Our response to on-screen images and dialogues holds the potential to eliminate the gaze that essentializes identities.

You pick toys up when you want to play. You stop when you feel tired or satisfied; ideally both.

Cristina’s unwavering commitment to her career helped me articulate to those around me that putting myself first is far from a selfish pursuit.

Finally, it felt like I attained some control over my life. I was doing something I liked- whether I capitalized on it or not with brand deals- it liberated me, empowered me, and had nice photos of myself.

Tamil women are becoming more vocal about their sexual experiences, both in terms of pleasure and pain, and truthfully, I could not be prouder of this progression. However, with these more candid discussions, one can't help but start to reflect on personal sexual experiences and how they may 'measure up.' Of course, this is a toxic game to play, but inevitable, nonetheless.

I immediately channelled all my focus and my attention to myself, but I never healed. I was too afraid to go down that path of self-healing and feeling all those emotions I once felt and have it come rushing back like an avalanche.