today we are talking about longing for romantic relationship and what wisdom we can derive from this longing. how can we integrate rather than suppress our romantic longing? what else can it be channeled into? what does our longing have to say to us, and are we listening? we'll be leaning on works like bell hooks' Communion and Audre Lorde's Uses of the Erotic.

This is part 1 of a 2 part series. stay tuned for next episode where we will be discussing things like: romantic friendship, the media we consume, and reimagining where we can find love and desire in our lives. sending all my love to you today, sunshine. 

ADVICE COLUMN:

☎️ seeking advice and want to PHONE IN with a question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠submit a voicemail here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

📩 OR WRITE IN an advice question anonymously at the ⁠⁠⁠ASK Ayanda form⁠ here⁠⁠.

🎥: Watch the video of this episode on Spotify or YouTube.

key quotes from episode: 

“imagine we had a society structured on the principle of love: teaching us how we can be loving and receive love; creating the conditions for all kinds of love to flourish and thrive"

"longing is love. what else can we channel the love underlying our romantic longing into?"

Time stamps

(00:44): poll + leave me a voice note <3 

(03:10): what is romantic longing? 

(07:45): honor your longing

(14:22): integrate your longing

(23:25): self-love is the beginning

(25:10): longing is love

(33:00): love as a practice

(36:39): how can you be more loving today?

☎️ advice hotline: voice note me here with a question or thoughts

sources mentioned: 

Book: Communion: The Female Search for Love by bell hooks

Essay: The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power by Audre Lorde

Podcast episode: Redefining the Erotic by me on Spotify, Apple, YouTube

Book: Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown

Quotes: Love Quotes from the Works of A. H. Almaas

Tweet by @northstardoll

join the community: 

my newsletter: ayandastood.substack.com please join me here!

Every Sunday: Join showing up together, a virtual working session every Sunday on Zoom from 9am-12pm EST.

Follow me at @ayandastood on TikTok and @ayandastood on IG