Summer 2026

summer 2026

The special section. Concert Campers 6 Spaced Out 32 Yes, Chef 48

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

summer 2026

Concert Campers 6 FLEX 28 Spaced Out 32

yes,

!

Riding the line between keeping it classy and making a luxurious mess, here’s how to elevate a casual dinner while feeling like royalty.

Page 48.

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

summer 2026

Concert Campers 6 FLEX 25 Yes, Chef 48

SPACED O U T Bounce back from your weekend bender and find your happy place at 420 Space Yoga. Page 32.

the

magazine of the students of

CONCERT CAMPERS

the university of miami

summer 2026

Concert camping is not for the faint of heart. Here are some tips to surviving that quest for the barricade. Page 6.

FLEX 25 Spaced Out 32 Yes, Chef 48

summer 2026

The special section. Concert Campers 6 Spaced Out 32 Yes, Chef 48

Let us break it down for you.

distractionmagazine.com @distractionmag @distractionmag

Are you a writer, designer, photographer, business-savvy sales rep, PR pro or social media connoisseur looking to find your groove?

Message us on Instagram or check out our links to join our award-winning staff today.

Dear reader, I could talk about our special section, “Flex”, and our amazing stories and how being a college student right now means constantly “bouncing back” and “going with the flow”, but I won’t. !is is my $nal issue with Distraction, and I have so much to reflect on.

I owe so many thanks to the people who bend over backwards for this magazine.

Charlotte DeAngelis, our beloved art director, has sat with me from sunset to sunrise placing $nal touches on each issue.

Distraction couldn’t happen without her.

If our magazine caught your eye with its dazzling design, she’s the reason. Cheers to all the brain cells we’ve lost blasting showtunes and going on boomer rants together.

Stano, our adviser since the dawn of Distraction, is the kind of mentor everyone needs. Every time he comes into the suite and slashes my spreads with his ruthless red Sharpie, he makes me into a better designer and better editor. !ank you, Stano, for caring about Distraction too much for your own good. I’ll always be grateful for your

Letter

patience and ability to put out $res.

I leave Distraction in the hands of Ariana Glaser, somebody incredibly capable and motivated to continue our mission. Whether you’re also preparing to graduate or still brandnew to the U, I hope Distraction can brighten your campus experience one more time.

Love,

We Want You When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky. Whether you’ve found your niche in a biology book, you’re notorious for doing “nothing” at the comm or business school or you’re halfway into your college career and still wave that “undeclared major” flag, we want to hear what you have to say. Distraction is an extracurricular/ volunteer operation made for students, by students, and covers the full spectrum of student life here at !e U. If you want to get involved or have any questions or concerns email us at distraction305@ gmail.com

fro m

th

Masthead Editor-in-Chief Jay Moyer -30Executive Editor Ariana Glaser Art Director Charlotte DeAngelis -30Photography Director Julia Campbell -30Photography Director Ethan Dosa -30Executive Digital Editor Amber Mason -30Digital Designer Anna Mondschein PR & Social Director Elizabeth Agurto -30The Guide Editor Rosibel Mercedes Happening Editor Amanda Mohamad -30WTF Editor Valentina Mena Quiñonez Special Editor Karly Rae Lieblong Fashion Editor Lucy Carlson-Pietraszek -30Treasurer Kelsey Conrad -30Faculty Adviser Randy Stano

About Us !e magazine is produced four times per year, twice a semester. City Graphics and Bellak Miami printed 2,000 copies of the magazine on 8.5 x 11 inch, 60-pound coated text paper 4/4. !e entire magazine is printed four-color and perfect bound. Most text is nine-point Minion Pro with 9.8 points of leading set ragged with a combination of bold, medium and italic. All pages were designed using Adobe Creative Suite CC software InDesign with photographs and artwork handled in Photoshop and Illustrator. For additional information, visit distractionmagazine. com. Questions and comments can be sent to 1330 Miller Drive, Student Media Suite 202A, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, dropped into SSC Student Media Suite Suite 200 or emailed to distraction305@gmail.com. All articles, photographs and illustrations are copyrighted by the University of Miami.

