A while back, my mom’s cousin died by suicide. She shared with me that after they attended the funeral, her uncle told her that her cousin had committed the greatest sin. While many faiths discourage suicide, they rarely know how to actually talk about this issue in a healthy and productive way. My parents were […]
CW: Mentions of depression and panic attacks. When I tell people that I suffer from depression, the response usually looks like this: a head tilt followed by, “Really? I would have never guessed.” I have a full-time job, I regularly communicate with my family and friends, I attend social gatherings, and have several responsibilities that […]
When I arrived at college, I was very scared. Anxious thoughts circled my mind: What if people don’t like me? What if I can’t make any friends? What if I was going to be totally alone? Freshman orientation did little to ease my fears. While others seemed to easily find friends and form friend groups, […]
It’s no secret that the process is a stressful one. I’ve watched many close friends and family write essay after essay, make edit after edit, and wait nervously for a decision. Society places the expectation on 17 and 18-year-olds to have their lives together and have a defined plan for the next four years of […]
Young people are fortunate to grow up with the most advanced technology ever known…or are we? While technological advancements offer undeniable advantages, they also expose young people to complex platforms like social media. Personally, I have mixed feelings about social media. While I acknowledge its benefits, I believe much more needs to be done in […]
CW: Mentions of disordered eating, anorexia, and competitiveness. Competitiveness in eating disorders runs deep due to the extreme comparison of bodies, behaviors, and physical issues between oneself and another. While someone may think that they are not “anorexic enough” because another person displays more extreme behaviors, that latter person might think the same about the […]
Three years ago, my family helped me move into my freshman dorm. We often hear the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun” and “the next four years of your life will fly by.” Early on in college, it’s hard to believe these statements. But now, as a senior, I can confirm their truth. So, […]
The word purpose carries many connotations; it’s different for everyone. Personally, I am not sure if I have one singular purpose in my life. On the contrary, I know that I love spending my time volunteering for a variety of causes that I believe in. I remember one of the first times I did volunteer […]
Recently, I woke up to see yet another job rejection in my email inbox. Since graduating with my Master’s degree in Journalism three months ago, I have applied to more than fifty jobs. So far, I’ve received 15 rejection letters and have been left without a response from many other companies. Everyone experiences rejection at […]
CW: Mentions of suicide. “No judgment” is so much more than just listening to someone share their story. It’s more than just accepting their story, sympathizing, and extending compassion. While mental health campaigns have long advocated to “end the stigma” and make it easier for people to talk about mental health, I believe there’s an […]