Zoe Kravitz in High Fidelity: The ultimate playlist curator
Music is a powerful but dangerous tool. It can shift our mood and set the tone for our day. A sad playlist can leave you depressed, starting the day dwelling on the intrinsic existentialism of humanity and the limitations of love (Think Adam’s Ribs by Jensen McRae). Oppositely, starting your day with a song like OKLOSER by Doja Cat builds you up for whatever may come your way, whether it be delayed trains or people who should stop talking. Whether you need a morning pick-me-up, a stress reliever after work, or just some background tunes to keep you in high spirits, the perfect feel-good playlist is a necessity.
‘Feel-good’ can mean a lot of things. Some songs get us through 30 minutes of full-body pilates, while others bring a sense of calmness and relaxation, like the Bridgerton instrumental covers. Curating a personalized playlist tailored to your unique taste and emotional needs is key. Whether you’re into upbeat pop anthems, throwbacks, or soothing instrumentals, the goal is to build a collection of songs that lift you up no matter what state you’re in. Conceited by SZA can pretty much fall into every kind of feel-good playlist, so I recommend starting there. After that, the notes below can help you make a personalized feel-good playlist that comes in handy any time of day. Good luck and happy curating!
1. Define Your Feel-Good Tone
Before you start adding songs, think about the kind of energy you want your playlist to bring. Do you want upbeat and danceable tracks, or something more mellow and comforting? Maybe you’re looking for nostalgia-inducing classics or modern pop hits. Think Bless the Telephone by Labi Siffre, So American by Olivia Rodrigo, or both?
2. Start with Your Bangers
It’s important to start with absolute bangers in case of emergency. Have to go to work but feel like you’re going to cry? SOS, need a banger to clear up the emotions. Look for songs that make you excited and energized. Think about tracks that instantly boost your mood, primarily because they remind you of nothing and no one (We don’t want to happy cry either). These personal favorites will serve as the foundation of your playlist. I immediately go to Elian’s Revenge by Leikeli47. You’re drivingggg down Martin Lutherrrrr, it’s half past midnightttt, and you dial my numberrrrr…
3. Mix Up the Genres
Variety is chef’s kiss. Make sure to blend genres—pop, rock, rap, indie, R&B, etc. Mixing things up keeps the energy dynamic and engaging. Maybe Material Girl by Madonna followed by Buy U a Drank by T-Pain. Oye by La Sonora Dinamita followed by Play the Greatest Hits by Wolf Alice. The combinations are endless.
Me when I first was gifted my trusty Beats a while ago
4. Choose Songs with Positive Lyrics(?)
Mmm, debatable. I say choose songs with lyrics that are strictly not sad to you personally. Yes, feel-good playlists should have uplifting, encouraging, and humorous lyrics that make you feel empowered and happy, but not all the time is that the case. The main point is to avoid songs with sad or overly dramatic themes. For example, Ordinary Girl by Hannah Montana is a very positive lyrical song, but it’s an absolute tear-jerker for me now that I’m not 10 anymore.
5. Incorporate Some Nostalgia
Speaking of Hannah Montana, sometimes nothing brings instant joy quite like a song that transports you back to an exciting time in your life. Throw in some childhood favorites, classic hits from past decades, or even guilty pleasures you secretly love. Nostalgic songs create an emotional connection and add a personal touch to your playlist. Try Knock Out by Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.
Here’s my current feel-good playlist on repeat:
My fav pick-me-up songs at the moment
Boston and Cambridge Students! Get BOGO 25% with this Campus Clipper Coupon and your student idea at Poke City.
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
A few months ago, I wrote about how women perpetuating the patriarchy was taking a toll on me (as if it were new information). I was frustrated by the way I was being objectified by men and women alike, belittled and dumbed down into something along the lines of a rom-com side character scripted by Richard Curtis. I have lived long enough to know that when that happens, someone is simply projecting their own insecurities, but by god is it still so incredibly annoying.
The truth is I don’t blame women, or men for that matter, for being insecure. The pressures we face today are unimaginable, and the standard of beauty and overall being is simply unattainable. If you’re not living off brand deals and traveling the world, are you really living? If you don’t have abs like Glen Powell, what kind of girl even wants you? And if you aren’t on the list of Forbes 30 Under 30, have you even found a purpose in life? It’s absurd what we compare ourselves to rather than appreciate all we’ve done.
Societal pressure has left us all insecure at one moment or another, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The point is how we handle that insecurity of ours. Maybe you’re insecure about your body type because the world has told you it doesn’t compare to Charlie’s Angels, but does it really make you feel better to comment “Jeez, put on some meat” under an influencer’s bikini pic? I may not blame anyone for feeling like they don’t measure up from time to time, but I will 100% blame women for putting other women down just to feel good about themselves.
According to Her Campus, “A recent social media phenomenon, the term ‘girl’s girl’ is used to describe women who support other women through every aspect of their lives, and not just the women directly in their lives either.” To be a girl’s girl takes active work. It involves dismantling the competitiveness and insecurities society has propelled onto us, which can be incredibly difficult when it comes to things we’ve been taught all our lives.
My mom: the ultimate girl’s girl
If you’ve been so fortunate as to have primarily healthy female friendships all your life, you may think to yourself, “Well, I know a lot of girl’s girls, and I thought most girls were girl’s girls, so just how many aren’t?” You’ll be interested to find that someone calls a woman a ‘slut’ or ‘whore’ on X (formerly Twitter) almost 10,000 times per day, and half of those comments are from women, a 2016 Washington Post study stated. More interestingly, The Workplace Bullying Institute found women bully other women up to 80% of the time. And if it couldn’t get worse, a 2020 study by the United Nations found that about 90% of men AND women “hold some sort of bias against women, providing new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality, and a potential path forward to shattering the Glass Ceiling.” The truth is, the world needs a LOT more actual girl’s girls, not just performances.
It’s important for us as women to remember that being a girl’s girl extends far beyond just watching another girl’s drink at the bar. It’s in the way we speak to each other, the way we act with each other, and the way we stand up for one another. It’s in the way we stop ourselves from falling into sexist rhetoric, from using gender as an insult, from objectifying each other more than we applaud one another. Like the scene from Mean Girls, I’m sure we could all raise our hands and admit we’ve said things we regret about another girl. You’d think, though, that once we reach Ms. Norbury’s age at the latest, all the weird ‘girl-on-girl crime’ would just… fizzle out?
