When Memories Become Nightmares, the EBook

It's Here: When Memories Become Nightmares is officially an eBook! 📖✨

Welcome back, family, to another update from The Akua Projects. If you tuned into yesterday's Sunday’s Mental Health Check-In, you heard all about my freezing, chaotic Wednesday night stranded at the transit center. We talked about what it feels like when the digital darkness hits and you feel stuck in the cold. Honestly, that feeling of being trapped in a dark space, trying to navigate your way back to the light, is exactly what birthed the project I am so incredibly thrilled to share with you today. I am so excited to announce that my short story collection, When Memories Become Nightmares, is officially being republished and released as an eBook! What started out as a simple midnight exercise to push through my own frustrating writer’s block has evolved into a world that I am so proud of. I wanted to write stories that reflect the women I know and love. In these pages, you'll meet beautiful, full-figured, everyday Black women who are forced to confront the heavy baggage of their pasts. These aren't just spooky tales; they are explorations of the mind. They are about those moments when the things we thought we left behind suddenly demand our attention, and the sheer resilience it takes to face those ghosts down. Here is what you can expect inside: Relatable Protagonists: Plus-size African American women taking the lead in their own complex, thrilling narratives. Mental Health Themes: A raw look at how we process trauma, memory, and anxiety when the past refuses to stay quiet. Psychological Suspense: Twists and turns that will keep you reading late into the night. To my village—thank you for your endless support of The Akua Projects, whether you are buying custom beaded pens from Adorned by Rakia Ari, listening to the podcast, or reading my words. It means the world to me that we get to go far together. You can grab your digital copy of When Memories Become Nightmares right now! https://www.lulu.com/shop/rakia-ari/when-memories-become-nightmares/ebook/product-m26qk2k.html?page=1&pageSize=4 Stay warm, protect your peace, and happy reading. With love, Rakia Ari, The Akua Projects #WhenMemoriesBecomeNightmares #RakiaAri #NewReleaseEBook #DarkFantasy #ShortStories

Philly Winter Night: The Village Survives

 

🎙️ Welcome to The Akua Project’s Podcast Magazine!

Hello, beautiful community! I am your host and creator, Rakia Ari.

If you are listening to the background track right now, you are hearing something incredibly special. This week, I decided to try something completely new: a spoken-word piece I wrote, brought to life with music and voiceover generated by Gemini. This track was born from a recent personal incident—one that shook me, inspired me, and became the beating heart of this entire week’s lineup.

Here is a preview of the journey we are taking together this week:

🗓️ This Week on The Akua Project:

✨ Sunday: Mental Health Check-In We are grounding ourselves with deep, ancestral wisdom. We’ll be digging into two powerful proverbs that have been heavy on my heart:

• "You do not test the depth of a river with both feet." (Ashanti Proverb)

• "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

✨ Monday: Monday’s Revisit Start your work week with a deep exhale. We are reviving a beloved Mental Health Check-In from the archives of my blog: Breath by Breath, Just Let Go. ✨ Tuesday: Let’s Write a Story Together! My absolute favorite series continues! Bring your creativity, drop your ideas in the comments, and let’s build a beautiful narrative piece by piece.

✨ Wednesday: The Chat Room Let’s talk about it! Come hang out with me in the Substack Chat Room. We will be doing a deeper dive into Sunday’s Mental Health Check-In. Bring your thoughts, your experiences, and your open hearts.

✨ Thursday: The Cabin Getaway Get ready for the newest episode of The Cabin Getaway comic! The visual storytelling continues, and you won't want to miss what happens next.

✨ Friday: Story Time We close the week with an intimate short story written by me. This piece reflects on the recent real-life incident I experienced—the exact spark that inspired Sunday’s check-in and the musical track you are hearing today.

🌟 Become a Founding Member of Our Journey

The Akua Project is more than just a podcast or a magazine; it is a safe space for storytelling, mental health advocacy, and community connection.

If my stories, check-ins, or comics resonate with you, please hit that Subscribe button. Want to go further with us? I warmly invite you to upgrade to a Paid Subscription. Your paid membership directly supports my ability to create these tracks, draw these comics, and keep this beautiful, vulnerable space thriving. As that proverb says: If you want to go far, go together. Let's go far.

Drop a 💛 in the comments if you're ready for the week!

Warmly, Rakia Ari

The difference between a fast leader and a wise leader.

 In business, we often confuse speed with efficiency. We reward the person who has the answer first, even if it's not the best answer.

But a Kenyan proverb cautions us: "A wise man fills his head before he empties his mouth."

Reactive leadership looks like:

• Answering emails in a fury.
• Interrupting colleagues to make a point.
• Making decisions without full context.

Responsive leadership looks like:

• "Let me process that and get back to you."
• Gathering the facts before the meeting.
• Listening to understand, not just to reply.

This week on the Akua Projects Newsletter and Podcast, I have been discussing how "filling your head" prevents the messes that "emptying your mouth" too quickly creates.

Visit for the Full Experience.

Can you survive your own past?

What happens when your favorite memory becomes your worst nightmare?

In When Memories Become Nightmares, I explore the dark intersection of grief, love, and the "ghosts" that refuse to let us go. It’s a global anthology of flash fiction—perfect for reading in the dark. 🌑

SPECIAL OFFER: For a limited time, get the full Ebook for only $1.50 (Reg. $2.99).

This price is available only on the Lulu bookstore.

📥 Download here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rakia-ari/when-memories-become-nightmares/ebook/product-m26qk2k.html

 

When Memories Become Nightmares - Special Offer Promotion

"I am always with you, ball and chain."

Is it love, or is it a cage?

Looking for your next haunting read? 🥀

My anthology When Memories Become Nightmares is ON SALE now.

📉 Price Drop: $2.99 ➡️ $1.50 📍 Where: Exclusively on @Lulu.Com

Get the collection of "haunting narratives" that explore the trap of nostalgia.

Grab it here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rakia-ari/when-memories-become-nightmares/ebook/product-m26qk2k.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Dive into the complexity of connection in When Memories Become Nightmares.

#TheAkuaProjects #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #EbookSale #DarkFantasy

 

When Memories Become Nightmares - Special Offer

 

"I am always with you, ball and chain." Is it love, or is it a cage? Dive into the complexity of connection in When Memories Become Nightmares.

Monday's Reminder

 

If you pour from an empty cup, you get nothing. If you pour from a bitter cup, you get bitterness. 🏺 This week on the blog, we are exploring the Kenyan wisdom that teaches us to treat speech as a serving, not just a reaction.

Read the full post at https://open.substack.com/pub/rakiaari/p/take-care-with-your-words-fill-your?r=7p8aq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

#AkuaProjects #KenyanProverbs #MindfulSpeech

Nugget from "Salt in the Sea" in 'When Memories Become Nightmares'

#WhenMemoriesBecomeNightmares #RakiaAri #TheAkuaProjects #DarkRomance #IndieAuthor #BlackWriters #ShortStoryCollection #EbookLaunch #Bookstagram #WellnessAndWriting

https://www.lulu.com/shop/rakia-ari/when-memories-become-nightmares/ebook/product-m26qk2k.html?page=1&pageSize=4

 

When Memories Become Nightmares

#WhenMemoriesBecomeNightmares #RakiaAri #TheAkuaProjects #DarkRomance #IndieAuthor #BlackWriters #ShortStoryCollection #EbookLaunch #Bookstagram #WellnessAndWriting

https://www.lulu.com/shop/rakia-ari/when-memories-become-nightmares/ebook/product-m26qk2k.html?page=1&pageSize=4

 

Big news! I’d love your support on this one.

Hi everyone,

I am so excited (and, I’ll admit, a little nervous!) to share that the official launch post for my ebook, When Memories Become Nightmares, is finally live!

This collection has been a true labor of love for me, exploring the ghosts we carry and the memories that refuse to let go. Now that it’s out in the world, I would love your help to give it a little boost.

Could you do me a quick favor?

I’ve just posted the official announcement on social media. If you could take ten seconds to click the link below and "Like" the post, it would mean the world to me. (Engaging with the post helps the algorithm show it to more people!)

To find me and where we connect visit https://www.rakiaari.me.

SubStack

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

✨ For my amazing proofreaders & early readers: If you were one of the kind souls who volunteered to proofread or preview the book, I have a special request! Could you please leave a comment on the post sharing your thoughts or mentioning your favorite story from the collection?

Honest feedback from friends like you is the best way to show new readers what this book is all about.

Thank you so much for being in my corner and supporting The Akua Projects. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

With love and gratitude,

Rakia Ari The Akua Projects

Weekend Mantra

 

"Catch up on the 'Take Care with Your Words' series here."

Take Care with Your Words

 

It’s finally here.

It is Finally Here.

My first ebook, When Memories Become Nightmares is an anthology of short stories exploring the echoes of the past and the prison it can be.

 

The "Reminder"

In this week’s Mental Health Check-In, we discussed the danger of underestimating small things. A small match starts a forest fire. A small sentence ruins a relationship.

Have you listened to the podcast yet? We’re diving deep into how to choose peace over chaos.

Drop a 🕯️ if you are choosing peace this week.

 

🎧 New Podcast Episode & Newsletter are LIVE on Substack.

 "The tongue is a small thing, but it can destroy the world." (Ethiopian Proverb)

We are back with Part 2 of our "Take Care with Your Words" series. This week, we are talking about the sheer power of that tiny muscle.

If you’ve ever regretted something you said in the heat of the moment, this Sunday’s Check-In is for you. I’m sharing my personal strategy for taming the tongue (hint: it involves the pen you see right here ✍🏾).

🎧 New Podcast Episode & Newsletter are LIVE on Substack. 

This Week's Mantra

 

Wednesday Follow Up to Sunday's Mental Health Check In

 

The Akua Projects: The Many Facets of Creation & Care

 

"I choose to pause before I speak, ensuring my words build rather than break."

Happy Monday! We are carrying yesterday’s wisdom into the work week. 💜

If "words are like eggs," how do we make sure we don't drop them? We use the THINK method. Before you type that email, respond to that text, or speak in that meeting, run it through this filter:

T — Take a moment H — Hold your peace I — Intentionally choose your words N — Nurture positive thoughts K — Keep your focus aligned

Which letter is hardest for you to practice? For me, today it’s "T" — taking a moment! Let me know in the comments. 👇🏾

Sunday's Mental Health Check-In: January 25, 2026

"Words are like eggs." 🥚 That’s the West African proverb we are meditating on for this week’s Sunday Mental Health Check-In.

We’ve all said things we wish we could un-say. But like a shattered egg, you can’t put it back in the shell. Today on the blog, we’re talking about the power of the "Pause" and how to handle our words (and each other) with care.

🔗 Read the full entry via the link.

#AkuaProjects #SundayMentalHealthCheckIn #WordsAreLikeEggs #Mindfulness #SundayReset 

Wednesday Follow-Up for the Sunday's Mental Health Check In

 

Just a mid-week reminder: You are the most permanent relationship you will ever have. Don't ghost yourself to text them back.

Read the full blog post titled "Losing Them vs. Losing You". 🔗 

What is one boundary you are setting this week to protect your peace?

Making jewelry requires focus. If my hands are shaking or my mind is cluttered with worry about what everyone else thinks, the bead won't thread. 📿

Healing is the same. You can’t build a beautiful life if you’re too busy holding onto people who break your peace.

Adorning the version of myself that decided to stay. ✨

Disclaimer: The content provided in this series is for informational and inspirational purposes only and reflects the personal experiences and self-reflections of the author. These entries are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The goal is to encourage self-awareness and community; however, if you are struggling, please strictly rely on the advice of a qualified health provider or mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 (in the US) or contact your local emergency services immediately.

Trauma says: 'Keep them at all costs.' Healing says: 'Keep yourself first.'

 A Note to Readers: These entries are simply a collection of personal self-check-ins shared by a woman on her own journey. They are intended to encourage you to pause and check in with yourself, but they are not a replacement for professional support. I encourage everyone to seek the help of a licensed therapist or counselor if they need guidance in navigating their own mental health.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 (in the US) or contact your local emergency services immediately.

"Trauma says: 'Keep them at all costs.' Healing says: 'Keep yourself first.'

For a long time, I thought healing meant I’d stop being afraid. But the truth? The fear didn't disappear—it just moved. I stopped being afraid of an empty chair at the table, and started being terrified of sitting in a room full of people and not recognizing the woman in the mirror.

In this week’s Sunday Mental Health Check-In, we are unpacking the difference between a survival response and a healing standard.

📝 Hear the full entry, https://substack.com/@rakiaari/note/c-201655013?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=7p8aq.

This Week’s Mantra Rooted in Wisdom

"If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm." - African Proverb

(Meaning: When you are secure in who you are (healing), the actions of others (trauma/rejection) lose their power to hurt you.)

#TheAkuaProjects #RakiaAri #HealingJourney #ChooseYourself #MentalHealthBlog"

Sunday’s Mental Health Check-In: Losing Them vs. Losing You

 "We stay because we’re scared of the silence. But what happens when the noise of keeping everyone else happy drowns you out? 🥀

This week’s #SundaysMentalHealthCheckIn is a hard one, but a necessary one. We’re talking about the moment the fear shifts—from losing them to losing yourself.

