It feels daunting to reflect on three years packed with experiences which shaped me as a student, friend, artist and person. But all good stories start at the beginning, so I’m sitting here reminiscing on my first days at The Spectrum.
After four years of crying myself to sleep and worrying if I will be able to make it through the day, I finally made it to graduation.
At the end of the day, you are your own person. And if you don’t want to explain your sexuality or identity for whatever reason, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
The inner workings of our mind — from intrusive thoughts to worries, insecurities and negative self-talk — isn’t something we can easily pinpoint and explain in a play-by-play commentary to someone else.
Infatuation is the red flag you don’t see because you’re blinded by the overwhelming emotions you feel. It’s a truth that not everyone understands.
International student-athletes must try to overcome homesickness and a language barrier on top of the typical daily problems of a college student.
People need to know that they’re not alone in their loneliness — none of us are.
It is a relentless and exhausting battle. I live in a pendulum, swinging back and forth between feeling devastatingly numb and debilitatingly depressed. Joy is a fleeting feeling whose glimpses only seem to push me further down the hole, reminding myself that I have not earned happiness.
Dr. Seuss once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” I guess that’s going to have to become my new mantra.
After years of being “open” with my emotions, I still feel like the same confused 12-year-old, even if I don’t always show it. This isn’t a cry for help; I’m not depressed. I just don’t always know what to do with whatever it is I’m feeling.
I’m not always a good person who does good things. I certainly haven’t been in the past. No one can be a perfect person, I know that. But for many years I’m not sure I was even a good one — I’m working to change that. I’m working every day to do better — to be better.
Managing social anxiety — and mental health in general — is really hard. I’m still far from where I want to be, but I’m trying my best, and that’s enough. Just remember that you are loved, and you are not alone.
Time and time again, we see athletes judged for every move they make, but we never allow them to take off their jersey and just be… people.
Commentary and opinion should never merge with hard news reporting or daily coverage, and certainly shouldn’t be the pillar of any news station or paper.
I’ve only known her for seven months, but Reilly Mullen has taught me more than any journalism class ever could.
Solutions by The State News
