As I reflect on the work, time, and lessons from my nearly 22 years of living that brought me here, there are 22 pieces of advice that have helped make me ready and able to write this next chapter in my story.

Why is International Asexuality Day necessary? Among many other reasons, such as actual discrimination, asexuality is severely misunderstood by many. Even those who consider themselves allies––and actual aces!––may have a myriad of misconceptions about what it actually means. Today, I want to shine a light on a few of these common misconceptions, which I hope will lead to greater understanding, empathy, and education for everyone.

During my time at SXSW, I was beyond excited to learn that there was a documentary about Selena y Los Dinos. I've been a fan of Selena since I was younger, and I deeply regret not knowing about the premiere beforehand, I would’ve brought my Amor Prohibido vinyl in case her family was open to signing it. I saw the documentary, and it was an emotional and beautifully crafted tribute to Selena’s legacy.

In light of such hatred, Ribbon is here to remind you that Trans Women are still Women, Trans Men are still Men, and no idiot with a bad spray tan can change that fact. In light of these awful times, here are some ways YOU can be a good ally this Transgender Visibility Day! 

Over the span of 25 years of airing, “Survivor” has become more current, progressive, and spread awareness about countless amounts of backgrounds and characteristics specific to its contestants. 

However, over that quarter of a century, not one contestant has disclosed they have a speech difference. Until now.

The world is scary. Overwhelming. Exhausting. I could think of at least fifty other words to describe our current situation, but I digress. Instead of turning to our phones for temporary and unsatisfying solace, let’s instead focus on ourselves and on each other. It’s the only way we can collectively stay sane, if it’s not too late, which it’s not. It’s never too late. 

SXSW runs from March 7th to March 15th, and while a badge isn’t required, it does grant priority access. The good news? Plenty of free events are happening throughout the festival! Here are some must-see activations to check out.

It’s finally Women’s History Month! This year, especially this year, it’s so important to remember the women who have impacted our society for the better. I’ll be going over certain female musicians and how their impact on culture, both in their respective decades and beyond, is undeniable.

When I was 20, I decided to give casual dating a shot. I felt like I was falling behind, everyone around me seemed to have someone. However, the main reason was I’ve always been naturally reserved and awkward when meeting new people, even more so back then. I worried that if I didn’t start getting some experience soon, I’d end up having painfully awkward dates in my mid-20s because I never learned how to navigate them. Here are the top 5 things I learned!

While none of us will ever 100% know what transpired with the infamous Beatles breakup, many fans have historically pinned the blame on one person: artist, singer, and activist Yoko Ono, who happened to be John Lennon’s girlfriend, and eventually his wife. For decades, this so-called “fact” has been tossed around, and Ono has become the subject of endless criticism and discourse. It doesn’t take much actual research or critical thinking to conclude that this is false.

If we were all identical, uncomplicated, and flawless, would there be any art, or films, or books, or plays? Would there be any reason to create? Would there be any reason to be?

Y2K Queen Paris Hilton on her new collaboration with Klarna in 2023. Instagram: @hellomag

A major issue I have with AI-generated writing is that much of it comes from real people. It steals people’s work and essentially passes it off without crediting the creators. In fact, many AI models are trained by taking information from the internet – information that comes from real people and their research and creativity.

In my experience, Stardew Valley isn’t just a time killer––it offers lessons that can be applied to the real world. When digging deeper into the game’s themes, one can appreciate that this is far more than a cozy pixelated utopia.

Comparison fails to control because Pinterest shows you that you can be what you see…if anything you already are. The boards you create motivate you to become everything you want to be.

I’ve struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until college that I realized just how bad it had gotten. My mind would race constantly, sleep became impossible, and when I could sleep, I’d often deal with sleep paralysis. There were times I felt so anxious that I’d end up throwing up.

On a poster board that snuggled into a frame, wondersome words and personal photos came together to create what I hoped was a mirror to the year approaching in a few short hours.

As soon as I wake up, my mind starts racing. I always had a lot of thoughts in my head. Most of all opinions about movies, myself, people, the latest trends on social media. Really, anything. I don’t think I’ve ever had the chance to express my thoughts. Often, I feel like I’m criticizing something, rather than simply sharing what’s on my mind.