Arts & Life

Is it right to laugh?

AMICHAI ABRAHAM

ARTS EDITOR

A couple of weeks back, I went to see the film Easter Sunday. I very quickly learned that this was a mistake. Easter Sunday is a ”comedy” film starring ”comedian” Jo Koy. Now perhaps due to how I phrased the prior sentence, it’s evident that I did not find this movie funny. Indeed, I did not. However, note that I did not say that the film objectively wasn’t funny, only that I didn’t think it was. The audience I was with was cackling the whole time; you’d be forgiven for thinking that someone had thrown laughing gas into the theater. If the audience reaction is any indication, it would be fair to say that most people who see this movie would think it’s funny. If most people find Easter Sunday funny, perhaps it’s me who’s got it wrong. Does one of us have to be getting it wrong?

Of all genres, I believe that comedy is the toughest one to pull off. Making a comedy that people find funny and want to rewatch is a herculean task. This becomes especially difficult when comedy snobs like me enter the picture. About 8/10 of the comedies that I see I don’t find funny, or at least not funny enough. Myself and other cinema blowhards have lambasted the Adam Sandler comedies, the Jumanji remakes, and the Minions movies among many others. Critique them as we may; it doesn’t change the fact that these films gross hundreds of millions of dollars. Not only are people watching them, people are loving them. So the question must be asked, why do my snobby comrades and I revile these sorts of comedies?

To explain this, let’s use the example of one of the timeless classics; Airplane! (1980). Airplane! maintains a very specific tone throughout its runtime. The deliveries of jokes are always deadpan and dry. The film’s characters take themselves seriously despite the obviously absurd circumstances the film depicts. This juxtaposition makes it clear to the audience that they shouldn’t be taking the film seriously, thus making it easier for them to laugh. This isn’t to say that to be a successful comedy, the film must have a dry presentation, but finding ways not to take yourself too seriously is beneficial. Often when I’m watching something like Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), it feels like the jokes are being jammed down my throat by The Rock while he screams at me to laugh. It is very possible for comedies to take themselves too seriously, and when they do, it takes away from the entertainment. In Airplane! It feels like the movie doesn’t care if you laugh or not. In something like 2019’s Jumanji, it feels like the movie is begging you to laugh.

There is also the question of effort. There’s an easy way to make jokes and a hard way. One of my favourite comedies is What We Do in the Shadows (2014) in which there was clear effort made with the jokes by taking vampire tropes and putting them in a realistic context. It expertly highlights the ridiculousness of said tropes, and through their clever use of mockumentry filmmaking are able to show the audience how funny the tropes can actually be. In contrast, a common feature of (for lack of a better word) low-brow humor is a reliance on slapstick, gross-out humor, and referential humor. On their own, these comedic techniques aren’t necessarily bad. However when I see them thrown into a film for cheap laughs, and it comprises the majority of ‘jokes’ told..., it comes off as lazy.

With all of this being said, plenty of people will disagree with me. I’ve watched Airplane! and What We Do in the Shadows with many people who didn’t find them funny at all. Undoubtedly, what I consider lower-brow humor has persisted and become exponentially more successful than films that I consider humorous. Does this mean someone is wrong?

In this kind of conversation, it’s easy to lose track of the subjectivity of comedy. There is no right sense of humor and everyone will find different things funny. I may not have found Easter Sunday funny, but most of the audience seemed to love it. How could I say that they’re wrong for enjoying something which is completely subjective? I don’t try to dislike certain comedies, it’s just the reaction I have.

A more rational reaction would be for me to feel envious of the audience members—–they were able to enjoy something that I could not. Those audience members certainly aren’t wrong or stupid for enjoying it, they’re are merely lucky, and I am therefore unlucky for disliking it. It’s kind of funny when you think about it.

KAASHYAP PATEL/ MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

LOCAL ART

Relationship and Emotion at UpTown

MATT MCKENNA

ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

Located in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, the UpTown Gallery is currently featuring its newest exhibition, Relationship and Emotion, until Sept. 18.

At 75 King St S in Waterloo Town Square, you’ll find a captivating art gallery only minutes away from Laurier’s Waterloo campus. UpTown Gallery began in 2006 and has been a local gem in Waterloo ever since.

The Gallery made it their mission to “bring art to our community and promote local artists.”