In our 20s, it seems to just take on more forms. A random back-handed compliment from a friend here, an insulting up-and-down glance from a stranger there, A humiliation fetish disguised as a joke everywhere! Not to mention, it’s SO second-hand embarrassing for me and for everyone I tell afterward (Yes, I will absolutely gossip about the hurtful thing you said to me. It’s my way of coping). You should see the grimaces and furrowed brows that glide over everyone’s faces, the cringes and widened eyes that follow suit, and the “Um wtf!” texts that fly in like clockwork. If non-girl’s girls knew they came off this way, would they change their ways, like Regina George? Or would they still play victim, siding with misogynists, calling women hormonal b-words? I’d like to think they can still be saved.
Tally: another ultimate girl’s girl
If we support one another, uplift one another, and stand up for one another, it won’t only make us better people, but actually make us feel better, too. A study from the National Institute of Health states, “Friendships among women can provide critical social resources and promote overall wellness, feelings of self-worth, and empowerment. Findings from studies that examine these relationships among women indicate that the quality of friendship support is more important than the mere number. Supportive friendships, which are characterized by intimacy, nurturance, loyalty, and prosocial behaviors, are associated with heightened psychological and physical well-being.”
Being a supportive girl’s girl is so important, especially in a world that has always been and still is against women. Uplifting other women creates a sense of community, which means we’ll have more people to hear us out and learn from in times of need. Hyping up our friends and strangers also shifts our mindset away from toxic comparison, because life is hard enough without mentally competing in a game no one actually wins. Plus, acts of kindness release feel-good hormones, so we’re not just being nice—we’re chemically hacking our own brains into happiness. At the end of the day, why make enemies out of the very people who could be your biggest allies?
“I love my husband, but it is nothing like a conversation with a woman who understands you. I grow so much from those conversations.” – Beyonce
Boston Students! Get free chips and salsa at Chivo Taqueria in Cambridge!
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
I was recently watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta, season 15 (I know, I’m behind). There was a scene where the girls were dishing out some gossip, not over tea or coffee, but instead over Vitamin IV drips. It was a peculiar sight, but not one I hadn’t seen before. The reality stars of Selling Sunset also had a very similar scene. Still, I can’t get past the casualness of it. It reminded me of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives where they all meet up to gossip at the Botox office, inhaling the laughing gas like oxygen. Okay, maybe that one is a little different, but whatever happened to talking crap at the nail salon? Or while grabbing some appetizers? More than likely, I’ve simply become too exposed to reality TV ever since I bought a Peacock subscription.
Most vitamin IV drips, also known as vitamin therapy, include vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and electrolytes like Sodium and potassium. The anticipated plus side of using vitamin therapy as opposed to taking vitamins by mouth is that they enter the bloodstream directly, which users have expressed makes them feel better more quickly. Vitamin therapy has also been used specifically for hydration, especially in sports (or, in the reality TV world, hangover cures).
Cynthia Bailey from RHOA getting a “Fountain of Youth” IV drip
While vitamin IV drips have definitely become a rising trend, especially for the rich and famous, I prefer to steer clear of needles. They make me feel queasy.
The idea of vitamin therapy, though, has me thinking about all of the different kinds of vitamins, supplements, and teas people take for a variety of desired effects. According to a study by Harvard University, approximately 50% of adults take a daily vitamin, and about 33% take a daily multivitamin. On any given day, over fifty percent of the American population drinks tea.
Most of the people I know are heavily into supplements. My mom used to take a handful of gas-station vitamin supplements a day when I was a child, and probably before that, too. Now, she takes more dignified vitamins from a vitamin store, of course. My sister and I take probiotic vitamins and multivitamins. My friends take magnesium supplements and calming gummies and gender-specific one-a-days. My boyfriend takes melatonin like it’s no one’s business. The list goes on.
Besides multivitamins, the only time I lean towards taking supplements is when they offer some kind of calming effect that I am desperate for.
POV: You and I spill the tea over lavender stress-relief tea served in a Madame de Pompadour tea set.
I am no medical expert, but I do have a list of supplements, whether it be in pill, gummy, or tea form, that I choose from when I’m having an anxious or stressful day. They could be placebo, they could be legitimate, or they could be somewhere in between. Regardless, these are my favorite go-to supplements for calmness and relaxation:
*These recommendations are my own opinion and should not be taken unless consulted with a doctor.
L-Theanine – I think of L-Theanine as my brain’s cuddle buddy. Found in green tea, this little amino acid boosts feel-good neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin, helping me stay relaxed yet focused. It’s perfect for those days when stress is high, but I still need to get things done (which is pretty much every day).
GABA – When my brain feels like it’s in overdrive, GABA tends to slow it down. As the body’s natural calming neurotransmitter, it helps quiet racing thoughts, reduce anxiety, and even improve sleep. I like taking GABA at the end of the day to wind down before bed.
Chamomile – A warm cup of chamomile tea before bed isn’t just cozy—it’s science-backed stress relief. Chamomile’s antioxidants interact with our brain’s relaxation receptors, helping to melt away anxiety and promote restful sleep. I drink chamomile tea during the day when my anxiety is high, or at night when I want a good sleep. I like to throw in some lemon and ginger in there when I’m feeling a bit under the weather, too.
Ashwagandha – Period! This powerful adaptogen helps balance cortisol (our stress hormone), making us more resilient to daily pressures. Whether you need a mood boost or better sleep, ashwagandha has been known to help with anxiety and stress. Ashwagandha tea and gummies have always helped with my anxiety.
Lavender – There’s a reason lavender is in so many spa products. Its soothing scent and calming properties help reduce anxiety, lower stress hormones, and even improve sleep. Whether in tea, essential oils, or supplements, lavender feels like a cute lullaby for my nerves. I like throwing in a lavender shower steamer or two for extra relaxation after a workout.
All in all, vitamins and supplements can be helpful to add to your diet, with many of them being scientifically proven to improve your mood, cognitive function, and stress tolerance. However, not every vitamin supplement is the magic cure marketers want you to believe—unless your wallet is feeling a little too full, like the reality stars and their extra IV drips. Before you start popping pills like a medieval king trying to avoid the plague (RIP King Henry the 8th, you would’ve loved vitamin B12), chat with your doctor to see what, if anything, you actually need.
Boston Students! Get 5% off with a cash payment at MG Hair Artistic Studio in Allston.
