These days, it is easy to get caught in the mindless cycle of scrolling through social media. The longer you scroll, the harder it becomes to stop, especially when your feed is filled with bad news and overwhelming headlines. I’ve fallen into that trap too. I’ll open TikTok to kill “just a few minutes,” and suddenly, I’m an hour deep into videos about climate anxiety, economic collapse, and every looming catastrophe threatening our generation.  It leaves me feeling anxious and hopeless, like the world is doomed and there’s nothing I can do. This exhausting cycle is what researchers call doomscrolling, and it can drain your mood and sense of control.…

Learn about the advantages of volunteering and how to get started Many youth in Ontario may have volunteered in high school to obtain their mandated graduation hours. However, volunteering can be more than just fulfilling a requirement. It is about helping others and can also serve as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Engaging in community service can develop essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, and time management, which are highly valued by employers. Volunteering offers unique networking opportunities, allowing individuals to connect with like-minded peers and professionals in their field of interest. Discover more about how volunteering can contribute to your future success.  Personal Advantages  Volunteering provides…

Anyone can be a bully, and despite frequently being shamed for their actions, bullies continue to mentally abuse others seemingly without a care in the world. This means it is quite likely someone can be a bully without realizing it. Although, there are several ways a person can reflect on their actions to avoid spreading toxic behaviours that bully others. What is bullying? There are at least six types of bullying, including physical, verbal, social, cyber, racist, and sexual bullying. It does not matter whether a person is physically or sexually assaulted, socially isolated by a group of people, or “just” called names, bullying in any shape or form is…

Landing your first job and earning a salary for the first time are some of the initial steps to enable growth and build independence. However, along with these new opportunities comes greater challenges and responsibilities. Earning money entails greater rewards, but if you give yourself too much freedom with your spending habits, you could develop toxic habits and poor values surrounding money. This could lead you to spend your earnings rather than build savings. That is why it is very important for the youth to learn about money and spending habits. This way, they will understand how they should manage their earnings as it can help them in the present…

When interacting with others, one quality that may be overlooked sometimes but is quite crucial is being observant.  It is important to know when to speak and what to say to others. However, it is equally important to understand how to conduct yourself in conversations and interactions and treat others respectfully. Being observant is a quality you can work on and get into the habit of doing. This article will provide you with a guideline on how you can become more observant and pay more attention to others. Be an “active” listener This may seem redundant initially, but what it actually implies is for you to truly consider what other…

In the chaos of the modern world, small acts of kindness can create ripples of positive change. Pink Shirt Day, celebrated annually in Canada, is a powerful symbol of unity and empowerment against bullying. It also serves as a reminder that kindness is an undeniable and transformative force. As Canadian youth, understanding the significance of Pink Shirt Day is essential in fostering a culture of empathy, love, compassion, and community. Pink Shirt Day, observed on the last Wednesday of February each year, originated in Nova Scotia in 2007. It was started by two high school students who took a stand against the bullying of a fellow student. In a simple…

It is no surprise that people enjoy buying food instead of making it themselves. Being able to pick up a prepared meal or have it delivered to your front door is much more convenient than cooking for yourself every day. Statistics Canada states that 54 per cent of Canadians eat out or order takeout once a week or more. Although 57 per cent of Canadians try to choose their orders based on nutrition information provided on menus, takeout orders are not always the healthiest. According to DoorDash, the three most ordered menu items in 2022 were burgers, french fries, and pizza, none of which are healthy food options. Cooking at…

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page, desperately longing to unleash your thoughts and stories but struggling to find the motivation to put pen to paper? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is an all too common scenario for creatives. Every writer, no matter how experienced, encounters those moments of self-doubt and creative struggle. But fear not. There are plenty of tips and tricks to help motivate yourself and get your creative juices flowing! Find your inspiration One way to motivate yourself to write is to seek inspiration. Explore different mediums, such as books, movies, music or art, that resonate with you. Allow yourself to be…

Graduating from university is an exciting milestone, marking the end of an academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in life. While this transition can be filled with uncertainty, especially when it comes to making friends outside of the familiar campus environment, there are numerous opportunities to forge meaningful connections. Follow these practical tips and strategies to help navigate the post-university landscape and build a fulfilling social circle! Embrace alumni networks One of the most valuable resources available after graduation is the alumni network associated with one’s university. Reach out to your alma mater’s alumni association, or explore what they do to bring fellow graduates together. Attend alumni…

In the fall of 2022, I took a class at Wilfrid Laurier University called Stories and the Sacred. As the name suggests, the course was a blend of a literature and a religion class. However, the content was not necessarily about literature or religion exclusively. Instead, the course outlined several individuals throughout history and mythology who had, in one way or another, come to experience the sacred. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word “sacred” as something “dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity.” This definition implies the attachment of religion to the word, which is what most people think of when they hear sacred. It…

People often try to think positively but can sometimes fail to do so. An article written by SkillPath states, “The human brain has a natural tendency to give weight to (and remember) negative experiences or interactions more than positive ones – they stand out more. Psychologists refer to this as negativity bias.”  Regardless of the kind of person someone is, people can tend to think negatively more often than not. If someone is regularly told how well they are doing, but something negative is brought up, they will likely focus on the negative. That’s why activities such as gratitude journals can help someone focus on the positive.  Gratitude journals are…

Toxic positivity is the attitude that people should have an optimistic outlook on  situations beyond their control. However, it can involve dismissing negative emotions and situations while projecting a positive outlook at inappropriate times. Examples of toxic positivity  It may not always be clear when someone is displaying this behaviour. Often, toxic positivity involves overly-simplified catchphrases.  Krysta Fitzpatrick-Sceviour is a women’s studies instructor at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She notices toxic positivity can be common on social media platforms. “Right now, I am seeing a lot of memes and inspirational quotes saying things like ‘fake it ’til you make it’ or ‘stay positive,’ ‘good vibes only,’” she says.  Greg Hewlett…

Emotional intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to manage emotions and respond to them correctly. It also refers to understanding, recognizing and handling the feelings of others. Research suggests that young adults need to develop this type of intellect to succeed professionally and personally.   Learning emotional intelligence  Sarah Blackmore is a children’s media producer for EastLink community television in Newfoundland. She received her master’s degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her skill set and personal life experience have given her a lot of insight into what it takes to develop EQ.   Blackmore believes one major part of emotional intelligence is lending an ear to other people.   “Try to keep…

Almost a quarter of Canadians can’t afford groceries. Food insecurity affects low-income households the most. With food shortages, supply chain issues and inflation on the rise, food insecurity in Canada is increasing.  “Food insecurity is a symptom of poverty,” says Elaine Power, a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University. “You can’t really fix food insecurity without fixing the underlying problem.” The Food and Agricultural Association of the United Nations (FAO) explains that a food insecure individual is someone who doesn’t have enough money or resources for food.  To some, this might seem obvious. Yet, the solutions to solve food insecurity are mostly focused on…