Until I considered that my view of the world is not the only one that exists. — By now, we’re all aware of the Politico leak about the court’s intent to overturn Roe v. Wade. To most of us, it didn’t come as a surprise, but that doesn’t mean we’re not in complete and utter panic. …

Step one is to be aware of it. Step two — who knows? — Don’t ask me why, but I recently began binge-watching the VH1 nostalgia-driven docuseries, “I Love The….” Of course, I gravitated more toward the episodes around the 90s and 2000s, but the series initially debuted in 2002 with “I Love The 80s.” Within the hour-long episodes, random celebrities and comedians comment…

Such devastating consequences can arise from failing to utter these two simple words. — Bedtime has always been one of the most beloved parts of the evening. Some curl up with a book and a cup of cozy chamomile. Others play video games or watch hilarious youtube compilations until they pass out. …

Two years have passed since I made these birthday commitments and it’s time to evaluate my progress. — “I seem to grow more acutely conscious of the swift passage of time as I grow older.” -Sylvia Plathe This weekend I celebrated my twenty-seventh birthday and all I could think about was the fact that it’d been two full years since I turned twenty-five. I remember sitting down in…

I’m thankful for its strength and unmatched beauty. — The female form has been exploited, sexualized, criticized, and idealized for centuries. I don’t generally like to discuss mine, or anyone else’s, because I believe we are ALL much more than just our figures. Too much of my life I’ve spent obsessing over my image. It’s been exhausting. I wish…

Ok, so am I a part of a couple now? Can this happen for me? Is this allowed? — My history of dating and relationships has been tumultuous, to say the least. After so many abusive experiences, I had gotten into the habit of only being attracted to the wrong type of person. …

TW: Rape, sexual violence, abuse, sexism — I know the right thing to do is to pursue justice. But all my life, what I’ve known to be true is that moving on requires a lot of space, time, and personal growth. Pursuing justice will stunt this. Pursuing justice will take up all the space in my mind…

One day, you will find your voice. — Dear 22-year-old Alex, I know you don’t think so, but there are so many reasons to love you that have nothing to do with your mile-long legs or the sparkle of your eager eyes. Your endless enthusiasm combined with your head-turning audacity is what makes you special. …

After abuse, self-advocacy is one of the most important yet challenging skills to master. — Leaving an abusive relationship can feel nearly impossible. It requires a person to recognize that their boundaries are being broken while their nervous system is responding to trauma. …

A poem — There is a tickle between my toes with every searing step I take along the exfoliant sand as I'm drawn toward the shore. Could that be her slim silhouette in the distance? The sand turns compact and cool. I leave an imprint that pools with brisk ocean. Icy waves shock my ankles as they billow with the tide. Rising and…

What my resume would say if it were honest. — If there’s one thing I’m sure of in this world, it is that I can form an immediate connection to any person who’s ever worked in customer service or retail. When people like us happen to cross paths and engage in conversation, we are overcome with a warm, almost nurturing…

The fear of missing out is a powerful force. — The greatly anticipated results of the Medium Writers Challenge were finally announced last week, and they seemed to stir quite a bit of controversy. The drama of it all has been relatively entertaining. Unfortunately, I was not the finalist nor one of the honorable mentions. Although I didn’t expect to…

A Poem — You’re playing piano in an empty coffee shop. I’m sipping on the perfect cup And consuming confectionery bliss With a sparkle of citrus But It’s difficult to chew when The muscles in my mouth Are fixed in the proudest grin. Beaming. You are my piano man. Those magnificent fingers I hold in my hand daily And forever in my head. Gliding back…

A Poem — They tell me I'm strong. It's true. How familiar, the sound of misunderstanding behind the word "strong" coupled with good intentions. I say nothing or "thank you." It’s widely believed that trauma makes victims more resilient. Trauma doesn't make victims more anything. Trauma takes. Trauma is a monster that aims to annihilate anything in its path. Trauma has the strength to destroy…

Re-living the debut of an album that inspired my first ideas of real love. — After months of waiting, Taylor’s Version of her album Red has finally been released. Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album originally debuted in October 2012, but this year she has begun re-releasing her previous works in order to rightfully gain back ownership of her masters. After thoroughly enjoying the release of…

Wrapping up the year I thought would never end. — There’s a lot to be said about 2021. Personally, if I were to list the most difficult years I’ve ever lived through, it would easily make the Top 3 . Similar melancholy sentiments were echoed all over social media on New Years Day. My Facebook timeline alone is nothing but…

“If you want to know where to find your contribution to the world, look at your wounds. When you learn how to heal them, teach others” -Emily Maroutian — TW: Sexual violence Hello there! My name is Alexandria. Thank you for stopping by to read a little bit about me. I write about trauma and recovery as well as critical analysis of media, culture, and politics. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I’m unapologetically one of those angry intersectional feminists…