Not only does the UpTown Gallery feature diverse and professional work, but they also offer an engaging setting with an artist present during open hours. They can often be seen creating their art in real-time, welcoming questions about their work and artistic journey.

Whether you are an aspiring artist, gallery viewing enthusiast, or simply looking to explore, the UpTown Gallery has something for you.

For the more artistically inclined among us or those who simply want to hone their skills, some artists collaborating with UpTown Gallery host workshops for the public.

These workshops are generally available for all ages and skill sets, featuring a variety of mediums such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and drawing. In addition, there are also workshops where patrons can learn how to make stained and fused glass.

Currently, the Gallery is presenting its newest exhibition, Relationship and Emotion, which runs from July 19 to Sept. 18.

This exhibition features the works of Michael Manchoi Chow, Amy Stickney and Ida Tong. It showcases works of photography, paintings, mixed media, glass, botanical art, pottery, jewelry, felt and mosaic art.

The UpTown Gallery chair, Jane Bayne, encourages everyone to hear from the artists face to face - but briefly described the featured artists to me:

“Man Choi Chow, is a photographer who pushes the limits of exposure and materials to achieve an unusual emotional view of the landscape. His personal hope is to have the chance to interact with the viewer,” Bayne said. “Amy Stickney is an abstract expressionist painter who works with mood and paint to direct the pieces she creates which are very textural and utilizes natural materials to achieve neutrally coloured abstracts. Ida Tong’s focus is using art as a visual language to tell stories about our human experiences and evolution,” she added. “In her conceptual but surrealistic paintings about evolution from the apes up to society’s brink of dependence on artificial intelligence, she attempts to show how we have the choice in shaping AI and how it can be used for the advancement of peace and serenity for the human race.”

“Upon my visit to Relationship and Emotion, I was greeted by Julie Krahule, an artist with UpTown Gallery. She was warm, welcoming, and passionate about the pieces on display,” Bayne said,

The artwork featured in Relationship and Emotion was stunning and thought-provoking.

The pieces that initially grabbed my attention from the exhibition were that of Ida Tong, which seemed to explore the theme of humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence and technology. In their own words, Ida’s greatest inspiration comes from “using art as a visual language to tell stories about our human experiences and evolution.”

The other exhibition pieces captured various emotions, especially through the chosen colours, style and mediums.

Amy Stickney’s process shines through her work, as she “paints with no set goal or image in mind but instead works with how mood and the paint direct her.” Michael Manchoi Chow was also interesting in his use of landscapes and environment to vividly connect with “the artist-within-you in the viewer.”

Although titled Relationship and Emotion, my experience of the exhibition seemed to reflect on our relationship with emotion, and what it is to be human.

The Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Waterloo Town Square.

Check out their website at www. uptowngallerywaterloo.com.

Note-taking methods: writing versus typing

BRONTE BEHLING MANAGING EDITOR

As university students across Canada prepare to “hit the books” once more, an age-old debate is once again brought up—what method is more effective for note taking: writing by hand, or writing on a laptop?

Both sides have staunch supporters—while writing by hand can help with some students’ focus by not involving a screen, it isn’t as quick as typing is. Conversely, while typing is fast, some students feel that the information they are recording doesn’t “stick” in their brain as well.

Due to this continued rivalry between the two note taking methods, studies have been done around the world to answer the pressing question—which method statistically works better?

According to a study done by the University of Cadiz, it was found that “handwriting students performed statistically significantly better than computer writing participants” when it came to a “shortterm free recall task.” On the other hand, those using laptops scored “significantly higher results” on the recognition task.

From this data, researchers concluded that while computers are helpful to quickly record a lot of information, they don’t allow users to efficiently internalize the

FILE PHOTO

information being written down. By slowing down the process of recording information, taking notes by hand allows for proper internalization of each topic.

Therefore, a “more complex and stable memory link” is developed in the brain.

When taking into consideration the differentiation of information given in the vast number of post-secondary academic programs, hand written notes or electronic notes may prove to be more effective.

For example, those in the arts who contend with abstract concepts and theories may benefit from hand written notes as the content given often requires a lot of complex internalization. Further, they may choose to do physical visual “mind-mapping” to connect the links and similarities between lectures.

On the other hand, those in math and science focused programs may find the convenience of electronic notes helpful as they may require detailed and intricate tables, graphs and diagrams in their lecture notes.

