It’s been very overwhelming dealing with the uncertainty of the project. I thought I had my path clear, but I discovered a phase of emptiness—if that makes sense. It feels like I’m starting from scratch, but at the same time, I know I have to trust the process.

The topic of gender biases in objects is no longer my main focus. I’ve been rereading books about sexism and misogyny and reflecting on why I’ve always been passionate about this topic. It makes me feel powerless, scared, and mad. Trying to define how these feelings relate to my project, I concluded that the subject that interests me the most is safety and security. The fear women have of being abused in different ways, and the fact that many of us experience it and need to keep moving forward.

Author Laura Bates created a blog called the Everyday Sexism Project, where women post about the horrible interactions they have experienced. I feel so connected to this because I’ve been through it, as have many of my friends. It’s a horrible feeling. As women, we experience this daily, and it’s just outrageous.

Thinking about how to relate this to my project, I need to rethink Flag the Gap and how the red flags could be part of this idea.

• Could a red flag be a way of calling out sexist and abusive behaviors?

• I had the idea of using red flag stickers for people to use in their environments, showing what they understand as their own red flags.

• To address concerns about the environmental impact, I thought about using materials that are accessible and easily usable, such as rocks. I’m still not sure how, but maybe replacing red flags with red rocks that people could use.
• Thinking about rocks led me to consider the weight many women have to deal with. It’s an invisible weight, but it’s there. Holding the rock, carrying the rock, owning the rock, and throwing it.