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
One of my closest friends was recently flipping through pages of her journal from a few years ago. She had written down manifestation statements back in 2021, setting up goals for herself to actualize in the next few years. “I’m so happy I was able to buy a house in the Dominican Republic by age 24” was one of them. “I’m so happy that, by age 25, I found someone who is right for me, loves me, supports me, and makes me a better person” was another. She cringed while reading them, but she also started tearing up because those two statements came true.
I’m the kind of person that will try anything as long as it can’t hurt me. With manifesting, I always figured nothing necessarily bad could come out of it, so why not try it? When I first moved to Boston, I went to Salem and bought ‘magic’ candles from a witch store. They were color-coded to what aspect of life one wanted to manifest good things for: green for finances, white for peace, yellow for intelligence, and so on. I went home and lit the red candle, symbolic of love and attraction, and I let the wax melt onto a piece of paper where I had written about my crush on my now boyfriend. Did I feel silly, trying not to set off the fire alarms as I performed a ritual in my bedroom? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably. And THAT’s on girlhood.
My boyfriend’s and my new shoes: manifesting at its finest
I’ve been using the word ‘manifest’ a lot over the past few weeks, and the people around me have been using it as well. In our 20s, we’re all manifesting new jobs, better relationships, and internal peace. “Please manifest for me!” and “I’m manifesting it” and “Manifest good shit” have a surprising amount of hits in my text message results. I’ve never considered myself a believer of pseudosciences like astrology or chakra alignment, but I do think there’s something to be said about the mental energy that goes into getting what you want, along with the inherent determination that comes with it.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, to manifest is to “imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen.” The word ‘manifest’ was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website in 2024, making it one of the most-viewed words of the year. In the United States, the idea of manifesting has grown less taboo with time, with many people turning to it daily.
Today’s concept of manifesting can be traced back to the New Thought Movement of the late 19th century, which is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs can have an influence on our health, prosperity, and success. The New Thought Movement emerged in the United States and Britain, drawing influence from the literary transcendentalists, the celebrity mesmerists, and, most prominently, Hindu philosophy. In Hinduism, manifestation is connected to the belief in Karma, meaning that our thoughts, intentions, and actions directly influence our reality.
In 2006, Rhonda Byrne published a best-selling self-help book, “The Secret,” exploring the topics of manifesting and the Law of Attraction, which centers on focusing your thoughts and energy on positive desires to attract positive life experiences. “The Secret” went on to sell over 35 million copies worldwide. The rise of celebrities like Jim Carrey, Oprah Winfrey, and Will Smith speaking about their practice of and belief in manifestation aided the book’s sales and reputation despite its lack of scientific foundation.
Manifesting was brought back into the mainstream media during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with people turning to the concept as almost a coping mechanism for the tough times ahead. During 2020, Google searches for the word ‘manifest’ rose by over 600%, and trends on social media skyrocketed with practices like positive affirmation statements and the 777 method. Pinterest saw a 565% increase in searches related to creating vision boards based on the cultivation of desired self-images. The conviction of social media participants seemed to be split in half, some manifesting comedically and others religiously.
A few examples of the affirmation memes that circulated the internet during COVID.
From candle ceremonies to Pinterest boards, the art of manifesting today has become a staple in Gen Z’s self-care and wellness culture. New research from American Express reveals that nearly seven in 10 Gen Zs (69%) engage in manifestation practices, with over half saying it’s to help them achieve their goals.
While there is certainly no evidence to support the idea that manifesting gives you exactly what you want without any work involved, there are legitimate mental health benefits to practicing it. If we look at manifesting as not just a trend, but not a whole identity, either, we see that it can be something of a self-care practice, promoting positive self-talk, long- and short-term goals, and confidence in those who participate. Many of us are ‘manifesting’ without even knowing it.
Implementing manifestation tactics like positive self-talk, personal affirmations, and goal visualizations into our daily lives has been shown to improve self-esteem, stress management, and well-being, as well as reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In studies by the National Institute of Health, self-talk specifically has beneficial effects on attention and emotion regulation and is widely used for performance enhancement in sports, academic engagement, and regulating anxiety or depression. Additionally, according to BetterHelp, “The latest research shows that the brain does not recognize the difference between real or imagined scenarios and that “rehearsing” future scenarios with visualization can build new neural pathways, calm anxiety, and increase confidence as you work toward your goals.”
Affirmation: I will catch the train on time. I will not miss the train and wait outside in 20-degree weather. The T is on my side.
Olympians across the globe have discussed the mental training that goes into achieving their dreams, from visualizing their race over and over again like Grant Holloway to posting manifestation statements on Instagram like Noah Lyles. It’s clear that the activities involved in manifesting are more than just wishing and wanting; they’re active steps taken to achieve one’s dreams.
The truth is, when we show up our best, we do our best, both mentally and physically. If we are constantly telling ourselves that we don’t deserve something, that we aren’t good enough, or that we don’t believe in ourselves, it’s more likely we won’t even put the time or energy necessary into our goals. With that, how are we ever supposed to get what we want, or get closer to getting what we want? No one is saying you can just sit on your couch, light a bunch of candles, and wait for a million-dollar check to fall into your lap. Likewise, there’s nothing wrong with being mentally diligent and committed to your goals, either.
I like to think of it as a self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophecy, in a gist, is when what you predict to happen becomes what actually happens because it is what you expected to happen (I know, it’s a bit wonky). Basically, your actions end up aligning with your expectations. For example, let’s say I was going to a party, but I was afraid that no one was going to talk to me, and I wouldn’t make any friends. The self-fulfilling prophecy here would be that I went to the party, was too afraid to talk to anyone for fear of rejection, and consequently did not make any friends. I fulfilled the prophecy I set out for myself because I didn’t visualize a different outcome. It’s similar to people who say, “I’m going to fail the test anyway, so why even study?”
However, if I had told myself–whether it be by writing it down in a journal, visualizing the scenario in my head, or using positive self-talk to affirm my wants–that I was going to make friends at the party despite the chances of no one talking to me, I may have been more inclined to talk to people myself. I most likely would start up conversations with strangers and make friends via my own determination and confidence to get what I want. This is how I see manifestation: taking the time and energy to be specific about your desires and how you’ll fulfill them. “I will study, and my hard work will pay off.”