Of course, the rapid development of new technology has led to the creation of tablets (mainly iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tablets) that merge handwritten and electronic notes into one entity. These tablets allow students to have the handwritten “feel” while still having the added convenience of being able to include electronic resources (images, tables etc) in their notes.

For many, this is the perfect solution and the use of tablets in universities is widespread.

Unfortunately, this is a costly alternative for taking notes. In addition, having to remember to keep the tablet charged can be a challenge for those who enjoy the convenience of a notebook - the latter requiring no further preparation than being tossed in a bag.

Whether you’re an avid physical or electronic notetaker, the ultimate solution to which method is better is down to the individual —no matter how many statistics you read, one method will always feel more “right.”

However, if you’re considering changing your note taking method, try using electronic notes for some classes and physical notes for others.

By doing this, you have the opportunity to unlock different levels of cognition that you may have not been able to reach before.

The choice is yours as to who wins this battle—old school, or new tech?

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

The Charming St. Jacob’s farmers market

MATT MCKENNA

ARTS CONTRIBUTER

15 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Waterloo is a charming market frozen in time. The St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market will transport you into a different era – an era before food delivery and before you could buy food from a grocery store.

Located on the corner of King St N and Weber St N, just off highway 85, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market has something for everyone. Containing over 250 vendors, you’ll find clothing, jewelry, hand-crafted goods, artwork, and of course, fresh produce from local farmers. Popular items include farm-picked berries, fruits and freshly baked bread.

Perhaps if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a horse-andbuggy. St. Jacobs is home to Canada’s largest Old Order Mennonite population, who can often be seen transporting their goods to and from the market and traveling throughout the surrounding area.

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market traces its roots to 1952 and has been a regional treasure ever since. Operating Thursdays and Saturdays year-round, the facility includes an outdoor market and two indoor pavilions. In a devastating blow to the community, one of the pavilions was destroyed in a fire in 2013. Fortunately, the heartbreak was mended after the pavilion was rebuilt just a few months later. Although another fire challenged the second pavilion in 2016, there was no serious damage.

Across from the market sits the St. Jacobs Outlet Mall. Although not officially associated with the Farmers’ Market, the St. Jacobs Outlet Mall makes for a great addition to your outing, featuring items in clothing, shoes, and home décor. In a poetic contrast between tradition and modernity, the Farmers’ Market and the Outlet Mall enhance one another, with both having become an integral part of the market scene.

If you’re a festive soul, you’ll be excited to learn that the Farmers’ Market becomes a Christmas market during the holiday season. Including goods of all kinds, the Christmas market has something to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Naturally, a cold Canadian Christmas market would be incomplete without some warm food and hot chocolate found inside the pavilions!

But don’t wait until the holidays to stop by St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, they’re open Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

And come out to their Harvest Hoedown Friday, Sept. 23. The evening is complete with country dancing, live music, an artisan market and more!

Check online for more information and pay a visit to our local Farmers’ Market.

It’s valid: A talk with a mental health nurse

AMICHAI ABRAHAM

ARTS EDITOR

This upcoming fall may end up being the most challenging term in recent memory. While Laurier returned to in-person learning during the final half of last year’s winter term, many will be returning this fall after years of online lectures.

For many, this will be their first time attending lectures. With the return to in-person learning comes the added stress of living away from home and being in a lecture hall with classmates—an anxiety-inducing situation for many. We sat down and talked with Julie Gamble, a mental health nurse at the Student Wellness Centre at Laurier Waterloo, about the stress that returning/incoming students face, how COVID-19 affected mental health, and some possible amenities and advice that students struggling with mental health should consider.

KASH PATEL/MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

The Cord: How has COVID affected mental health?

Julie: From what I’ve seen, it’s really challenged our ability to cope with stress. We all know there are usual stressors, but [COVID] was a lot of intense stress, a lot of intense change… Although I very much feel that everyone has been doing their best, it does take a toll on long-term mental health… Everybody is in that boat where we’re all at a point of recovering; I think we’re at a point of recovery for sure.

The Cord: Do you expect more students to access Laurier’s mental health resources this upcoming year due to the circumstances?

Julie: There are a couple of reasons why [the Student Wellness Center] are expecting an increase. One is heightened anticipatory anxiety; people are already worried about what will happen in the future. We’ve been put into this position where there is more uncertainty than usual. One positive that’s come out of the isolation is that people are now more comfortable reaching out and accessing resources; it’s become less stigmatized… we now have both an increased need and a decreased stigma.

