Until last week, eighteen year-old Instagram model Essena O’Neill was the perfect model of what, in her opinion, Instagram and other social media sites are all about: deception, vanity, and competition. With 612 000 followers in tow, she walked through life a slave to her internet popularity; she spent hours trying to find the perfect lighting,…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about mental illness, it’s that it targets everybody. On the outside, most people seem so happy. But beneath the smiles and laughter is often something darker. In fact, I used to think that mental illness only found a home in those who were the type of people who don’t…
This school year has marked the start of a rather awkward phase of life for me; I recently had a “falling out” with the group of friends I’ve been a part of for the past two years, and broke up with my long-time boyfriend. So far, it has been difficult to create friendships with the…
I was once asked: “If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?” And the question got me thinking more than it probably should have. There are the typical responses, such as homelessness, hunger, poverty, violence, crime, and many other very important issues in this world. But I figured that if there…
When I arrived at my school at 7 am this morning to catch the bus for We Day, an annual event in YYC that celebrates and inspires youth innovation, I was greeted with a hostility that made me wonder whether I had coffee breath, or someone had used my student ID photo on a poster for gonorrhoea. It…
My life is always going a thousand miles a minute; I can never seem to catch a break from the stresses of school and extracurricular activities. I find that the best way to combat this problem is by drinking tea and taking a nap. However, if there is one thing I’m learning to do these past…
{Source} To be completely honest, politics has never caught my interest the same way it does others. But what caused me (and you) to check hashtags and read articles regarding this election was the hype. We could never get away from it because promises upon promises were thrown at us everywhere we went. This is not a…
Homelessness is a prominent issue, even in very developed countries such as our own. In 2013, there were at least 30 000 homeless people in Canada on any given night. You may think : “Well, it’s their problem. What could I do to help them?” Of course, you could donate food, clothing, and volunteer at…
Source It’s easy to admit we live in the digital age, where communication is easier than ever and the ability to share your message is as fast as a click of a button. I can share news-worthy stories within an instant, add my 2 cents to discussions and be tagged in those embarrassing childhood pictures…
There was a video posted by a YouTuber named Nicole Arbour that has received over 17 million hits and a lot of controversy since being posted. The video is titled “Dear Fat People”, already it is obvious that Arbour is addressing a very sensitive concept that goes around and around constantly on social media because…
How do you feel when you see a homeless person? Speaking from personal experience, I have to admit that I feel uncomfortable. However, I know that I shouldn’t feel that way. It’s something that I’m continually working to overcome. The first step is identifying how I honestly feel, so that I can figure out what…
Homelessness. My perspective on this social issue continues to change and broaden as time goes on. I feel like for a long time, I’ve been close-minded about it and to some extent, this still holds true today. That’s why I’m writing this post, to better educate myself and to inform readers about the complexities that surround…