From the moment that social media began to be a more prominent part of everyday life, people have felt the pressure to portray themselves as a different person online than they are in person. At first- this attempt of trying to create an online self was relatively harmless; it included taking pictures of all the things you ate to seem like a "foodie" or taking pictures of everywhere you went to make it seem like you go out a lot. However, this portrayal of an online self has begun to hurt individuals, as it changes how they feel about themselves and takes a toll on their mental health.
Read More"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." There are endless quotes describing perseverance and the ability to bounce back, including this one by Margaret Thatcher, however, a quote is just a few words put together if you don't truly embrace the meaning behind it. With life comes struggle and it's one of the things that just happen to be inevitable, but you can either let those failures and faults define you or let the way you bounce back from them define you.
Read MoreOften times in our day to day life, we find ourselves seeking instant gratification or satisfaction- the simple act of doing something in order to feel that certain emotion.
Read MoreIn life, you have the ability to choose what defines you and whether you let it shape who you are. Often times, you have a difficult time embracing the things that do. However, when you truly embrace the person you are whether that be your background, ethnicity, or the way you were brought up- you’ll realize the power you have within.
Read MoreThe school year is rapidly coming to an end, and it’s a time where you reflect upon what you did, what you didn’t do, memories, mistakes, and accomplishments. Throughout my junior year I’ve adopted a lot of knowledge that I feel can help someone who struggles like me, because we all have a mask that we put on when we’re out in the world and it feels nice to know there’s someone that can relate.
Read More"The harder you work for something the greater you feel when you achieve it." With the end of the school year quickly approaching, it seems as if everyone is under some sort of stress and it could apply to any grade level, whether it be junior high or college. The so-dreaded finals are scarily coming closer along with any other testing like AP testing or end of year projects. At this point of the school year, you tend to reflect back.
Read More"The world gives you so much pain and here you are making gold out of it, there is nothing purer than that." (Rupi Kaur) There's a popular saying that goes around during the spring. April showers bring May flowers, and everyone associates it most with nature and all the pollen in the air bringing us the so dreaded allergies. I believe that saying applies to our inner person as well. Sometimes the showers of life can feel like storms, but the seed planted within us starts to blossom after those showers.
Read MoreThe time has finally come for the clouds to begin rolling away, the sun to emerge, and for our air to fill with fresh scents and lots of sneezing. The weather is becoming warmer, especially if you live in the desert like me, and it is time to start getting out of the house and enjoying the warm sunshine filling your community.
Read MoreWhen the Internet was first created, it was for the purpose of easier communication and exchange of information. Social media revolves around purely this- the constant sharing of what you're doing to either just your friends or the entire public eye who sees your posts. From what you had for breakfast to the college acceptance letter you got in the mail that day. Obviously sharing information online seems fun and practical, but how much information is too much information?
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA, January 4, 2019 – #ICANHELP is excited to announce that Paris, Simran, Ishan, and Malorie were among 11 students celebrated at the second annual #Digital4Good event at The Google Community Space in San Francisco, CA
Ever since being on social media for so long, I've been able to see the way memes have developed and changed over the years. From badly drawn cartoons depicting the era of "rage comics" and from images like "Bad Luck Brian" accompanied by some funny caption. For me, these were my original "OG" memes, however they're nothing compared to what we have now.
Read MoreIt’s too often that kids tell their parents they feel down and they’re told to get over it. However, a simple scraped knee calls for the need of antibiotics, some sort of bandage, and emotional support from the nearby parent. Although mental illnesses cannot be seen, they are still serious issues that very rarely receive the limelight and care a physical illness would receive.
Read MoreOften times someone throws the term self-love out, and it has become so subjective that it almost seems as if it’s selfish to love yourself. It’s this preconceived notion that stating you love yourself, or that you like this part of yourself is selfish. It’s selfish to feel proud of your accomplishments or that it’s selfish to take a day off for yourself. However, it’s important to keep in mind there’s a vast difference between self-love and being selfish.
Read MoreEvery so often we find ourselves in a situation where something doesn’t go our way; either a test we spent hours studying for, a project we spent days preparing, or a speech you’ve been practicing for weeks somehow gets messed up. The work you put in didn’t reciprocate the desired results, and this leaves us in a state of learned helplessness. The idea that- if I’ve already tried and failed what’s the point of trying again? This thought can be harmful, as it can completely set someone off track and stop them, but when you start to think this, know that it’ll only push you.
Read MoreThroughout the world we hear stories ranging from children being abused, to shootings taking place, and lives being lost. It is the optimism, rather hope, that helps us get through these times.
Read MorePositivity is key to improving your school campus, environment and spirit. Without positivity, it is hard to unite your school. That is why my school recently did a positivity week. Our goal is to improve spirit, positivity and unite our school.
Read MoreEveryday we see news on TV and posts on Instagram of violence, discrimination, and hate and wonder if we can do anything about. Sometimes the problem seems too big to be fixed, but more often than not, we think, “What can I even do?” This question discourages us rather than motivates us, because we feel a problem can only be fixed by one person. But instead of letting this question stump you, let it motivate you into actually answering it.
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Growing up I’ve always felt different. When I say “different”, I don’t mean because of one specific thing, I just truly never fit in. I never really had an “inside voice” and often times was reprimanded for my energy.
Read MorePositivity. There are many interpretations of this five syllable noun. Is it an action? Is it obligatory to pursue throughout life? Is it actually beneficial? These questions often times flood our minds, but these questions also persuade us to live a positive life each day and for those around us.
Read MoreFour years are said to determine your entire life, four years are said to either make you or break you depending on how you spend them. That's high school for you- four years of constantly hearing this, and each year it just gets pushed into your head even more.
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