The Cord: Do you think Laurier should be taking additional steps towards supporting mental health?

Julie: I think things are currently in the works, both formally and informally. [Laurier has] programs and supports in place. We have workshops like ‘Ride the Wave’ that are trying to look at the social aspects that might not be what they used to be before everyone was isolated. We also have that kind of self-care coping under our radar… [additionally] professors are now aware of that adjustment; they’re validating to students that [mental health and transitioning back to in-person] is a challenge… I’m hoping that more and more, I’ll get feedback that the programs and professors are just taking into mind that this is an adjustment, and any adjustment and change takes time.

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The Cord: How do you find poor mental health manifesting itself?

Julie: Feeling of [being] out of control is one big one, but some of the other little red flags are changes in sleep, changes in eating, and changing in how you interact with your friends. We’re in a time now where being social in person might be overwhelming but if you find that you’re not checking in with your friends, even via social media as you normally would, or if you’re not getting back to people, that’s sometimes a warning sign that maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed. You might need to stop and check in. I find that reading week is a great test because on the medical side of things, we begin getting over our sore throats and flus. In my opinion, [aliments] combined with poor mental health and poor self-care, we reach the point where we are no longer getting small red flags but rather big red flags telling us that we need to take a break… It’s important to watch your physical health and to take it seriously when people that are close to you are concerned.

The Cord: Do you have any advice or tips to maintain positive mental health?

Julie: I’m an advocate for at least some level of routine. Not only does routine allow you to make sure that you’re investing in self-care, investing in your sleep, but it’s also really great because it gives you early warning signal if that thinks aren’t as great as they should be.

The Cord: Are there any specific resources you’d advise students struggling with mental health to access, either on or off campus?

Julie: There are lots of resources, the number one thing I want people to know is that it’s totally valid. Often I find that people think [their situation] is not ‘bad’ enough or they might end up gaslighting themselves thinking that their struggles aren’t real. Having connections in the community like Delton Glebe and Kids Help Phone and all those places, there’s no wrong pathway. If you’re coming in, and you have a concern, it’s a valid concern and weather you come to our councilors, me, an academic advisor or your parent’s EAP provider, that you are supported and validated in your concerns... Any door is the right door.

The Cord: Do you have any final message for incoming/returning students about mental health?

Julie: Everybody is going to be stressed stress can be good stress or bad stress. The No.1 thing we can do is recognize and accept that and take the steps we are comfortable taking in finding ways to cope with that. Don’t ever feel that you’re alone or that it’s not valid. There are always going to be supports on campus, you’re not alone, you should ask for help.

Editorial

OPINION EDITOR VACANT opinion@thecord.ca

Editors Note: Taking on too much

YASMEEN ALMOMANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As someone who always piles too much on my plate with false reassurances of, “You can do it,” I’m used to being overwhelmed and overworked.

Whether it’s school, work, overcommitting to my social life, or offering to help when I know I can’t afford to, I always tend to chew more than I can swallow and it usually (always) comes back to screw me over. Even still, I continue to do it.

When I have way too much to accomplish at once, it usually goes like this: I pace around in circles, I give myself a quick pep talk, I sit down and “grind” it all out. And then I feel absolutely no relief when everythng is done perfectly since I’m too burnt out to even think about feeling relaxed or joyful.

There;s also the alternative, I pace around in circles, I give myself a quick pep talk, I sit down and try my absolute best, I don’t finish what I have to because there is literally not enough time (regardless of all the planning and preparing I do), and then I still feel no relief since it did not get finished. Both ways offer me nothing.

I got through my four years of undergrad with this same process over and over and I did pretty well. By the time I got to my fourth year, I had piled on a full course load of hard courses, two part-time jobs, volunteering on the side, and maintaining every close relationship since I make sure to dedicate time for the people I love (even if I’m under so much stress I’m internally melting).

I can’t count the amount of 20 page research papers, hour long presentations, eight hour shifts, that I did at the same time.

Honestly, I’m an overachiever. I like to accomplish a lot and I like to be proud of myself but there’s only so much I can do at once and no matter how phenomenal my planning, organizing, and time-management skills are, there are only 24 hours in a day. It has taken me a while to learn that no matter how good I am at doing things, it does not mean I can take them all on at once.