Of course, things don’t always go the way we want, and we can’t expect life to be all smooth sailing. We could easily talk to people at the party only to find out they’re kind of annoying and not really our speed. We could easily study all night and still fail the exam. We could easily be on time for the subway only for it to stand by at the stop before ours for 20 minutes. However, the point is that by focusing on the possible positive outcomes, we open ourselves up to opportunities that we may otherwise not have. If nothing bad can come out of it, why not give it a try?
Boston Students! Get 10% off at Cambridge Naturals with this coupon and a Student ID.
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
Common Statistics of Workplace Bullying in America.
We like to think of bullying as something only kids go through when they’re learning about social hierarchies and how to approach people’s differences. Most of us are taught at a young age about the cycle of bullying and how to break the chain, however, as many as 45% of Americans say they have been bullied during adulthood. Often, adult bullies are more calculated than those we can recall from our childhood, as they tend to teeter the line between being domineering and unambiguously committing a form of harassment. This leaves workers questioning themselves, feeling uncomfortable, and struggling with their mental health.
According to the WBI U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey conducted in January 2021, “30% of Americans have experienced workplace bullying; another 19 percent have witnessed it; 49 percent are affected by it; and 66 percent are aware of its occurrence.”
It can be hard to tell just what constitutes workplace bullying, but a lot of the characteristics are the same as what we learned in grade school. The Workplace Bullying Institute defines bullying as “repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more persons (the targets) by one or more perpetrators that takes one or more of the following forms: verbal abuse, offensive conduct/behaviors (including nonverbal) which are threatening, humiliating, or intimidating; or work interference – sabotage – which prevents work from getting done.”
In a 2017 study, the Institute discovered that nearly 75% of workplace bullies are men, with 60 percent of that portion targeting women. Moreover, two-thirds of women workplace bullies (referred to as “mean girls”) target other working women.
When work issues get the best of me, I like to turn to my hobbies to bring me joy. Here’s a coconut lemon pie I made from scratch, which was sooooo delicious! Baking has become a very therapeutic pastime of mine.
Aside from the more commonly known experiences like written or spoken personal insults, name-calling, or public shaming, workplace bullying also includes:
Intimidating or undermining employees by demeaning their work standards
Setting them up for failure and constantly reminding them of old mistakes
Threatening employees’ personal self-esteem and work status
Withholding Information that involves them
Making unreasonable demands, creating undue pressure and stress, and overworking employees
Giving constant and unfair criticism
Blaming without factual justification
Giving hostile glares and other intimidating gestures
Purposely excluding or isolating a coworker
Deliberately insulting others and taking part in behind-the-back putdowns
Monitoring another excessively
Ignoring personal boundaries
A meta-analysis based on 140,000 participants showed an overwhelming amount of evidence that toxic work environments have an incredibly negative impact on mental health. This can even generate chronic stress and burnout, and it can lead to the worsening of any pre-existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Chronic stress has been linked to issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system. After all, we spend about ⅓ of our lives working, so it’s no wonder how a negative work environment could impact us so tremendously.
Another thing I do when the going gets tough is remind myself of how far I’ve come and where I’m headed. This is from December 2023 when I found out I was going to Emerson! Reminding myself of the small wins I’ve accomplished (like Emerson and being a part of Campus Clipper!) is a great way to stay positive and push through difficulties.
The most common tell-tale signs of toxic work environments that are often supplemented by frequent bullying include a lack of organization, high turnover rates, poor communication, gossip, a general absence of trust, micromanagement, and inappropriate work-life expectations. Often, we are unaware of just how toxic a work environment can be until we’re knee-deep in it, searching for a way out. Of course, many people are not in the privileged position to simply quit a job without having another one lined up immediately. What, then, do we do after we’ve found ourselves stuck? Surrounded by workplace bullies?
Focus on the Positives, if Any
Focusing our attention on the positive things about our work can help protect our mental health by shifting our mindset away from stress and frustration and toward moments of gratitude and personal growth. Finding small wins here and there can boost resilience, making it easier to maintain motivation and emotional balance, at least while you try to find a new job.
Keep Good Company
Having supportive colleagues can provide a sense of belonging, validation, and encouragement amid workplace stress. By building positive connections, we can also help counteract negativity, making it easier to navigate challenges and maintain our sanity.
Leave Work at Work
Setting a boundary with yourself to leave work at work allows us to protect our personal time from stress and negativity that doesn’t belong there. Disconnecting helps us recharge, focus on self-care, and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
Connect with HR
If your workplace has an HR, contacting them is incredibly important for your mental health and self-care because it ensures that acts of harassment and bullying are being documented and addressed, helping us create a safer and more respectful environment. Speaking up also reinforces the idea that we deserve to be treated with respect, and we won’t expect anything less. Most importantly, workplace laws protect employees from harassment and unfair treatment, and HR has a responsibility to uphold these standards to ensure a fair and lawful work environment.
Quit!
Quitting a toxic job sometimes is the only way to protect our mental health. As we know, staying in a harmful environment can lead to overwhelming stress, anxiety, and burnout. It can cause us to lose self-esteem and feel like things won’t ever get better, and the consequences can be long-lasting, both mentally and physically. Prioritizing our well-being by leaving allows us to reclaim our peace, build confidence, and seek a healthier, more supportive workplace. Being upset every day you go to work is no way to be spending ⅓ of your life. Your future self will thank you.
Boston Students! Head to Cambridge Naturals and kickstart your health and wellness journey with 10% OFF using this coupon and your student ID!
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
Joanne and I sit next to one another at the theater for Life & Times of Michael K. As she stands up so I can take my seat, I compliment her tan faux fur hat and ski pants as a form of introduction. She is my height and frail, and her eyes have a smile to them that makes me inexplicably emotional.
There’s silence for a few minutes as we settle in. I take pictures of the art deco ceiling and she reads the playbill. I play with my nails, and she smooths back her white hair into a thin ponytail, her hands shaking from an aggressive tremor. Then, when she takes a sip of her coffee, I gather up just enough courage to tell her this is my first time inside the Paramount Theatre, and I’ve made it a point to myself to do more things this year, even if it means doing them alone. I feel uncomfortable rambling to a stranger, but her smile has an earnest compassion to it, like that of a pre-k teacher listening to a child tell them about their weekend. Originally, she says, she was supposed to meet up with two girlfriends, one of whom is from Barbados and paid for her ticket. 27 degrees and overcast kept them at bay, but she loves doing things, too, anything to get out of the house, and she finds the theater especially “cathartic.”
