The Struggle Love Diaries
The Struggle Love Diaries is a new project exploring the concept of struggle love through interactive storytelling with a bit of self-disclosure!
What is “struggle love”? It’s that dynamic when we hang on in one-sided relationships where the expected levels of effort, sacrifice, and emotional labor are unbalanced—whether in romantic partnerships, friendships, family bonds, or professional connections. It’s when we overlook our needs, rationalize unhealthy patterns, and choose loyalty, obligations, or expectations over fulfillment.
Our ongoing project, The Black Love Inquiry, collects and explores real stories told to me by generous interviewees. The Struggle Love Diaries takes an almost opposite approach—these are fictional narratives told to you and inspired by some of my own relational experiences.
**Names and details have been altered to protect the not-always-so-innocent. 🤭**
These stories are crafted to illuminate decision points any of us might face in difficult relationships. My hope is that these stories spark discussion and increase awareness of the subtle abuses we sometimes accept as normal due to being familiar with unhealthy relational patterns and, therefore, ignorant of the treatment we actually deserve.
Let’s explore new perspectives through these interactive stories — I’ll get us started, and YOU will keep the story moving toward resolution!
How it works:
- Read the full story segments here on our website to find out what dilemmas our main character is facing.
- Follow us on Instagram! When the polls are posted, vote for the decision you think the character should make, or suggest a choice of your own in the comments!
- Stay tuned to see (and continue shaping) how the story unfolds!
Essie's Diary
This offering follows Essie, a 29-year-old university administrator whose carefully planned life is disrupted when she meets Marcus through a series of “coincidences” that feel almost divinely orchestrated. As their connection deepens, how will Essie and Marcus navigate?