Even if it always (usually) works out in the end and I deliver what I promised, or I accomplish what I wanted to, it does not mean it was worth all the pressure and suffering that I put on myself.

If you are like me and you take on more than you are physically capable of, here is my advice to you (and to myself): Firstly, let people around you help and support you.

People work better in a team and even if you are independent, strong and resilient, it’s nice to have support every once in a while. I personally hate to see my loved ones in any form of stress and would feel much better if I can take it from their plate, even if it fills up mine.

Secondly, it’s okay to miss deadlines or need an extension every once in a while - it is not the end of the world. We are all human and if you communicate with those around you, it’ll most likely work out. You deserve to not always have stress hanging over your head.

And hey if you do the same as me and overwork yourself to finish everything to the point of no relief, at least when a job you’re interviewing for asks you to “name a time you were under pressure,” you have a whole bank of scenarios to choose from.

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WLUSP ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR

Abigail Heckbert

VICE-CHAIR

Jacob Rice

DIRECTOR

Jack Vrolyk

TREASURER Kash Patel

SECRETARY

Grace Corriero

PRESIDENT

Abigail Heckbert president@wlusp.com

FINANCE MANAGER

Randy Moore randy@rcmbrooks. com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kurtis Rideout ed@wlusp.com

HR MANAGER

Emily Waitson hr@wlusp.com EDITORIAL CARTOON

KASH PATEL/MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Editorial: How I survived my first year of university

CRYSTAL XUE ARTS EDITOR

“I’m so lucky we all lived through who we were to become who we are.” - Neil Hilborn.

When I graduated high school, I’d already been mentally checked out of the place for months. My heart was in the future and I looked ahead at Laurier starry eyed, my mouth watering. I had no idea what I was in for.

Don’t get me wrong- I love Laurier and enjoyed parts of my first year, but it was also an experience that forced me to confront difficult truths about myself. In doing so, I was able to grow.

Now entering my third year, I’m much more confident- in myself, my decisions and the people in my life. I’ve finally found the peace that previously, I’d only ever dreamt of having. I’ve created a present that I enjoy living in instead of fantasizing about the future.

To avoid sounding even more like a cheesy quote in a Pinterest mom’s home, I’ll quit rambling and get into three of the most useful lessons that I learned during my first year at Laurier. 1. Self-control is more than just a Frank Ocean song.

The freedom of living on your own is one of the biggest changes awaiting first years- the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. I was thrilled about this, but it quickly became clear to me that always doing as I wish isn’t sustainable- just ask my bank account.

My first semester at Laurier, I spent an absurdly large amount of money- whether it was on Doordash, Uber or going out. My diet was so unhealthy, the campus food court servers actually knew me as “the girl who always orders cake”. Since I hate cleaning, my dorm was messy enough to prevent me from ever turning my camera on in Zoom. I juggled a nocturnal schedule, social media addiction and serial procrastination habit.

At the time, I wasn’t used to living without my parents’ rules. I’ve now found that in a way, university (and adult life in general) is about parenting yourself. I need to force myself to attend class, eat healthy, clean my room and save money. The same goes with deciding on a study schedule, because nobody else is going to do these things for me. As it turns out, humans need structure, and when it’s not offered to us, we can create it for ourselves.

It took a long time to find the routine that works for me. I had to create one that isn’t overly rigid and makes room for fun, but is still balanced. Depending on our habits and personality, the ideal routine varies. Good routines have one thing in common though, which is that they’re achievable and sustainable for you. 2. Stay connected with people who love you.

My first year was derailed by COVID-19 lockdowns, with everything online and no roommates or guests allowed in residence. While I lavishly had a double dorm to myself, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t incredibly and undeniably lonely.

To read more, head over to thecord.ca.

Opinion OPINION EDITOR VACANT opinion@thecord.ca

Enjoying fourth year

BRONTE BEHLING MANAGING EDITOR

Like many others, the majority of my university career was spent in bed on Zoom calls - while no one could have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic, it is easy to feel resentful of not being able to have the proper “university experience.”

Going into my final full year of university, I refuse to let thoughts of what could have been get in my way.

Can’t change the past, right?

It is in our hands to make our remaining time at university memorable - I plan to do the best that I can by being an active member of “university culture.”

This will look different for everyone. For some, it may be joining a sorority or taking the time to go to more club events.