The Paramount Theatre before showtime!
Joanne tells me she’s been in Boston since ‘66 or ‘68, and she hardly ever goes back home to Minnesota because she finds it boring. There are valleys, however, along the Mississippi that she still dreams about, and great rolling hills and cliffsides. She sways her shaking fingers from side to side as she demonstrates the movement of the tall grass blowing in the wind. In her dreams, she goes everywhere, even the Notre Dame de Paris. She asks me if I liked growing up in Miami because it seems a lot less boring than Minnesota, but I tell her I don’t really like going back home either, and Miami reminds me of the girls in high school who had boating licenses and access to ketamine. I refrain from telling her my dreams often involve screaming because I want her to like me, the same way a granddaughter craves the approval of her matriarch.
When she finds out I’m a publishing grad student, she asks me what I think of the word ‘charming’ and whether it’s out of use. This is because she had a conversation about it with her siblings wherein she described one of her brothers as charming ‘even though he has brain damage’, and they found it weird to call someone with brain damage charming, so she’s been thinking about it ever since. I tell her I use the word charming relatively often, and I think it’s fine to describe her brother that way. She says I can call her Jo since that’s what her siblings call her, anyway.
Jo was a substitute teacher for a while and worked a bit in psychiatry, but she developed a neurological condition and has been retired for some time. After telling me this, she is quick to change the subject and mentions when she first came to Boston, she would go to all the libraries and bookstores and just sit there for hours and hours reading. She gestures with her hands in circular motions when she says ‘hours and hours’, and her eyes light up as she seems to regain a sentimental memory that has been out of thought for some time. Her brother also loves books, so they have a bond there. I tell her my brother and I were the first in our family to get degrees and they both happened to be in English, and she says it’s nice to have someone older than you who understands those things.
The best acting is at Central Square, and she prefers the interior design of the Paramount Theatre to the Opera House. She doesn’t know anyone in the mafia, but she knows a lot of Sicilians, and she doesn’t like their attitude. She says the only way to get used to the cold is to be in it often, and that rule applies to a lot of things in life. I’m not entirely sure what she means by this, but it sounds important.
The announcer comes on, and we quiet down. I am immersed in the play, but from time to time, my mind wanders to what Jo is thinking. There is something about her that reminds me of myself, though I can’t quite place it. In a way, I see her as an older version of myself, and I want to know her whole life story but feel too embarrassed to ask. I wonder if she’d think me a loser to ask her to coffee, as I’m sure when she was my age she didn’t want an old lady as a friend. I also wonder if she is going home to an empty apartment and might enjoy the company.
Shakespeare in the Park from the first time I came to Boston by myself in 2019!
After the standing ovation, we slowly gather our things and put on our extra layers. I contemplate asking her what her plans are for the rest of the day, but as I shove my hands through the elastic of my jacket sleeves, she says, “It was nice to share a little bit of life with you.” I shake her hand and say “Maybe I’ll see you again at the next play,” and she agrees. As I’m heading down the stairs, she mispronounces my name in an attempt to remember it, but I don’t correct her, I just smile and say yes. I put on my earmuffs, open the theater door to the outside world, and cross the street to the cafe. I find myself waiting for her to walk out after me. I tell myself if she comes out within the next 5 minutes, I’ll run over to her and exchange emails. I wait for 10 minutes, but I don’t see her, so I leave. The whole encounter leaves me feeling refreshed and lost at the same time, like someone who takes their honeymoon alone.
When I get off the trolley, I pass the local elementary school and baseball field. A flock of Canadian geese is resting in the milk-white snow, their long black necks coiled up into their feathers. They are sitting so still that they look like little pebbles. I think to myself that they must be stopping in from Quebec or New Brunswick, making their way down to Florida.
I wonder if Jo enjoys the migrating geese in Minnesota, if they ever pop up in her dreams about the nature of her home state. I imagine a young Jo about 12 years old, sprinting through the Aspen Parkland prairies in the spring, her siblings at home waiting for her. The Canadian geese fly above her against the clear blue skies in a V formation. I make her hair blonde like mine, and I wonder if one day I will be in my 80s, trudging out through the snow to the Paramount Theater, alone. If I am, it will be an honor.
Boston Students! Get 20% off at Nirvana in Cambridge with this coupon and your student ID.
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
Another week of trying my best to not end up like Georgina Sparks
It’s 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday, and I’ve just had dinner—sausage and roasted asparagus. I head upstairs to fold the laundry and hang my dresses as reality TV plays in the background. When I finally crawl into bed, I shed a tear, and then a few more, and then a lot more. With blurry vision, I find myself clicking “pay” on a transaction for vintage Coach ballet flats I don’t need, and then I pour myself a tall glass of Prosecco. With a damp sleep mask over my eyes, I fall asleep to the sounds of 40-year-old narcissists screaming over Andy Cohen. I toss and turn throughout the night, and when I wake up, I’m puffy, nauseated, and a bit disoriented.
This past weekend, I had brunch downtown with my two friends. We waited outside in 30° weather for gourmet omelets and signature lattes (they were luckily worth it). In between conversations about crispy tofu and men with anger issues, my friend Grace asked us if we’d been to Pressed, which is a popular cafe with a main location in Boston. My friend Amber and I thought Grace said, “Have you guys ever been depressed?”
Slightly caught off guard by the apparent switch of topics, Amber responded with comedic elegance, “Yes, but it’s seasonal, and I have a happy lamp for that.” I followed, “I mean, hasn’t everyone from time to time?” The miscommunication was sidesplitting once we realized Grace was talking about hot paninis and not mental health issues, but it did get me wondering how many people might be feeling some variation of downcast lately, whether it be because of the season, politics, issues in their personal or work life, or just their biology.
The signature latte in question
January was, in essence, the taking down of cheerful holiday lights, the drives back to work that grow drearier by the day, and the slow realization that the insolent Jack Frost is here to stay. Many Americans start falling into the rut of being low-energy, negative, and struggling mentally. With an election year on top of it, the levels of stress and anxiety around the country have only served as the cherry on top.
