Hello, gentlepeople! My name is Tiara (She/They/Pronoun fluid). I am a social worker, introvert, writer, and fellow awkward human being. I started my blog, Muted Mouthful, in 2018 as a hobby to help me untangle some of life's messiness. I have always felt out of place and misunderstood. My mind is loud, but my voice is quiet, and I needed a safe space to unload. Muted Mouthful is an extension of myself. It allows me to communicate my feelings, thoughts, and questions without judgment. As a Black, Puerto Rican, queer and non-binary person, my perspective and lived experiences are "supposed" to stay suppressed. My blog tells my story through personal essays, creative writing, and random shenanigans.
Black womxn are at the crossroads of all social issues; poverty, racism, sexism, homelessness, homophobia, reproductive rights, and classism are only a few examples. The experiences and stories of Black womxn are unacknowledged and erased, yet, they are expected to bear the emotional and physical labor of pushing these movements forward.
Our skin, as beautiful and as shimmering as it is, is ribboned with cautionary tales from our ancestors; intricately weaved to remind us that our history is not distant at all, we confront it each day.
Since the onset of COVID-19, have you noticed a shift in your mood or overall demeanor? You’re not alone. I wasn’t anticipating such a dramatic shift and was not mentally prepared. I am calling it COVID-19-itis and I want to share my thoughts with you.
I believe a small positive change in someone’s life can promote an everlasting effect and change their future. It is a rewarding field to be in, albeit underappreciated, understaffed, and underpaid. I am in the business of changing lives, how could I not love that?
Since media outlets have been reporting on COVID-19, there has been an uptick in discriminatory behaviors, specifically against those of Asian ethnicity. In the United States and around the globe, rampant xenophobia is causing harm to communities, including death.
The term “vibe” has been in the American vernacular since at least the 60s. A vibe or vibration tends to refer to a feeling or energy you receive or give off. My parents would use the term all the time and tell me to mind other people’s vibes and listen to my gut or don’t let other people influence your vibe. I’ll be honest, that was some sound guidance.
Sometimes we underestimate the power of words of thanks and gratitude, I know I do. I want to make a more conscious effort to freely let others know I appreciate them, whether I know them well or not. You never know who needed to hear those words the moment you said them.
Prioritizing alone time is a precious resource you can give yourself, but it’s not always feasible. If you’re a parent, a partner, a sibling, or just someone with a hectic life, finding a few minutes to yourself can be hard.
If you leave, I expect the world to crumble around me. But first, I will think it’s a sick joke. One played by the God almighty, Who laughs at the sight of smoke. Then it will hit me that you’re gone, A weight I am not prepared […]
Sometimes we’re made to feel guilty about leaving a job despite giving it our best efforts. A lot of times you can pinpoint a reason to leave, sometimes you can’t. You might be in an ambiguous space where you could stay, but you don’t want to. It’s a tough life decision to make, being pulled in different directions does not help.
Muted Mouthful 
Beautifully said as always 😀 I’m in good company I see - I struggle with change too.
Absolutely! Cheers to you, friend!
Yes! more childlike undbridled joy!
"Though I try, I cannot self-care my way out of systemic and structural oppression." – Brilliant.
oooooof all of these are my mood this week for sure