Hey, Exercise Instructors — Quit Telling Me To Smile
This year, Bustle is celebrating Rule Breakers — the women and non-binary individuals among us who dare to be themselves no matter what. In the lead-up to Bustle's Rule Breakers 2018 event happening Sept. 22, we are featuring stories from an array…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
I Used To Live In Fear Of Carbs — Until I Was Diagnosed With Celiac Disease
For as long as I can remember, I lived in fear of carbs, and the havoc I believed they could wreak on my body.
I grew up in a pretty health-conscious household. There was a time when I would blissfully order sugar-filled coffee drinks after school…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
13 Women On The First Time They Stood Up For Themselves
My whole life I was instructed to proceed with caution, err on the side of politeness, and, when all else fails, apologize. The words "I'm sorry" felt as commonplace as my name, the response as deeply engrained within me as brushing my teeth before…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
I Changed My Alarm Clock Noise & It Made A Huge Difference In How I Wake Up
In a recent meeting, a co-worker and I were bonding over the bizarrely harsh, disruptive alarm clock sounds available to us on our phones. The loud blaring beep hardly screams rise and shine — and yet, neither of us had ever considered changing it…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
9 Women Reveal The First Time They Felt Comfortable Saying "No
When I was a little girl, my grandfather nicknamed me "Madame No". Apparently, I was such a contrarian at the time that every other word that came out my mouth was intended to decline. Ironically, after that age, I grew rather uncomfortable telling…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
10 Women Share What They Do When They Go On A Social Media Cleanse
I was chatting with a co-worker in the kitchen the other day, when she off-handedly mentioned that she was taking a break from Instagram. Surprised, as I had recently seen her post on the app, I looked up from heating my oatmeal and asked her to…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
8 Questions To Ask A Psychic If You're Unsure About Your Relationship
No relationship is perfect, and like anything that gives results in gratification, relationships take work. The myth of finding your soulmate and suddenly watching all of your problems fade away is just that: a myth. But when you're in a…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
7 Times It’s Actually OK To Ignore Your Gut About Your Relationship
We've all been told countless times to trust our guts, but what does that actually mean? You probably know that your gut is that tiny tickle inside your belly, the 'uh-oh' feeling you get when something just isn't right. But on the other hand,…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
10 Strange & Extremely Creepy Things You Never Knew Your Body Could Do After You Die
Do you ever watch a paranormal horror movie and find yourself wondering if any of those tropes about dead bodies are true? Can a corpse really sit up and scream post-mortem? Do carcasses actually turn purple? Well, lo and behold, there might…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
8 Ways To Support The LGBTQ Community If You Can’t Make It To A Pride Celebration
June is quickly coming to a close, as is the month of Pride: 30 days dedicated to commemoration, solidarity, and celebration. But don't you worry — despite the startlingly fast rate at which this month has flown by, there is still time to overtly…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
I Was Told To Stop Racially Identifying As "Other" On Applications — Here’s Why I Won’t Listen
This year, Bustle is celebrating Rule Breakers — the women and non-binary individuals among us who dare to be themselves no matter what. In the lead-up to our list of Bustle's Rule Breakers of 2018 going live in late August, we are featuring stories…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
30 Women Tell Us Their Very First Screen Name
Isn't it nuts how far technology has come in the past decade? Ten years ago, my parents had just granted me access to AOL Instant Messenger, and crafting a profile along with my very first screen name was one of the greatest thrills I'd ever…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
18 People Share The Exact Moment They First Felt Like An Adult
What was the defining moment that made you feel like you were finally an adult? I can't quite put my finger on mine — maybe it was the first real paycheck I received, or the first time I treated my parents to dinner, or even the first vacation I…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
27 Tips To Get Over Your Fear Of Public Speaking, According To Michelle Obama's Speechwriter
Public speaking can seem like a daunting feat for some. The ability to cleverly write and passionately deliver a speech implies a lot of subtle pressure, making it a nerve-wracking pursuit. But for many of us, it's a skill we still wish to acquire,…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
13 Common Things You Think People Find Sexy, But They Actually Don’t
Attraction is a subjective spectrum: there is no one personality trait or quirk that makes a person universally appealing. That concept, as a whole, is a flat out myth. Attraction can differ based on the individual, a culture, a region, and more.…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
What Depression Really Feels Like, According To Twitter
Depression is a disease that truly does not discriminate, and it's time we start an open and honest dialogue about the realities of living in it's shadow. In fact, it's so incredibly common that according to a report by the National Institute of…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
11 Funny Texts To Send Your BFFs On National Best Friends Day
I take vows of friendship very seriously. As someone who has gone through numerous bouts of insecurity and anxiety, I have always heavily relied on the strength of my friendships to put me back together once i've fallen apart. I truly believe that I…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
I Tried Trading Living Spaces With My Partner For A Week & Honestly Couldn't Take It Anymore
Upon graduation, my partner and I both separately decided to move to Manhattan — he was starting a new job, and I was desperate to return to the vibrant city I had grown up in. As a creative, my plan at the time looked more like an abstract painting…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
What Happens After An Organization Working To Close The Wage Gap Is Sued For Discrimination
In the past few years, there's been a major push to talk about the gender pay gap, in an effort to close it once and for all. Ladies Get Paid is an organization that works to educate women and nonbinary people about how to advocate for a more…
By Iman Hariri-Kia
This Job Pays You To Literally Predict The Future & It's Even Cooler Than It Sounds
When you hear the word futurist, what comes to mind? You might think about those fortune teller stands at the fair — for $50, you can learn at what age you'll die, if you will ever find true love, and address any other deep-seated insecurities. But…
By Iman Hariri-Kia