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New list of “inspiring/educational TED Talks” includes Christen Reighter’s TEDx talk on roles, autonomy, and living Childfree

Christen Reighter

Wow! Huge thanks to blogger Emily Bashforth for featuring my TEDx talk, "I Don't Want Children—Stop Telling Me I'll Change My Mind" in her amazing list: "21 Inspiring/Educational TED Talks That Will Change Your Life!" I'm honored to be cited alongside such notable speakers! "Christen Reighter challenges the gender role created for women by society that they are destined… Continue reading New list of “inspiring/educational TED Talks” includes Christen Reighter’s TEDx talk on roles, autonomy, and living Childfree

Poem Art to brighten your week

Christen Reighter

"...your forward-facing footsteps have always been your fight-song..."

On this holiday honoring him, learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr and his legacy

Christen Reighter

The Meaning of The King Holiday BY CORETTA SCOTT KING This holiday honors the courage of a man who endured harassment, threats and beatings, and even bombings. We commemorate the man who went to jail 29 times to achieve freedom for others, and who knew he would pay the ultimate price for his leadership, but… Continue reading On this holiday honoring him, learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr and his legacy

“SO, when are you going to have kids?”

Christen Reighter

This beautifully written post responds to my TEDx talk using her own honest, heartfelt experience of being a woman without children for different and significant reasons than my own. It’s an honor for my talk to have inspired such an intimate offering into a person’s life, especially one that touches on some very sensitive topics that are long past due for discussion out of the shadow of social shame.

If everyone avoided this topic because of how uncomfortable it is, nobody would know why it can be so painful for some. Instead of feeling awkward about the topic, learn from it.”

Thank you, @insomniadoodles. Fantastically written, inspiring post. 

Insomnia Doodles

I don’t normally do this on my blog, but for this particular subject, I will add a content warning:
– infertility
– suicidal thoughts
– societal gender roles


If these topics are triggering to you, please do not read this article.

I decided to write this after watching this wonderful TED Talk.
Please take a moment to watch this before continuing.

I am a 27 year-old female. I have never had children, and I do not plan to. This is not because I have some aversion to motherhood. I like children. I think that I could be a good parent if I ever decided to adopt, but I have no interest in birthing my own child. My reasoning is different from Christen, as I am deciding not to have children because of some health complications that could be life-threatening in pregnancy. I have a pituitary disorder called Panhypopituitarism which causes…

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