eye or validate your views, to feel self-worth, when you need to be heard, so you don't let the other person speak," she said.
Lombardo posits that this is especially the case in a social media age, as we've become increasingly accustomed to sharing our views in tweets and posts in communities of mostly like-minded people. As a result, Lombardo believes people's growing need for validation could impact what they expect and demand from their partners. While she can't quite speak to generational differences in how women approach political disagreement with their partners, she can see a connection between social media and a growing need to have our beliefs validated and approved of.
According to Lombardo, there's "always a way" couples in disagreement can remain together. But certainly, that's a choice for each person to make based on their values and priorities.
How Boundaries, Mutual Respect, and Values Play a Role
But others, like Melina, see things differently, and view having basic agreements with your partner as a matter of standing up for social justice and morality in one's personal life.
For Melina, looking back at her relationship made her think of that of her parents and their upbringing in the Philippines. "I know there are things they disagree really sharply about," she said. While both of her parents are deeply religious, she said her mother tends to vote conservatively in contrast with her father's Democratic voting record. "But they don't really talk about this, and that's not always about privilege, but the cultural contexts in which some people are raised and what they're raised to see as too taboo to talk about - like LGBTQ+ identity or abortion rights, maybe."
Ultimately, as I tried to neatly tie together my thoughts about the 2016 study on interpolitical relationships in a fresh, 2019 context, I thought again of what Dr. Brown had said about a baseline of "mutual respect." Certainly, everyone has different boundaries and standards for what they seek in a partner, often shaped by identity and lived experience. But is it possible to feel respected by someone whose views and political participation disrespect the existence of other people like you? Of other groups you regard as equal? Of the fundamental values you hold at a time of nearly unprecedented assaults on these values? For all the frequent op-eds and cultural essays by men who refuse to date feminists - and by conservative women who refuse to date feminist men - don't women and feminists have standards of our own? Don't we have a fundamental need to feel respected, to be consistent in our values?
When I think about my own experience in a relationship with someone with whom I shared deep political and ideological differences today, what comes to mind first is how young I was. My conversations with Melina, Jill, Mariah, and doctors Brown and Lombardo prompted me to reevaluate my own past and all that I hadn't considered at the time. I realize I'd held an unshakable belief that I had not just the power, but the obligation, to change and unconditionally support someone - no matter the exhaustive cost to me personally. As I've struggled to take care of myself amid a constantly either draining or terrifying news cycle in the last almost three years, I've gradually come to shed that mindset altogether.
Relationships and human connections don't exist in a vacuum; different people find different interactions and conversations rewarding. But we are living in an age of children in cages and alleged abusers in the White House and Supreme Court. I understand the choice to opt out of the debilitating emotional labor of discussing with a partner why children do not belong in cages and abusers do not belong in power.
In the years since my last and only interpolitical relationship, the events that have transpired have shown me the importance of building relationships with those who share my fundamental values - those who see what is happening in the country and the world, and care. I'm proud to identify as a feminist and Democratic voter, with little patience for political stances propped up by misogyny, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance - and to say with confidence that I wouldn't enter my 2016 relationship as the woman I am in 2019.
The 1 Spring Shoe You'll Wear Absolutely Everywhere - Starting at Just $55
On the hunt for the perfect Spring shoe? Look no further than a pair of stylish espadrilles. These versatile pairs are easy to style with jeans, dresses, and skirts for just about any occasion. Plus, they come in a variety of shapes, from wedges to comfy flats. Need more convincing? Ahead, you can shop our 14 favorite picks of the season. From brands like Sam Edelman to Micheal Kors, take a look.
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