The Practice

Black women have a history of standing at the intersection of resilience and scrutiny. While they are often praised for their strength, society has a way of quickly reminding them of “their place.”

For generations, womanhood has always been defined by marriage and motherhood. Social expectations, religion, and cultural narratives pressured women to prioritize family-building above all else.

Centering yourself isn't a feel-good journey of bubble baths and affirmations (though those are nice). It's a radical rewiring of everything you've been taught about your place in the world. And it's going to cost you everything you thought you were supposed to be.

What do you do when life turns out differently than you planned? For many of us, we dreamed of being married, having a couple of kids, a white picket fence, and a fantastic career by the time we are in our 30s or 40s.

Trauma. A small word that can carry intense memories and feelings when we think about it, and something we all have experienced at some point in our lives. Trauma is a deeply disturbing or distressing experience that has a short or long-lasting impact on someone’s life (mentally, physically, and emotionally). For some individuals, they can recover quickly from trauma, while others struggle to live a life separate from it. How do you validate your experience while not becoming

Self-care is the process of taking care of oneself to improve and maintain overall health and wellness.

Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? How about cynical or frustrated with daily life? Are you dreading going to work? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be experiencing burnout.

“I’ve hit rock bottom, now what?” The all-too-common question we ask ourselves when in the thick of an enormous life-altering situation.

A paper by Ekin Ok, Yi Qian, Brendan Strejcek, and Karl Aquino titled  Signaling Virtuous Victimhood as Indicators of Dark Triad Personalities   has been on my mind. It suggests something unsettling: traits like Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy are linked to what the researchers call “virtuous victim signaling.” This is when people portray themselves as virtuous victims to gain sympathy, elevate their moral status, and manipulate others. At first glance, it sound

Are you exhausted by societal pressures to center your worth around romantic relationships? If so, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help.

Hi there!   Welcome to Charlie’s Toolbox, where we empower you to master crafting a life that effortlessly aligns with your authentic self, allowing you to take center stage in your remarkable journey. Start your transformation today and embrace the life you’ve always envisioned. Like, subscribe, and follow on (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Web, and Twitter/X)—it’s a free way to support me, and it helps my content rise to the top.   So, let’s get started! Today, we discuss dece

Charlie's Toolbox defines decentering men and helps you understand why it is important for your life.

Dear Toolies!   Did you know that the same strategies used to challenge men and patriarchal systems can be applied to combat misogynoir  in your workplace? For those who may not be familiar with these terms, misogynoir refers to the combined impact of anti-Black racism and misogyny directed towards Black women. Decentering men involves countering the idea promoted by patriarchy that places men at the center of our world. Both concepts help us understand structures of oppressi

Truth #1. You must stop the habit of comparison to appreciate your life.   When I was job hunting, I used to get really frustrated with how long it took. I'd go through long waiting periods and then see my friends quit and land a job quickly, discouraging me. I found myself comparing their progress to mine, and I internalized the difference in our paths as an issue with me. I started thinking something was wrong with me - either my resume, interviewing skills, or just me beca

The world is undergoing significant changes, with women boldly choosing to defy societal norms and seek self-determination. As this shift unfolds, a noticeable backlash has emerged against women rejecting the status quo. For instance, the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the upswing in incel culture, and the rise of stay-at-home mom content reflect alarming social, political, and cultural trends. Amid these trends, a new type of content has emerged that seems innocuous at first b

This incisive discourse examines the phenomenon of women seeking male attention, exploring its societal roots and psychological implications

This insightful narrative examines societal expectations and gender dynamics, illustrating the consequences of conforming to prescribed role

Explore the nuanced difference between red flags and fear in relationships. As women, we're often burdened with self-blame, scrutinizing eve

Without conflict, I would not know how to solve it. I would not know how to ask the right questions, be patient, and get to the heart of sit

Hey, Toolies! Welcome to this week's episode of Charlie's Toolbox. This week, we're talking about real life—the gritty and the shitty—and learning how to cope after years of neglecting your feelings. Before we get started, let's make sure to like, subscribe, and follow. It's a free way to support me, and it helps my content rise to the top. Now, let's dive into this topic: turning pain into something useful. When I was in my early 20s, I used to suffer a lot. The biggest reas