For others, it may be getting involved with student initiatives.

Whatever it may be - these are opportunities that will create lifetime memories.

Of course, there are large yearly events that any WLU student must attend at least once - such as homecoming. This year, homecoming will take place in Waterloo from September 22 to 25th and October 22nd for those on the Brantford campus.

As someone who isn’t a harcore fan of football, I had chosen to skip homecoming in my first year due to lack of interest (sorry).

However, as a near-graduate, I feel that I should try one game out (especially as someone who’s never been to a football game in the first place!)

However, there is no way to truly encapsulate the university experience.

The so-called “university experience” is unique - after all, this is the time to try new things. While I don’t regret my university experience thus far, sometimes I do wonder about the opportunities I may have been able to experience had the COVID-19 pandemic not happened.

It is important to remind yourself that this line of thinking isn’t productive.

While you may have missed out on the physical experience of going to Laurier, you are one of a select group of people that has the “I attended university during a worldwide pandemic” card to play.

In addition, technological development has allowed for us to continue our studies - just in an online format. While not ideal, we should feel grateful for not having to put a pause on our degrees.

While not without challenges, learning in an online format allowed for each of us to address where we might have needed more focus in our chosen area of study.

As a film student, prior to the pandemic I had been lost on where in particular I wanted to utilize my degree.

Thanks to the switch to an online format, I rediscovered The Cord and got involved - years later, it is the best decision I have made since starting at Laurier.

It isn’t too late for your own “life altering” moment at university - even in your final year, the course of how you view your program can change.

That is, overall, the way you can make the most out of your final year - coming away from Laurier with a deeper sense of self and inner purpose. in life.

Stay Golden, Golden Hawks. I, for one, am rooting for you!

YASMEEN ALMOMANI/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Going into my final full year of university, I refuse to let thoughts of what could have been get in my way.

-Bronte Behling, Managing Editor

A cry for help: burnout culture and you

NATASHA SHANTZ OPINION INTERN

The world runs on a tight schedule that doesn’t fit us. At the supposed peak of our civilization as a human society, we find ourselves constantly pushed to points of extreme stress without ever taking truly beneficial breaks.

We know first-hand how harmful burnout is, yet we continue to cope with it instead of finding alternative ways of living. Without understanding the consequences of glorifying burnout, we, as students, can easily become overwhelmed with stress when starting a new school year.

This stress doesn’t merely come from overwork, but from over socialization too, both of which are taught to be natural and desirable aspects of life.

How often do we find ourselves torn between getting work done, hanging out with friends and taking time to ourselves to recharge?

These are all important parts of life , yet the persuasiveness of our work environment and social pressure trivialize time off and simplify the meaning of self-care. The term is boiled down to images of hot baths, smoothies and candles. In reality, it is not acknowledged enough that taking a bath won’t fix serious burnout.

In fact, burnout is not viewed as something to be fixed, but is instead twisted into something to strive for. Being overstressed is often equated with hard work and success.

On the other hand, having little to no stress means there is something wrong with us, that we are not being productive workers turning the gears of capitalism. The glamourization of burnout feeds into the fear of not being burnt out.

This kind of burnout can become intense in contexts where the lines between work life and social life are blurred. Many students, including myself, understand the challenges of balancing school and friendships. While those of us in school may often have the motivation to take on such challenges and participate in both social and working activities, it is also very easy to forget about our real needs in the process.

We believe the worst will happen if we don’t submit to our full duties in our careers or social lives. The fear of missing out (or FOMO, as it is commonly known) is often what keeps many from leaving an otherwise draining situation.

But what would happen if we did miss out?

In reality, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. We might lose a few points from our friends and co-workers. In the long run, our lives would be the same- save for a healthier mindset. The challenge is achieving that healthier mindset in the first place, and the largest obstacle is the stigma around seeking help and taking time for ourselves.

Being able to decline social invitations and work pressures on one’s own is a courageous step, but there is a larger support system needed to consistently make such choices. Not only do the relevant mental health resources need to be accessible, but such a transformation also necessitates a general social acceptance of “unproductivity”.

Take academic institutions for instance: Even at schools fortunate enough to possess mental health resources, students hesitate to use such tools as accessing therapy or any form of counselling to treat burnout is seen as excessive.

