Rachael Hope
Bio
Polyamorous, loud laughing unapologetic feminist, rad fatty, and epic sweet tooth. I might overshare, but I'll also share my fries and shake with you.
Stories (10/0)
Writing in Sacred Spaces
Every October, I make the journey down I-5, across the plains of the Skagit Valley, through the bustle of Anacortes, to the ferry terminal. Last time, as I pulled onto the ferry, I found myself sandwiched between a semi and a large pick-up. It’s surreal, being in a car, on a boat, surrounded by traffic-to-be. When I’m asked where I’m headed, I reply “To a writer’s retreat on Orcas Island.” It seems like such an understatement.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Journal
How Losing My Job Dismantled My World
The first thing I noticed that April morning was that my computer monitor wasn’t on. There was a small post-it stuck to the screen- Come see me - JM. I walked into my bosses office with zero intuition or expectation that anything was amiss. I wasn’t worried, but it only took a moment for that to change. Years later, I can still conjure up a near-perfect image of the face I’d seen as friendly turning into something else.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Journal
How to Succeed in Online Publishing: A Lot of Hard Work and a Little Bit of Luck
Two years of almost-daily participation in online writing groups has shown me a pattern in the topics that come up for discussion on a regular basis. Two of the most common are the questions with easy Google-able answers (that’s just the nature of social media) and the complaints about the system.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Journal
So, You Got Fat: 8 Steps Towards Body Liberation
It’s not easy to move from a life of embracing and buying in to diet culture to one where you appreciate your body for what it is. We live in a culture in which expectations are placed upon our bodies before we are even born (think gender reveals). Where my children’s BMI, an outdated and inaccurate gauge of health, has been printed on their pediatric after-visit summaries from the age of 2. Where my girlfriend, a dancer in a non-traditional dancer body, realized that the first time she looked at a photo of herself and thought she looked fat, she was only five years old.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Psyche
When You Say You ‘Feel Fat,’ You're Reinforcing Harmful Stigmas
“Ugh, I feel SO fat today.” On a regular basis, words like this are spoken in my vicinity. Every time, it reinforces the idea that in our culture, existing as I do is bad. The thing is, fat is not a feeling. A feeling is an emotional state or reaction. You can’t feel fat, or like a fatty, or like a total fatass.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Psyche
8 Red Flags to Watch Out For in Polyamorous Dating
Dating can be complicated. It requires a lot of time, thoughtfulness, and energy, and it’s so disappointing to waste those things on someone who ends up throwing out red flags left and right. Recognizing behaviors that shouldn’t be happening is a great first step to keeping your relationships and your heart happy and healthy.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Humans
Like a Box Of Chocolates: Orgasms Are Sweet, Sensual, and Delightfully Varied.
If you’d asked me in my early thirties what it felt like to climax, I would have given a simple answer. It feels good. Then, my world imploded, and in the process I nurtured my sexuality and my self. My vocabulary of pleasure expanded as I gathered experiences, from bold to nuanced, tucking them away for infinite replay.
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Filthy
Your Brand is Not Inclusive: Stop Using Fat People’s Hope as a Marketing Tactic
MLMs come in waves, and the most recent craze is ZYIA, a trendy, spendy athleisure brand taking Facebook by storm. I originally got invited to a ZYIA group by a coworker's family member. I checked it out, and that's the first time I saw the claim that ZYIA has something for "everybody and everyBODY."
By Rachael Hope2 years ago in Styled
