Steps to living normally after something that has turned your whole life around often goes unspoken. Having to live with the thoughts of what happened, thinking about how things could’ve been different is painful. It can easily slip into your everyday life. But from my experiences it's about taking a step back and looking at the full picture.
Read MoreEver since my mom fed me a peanut out of her mixed nuts package when I was a one-year old and hours later I was strapped onto a hospital bed, it has been clear : don’t give Sanai peanuts. Or shellfish, sesame seeds, mustard seeds, and dogs make her sniffle too much so make sure she stays clear of that. But in these last 17 years, my allergies have become a part of me, like freckles on someone’s face. Always there; a background character in my life. Yet the credits that roll through at the end of the movie of my life don’t give enough credits to my allergies, and neither do I. Here is an essay to change that.
Read MoreMelissa Febos’ Girlhood is composed of powerful stories from her life addressing the concept of girlhood. Febos gives readers an intimate look at the realistic process that happens when one grows from girl to woman. She illustrates the raw reality of the experiences and expectations that come with being a woman, including how everyone's idea of you overpowers your true self during these years. This book is immensely gripping, powerful, and important. In this essay, I will demonstrate why every woman should read it.
Read MoreEvery generation has taken female independence and made it into a commodity, why is our generation any different? What does it mean to “buy” into hot girl summer, and should you do it?
Read MoreEveryone’s heard of the five major love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, and physical touch. But what about making Spotify playlists? This unique and heartfelt gesture serves as the ideal way of connecting with others through music. Taking the time to curate the perfect assortment of songs not only demonstrates your dedication but also your creativity; therefore, making Spotify playlists is my go-to love language.
Read MoreHow many times have you looked back at a decision and regretted having not done something else? It seems that we as humans have been doomed to revel in our previous shortcomings until the end of time… but does that always have to be the case?
Read MoreHeartstopper is drastically different from most other popular teen shows. There are no murder mysteries to be solved, no backstabbing betrayals, no mean girl cliques. Instead, it’s filled with realistic experiences and relatable moments: saying “hi” to your crush in the hallway, the butterflies before a first kiss, and navigating the ups and downs of teen friendship. This essay discusses why sometimes less is more, and why Heartstopper’s aching simplicity is exactly what makes the show so special.
Read MoreIn lieu of the age of social media, Leah Johnson showcases the difficulties of following what is commonly referred to as “beating to your own drum.” Examining the way social media can form an unhealthy comparison of the self to others, it seems only best to dance to your own rhythm and woefully accept grace in all its varying forms.
Read MoreI always get excited about birthdays – planning surprise parties for friends, crafting hand-made cards, and celebrating the people I love the most. But when the clock strikes twelve on my own birthday, my excitement is always accompanied by less desirable emotions. This essay discusses the “birthday blues,” why this phenomenon might be more common than you think, and a few reasons you might feel down on your birthday.
Read MoreTo truly make this summer “like a movie,” why not make it a Wes Anderson one? Here is the ideal bucket list for all the Wes Anderson lovers.
Read MoreIt begins with a thought. It echoes, left only to bounce off white, unsuspecting walls. The anxiety propels itself further, searching for a vulnerable host in which to take form in. When it finally makes contact, the spiral begins. Even if you feel yourself falling, tell yourself it’s okay, because it is. You’re there and you are the only one who matters. This is an ode to accepting my anxiety.
Read MoreYou might believe that you have healed from your past experiences, if this is true, however, why does your body still flinch every time you hear a door slam? Even when you might be over it, your experiences are set in your body. In this essay, I will explore how trauma stays in our bodies long after our minds believe we have healed.
Read MoreIn light of chronic back pain and back-to-back surgeries, Izzy Ster discusses coping with inexplicable pain and the accompanying frustration. She also reminisces on the elasticity of time and her personal life philosophy: everything happens for a reason.
Read MoreLife makes lots of demands. There is always something else to be done, more to achieve, an event you can’t possibly miss. Sometimes it’s nice to have something, or someone, who lives outside of these expectations. Through recounting my own memorable experience with a low-maintenance friend, this essay reveals the understated importance of friendships built from the in-between moments.
Read MoreWool sweaters, the smell of dewed grass, the pattern of thick droplets on the roof above you. There is nothing quite like a rainy day. As a Seattle native who has braved many, I want to preserve that indescribable feeling.
Read MoreWith the pandemic making it difficult to be present in person, it's easy to be seduced by booze and bud when we're seeking stimulation. But what happens when you turn to the can or the clip at 10AM? “Uh-oh” is right. In this essay, I identify healthier alternatives to drinking alcohol and smoking weed for anyone who's hoping to lessen their use of each substance.
Read MoreMoving abroad is a big step in one’s life. The arguably most important thing you can do while living abroad is understanding and accepting the people that uphold the customs and culture you are entering into. This article provides input on why and how you should and can achieve that.
Read MoreLife makes lots of demands. There is always something else to be done, more to achieve, an event you can’t possibly miss. Sometimes it’s nice to have something, or someone, who lives outside of these expectations. Through recounting my own memorable experience with a low-maintenance friend, this essay reveals the understated importance of friendships built from the in-between moments.
Read MoreAnna surpasses the constraints she was written in because her emotional capacity becomes far greater than any protagonist preceding her. She basically had a one-woman revolution, leaving the rest of us people-pleasing type A doormats panting after her. If I’ve learned one thing from Anna—it’s that your reckoning comes whether you believe you deserve it or not. I look at her fictional life span, and I resolve myself to try to make the same decision she did. I would rather live a full, messy life that is completely my own than attempt to live anyone else’s.
Like a whimpering dog, fine art too begs. It pants at our feet for a treat, begging for the sweet morsels of our perspective. The beauty in fine art is that we as the viewer can understand it through what we give to it.
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