Because burnout is such a frequent occurrence, students get the message that it’s merely a part of the productivity of life and we need to handle it ourselves. It’s never acknowledged that being a “productive” human being doesn’t necessitate constantly collapsing under stress or having to deal with our challenges alone.

At this point, useful mental health resources for anxiety, stress and burnout are not so commonplace as being unstigmatized.

This guilt around seeking help and taking breaks is intense in most settings, and prevents us from taking care of ourselves. So, not only do mental health resources need to be available and accessible to everyone, but they must be seen as socially acceptable and essential for one’s wellbeing.

What can be done easily to combat burnout occurs on an immensely personal level. It involves self-awareness and self-respect alongside a willingness to stray from the norm and defy common beliefs.

Of course we aren’t going to stop working entirely. But by following our own principles when it comes to burnout, we also create a new standard for those around us. Currently, the standard is going to break us.

We know that this over productive, capitalist view of the world is not sustainable nor realistic. However, it has become an unspoken rule. It’s not our own fault, we’ve simply been conditioned in a society that values time and money over all else.

But to be able to penetrate past the tight-looming bounds of burnout, we have to realize that there is always a choice between society’s values and our own. To preserve our mental health, we need to start choosing ourselves.

Let’s rejoice! Cringe culture is dead

BRONTE BEHLING MANAGING EDITOR

When I was in high school, I was aware of (on a subconscious level) what made someone cool.

At the time, it meant being “on trend” with fashion trends (anything from the Bethany Mota Aeropostale line), taking a photo of your pumpkin spice latte for Instagram and blasting Taylor Swift’s 1989 while applying her signature red lipstick shade (“Dragon Girl” by NARS).

Of course, there was a time period during my high school years where I actively tried to go against so-called “cool” culture - I wore a black leather jacket, dark purple lipstick and would solely listen to Panic! At The Disco.

Ironically, looking back now, I recognize that I was just like everyone else who actively browsed Tumblr regularly.

Today, I’ve grown and matured enough to recognize that there’s no such thing as “on trend” or “cool”. If you’re comfortable in your style and the things you like, you automatically fit under the “cool” label.

Based on this, by my logic, the overused term “cringe culture” is also dead. What exactly constitutes the use of “cringe culture” as a descriptor in 2022? The main one, as many people who are on the internet will know, is centered on anything that an adult enjoys that is “supposed to be for children.”

Especially toy collectors or anyone who likes anything made by Disney (except for Marvel and Star Wars it seems).

Influenced by the patriarchy since the media assumes these properties are predominantly enjoyed by men? Most definitely.

These so-called “Disney Adults” are the perfect example of “cringe culture” for many. After all, how could any self-respecting adult enjoy content geared towards children?

How could an adult, who pays taxes, possibly deserve to find a source of comfort and escapism in an increasingly difficult world to live in? So what if adults enjoy the content that the Walt Disney Company puts out?

Is it hurting anyone? No. Therein lies the problem: Adults enjoying things that are “cringe” (anything that doesn’t fit into the category of “serious and worldly”) doesn’t actually hurt anyone.

For those that like to throw around “cringe culture” to shame others, this proves to be a problem. This puts the problem back onto them.

What benefit do you get from making fun of someone for liking something? Thus, the cycle is broken. You’re free to like what you want and you have the perfect comeback for anyone who might question you. If only it was that easy.

Unfortunately, the reality of “cringe culture” runs deeper - you’ll encounter it everywhere.

Even worse, the level of judgment you receive will differ based on how old you are (yes, even among adults).

In your 20s? Liking Hello Kitty can be cute since you still have aesthetic appeal physically, as ordained by society’s hyperfocus on being young. Over the age of 30? Boom. you’re a part of “cringe culture”.

At a “serious” adult age, you shouldn’t have a want to feel joy or enjoyment in anything. It’s easy to forget that age really is just a number - whether you’re 17 or 45, you should be able to enjoy what you love without the fear of being judged.

Are you a “Disney Adult”? Own it. Do you collect My Little Ponies or fit into the “Brony” community? Cool, I want to know all about it.

Life's too short to worry about being “cringe”. I know it’s cheesy, stereotypical advice.

But it's more “cringe” to hide the things you like in favor of living a miserable existence of societally enforced adult misery.

“Cringe culture” is dead. Long live the era of accepting your former and present love of fanfiction and “SuperWhoLock”.

After all, who’s going to stop you?

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO