CW: Mentions of PTSD, details of car accident. A couple of years ago, I was in a severe car accident. I was left with medical complications, went through emergency surgery, and spent the night alone in the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions. After successful surgery and finally reuniting with my family, I was faced with […]
I have a pet hamster named Viktor. Most of my past pets were hamsters. When I was little, I gave little thought to taking care of them. Instead, I left that up to my mom or older brother. I was interested in playing with them, though. It usually didn’t work out since we never formed […]
At age fourteen, I thought that I had everything figured out. I thought that I was unique in knowing what I wanted my career to be: singing and songwriting. While I still adore those two things and would love to pursue them full-time, it’s not the only thing that I ended up wanting to do. […]
The holiday season is upon us, and with so many potential interactions, clear communication is key. This blog will recount my personal struggles with expecting people to read my mind by exceeding my expectations. I will also integrate how the holiday season exacerbates this counterproductive mentality and ways I have figured out how to communicate […]
Struggling to eat, sleep, and breathe for eleven months, my chronic health condition took a toll on both my physical and mental health. My athletic performance declined and despite my efforts to fight its effects, repeated failures made it clear that my goals in rowing might not be attainable. To many, losing the ability to […]
The winter season brings lots of changes: shorter days, colder mornings, darker evenings, and holiday expectations. For many, this can be exhausting. There may be components of winter that feel exhilarating: hot cocoa, beautiful holiday lights, and the prospect of excessive snowfall. However, this season can bring a variety of adversities for several individuals. If […]
CW: Mentions of suicide. The holiday season is fast approaching and the “merry” and “cheerful” energy is in full effect in every shop window and commercial on T.V. However, for many, the holiday season isn’t always a joyous time. The impact of the holiday season on mental health often goes unspoken. November and December may […]
I’m naturally extroverted. To me, this means that I love socializing with others, hanging out with friends on Friday nights, and I get antsy if I’m alone for too long. Like many others, I thrive on the energy of being around people—whether that’s in a lively coffee shop or strolling through bustling streets with my […]
CW: Mentions of suicide/suicidal ideation, depression, and self-harm. Since I was in fourth grade, I’ve been enrolled in many different mental health treatments for my struggles with anxiety, eating, self-image, depression, trauma, and self-harm. Sometimes, I’ll mention something casually in conversation that might confuse someone who hasn’t been through treatment themselves. Their puzzled [...]
Talking about mental health is challenging, especially when you grow up in a community where it feels like no one talks about it at all. In Hispanic families, there’s often an unspoken rule to keep struggles to yourself, push through, and not show “weakness.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, “échale ganas” […]