Some of us turn to escapism tactics like online shopping and celebrity drama. All in good fun, too much of anything is a bad thing. One Sunday night of wine and tears is excusable, but frequenting such activities is—say it all together now—self-destructive and detrimental to our well-being. I may not have all the answers or even relatively decent ones, but I’ve decided a list of ways to stay somewhat sane this winter is as good a start as any. Like Voltaire said, “Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”
Immersing myself in art is always a great way to get out of my head and appreciate my surroundings
Practice Daily Gratitude:
Focusing on things we’re grateful for can help shift our perspectives and make us feel less overwhelmed, especially during challenging moments. Whether you write out a list or just say it to yourself as it comes, practicing gratitude can encourage you to remember what you have, no matter how small, and foster a sense of stability within you.
Accept Your Emotions:
Acknowledging our emotions instead of hiding or trying to change them can help us prevent emotional build-up. We shouldn’t judge ourselves for feeling upset but instead, accept our negative emotions for what they are and use them to navigate our life with more clarity.
Get Off Your Phone:
Taking a break from our phones can help reduce stress and anxiety by limiting our exposure to negative news and social media. It also allows us to be present and make deeper connections with what is right in front of us daily.
Set Small, Achievable Goals:
Setting small goals can lead to more celebrations that boost our confidence and make progress more satisfying. By breaking up our long-term goals into more manageable steps, we can make our dreams feel more attainable.
Laugh With Friends:
Getting together with friends provides us with a sense of belonging that can help offset the stressors in our lives. Additionally, our friends serve as a great support system that can lift our dopamine levels!
Avoid Negative Language:
Positive self-talk opens our minds up to the possibility of things going our way. If we are constantly looking for the bad in us and our surroundings, we’re more likely to find it in everything. This can cloud our perception and send us into a spiral. Oppositely, if we train our brains to look for the good first, we can actually lessen our anxieties.
Get Yourself a Little Treat:
Of course, rewarding ourselves with even something small provides a psychological boost and solidifies a method of self-care during tough times. It serves as a reminder that we deserve kindness and moments of joy, especially when we need it most.
Ask For Help
If you’re feeling like your emotions are weighing heavier than you can handle, it’s important to reach out to a professional who can offer support. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you navigate through any kind of tough time. We don’t have to go through it alone, and there’s no shame in asking for help when we need it.
Have yourself a warm Sunday brunch at Cafe Landwer! Boston Students can get $10 off their first mobile order when they use the code LANDWERSTUDENT
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. She is currently a teacher, specializing in middle school history. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.
Welcome to a year focused on self-care and wellness, because we need it!
While many, many news articles in the last 10 days have put the tightest knots in my stomach, I’d prefer to focus on things more in my control. An overlooked benefit of living in 2025 is our transparency with personal boundaries and how to use them. So long to the days of people-pleasing to the point of exhaustion; say farewell to conversations about overstimulation being taboo; and, lastly, good riddance to making ourselves uncomfortable for the sake of perception alone.
Over break, I spent some time lounging at hotel pools, which is one of my favorite self-care activities!
Boundaries can look like many things, but for the most part, they are simply the lines we draw for ourselves in terms of our level of comfort around others. They can involve physical contact, verbal interactions, personal space, emotions, romance, time, individual belongings, and even the workplace. Here are some quick examples:
Not wanting a friend, family member, or coworker to speak down to you is a verbal boundary.
Not feeling comfortable when others show up at your house without warning is a personal space boundary.
Protecting your ability to do your work without interference or drama, especially that which extends outside the workplace, is a work-life boundary.
There are all kinds of boundaries, and the best part is that all of them are valid!
I’ll be the first to say that, for the majority of my life, I was undoubtedly an extreme people-pleaser, and this made it very hard for me to set boundaries. I didn’t know how to handle confrontation, and I didn’t like taking risks. What if I tried to set a boundary, and I lost my friend in the process? I had a few lines that couldn’t be crossed, of course, but for the most part, I often held my tongue, fuming in my discomfort, to maintain some variation of peace and order. This was not a win-win situation, as at the end of the day I had gone against my desires, and I’d built up a resentment towards those I’d done so for.
As an introvert, I need a lot of time to decompress. After work and class, I tend not to take phone calls or FaceTime unless there’s an emergency to protect my alone time.
It wasn’t until I left Florida and started working full-time (How I miss the days of living off scholarship money) that I realized how important boundaries are. With most of the sunlit day spent at the hands of the dollar, every ounce of free time I now have is something I cherish to the utmost degree. I have less time to spend at this point in my life, so I want to spend it on the right things. if I let people waste that time, I’ll feel more burnt out and irritated than ever.
The fact of the matter is, as you get older, you learn that the approval of others just can’t come at your sacrifice. Now at 25, I don’t waste my energy trying to prove myself to people who don’t see my worth— and let’s face it, as a woman, I’m just all too tired of that anyway. With all of the trials and tribulations of being a full-on adult, you get to a point in time where a question starts to loom over your head: How much crap are you willing to take, and who from?
While I’d like to tell you the answer is “NONE AND FROM NO ONE,” that’s simply not the world we live in. However, if you start to feel exhausted, angry, or upset consistently because of a certain person or situation, it may be time to set some boundaries.
Another self-care activity I enjoy is cooking. Here, I made fried rice with veggies and tofu!
Setting boundaries has become a more open and honest topic today, but the conversation can still be hard depending on who you’re talking to. Feeling awkward and even guilty is normal, and you can factor in the possibility that the other party will be defensive, too. Nevertheless, it’s important to stand your ground and let it be known that you and your time are valuable! Setting boundaries is a form of self-respect and self-care. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you start the new year looking out for you:
1. Know Your Limits
Before setting boundaries, you should take some time to reflect on when you do and don’t feel your best. What drains your energy? What makes you feel respected? Recognizing these limits can help you define clear boundaries before telling them to someone else.
2. Communicate Clearly and Assertively
Be direct and honest when communicating your needs. For example, in work, say, “I’m unable to take on extra tasks this week.” Point-blank. Also, in social or romantic relationships, don’t feel afraid to express what you need to feel comfortable. Any friend or partner will be able to understand that you’re coming from a good place. That conversation could start with something like “I love our time together, but after work, I need space to recharge by myself.”
3. Be Consistent
Enforce your boundaries consistently. If you let them slide occasionally, it can confuse others and undermine your efforts. Gently remind people when a boundary is crossed. While everyone is human and makes mistakes, if someone constantly disobeys your boundaries, it may be a sign that they don’t take you seriously and that your relationship is not mutually beneficial.
4. Learn to Say No
It’s okay to say no without feeling guilty! Practice it in small, low-stakes situations to build confidence. Saying no is an act of self-respect, not selfishness, despite those who may say otherwise.
5. Respect Others’ Boundaries
Respect the boundaries of others, too. One of the best ways to get comfortable with our boundary-setting is to have the ability to recognize when others are setting boundaries. If we can be mindful of those around us, then we can expect them to do the same.
Spend some me-time and get 20% off at Gloria’s Beauty Center in Allston with your student ID!
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. She is also a teacher, currently specializing in middle school history. Her hobbies include going on long walks, reading and writing, and watching bad television.
When I was 18, I watched When Harry Met Sally for the first time via a pirated film service that no longer exists. I was cold and confused in September in Chicago, bawling my eyes out to a relatable Billy Crystal and his somber evening with Mallomars and dubious soliloquies. By Christmas, I had seen it probably more than 10 times.
First snow of the season for Boston!
During my undergrad, with several campus libraries at my disposal, I dove into everything Ephron had to offer. I watched all her films, I read all her books, I scoured the internet for her articles, recipes, and commencement speeches, and I solidified her as my writing idol.
Ephron’s use of humor paralleled with her examinations of mortality is something so valuable and necessary to make it through the harder parts of life. When Harry Met Sally’s witty dialogue makes the theme of impermanence a softer pill to swallow: Harry reads the last page of every book he buys first just in case he dies before he makes it to the end; Sally is petrified of eventually someday turning 40— “It’s just sitting there like this big dead end!”; Their awkward New Year’s kiss marks the end of their friendship and the beginning of their road to love. When we really look into it, the undertone of this fan-favored rom-com is actually quite pensive, reflecting on the various ways that people perceive the passing of time, especially in terms of love and loss.
In Ephron’s novel, I Feel Bad About My Neck, She tackles the subject of getting older with the same irreverence, blending comedy with the melancholy of losing physical vitality. While Ephron is always funny first, there is an intense poignant edge to her reflections, and right when she seems to be getting almost too serious for comfort, she throws a lighthearted life preserver to her audience: “Sometimes I think that not having to worry about your hair anymore is the secret upside of death.”
My ideal Sunday morning: Watching Gossip Girl in my reading nook.
The holidays always make me think of Ephron. When the leaves begin to die and the possibility of snow shows up in the forecast, I start to see her writing at every turn. It makes sense: the coming together of family and friends (or lack thereof), the traditions lost and new, my birthday, and the end of another year— Not to mention I manage to be surprised by the threat of mortality every December. Sometimes it feels like the holiday parties and birthday celebrations are simply fun ways to cope with the end of an era, whatever that may be to us personally. It’s a good thing! I think movies are something of the same.
More than a holiday party or birthday dinner to mask the existentialism of the winter, sometimes what we’re really in need of is some self-care–on our own terms. When I think of self-care during the ‘ber months, I envision mornings laying in bed until 9:00 a.m. and watching You’ve Got Mail over biscuits and coffee (Yes, for me, 9:00 a.m. is late). Often, all we really need is to feel close to the little things in life that bring us joy.
Speaking of things that bring us joy, The Carrie Bradshaw in me has been finding joy in new shoes, like these Berkleigh Blacks from Steve Madden. I quote, “When one door closes, a shoe box opens.”
Whether it be the general orchestrating stress of the holidays, the existentialism that comes with the seasons, or problems that hit closer to home, make sure you’re prioritizing your well-being this holiday season. For students in Boston, I’ve compiled a list of self-care activities for any kind of person, but all of which are quite Ephron-esque.
One of my favorite self-care activities last year was taking icy walks in the snow with the birds. I was freezing, but at least I saw some nature.
1. Visit a Cozy Café
Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a warm drink. Head to a local café like Tatte or Caffé Nero and treat yourself to hot coffee or cocoa, soups, and pastries.
2. Take a Winter Walk in the Snow
Bundle up and enjoy the beauty of a quiet winter walk through areas like Boston Common, The Public Garden, or along the Charles River Esplanade. The fresh air and peaceful atmosphere can be incredibly refreshing. Researchers claim just five minutes of exercise in green space or snow space can help your mental health.
3. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Spend a few hours at one of Boston’s amazing museums like the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, or the Institute of Contemporary Art (a favorite of mine!). Exploring art or history is both educational and a great way to escape the cold.
4. Take a Long, Relaxing Bath
When the temperature drops, there’s nothing like a warm bath to unwind. Add some Epsom salts, essential oils, or a bath bomb for extra relaxation. Light a few candles and play calming music to create a spa-like experience at home.
5. Attend a Yoga or Meditation Class
Winter can sometimes feel isolating, so attending a yoga or meditation class is a great way to stay grounded. Studios like Prana Power Yoga or YogaWorks offer a variety of classes, or you can find local options online for home practice.
6. Go Ice Skating at Frog Pond
If you’re looking for an outdoor activity, try ice skating on the Frog Pond in Boston Common. It’s a beautiful location to enjoy some winter fun. While you’re there, you can check out The Embrace sculpture and head over to Cafe Bonjour for some French cuisine.
7. Cook a Comforting Winter Meal
Take time to prepare a hearty, warming meal like a vegetable stew, chili, or homemade soup. Enjoying a homemade meal is a nourishing act of self-care, especially when paired with your favorite podcast or music.
8. Read a Book by the Fireplace
If you have access to a fireplace or a cozy corner, curl up with a good book and enjoy the warmth. Whether it’s a comforting novel, an inspiring self-help book, or even poetry, this is a perfect way to relax and unwind.
9. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day
You could book a facial, get a massage, or try a DIY spa day with hydrating face masks, hand scrubs, and foot soaks. Exhale Spa and MG Spa (which offers 20% off to students!) are great local spots to relax and rejuvenate.
10. Of Course, Watch a Movie Marathon or Binge a TV Series
In my opinion, there’s nothing better than snuggling up with blankets and watching your favorite movies or TV shows. Whether it’s a holiday classic or a binge-worthy series, winter is the ideal time to indulge in a cozy movie marathon with your favorite snacks.
Head to MG Spa for some self-care this winter and get 20% off with your student ID!
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. She is also a teacher, currently specializing in middle school history. Her hobbies include going on long walks, reading and writing, and watching bad television.
The seasons are changing, the sun is retreating, and midterms are looming. It’s time to buckle up for a serious talk on mental health!
