Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Support

There are different forms of support; be sure to ask for the one that really helps. Do you want permission to follow, or stop a course of action, or practical help with a task? Or someone to advocate for you - to be biased and vocal, on your side. Or keep you company, or witness you to help make something real? Or a sounding board, offering new perspectives to pull you out of a loop? Asking for what you need is specific, as are the people who could help you. Choose well and ask clearly, as otherwise frustration is likely.

There are different forms of support; be sure to ask for the one that really helps. Do you want permission to follow, or stop a course of action, or practical help with a task? Or someone to advocate for you - to be biased and vocal, on your side. Or keep you company, or witness you to help make something real? Or a sounding board, offering new perspectives to pull you out of a loop? Asking for what you need is specific, as are the people who could help you. Choose well and ask clearly, as otherwise frustration is likely.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Yawn

How do we stop cis heterosexual men taking up all the space: in conversation, in convention, in that assuredness that their way is the best? How do we proceed around manspreading, or the natural leadership of privilege taken before it’s a given? There’s got to be a willingness to step back, to see that others having power changes the narrative. No one wants boring mansplaining anymore, so quit as soon as you hear agreement or once you hear no. Further detail, persuasion or justification is an annoying yawn.

How do we stop cis heterosexual men taking up all the space: in conversation, in convention, in that assuredness that their way is the best? How do we proceed around manspreading, or the natural leadership of privilege taken before it’s a given? There’s got to be a willingness to step back, to see that others having power changes the narrative. No one wants boring mansplaining anymore, so quit as soon as you hear agreement or once you hear no. Further detail, persuasion or justification is an annoying yawn.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Androgyny

I’ve often felt androgynous despite how I present; an inner gay man attracted to straight men, in a woman’s body.

I’ve often felt androgynous despite how I present; an inner gay man attracted to straight men, in a woman’s body.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Worship

So I tried foot worshipping. Wow. Who’d have thought that nylons would be such a turn-on. It may be a cliché about women in nylons and heels, but I loved the feminine power of dressing up. And standing above, then on, someone’s nipples and genitals. No hurt intended. I also felt the mesmerising power of lying on the floor looking up at my partner, their cock encased nicely in nylon, pressing their foot between my legs, demanding my attention.

So I tried foot worshipping. Wow. Who’d have thought that nylons would be such a turn-on. It may be a cliché about women in nylons and heels, but I loved the feminine power of dressing up. And standing above, then on, someone’s nipples and genitals. No hurt intended. I also felt the mesmerising power of lying on the floor looking up at my partner, their cock encased nicely in nylon, pressing their foot between my legs, demanding my attention.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Quirky

Be cool. Be your own person, quirky and interesting. Let me come towards you. That’s attractively aloof.

Be cool. Be your own person, quirky and interesting. Let me come towards you. That’s attractively aloof.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Initiate

As an Initiate, I wanted to please my Magistere. I wanted to do well, to be praised, to be noticed, to be tested. Swapping roles, as a Queen I wanted to be obeyed, to bring my servant close, then to dismiss them at whim. I’m intrigued by the harsh push-pull of love and cruelty.

As an Initiate, I wanted to please my Magistere. I wanted to do well, to be praised, to be noticed, to be tested. Swapping roles, as a Queen I wanted to be obeyed, to bring my servant close, then to dismiss them at whim. I’m intrigued by the harsh push-pull of love and cruelty.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Melt

Do nice things to and for me, and I’ll melt. It doesn’t take much, or maybe it does. Finesse is better than fumbling.

Do nice things to and for me, and I’ll melt. It doesn’t take much, or maybe it does. Finesse is better than fumbling.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Babygirl

Taking a shamanic journey to find out which of my submissive qualities are hiding, the imaginary temple guardian I met whispered ‘Baby Girl’. As long as you don’t ask me to drink a glass of milk, which I might spit at you, I’m willing for the love, nurture and pleasure that I discovered submission offers. Offending all my prejudices, I have new realms to explore.

Taking a shamanic journey to find out which of my submissive qualities are hiding, the imaginary temple guardian I met whispered ‘Baby Girl’. As long as you don’t ask me to drink a glass of milk, which I might spit at you, I’m willing for the love, nurture and pleasure that I discovered submission offers. Offending all my prejudices, I have new realms to explore.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Overthink

Overthinking is alluring, weighing up plusses and minuses in one's head. Stop that. Has that ever produced a workable, clear solution?  Or has trusting your instinct been more reliable? If you leave things long enough, a solution appears. Can you be patient enough for that? Either beat rumination, which is a compelling attention thief.