New post drops today on The Akua Projects. Turn on post notifications. 🔔"

Sunday's Mental Health Check In - January 11, 2026

 There’s a beautiful Zulu idiom that describes the feeling of ultimate safety: "Between the back and the sack." 🌿

It refers to a baby carried on a mother’s back—warm against her skin, held tight by the blanket (the sack). It’s not just about being carried; it’s about belonging. It’s about knowing that if you let go, something else is holding you up.

This Sunday, if you’re feeling the weight of the world, I want you to ask yourself: Who is carrying you? Where is your "sack"—that layer of protection that lets you rest?

We talk about independence so much, but true resilience is knowing when to let yourself be held.

To read the full Sunday Mental Health Check-In, Subscribe Here. 🤍

#SundayReset #MentalHealthCheckIn #BetweenTheBackAndTheSack #VillageMentality #SelfCareSunday #YouAreHeld

Sunday's Mental Health Check-In: January 4, 2025

Sunday's Mental Health Check-In: The Life-Saving Power of "Crying Out"

Happy Sunday, everyone.

Welcome back to our weekly mental health check-in. Grab your coffee, find that comfortable spot on the couch, and let’s take a deep breath together before the new week begins.

This week, I stumbled upon a proverb originating from Zimbabwe, specifically from the Shona language, that stopped me absolutely cold. It’s stark, it’s intense, and man, is it necessary to hear.

The proverb translates to: "A child that does not cry will die in the carrier."

Heavy, right? I know. It’s a punch to the gut on a quiet Sunday morning. But stay with me, because unpacked, this might be one of the most vital metaphors for our mental well-being I’ve ever encountered.

The Imagery

To understand the power of this, we have to visualize it. In many cultures, babies are often carried wrapped tightly to their mother’s or caregiver's back. The baby is safe, secure, and moving along with the caregiver through their day.

But here’s the thing: The caregiver cannot see the baby's face.

If the baby is hungry, uncomfortable, hot, or in pain, the caregiver—no matter how much they love that child—cannot instinctively know something is wrong if the baby stays silent.

The baby has to cry. That cry isn't a nuisance; it is a vital signal of distress. It is the only way the baby can say, "Hey, I need something back here!"

If the child does not cry, they suffer in silence on the back of the very person equipped to help them.

The "I'm Fine" Trap

How often do we do this as adults?

We are struggling. We are overwhelmed by anxiety, crushed by sadness, or just feeling totally burnt out. But when someone asks how we are, the auto-pilot kicks in:

"I'm fine. Just busy."

We stay silent in the carrier.

We buy into the incredibly damaging myth that being strong means suffering silently. We convince ourselves that our pain is a burden to others. We think, “Oh, my partner is too stressed at work, I won't tell them I'm spiraling,” or “My friends are all having fun, I don’t want to bring the mood down.”

Sometimes, we even fall into the trap of thinking that the people who love us should just know. We think, "If they really cared, they'd see I'm drowning."

But go back to the proverb. The caregiver on the front cannot see the baby on the back. Your friends, your family, your partner—they are living their own complex lives. They aren't mind readers. Their inability to see your invisible pain isn't a lack of love; it's just a lack of information.

"Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed"

There’s a simpler, more common version of this saying you’ve probably heard: "Closed mouths don't get fed."

In the context of mental health, if you don't voice your pain, the universe (and your support system) cannot offer you relief.

"Crying out" doesn't always mean literal tears (though those are totally valid too). It means:

• Sending that text that says, "Honestly, I'm really having a hard time today."

• Telling your therapist the thing you’ve been avoiding saying out loud.

• Admitting to your boss that your workload is unsustainable.

• Asking a friend, "Can you just sit with me for a bit? I don't want to be alone."

Your Check-In for the Week

This Shona proverb is a powerful reminder that vulnerability isn't a weakness; it is a survival mechanism.

So, for this Sunday check-in, I want to challenge you with two things for the week ahead:

1. Who are your "carriers"? Identify the people in your life who make up your support system. Remind yourself that they want to know when you aren't okay. They cannot help carry the load if they don't know it's gotten too heavy.

2. Practice a "small cry." If you are struggling right now, don't swallow it. You don't have to shout it from the rooftops, but find one safe corner of your world and let the truth out. Test the waters. See what happens when you stop pretending you've got it all together.

You do not have to suffer in silence. Your voice is the signal that brings help. Use it.

Have a gentle week, everyone. We’re in this together.