BTS: The Cost of Nonconformity

Two times out of three, telling somebody that I am a fan of the seven-member Korean boy band, BTS, elicits a reaction rife with judgement, disdain, and snideness. Mostly, in these instances, I can know what assumptions these people harbour, because I have come face to face with it many times before, both online and…

The Art of Show, Not Tell

Most of us, whether during a school class that you reluctantly sat through, or as an aspiring novelist or creative writer, have heard the saying “show not tell.” You may find these three words largely unimportant to your everyday life, or think that they are the most fascinating, useful piece of writing advice that you…

What is Toxic Positivity?

We have all heard the sayings, “be positive!” and, “always look on the bright side!” from the people who care about us. But sometimes, even though they are just trying to help us out, these kinds of sentiments only serve to worsen our mood. That is because of something called toxic positivity. Nowadays, we have…

The Ins and Outs of Beauty Standards

Throughout our entire lives, beauty standards have always been all around us. Beauty standards have always had an impact on our lives. There are obvious things that they influence, like how we wear our hair on a particular day. But they can also influence our self-esteem and eating habits. They help shape cultures and eras…