Website: gal-dem

I’ve just started reading the UK-based site gal-dem after founder Liv Little’s Guardian article tipped me off to its existence. Dismayed by the lack of inclusion at her college, Little started the magazine to highlight the voices of women of color. Since then, gal-dem has taken off and is now comprised of roughly 50 contributors from the UK, the United States, and South America. The site has insightful and timely personal essays, reviews, and videos. I recommend this essay by writer Yero Timi-Biu, on attempting to rent an apartment in London with a non-English name (it doesn’t end well).

I’m a fan of their video series, Interlude. Topics include “silent oppression,” living with micro-aggressions as people of color, being asked, “Where are you from?”, and living in limbo:

gal-dem provides an important platform for young women of color, and I can’t wait to see more from them. You can follow them on Twitter. —Diamond Sharp

App: Fabulous

Fabulous, an app designed to “help you build healthy rituals into your life,” is one of my favorite additions to my phone. At a time when I was prone to long periods of procrastination, I downloaded it to help me form and keep good working habits. You can choose your own productivity adventure: “Unexpected Journey” to feel more energized; “A Fabulous Night” for better sleep; “Celebrating Healthy Eating;” and “Staying on the Road,” for improving concentration (something I always need assistance with). It’s user-friendly and allows you to personalize your schedule. You can tick boxes as you go along, and there’s a timer for each thing you need to do. I love that the app encourages you to incorporate meditation into your journey through voice and sound guidance. You also receive weekly progress reports and letters to keep you motivated. It’s really beautiful, with bright colors, pictures, and motivational quotes. If you need to improve your productivity, Fabulous is a great choice! —Lebohang Masango

Video: “My Personal Tips on Writing” by Orion Carloto

I’m constantly wishing I had the motivation to write amazing stories and essays all day, every day. I just never know where to start! This week, I caught up on my YouTube subscriptions and came across the video “My Personal Tips on Writing” by Orion Carloto. I’ve been following Orion for about two years now, and I am always impressed with the way she handles her online presence with such eloquence and humor. Orion is no stranger to writing! She currently writes a column “P.S. Positivity” for the magazine Local Wolves and often shares her poetry with her 200,000–plus Twitter followers. In this video, she shares some of her personal tips for bettering your writing. She recommends that you consume as much literature as possible, carry your journal with you at all times, and more. It’s such an honest and heartwarming thing to watch! If you’re an aspiring writer, or feel like you are constantly stuck in a sad state of creative block (like I do), this one’s for you! —Lauren Tepfer ♦