When I finished my last journal, I remember flipping through the pages and seeing a lot of repetitive statements. On my worst days, I often wrote, “I wish I could get rid of these kinds of thoughts.” As someone who suffers from anxiety, I have a hard time turning my brain off, especially if it believes something terrible could happen. I dwell over a lot of What-ifs that are outside of my control, which often leads me to worry constantly. When I have more intense anxiety attacks, I have a tendency to mull over the same existential crisis, “What if this is going to be the worst day of my life?,” for hours until I reach some kind of resolution; sometimes this is just the day coming to an end and I thankfully realize nothing bad happened. By that point, I am grateful, but I am also emotionally drained.
Rereading my journal was a hard pill to swallow. While I was aware most of my journaling takes place when I’m not doing well, I had difficulty facing the fact that maybe I wasn’t doing as well mentally as I had thought. Wishing I had seen more “Today, I have felt great,” or “I felt anxious, but I was able to overcome it and enjoy my time,” I also felt disappointed in myself for not writing more appreciation for the little wins I experience daily. I immediately realized I wanted to work towards rewiring my brain to think positively first rather than with worry and panic. When I brought it up to my therapist, she said it was important that I recognized my thought patterns, as now we could work towards dismantling them–fun times!
Hands-on activities like painting, building, organizing, and decorating help me relieve my anxiety and feel more in control of my thoughts.
Visiting the ghosts of your journal’s past is not always a happy-go-lucky experience. On one hand, it can be hilarious to reread journals from 5 or 6 years ago, laughing at the things you used to think were problems, or even just the way you wrote (“Oh my gosh, the way Matthew constantly touches his crotch is like, SOOOO icky”). On the other hand, rereading your journals can be an eye-opening experience that brings about a new level of self-awareness. It can show your growth, or it can show you that maybe you need some extra help.
What I learned from rereading my journals and talking about it with my therapist was that I experience unwanted, intrusive, and repeated thoughts that cause anxiety. Because of this, I need to take active measures to recognize my anxious thoughts versus my actual thoughts. I challenge my anxious thoughts, stay active, and, most importantly, give myself compassion. Luckily, my journal is a great outlet to do so.
When I journal for help with my anxious thoughts, I usually start by reminding myself that while anything can technically happen on any given day, the worst outcome is not the most plausible one. I take time to write down, “I guess today could be the worst day of my life, but it is far more likely that today will be a beautifully ordinary day, so I should focus on that instead.”
Additionally, sometimes I write out all my worries on paper so they feel less scary. I find that saying your fears out loud, writing them down, or talking them through can help you face them, process them, and eventually turn them into personal growth. It’s also important to write what you hope for. For example, one could write, “I have anxiety, and I fear something awful will happen today that will cause me immense pain, but I know that is far from likely, and I am actually just being triggered by ____ ____ and _____. I am strong, everything will work out the way I intend it to, and there’s no valid evidence to suggest otherwise.” At the end of writing out my worries, I add “The End” to close off all of my worries and end the cycle of thoughts. Usually, I’m left feeling like I’ve done all that I can, and I have to be content with that for now.
Going on walks and listening to podcasts (currently obsessed with Giggly Squad!) also helps me lessen my anxious thoughts.
What I’ve also practiced in my journal is writing mantras. These help me challenge negative thoughts and build confidence in myself against my existential anxiety. I also say these mantras out loud when I do not have access to my journal. I tell myself “My fears are not my reality” and “I am in charge of how I feel, and today I choose happiness.” It may feel odd at first, but it does help! We may not have control over most things, but we do have control over how we respond to the world around us.
While these are just a few journaling techniques, there are many more that can be helpful for those struggling with their mental health, or those just having a bad day in general.
As you move about your day, remember that no one is perfect. Give yourself the grace you deserve, and prioritize your mental well-being. Life can be very overwhelming, which is why finding tools (plural!) to help us through the harder moments is so important.
On the topic of mental health, don’t impulsively cut your hair and regret it! Go to a professional and get a new ‘do at Pathos Salon! 15% off for first-time customers with student IDs.
Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. She is also a teacher, currently specializing in middle school history. Her hobbies include going on long walks, reading and writing, and watching bad television.
Intern Brenna Sheets from Emerson College is joined by Cambridge Natural's Emily K. to discuss natural health and wellness in the modern age. They discuss how supplements and herbal teas are being used, marketed, and perceived in our fast-paced, wellness-obsessed society. Is our reliance on these products a sign of empowerment—taking control of our health […]
Intern Brenna Sheets from Emerson College leads today's discussion on self-care and wellness in college. With fellow interns Aidann Gia (Pace University) and Agatha Edwards (Brandeis University), the group discusses what American culture says about self-care, everyone's favorite wellness activities after a stressful week, what gets in the way of students prioritizing themselves, and the […]
Intern Katie leads today's discussion. We talk about the pandemic's effect on college students, since current juniors and seniors' college experiences have been largely defined by the pandemic. We discuss what it was like being sent home from college in 2020, navigating online classes and extracurricular activities, and the lessons we've learned from this whole […]
Welcome back to a new season of the Campus Clipper podcast!Intern Megan leads today's discussion. We talk about the activities that inspire creativity in our cities and how to balance creative hobbies with schoolwork and internships. We also discuss the uncertainty and insecurity that we often feel when putting our creative work out in the […]
Intern Ehani leads today's discussion. We talk about the films, series, books, and other art that has touched our hearts, even when the world makes us want to be dark and cynical. We also discuss what role our passions have in our lives, and what passion means to us. Mentioned in this episode:Call Me By […]
In this episode, our interns talk about going to college in a big city - from the cultural advantages to how they deal with the expensive cost of living. We also share our favorite things to splurge on. Mentioned in this episode:The Whitney MuseumThe Tenement MuseumTips for budgeting (even when you're not the budgeting type)Check out […]
In this episode, our publishing interns talk about why they love writing and how they use writing and creativity as a tool for personal development and mental health. Check out our publishing interns' writing on the Campus Clipper Blog. This episode was recorded at the new East Village, NYC location of Marinara Pizza. Click this […]
Anna leads today's discussion about her ebook, Balancing Your College Life: An Existential Perspective on Exercise and Entertainment. We talk about how we chose our majors and dealing with uncertainty. We also share our tips for coping with academic pressure and art and literature that inspire us. Check out more of Anna's work in her […]
