Alexandrea Fiorante glued a pair of feathery false eyelashes to her glittered eyelids as she chugged down a beer. She then slipped into a backless black dress before piling into an Uber with her friends.  Destination? Any club she could get a cute picture to post on Instagram, simultaneously making her ex jealous and proving that she’s “winning” the breakup. At least that’s how she imagined dealing with the heartbreak of ending her long-term relationship with her partner last November. But the continuous lockdowns in Toronto have restricted Fiorante from taking the rom-com suggested formula for getting over a breakup.  Instead, she had to sit alone in her bedroom with…

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive dent in the tourism industry. Its sector saw a loss of nearly $4.5 trillion US in 2020, according to a report released by the World Travel and Tourism Council. The report also revealed that approximately 62 million jobs in the travel industry were lost, leaving only 272 million employed globally. However, with vaccination rates rising and pandemic restrictions loosening, it is expected that international travel will be possible again very soon. Linda Hoang, a travel blogger based in Edmonton, hopes that masks and hygienic practices will still be normalized once travelling is more widely available.  “If there’s more hand sanitizer, if people…

Running is a great way to beat the COVID-19 blues; it keeps you energized, as well as physically and mentally fit. As a Skechers performance athlete, I run year-round and participate in competitive races—although virtually since the start of the pandemic. Here are some tips that will help if you’re new to running and don’t know where to get started.  CHECK THE WEATHER   The temperature can change at a moment’s notice in Canada, so make sure to check the weather in the area of your run and dress appropriately. During the summer, it’s best to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. Typically all you need are shorts, a shirt, socks and a…

I wasn’t quite sure the best way to start this piece. It was left open to my interpretation, as long as it centred around my time spent circling the globe alone. But with an adventure such as that one, where do I even begin? Do I tell the story of how I spent 10 days in a town in the middle of the Swiss Alps creating a short documentary, or the time I drank a questionable beer (the questions were definitely warranted) and FaceTimed a friend during their dance class from a random alley in Budapest? Or maybe how an Australian hostel friend got me to slap him every five minutes so…

With more than 90 per cent of the world living under travel restrictions this past year, I went from being in a long-distance relationship to suddenly living with my partner. Talk about a “new normal.” After cohabitating for five years, my partner left to study for a graduate degree in Washington, D.C. Not wanting to be one-upped, I moved twice — first a transcontinental move to Portland, Oregon, and then an intercontinental move to Copenhagen, Denmark. Our long-distance relationship was a unique time in our lives where we grew our careers and pursued our professional goals independently. Travel became our biggest solace during our time apart. (A)synchronous dating At first, we struggled to communicate…

The winding alleyways of downtown Amman smell like spices. The sharp za’atar—a blend of oregano and thyme—with the toasty nuttiness of sesame seeds and freshly baked naan wafting out of mismatched homes and shops. Waves of heat radiate off of the pavement while the dusty air blows through the streets, rippling through the colourful fabric stores.   Amman is easily one of the quietest cities I have ever been to, the silence only broken by calls to prayer and rumbling gasoline trucks making rounds in residential areas. In startling contrast is Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also located in Jordan. The vast visual collision of the Ancient East and Hellenistic…

Safety isn’t always at the forefront of our minds with all the excitement that comes with travelling. However, it is important to remember, when travelling, that you are in a new environment, often in big cities with different primary languages. Being alert and aware of your surroundings could potentially save your life, especially for those travelling on their own for the first time. Here are some tips to ease the stress of staying safe, so you can make your travel experience even more enjoyable. Learn about your destination  Before you head overseas, do your research. Inform yourself about which neighbourhoods to avoid and what crimes often happen there. Know where…

Plans were made, tickets were booked, bags were packed. And then COVID-19 hit. The many months spent indoors gave people plenty of time to think up their dream travel expeditions and look forward to a post-pandemic future. With answers ranging from sightseeing in Canada, cooking classes in Italy or exploring Japan and its culture, Youth Mind talked to people across Ontario about where they plan to go when travel becomes possible again. I feel torn about traveling after COVID-19. On the one hand, I do feel that there is so much of the world to explore and I appreciate new cultures and new countries so much more now. Japan or France have…

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, camping has become a much-needed escape for many people. It allows you to experience nature first-hand and is also a good way to distance from others.  There are plenty of campground options to choose from, ranging from provincial and national parks to privately-owned campsites. If you’ve never roughed it on your own before, this is an easy beginner’s guide to make your first campout experience memorable and safe. What to bring Stocking up on camping supplies can be daunting, especially if you’ve found yourself staring down the many aisles of a camping store with no idea where to start. Supplies can range in…

Second-hand shopping is on the rise in countries around the world, including Canada. A 2019 report by ThredUp, conducted by GlobalData, showed that “resale has grown 21 times faster than the new apparel market in the last three years.” The report said that people between the ages of 18-37 are 2.5 times more likely to buy used clothing. The majority of people shopping second-hand are those from Generation Z, followed next by Millennials. There are also many online thrift stores like ThredUp, Swap.com and Urban Outfitters vintage that sell second-hand clothing. For all of you who are interested in thrifting, we’ve gathered the best tips to help you find great pieces.  1. Have something specific in mind Thrift…

On Oct. 8, 2020, New-York-based skateboard brand, Supreme, released a long-sleeve tee on their online store that featured what they dub as the “box logo” or “bogo” for short — the word “Supreme” in Futura Bold Italic font, encased within a rectangle. The shirt was priced at $48 USD. It sold out in under one minute. Every color. Every size. Supreme is just one brand consisting of today’s “streetwear” culture whose key marketing tactic is to supply a small amount of stock relative to each brand’s high demand. This shortened supply creates an exclusivity which is one of many contributing factors to these brands’ large followings. Celebrity endorsements, brand authenticity,…

With physical distancing protocols in place, many of us have transitioned to working from the office to working from home. Although working from home is convenient and allows us to be safe, it’s definitely an adjustment, especially for those who live alone.  You are no longer surrounded by your co-workers. And even though your co-workers aren’t there to distract you, that doesn’t mean there are no distractions. You might find yourself scrolling Facebook instead of doing work, or taking an extra long break, just because you can. As someone who currently works from home, here are some tips that I found to be helpful.  Follow the same routine you had…