Author: Malou Micola

We need to get rid of gender-stereotyped toys

We need to get rid of gender-stereotyped toys. It sends out the message that girls and boys are different, which makes girls that play with boy toys and vice versa feel weird and abnormal.

The walls of my house

In the first weekend of August, I was lying on my floor after I’d slid down off my chair, shaking and covered in tears feeling like no matter how hard I screamed it wouldn’t be loud enough to change anything. It’s like gasping for air as you’re struggling to stay above water that’s continuously pushing… Continue reading The walls of my house

It’s about HOW you handle a situation

I have recently taken on a new mindset to deal with continuous struggles. I used to measure how well I was doing based on the circumstances and on how I was feeling. Say I’d have three breakdowns in a week, had been feeling dizzy every day and been awoken by dreams every night, then I’d… Continue reading It’s about HOW you handle a situation

Fitting in Society’s Beauty Standards

Why do we always worry about our appearances? Why do we worry about whether we are dressing up ‘too prettily’ or ‘too fancy’ for the occasion? Why are there certain occasions in which we can’t be that pretty? It’s like there has been a complete flip of rules since I’ve reached young adulthood. As teenagers,… Continue reading Fitting in Society’s Beauty Standards

Overcoming the Fear of Failing

Do you remember participating in sports tournaments during your childhood? Let’s say, a tennis tournament, in my case. Or do you remember participating in a drawing or poetry contest, or did you ever audition for a musical? If I participated in any competition, my parents would tell me: ‘Remember, it doesn’t matter if you win… Continue reading Overcoming the Fear of Failing

Black Pete Shouldn’t be Black

When people ask me about my favourite holiday, my answer is Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), even though I haven’t celebrated it in 10 years. Holidays like Christmas don’t bring me as much excitement as it does for other people. But if there’s one thing I’d like children to experience it’s Sinterklaas, because it was one of the… Continue reading Black Pete Shouldn’t be Black

I published a book when I was 13 and felt utterly ashamed

On 11 May 2009, I published a novella named ‘Een Moeilijke Kamp Ervaring,’ which directly translates to ‘A difficult camping experience’. I was 13 at the time and felt the utmost compulsion to write this story down as quickly as I could. I believe it only took me a few weeks to write and finish… Continue reading I published a book when I was 13 and felt utterly ashamed

The Art of Drinking and Going Out

For years I struggled with the idea of going out. Entering a place where your shirt sticks to your back and where dozens of people are tipsy or drunk, dancing and shouting over the loud music has never been my idea of fun and certainly not one of comfort. Yet, this seemed to be the… Continue reading The Art of Drinking and Going Out

My Birthday is a Trigger

Birthdays are supposed to be good days; days that you look forward to and wish to celebrate. I liked my birthday a lot when I was a child. Everyone likes receiving presents, eating cake and celebrating with friends, right? I do too, or I used to, at the very least. However, my birthday has turned into… Continue reading My Birthday is a Trigger

Divorce: Rift Between Parent and Child

I always expected my parents to divorce at some point. I didn’t know when, and I thought it had been long overdue, but I was pretty certain it would happen. Naturally, then, when it happened, it was quite unexpected. It was in a year when I thought they were fighting the least. They seemed to… Continue reading Divorce: Rift Between Parent and Child