e

Ed

photo_julia campbell

photo_jonathan padrino

photo_ruby tavano

r ito

photo_anna mondschein

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 6 10 12

26 30 32

2

3

13

19

THE GUIDE

HAPPENING

WHAT THE FORK

Seeing Red Concert Campers New City, New Circle Ex-counters

14 16 18

Turned O! Through a Local Lens Comfort in Chaos

20 22 24

Miami Slice Jazz It Up Grocery Like a Grown-Up

25

35

43

FLEX

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FASHION

Not to Flex, But...

Bouncing Back Spaced Out

DISTRACTION

Table of Contents

36 40 42

Living with PCOS Mirror, Mirror Gut Feeling

44 46 48

Looking Sharp Goyard or Faux-yard?

Yes, Chef!

E GUID THE

Summer’s just around the corner, and we at Distraction want to help you make it the best one yet. Let us guide you through concert camping culture, making friends post-graduation, lovebombing and those awkward excounters. photo_anna mondschein.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

3

Lovebo&bi() ca( &a,e -o. feel like you’re tied to a person in all the wrong ways.

Seeing Lovebombing can look like romance, but it’s often a mask for manipulation and control.

Learning to recognize the early signs.

4

DISTRACTION

The Guide

RED words_gabby rappaport. photo_jay moyer&amber kleinman. design_jay moyer.

W

hat’s so bad about love? !e term “lovebombing” can be a little confusing - isn’t it a good thing for someone to show interest in you? But lovebombing is a major early red flag in relationships – and it’s often the $rst phase in a pattern of emotional abuse. It can be hard to distinguish signs of lovebombing with early signs of interest in a relationship, so it’s important to be aware of what crosses the line into problematic behavior. To help you spot the di%erence between genuine interest and something more manipulative, here are some key signs of lovebombing to watch out for:

dinners. Again, these occur in early stages of the relationship – they’re trying to treat your relationship as if it’s already established so they can establish control over you. !ey want these gifts to convince you to lower your guard, making you easier to manipulate.

Constant Communication

Do they get mad if you don’t respond within an hour? Do they just need to call you for hours on end every day? If they’re demanding your time constantly, that’s a red flag. !ey’re trying to make you dependent on them and prioritize them over your friends and family.

it’s a green flag for someone to respect your boundaries rather than challenge them.

Isolation

A lovebomber wants them to be your only source of support. !ey might try to separate you from your friends, family and other support systems so that you’re solely dependent on them. It’s a massive red flag if your signi$cant other or someone you’re considering getting into a relationship with tries to convince you that your friends or family are bad for you or don’t have your best interests at heart. !ey don’t want you to have people to turn to when their lovebombing inevitably turns into

It’s better to c.t the thread earl- if you’re getting tangled up in a relationship with unhealthy patterns of behavior.

Too Much, Too Soon

If they’re calling you their “soulmate” a week after meeting them, there might be something suspicious going on. Lovebombers lay it on thick quickly – they might mention marriage or moving in together before the relationship has reached the level where it’s appropriate. You might think they’re just a romantic, but they’re trying to worm their way into your good graces so you’ll be more willing to tolerate toxic behavior in the future.

Extravagant Gifts

You might receive constant, over the top gifts – hundreds of flowers or expensive

Ignoring Boundaries

Maybe you’ve noticed it’s all moving a little bit too fast and you ask them to slow down the pace a little bit. !ey responded with gaslighting and guilt-tripping, accusing you of not caring about them instead of responding with understanding.

Lovebombers react poorly when you call them out on their behavior – they don’t want you to have space away from them; they’re scared it will ruin your dependence on them.

So, they’ll try to manipulate you into continuing the overwhelming pace of the relationship. Or they might verbally agree to take it slower, but not change their behavior at all. Remember,

something more overtly abusive.

