Vol 015 | June 3 2021

Welcome! This is the fifteenth volume of The Persistence, which rounds up female-focused reads to help you feel seen, save time and make sense of the world. Thanks for being here.

SLIP BACK IN TIME

A slightly different vibe this week as I’ve been knocked out with a virus. No, not that one, but a bastard nonetheless. So as the only thing I’ve been reading lately is my temperature, here’s a selection of stories from The Persistence archive. You might have skipped some of them at the time, and I don’t think you should miss out. All that unites them is that they’re amongst the most or least read (keeping which under wraps - unconscious bias is real y’all) and the ideas, voices or truths within them still echo in my brain. Already read them all? Top marks! The full archive of back issues is here to tide you over. And if like me you’re not up to reading much right now - hopefully because you’re basking in glorious sunshine rather than lying in a darkened room - then there’s also one of the most popular clips from the last few months to get the weekend started early. Have one for me!
’Til next week… 

CAREER

IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME THE REAL IMPOSTER?

Much has been written about how women should handle Imposter Syndrome - less so on why it actually exists. This thorough report tackles it head on. Spoiler alert: You know that time in your twenties when you finally realised you weren't ‘always hormonal’, it was just a shit relationship? That...

HEALTH

WHY ARE WOMEN’S BODIES STILL A MEDICAL MYSTERY?

 ‘They call it a women’s disease. She wants to redefine it. I raced my way through this thrilling profile of Dr Linda Griffiths, a bio-engineer who is on a mission to ‘rebrand’ endometriosis. Showing just how much is possible with a fresh perspective, it intertwines her personal story of having the condition with the incredible breakthroughs she’s now pioneering - not just for endometriosis patients but for multiple other diseases too. Truly fascinating

POWER

DIVORCE, ISLAM AND ME

This is such a beautiful memoir, and one I’ve often thought about since it was published a few years ago. Saima Mir’s evocative account of suffocating in-laws, crippling cultural expectations, and leaving not one but two arranged marriages is a dignified but defiant reminder that everyone deserves happiness.

EQUALITY

JENNA LYONS ON COMING OUT IN YOUR 40s

You can almost hear Jenna Lyons, former CEO of J.Crew, still catching her breath in this short but impactful piece on how she came out, or rather was outed, years ago. It raises interesting questions about how despite all the rhetoric these days around following your own path, we're still unprepared for people to do so in midlife. Lyons was 43 and in the midst of a divorce from a man when she fell in love with a woman. Presumably because they were so convinced it wasn't true, her PR team raised the rumour of her new relationship on a group conference call. IMAGINE. What I really love though, is how Lyons ultimately keeps control of her story. Looking back, rather than feeling compelled to conform to a new narrative, she remains refreshingly honest. “Am I gay, am I bi? I don't know if it matters.”

POLITICS

“THATCHERISM IN YOGA PANTS”

One curious source of conspiracy theories right now - particularly amongst women - is the new breed of wellness influencer or ‘conspiritualist’. Sian Norris’ piece offers a fascinating look at how seemingly empowering posts on “living fearlessly” and “following your intuition” can suck otherwise level headed followers in to a world of covid-denying memes and even far right rhetoric. Or as she memorably says about one popular Instagrammer: "Her videos can feel like watching Thatcherism in yoga pants." Coming to a Whatsapp chat near you soon?

EQUALITY

WHY MUST CHILDFREE WOMEN STILL EXPLAIN THEMSELVES?

Grace Barnes’ essay on the enduring stigma of the childless woman for Glamour is a reflective but robust look at how society’s expectations can adversely affect even the most fulfilled childfree woman. Yes, Jennifer Aniston gets a mention. But it’s so much more than that. From Meghan Markle gushing to Oprah that ‘"the most important title I will ever have is ‘mum'", to social media bombarding her with images of pregnant friends, Barnes argues for an urgent update of what makes a woman ‘complete’ (spoiler: whatever she damn well decides).

RELATIONSHIPS

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO A MUM IN A PANDEMIC

Have we reached critical mass for testimonies from broken mothers yet? Instead of asking them to recount every multi-tasking minute (oh the irony), won't someone ask the obvious - is there another parent in the house? Could they muck in? While this article doesn't quite go that far, it it does start unpicking the issue, and I felt every line. Take this quote: 'When we say (mothers) are “amazing,” we’re actually complimenting them for living in a completely unsustainable way. This has to stop.'

Meanwhile, this is one of the few pieces I've seen that asks Dads (albeit straight dads) to talk honestly about pandemic life. It's an excellent, touching and frustrating read, and if there's not already a crowdfunding site to send Claire a crate of gin, what is the internet even for?

AIRPODS AT THE READY

🎧 Transport yourself to the 90s with this utter spirit lifter, while playing student bedroom bingo (hippy scarf as table cloth * lava lamp * random guy in the corner no one knows) and letting Lauryn Hill show you how to dance while stuck on the sofa. Repeat.

Can you spare 60 seconds to tell me your favourite read, what you’d like more of or just what the hell’s for dinner tonight? It really helps me plan the newsletter, and puts a smile on my face to hear from you!

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