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

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.

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

 

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.

 

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 Mental Health Check-In for 5/4/2025

 

When Memories Become Nightmares

 

Good Evening Beloveds - 'What's The Word of the Day?'

What's The Word of the Day?

"Change''

verb

1. 1.

   make (someone or something) different; alter or modify.

   "both parties voted against proposals to change the law"
2. 2.

   replace (something) with something else, especially something of the same kind that is newer or better; substitute one thing for (another).

   "she decided to change her name"

noun

1. 1.

   the act or instance of making or becoming different.

   "the change from a nomadic to an agricultural society"
2. 2.

   coins as opposed to paper currency.

   "a handful of loose change"

'If you can not be the change that you want to see, than your transformation will never be reached'

I heard that last night while I was watching something different on the non-traditional boob-tube. A few folk had been going on and on about 'My 600lbs Life'. 

Now I am really big on reality tv. Mostly because it is a 'scripted' reality show. But as I said, my normal go-toes weren't keeping me interested. So I was searching through Hulu and they had 'My 600lb Life' as a suggestion for me to watch. 

As I was binge watching, there was an episode with a young woman named Tara. I am not sure if this was a quote from someone else or one she offered for the show. It sang loudly to me, on a personal level as well in relationship to some people I know.

We all have things we want to see different. Whether it is on a major globe scale or just within ourselves. And that change starts within us.

You can have a person or yourself that wants to advance at work. Talking about all the time. But never truly taking inventory of themselves and making the changes they need to get where they want. Whether it is setting out of their comfort zone or realizing they may not be working hard enough to get what they want. It is easy to say what you deserve but what are you doing to earn it? Are educating yourself beyond your limits? Are you making yourself noticeable, by the work you are performing? Or are you waiting on someone to bring it you?

I had a chit chat with a friend, they are ready to move on professional. They feel they deserve to be at a higher rank. At their present location, the recognition isn't there. Meanwhile, it is taking a toll on this person's optimism. I suggested getting away from that environment, to give themselves an opportunity to reinvent themselves free of the drama and negative energy their present location is saturated in. They believe if they sit and wait the right position will come along. Ignoring the effects the surroundings is having on their professional reputation and their health. I said taking a side step in another lane can give you access to your goal.

Another friend, keeps asking his girlfriend to be patient with him. (She in love with him, she doesn't want to go away from him. Good, Bad and Ugly!!! lol.) Anyway, he has lot going on. He is telling her he doesn't want to lose her. He wants things to be different. Now this may sound easier said than done, but it isn't. Be the change you want. As I said, he is overthinking most of the time. (So does she.) She doesn't want anyone other than him. And she is patiently waiting for him to be the change he is talking about.

Last but not least, there is myself. I want to change my living situation. Well, I had to become the change my son and I needed. It wasn't a hard thing to do. At first, I was hung up on relocation. I was considering Albuquerque, NM and New York, New York. I think I was doing a bit of running. I really did want to get away from what I knew and what knew me. It was all based in pain and anger. As I cleared the hurdle, it didn't matter if I was still here or living in some other state. In my attempting to run from myself, I got nowhere. Now that I am not running from myself anymore, I am finally moving forward.

Become the Change that you Want, to Achieve the Transformation you Desire.

1. •