Overthinking is alluring, weighing up plusses and minuses in one's head. Stop that. Has that ever produced a workable, clear solution?  Or has trusting your instinct been more reliable? If you leave things long enough, a solution appears. Can you be patient enough for that? Either beat rumination, which is a compelling attention thief.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Doom

I get frustrated when I’m faced with walls of negativity, complaining and doom-mongering. What you focus on will grow. If you want a half-empty glass, it’s all yours. All yours.

I get frustrated when I’m faced with walls of negativity, complaining and doom-mongering. What you focus on will grow. If you want a half-empty glass, it’s all yours. All yours.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Reinvention

Reinvention is tiring. I feel like I’ve done it every decade. What I’m curious about now is how it might emerge naturally.

Reinvention is tiring. I feel like I’ve done it every decade. What I’m curious about now is how it might emerge naturally.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Don’t

Don’t tell me what to do. It won’t end well.

Don’t tell me what to do. It won’t end well.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Goat

“Safe travels.” “Stay safe out there.” Grr. I know folx mean well, but the times I’ve travelled in the back of trucks across Indonesian islands with goats and sprouting palms, with simply my passport for ID, were some of the most exhilarating moments of freedom of my life. So I’d prefer it if you wished me a wonderful time. I mean, what unsafe thing do you think is going to happen on a flight? I don’t get the Kit Kat I wanted? This dreary trope of ‘stay safe’ is based on a lack of trust and unconsidered fear. Please take calculated risks. That’s how you grow, get brave, and experience a boldness that’s more powerful than playing it safe.

“Safe travels.” “Stay safe out there.” Grr. I know folx mean well, but the times I’ve travelled in the back of trucks across Indonesian islands with goats and sprouting palms, with simply my passport for ID, were some of the most exhilarating moments of freedom of my life. So I’d prefer it if you wished me a wonderful time. I mean, what unsafe thing do you think is going to happen on a flight? I don’t get the Kit Kat I wanted? This dreary trope of ‘stay safe’ is based on a lack of trust and unconsidered fear. Please take calculated risks. That’s how you grow, get brave, and experience a boldness that’s more powerful than playing it safe.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Service

I think it’s fair to say I have few of the qualities of a spiritual BnB host. Instead of offering fluffy towels and a healthy yogic breakfast before meditation class, my friends have often been asked to fold laundry or fix things. Acts of service is a love language I understand.

I think it’s fair to say I have few of the qualities of a spiritual BnB host. Instead of offering fluffy towels and a healthy yogic breakfast before meditation class, my friends have often been asked to fold laundry or fix things. Acts of service is a love language I understand.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Taxi

In the lost and open days when I felt alone or scared, I’d remember ‘I chose this’. I always have money for taxis. The alone bit was part of the choice.

In the lost and open days when I felt alone or scared, I’d remember ‘I chose this’. I always have money for taxis. The alone bit was part of the choice.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Airport

I used to have a fantasy about getting picked up at an airport or having an erotic encounter on a plane. There’s nothing like arriving at the airport to signal the end of the dream.

I used to have a fantasy about getting picked up at an airport or having an erotic encounter on a plane. There’s nothing like arriving at the airport to signal the end of the dream.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Duty

A new healer told me to let go of duty, self-control, ambition and independence. To allow the vulnerable and intuitive parts of me to come to the fore.

A new healer told me to let go of duty, self-control, ambition and independence. To allow the vulnerable and intuitive parts of me to come to the fore.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Express

Limits and desires are expressed so you only do what you want, and you’re not allowed to do anything you don’t want.

Limits and desires are expressed so you only do what you want, and you’re not allowed to do anything you don’t want.

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Shoot

How do I stop making life difficult when it can be easier? If I were to shoot big, would it be any easier? If not starting is the main reason for failing, dare I begin again with painting and pitching, both of which feel out of reach?

How do I stop making life difficult when it can be easier? If I were to shoot big, would it be any easier? If not starting is the main reason for failing, dare I begin again with painting and pitching, both of which feel out of reach?

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Tara Stannard Tara Stannard

Horizons

My soul needs to experience timelessness. Scanning the horizons, I don’t know how to put myself in circumstances where that might happen.

My soul needs to experience timelessness. Scanning the horizons, I don’t know how to put myself in circumstances where that might happen.

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