Coulture
It does not feel real at first. You go into denial. You’re so used to how it feels to be with that person; then suddenly, you are left with a hole in your heart where they once were. Overnight, someone who was once your best friend becomes a stranger.
What has not disappeared are the struggles of students on campus as autumn continues marching forward into a looming winter. The darkness that sets in by 5 p.m. and finals on the horizon did little to bring up the spirits on campus; it can be difficult to remember to focus on yourself when so much is happening around you.
I have fallen victim to the social media slot machine many times. I first created an Instagram account when I was 12 years old. At that age, we are not able to fully comprehend the way that these websites are designed to trick us into using them more and more. I would see one post that made me feel bad about myself, and it would ruin my entire day.
You opened this letter, meaning you are looking for some sort of relief from your fears. Whether you are scared about an upcoming exam, approaching a crush, wearing that risky outfit that has been beckoning from your closet for ages, speaking up for yourself, or even just being more confident, I am here to offer my advice.
You are off to a fresh start with new memories and endless opportunities when you board your flight or start your drive to a new place. Traveling opens the doors to a new outlook on life by experiencing a new culture or breaking out of your comfort zone for personal growth.
Look who’s out with a new special again.
I felt an overwhelming sense of awareness wash over me. It felt like a wall had been blocking a part of my being, a wall I never saw before but had just, in an instant, fallen down. It may sound ridiculous or exaggerated, but I genuinely felt physically lighter.
Having a thirteen-year-old brother that has not been vaccinated yet, I am hesitant to get rid of the mask for good. On April 28th, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper lifted the required mask mandate, and normalcy appeared to be in sight. However, is the new mandate a false sense of security?
As an avid Instagram user AND online shopper, I have stumbled across more than a few eye-catching brands from my extensive scrolling. What began to stand out to me was that so many of these companies had something to do with mental health — whether it be the words “your anxiety is lying to you!” across the back of a hoodie or a brand’s profits donated to mental health organizations.