Ashlyn Harper
Bio
A chaotic room of stories. My curiosities lead me in all types of directions, creating a chaotic writing pathway. I want this place to be for experimenting, improving my craft, and sharing new ideas with anyone willing to read them.
Stories (71/0)
How to Stay Productive During Work Hours
As a writer who works from home, I have faced new struggles that I've never had to deal with in past career fields. I've had to learn how to be a financial guru, marketing agent, and scheduling coordinator. In the past, someone else did all this for me. I would merely come in when I was scheduled, work my hours, and go home for the day. With my work located at home, those lines can sometimes become a bit blurry. I've also found my productivity levels fluctuate during my work hours more than they have ever done before.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Journal
A Beginner's Guide to Anal Sex
There is a lot of misguided information when it comes to anal sex these days. All over the internet, you hear that it is not safe, painful, and can cause health damages when you get older. While these statements are not technically false, they are misleading. What many people might not realize is that anal sex, if done correctly, can be even more pleasurable than other forms of penetration. An anus has several sensitive nerve endings that can hit that spot the same as vaginal penetration.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Filthy
The Fear of Putting a Ring on It
I've been with my boyfriend for almost six years now. While we have had our ups and downs in the beginning stages of the relationship, I like to think we are far stronger than ever before. Most people who have met us usually say the same thing. They also, after finding out how long we have been together, are shocked that we have not tied the knot already. Usually, I bypass this comment by mentioning how young we are, how we have a lot on our plate with moving, and how it just isn't the right time for us.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Marriage
How Masturbation Could Be Healthy for a Relationship
For whatever reason, masturbation is frowned upon in our society. We punish kids when we catch them in the act, get mad at our spouses when we figure out they do it and look at it as disgusting. What we don't realize is that masturbation is a completely regular and healthy expression that we all partake in. Do you binge on chocolates or your favorite TV show? Is it because it brings you pleasure? Masturbating is just another form of self-pleasure that, in certain circumstances, can be healthy for a relationship.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Filthy
I Spent a Year Working at an Outdoor Garden Center
This past year I had decided to get a part-time job. While I absolutely love writing, I was turning into a severe homebody who had poor social skills. It was as if the more time I spent alone, the more my conversation skills started to deplete. I was also suffering from severe cabin fever and getting aches and pains associated with sitting at a desk all day long. I could have just went for a run each day and forced myself to talk with a local barista, but a job seemed to be the right fit for me.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Journal
How To Feel Confident On Top
When it comes to sex, all of my insecurities bubble up to the surface. I'm incredibly aware of how my fat rolls, how small my boobs lie, and what positions that I should avoid at all costs. No matter what size you are, most women have these insecurities at one point in their life. Sex is such an intimate event that you can't help but feel completely exposed, both physically and mentally. Being on top in any form has always made me feel a tad uncomfortable.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Filthy
What People Don't Realize About Sexual Assault
This is a topic that I've been hesitant to write about for a while. Every time I think of writing this I always talk myself out of it. I'll tell myself that it isn't important or that people already know everything I am going to say. The problem is, sexual assault is not being talked about enough. For something most women have to worry about on a regular basis, it should be a topic talked about daily. That is not to say that men don't have this problem too, but you would be ignorant to think the statistics don't sway more towards females.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Viva
How To Know If Your Dream Should Be a Career
A friend of mine recently went to college to follow his dream career. He graduated, got a job, and was incredibly excited to start this new journey of life. Within a few months, he realized something was wrong with his dream. While he did love what he was doing, it seemed to have lost some luster since turning it into a job. Now, he works another career that he enjoys and turned his dream into an enjoyable hobby. His realization made me see that not all ideas are meant to be careers. The problem is, how do you know if you should pursue a job or just keep it as a hobby?
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Journal
Body Shaming Needs to End Now
This is a topic that has been difficult for me to write for the mere fact that I do it to myself. I don't know many women or men out there who don't shame their bodies from time to time. Dealing with that could be an article all on its own. With us being so hard on ourselves, what happens when someone else criticizes our appearance? This is going to be a hard truth for some people to digest, but we have all judged someone based off of their appearance. Whether it be clothes, facial features, weight, height, etc., no one is innocent. You might not say it to their face, but you have had those ugly thoughts pop up. Is that wrong?
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Viva
Why I'll Never Work in a Restaurant Again
Before I start this, I want to put out a full disclosure. I am by no means trying to upset or insult anyone who works in the restaurant industry. I know plenty of close friends who absolutely love their job and have turned it into a passionate career. This is merely an opinion that should be taken with a grain of salt. For me, working at a restaurant was not a career path to follow. My views are being shared for another perspective, one that rarely gets spoken about. While a lot of people enjoy this job, I also know people who have hated it as well as some who are unaware of the struggles jobs like this have.
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Journal
Stop Comparing Porn to the Real Thing
We have all had that one awkward experience in bed with someone. You know, the one where they try an impossibly uncomfortable move or act a certain way that gives you severe porn vibes. You might pretend to enjoy it (and maybe you actually do), but afterward you usually just feel a tad confused and possibly sore. The real question is, how do they do it in the porn movies and why do people expect us to be able to replicate it?
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Filthy
Can a Woman Be Happy Without Children?
I've written in previous articles about my views on motherhood. Since a child, I always wanted a little baby to take care of. This is part of the reason I was a bit overbearing when it came to raising my brother. I would treat him as my own child and chastise him, leading to me getting a talk about how I am not the mother. As I have grown and developed, the thought of childhood keeps getting pushed farther back. I'm always on the fence; do I want a baby or not?
By Ashlyn Harper5 years ago in Viva
