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Women and Happiness

The history, science, and experiences of women and personal fulfillment.

Grief
We Heal From Grief in Relationship

Ariel Gore on June 3, 2024

We don't "move on" from grief but rather learn to make room for it. A new novel explores the necessity of friendships and connections in that process.

We don't "move on" from grief but rather learn to make room for it. A new novel explores the necessity of friendships and connections in that process.

Psychology
Toward a Psychology of Wonder

Ariel Gore on July 5, 2022

When study participants could keep their level of curiosity pretty consistent throughout the day, their entire sense of well-being bloomed.

When study participants could keep their level of curiosity pretty consistent throughout the day, their entire sense of well-being bloomed.

Happiness
Joy in the Time of COVID

Ariel Gore on April 29, 2020

Is the pandemic getting you down? Here's how women are tapping into joy and resilience.

Is the pandemic getting you down? Here's how women are tapping into joy and resilience.

Grief
Drawing Out Grief

Ariel Gore on June 18, 2018

A new memoir explores girlhood friendship, hippie parenting, and buried grief.

A new memoir explores girlhood friendship, hippie parenting, and buried grief.

Trauma
What Does It Take to Transform Trauma Into Art?

Ariel Gore on December 4, 2017

Want to write through trauma and mental illness? Chelsey Clammer illuminates the art and craft making excellent essays out of tough experiences.

Want to write through trauma and mental illness? Chelsey Clammer illuminates the art and craft making excellent essays out of tough experiences.

Religion
Is it Time to Bring Back Mysticism?

Ariel Gore on August 22, 2017

"I wouldn't draw any direct or concrete connection between mental illness and mystical experience, but I did see lots of patterns in the lives of the prophetesses I wrote about."

"I wouldn't draw any direct or concrete connection between mental illness and mystical experience, but I did see lots of patterns in the lives of the prophetesses I wrote about."

Gender
Born Both: Intersex and Happy

Ariel Gore on May 24, 2017

"I want parents to know that intersex kids can decide who they are for themselves and have that turn out beautifully."

"I want parents to know that intersex kids can decide who they are for themselves and have that turn out beautifully."

Domestic Violence
We Have the Right to Resist

Ariel Gore on November 11, 2016

The jump to normalize all of this feels very familiar to those of us who know too much about domestic violence. We reject that normalization.

The jump to normalize all of this feels very familiar to those of us who know too much about domestic violence. We reject that normalization.

Adolescence
Representing Young Mothers in Literature

Ariel Gore on October 31, 2016

When The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom was first published, I’d never seen myself—a young mom—represented in a graphic novel. The brilliant book broke ground...

When The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom was first published, I’d never seen myself—a young mom—represented in a graphic novel. The brilliant book broke ground...

Alcoholism
Black Wave: Alcoholism, Creativity, and Today’s Truth

Ariel Gore on September 5, 2016

"The similarities between being a writer and an alcoholic far outweigh the differences. They both seem to spring from what may be a glitch in my neurochemistry." —Michelle Tea

"The similarities between being a writer and an alcoholic far outweigh the differences. They both seem to spring from what may be a glitch in my neurochemistry." —Michelle Tea

Trauma
The Power of Seeing Ourselves in Literature

Ariel Gore on February 18, 2016

Young Latinas and queer youth need more stories "told by us about us" to provide hope and to help each other survive. Ariel Gore interviews novelist Gabby Rivera.

Young Latinas and queer youth need more stories "told by us about us" to provide hope and to help each other survive. Ariel Gore interviews novelist Gabby Rivera.

Laughter
When Gentrification Hits Home

Ariel Gore on September 24, 2015

I belonged here because my new father said I belonged here. "If anyone asks you where you're from," my new father said, "you say 'who, me?' and you point to the tallest, closest mountain you can see and you say, 'I just hiked down from the top of that mountain this morning. Where are you from?'"

I belonged here because my new father said I belonged here. "If anyone asks you where you're from," my new father said, "you say 'who, me?' and you point to the tallest, closest mountain you can see and you say, 'I just hiked down from the top of that mountain this morning. Where are you from?'"

Suicide
Get on the Train

Ariel Gore on March 30, 2015

I'm going to give you some advice your parents and teachers might not: Drop out of high school.

I'm going to give you some advice your parents and teachers might not: Drop out of high school.

Fear
Trigger Me

Ariel Gore on November 16, 2014

Recent research proves what memoirists already know: Far from re-activating the stress of traumatic or emotional experiences, the process of writing serves as real medicine—even making our physical wounds heal faster.

Seriously. Writers’ BIOPSY WOUNDS heal some fifty percent faster than folks who don’t jot down what they’re going through.

Recent research proves what memoirists already know: Far from re-activating the stress of traumatic or emotional experiences, the process of writing serves as real medicine—even making our physical wounds heal faster.

Seriously. Writers’ BIOPSY WOUNDS heal some fifty percent faster than folks who don’t jot down what they’re going through.