It’s important to recognize the signs of lovebombing early and shut it down quickly.

While lovebombing might feel nice to experience, it won’t last forever. It’s often the $rst stage of emotional abuse. Soon, your partner will start to try to exert control over you, manipulate you or even use fear and intimidation to get you to behave di%erently.

“Lovebombing” isn’t a sign of actual love.

It’s an illusion built with flattery designed to hijack your brain and turn it against you. Real love happens slowly, with people who respect your boundaries – if something feels too good to be true early on, it probably is.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

5

Live &.sic has &ade a h.)e res.r)e(ce si(ce the COVID-19 pa(de&ic, with fans $nally being able to see their favorites on stage once again.

6

DISTRACTION

The Guide

2026 has some great concerts in store. Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and so many other A-listers are making their grand return to the concert stage, and if you’re aiming for a spot at the barricade, you’ve got to know the tricks of the trade. words_ariana glaser. photo_ruby tavano. design_annamarie andrews.

Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard a(d Soft: The To.r, is the highestgrossing tour of any artist born in the 21st century.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

7

The co(cert barricade is prized territor-. Superfans will often do whatever it takes to be as close as possible to their favorite artist.

W

ith Harry Styles’ “Together, Together” tour rapidly approaching, we all remember people camping out for days at a time to get the best view at his 2022 Love on Tour set. “Harries” brought tents, chairs and blankets for extended stays, and the earliest attendees would pass out wristbands to account for a fanmade line system.

Gone are the days of simply arriving at a venue an hour in advance. If you want to be up close, you’ve got to plan ahead.

Why Camp Out?

Most concertgoers who camp out do so in an attempt to be at the forefront of the action.

Apart from simply getting a better view — an extremely viable motivation for shorter fans — artists are far more likely to interact with audience members if they’re close to the stage. Each night during the “Short n’ Sweet” tour, for example, Sabrina Carpenter “arrested” a fan at or near the barricade for “being too hot.”

Music fanatic Lucy Marioni (@ lucysplaylists on Instagram) is no stranger to camping culture. To date, the longest she’s camped out for a concert is 45 hours.

Marioni argued queuing is neither a notion of entitlement nor does it seek to deprive others of opportunities, as anyone is welcome to camp out.

8

DISTRACTION

The Guide

“I always like to give the example of a line at an amusement park,” said Marioni.

“You have no control over the wait time throughout the day, but you can control when you get there in order to beat the rush.

If you don’t feel like uprooting your schedule to get the best spot in line, that’s perfectly okay — just keep in mind that others are willing to do so.”

How long you’ll have to camp for depends on the artist and how important a barricade spot is to you. If you’re just looking to be near the action, the morning of — approximately 8-10 hours before the start time — should be plenty. If you’re deadset on a front-row spot at a highly anticipated concert, however, camping out overnight, or over several nights, may be your only option.

Planning Ahead

Before you decide to camp out, make sure you check the rules and regulations for the speci$c venue. Some venues have outlawed camping entirely and won’t honor fanmade numbering systems. Once you’ve con$rmed your venue allows camping, you’re all set to start planning.

First and foremost, you need to pack accordingly. Concert campers often $nd themselves at war with nature and their own bodies. You’ll probably end up sleeping on the streets, especially if you’re camping for an extended period of time.

Make sure you bring these essentials: Umbrella and poncho Sunblock and hat during the summer Layers during the winter Pillow, blanket and/or sleeping bag Lawn chair Tent Portable charger Hygienic materials (more on that later) High-energy snacks and/ or pre-packed meals Lots of water

A Co(a( Gra- fa(, R.b- Tava(o, celebrates her birthday at his Wishbone World Tour.

E&&a Wilso(, Me)a( Jacobs a(d L.c- Mario(i camp together outside Gracie Abrams’ !e Secret of Us Deluxe Tour.

Ca&pi() o.t for a co(cert can be a fun way to bond with friends or meet new people who share your music taste.

Keep in mind that many venues don’t allow large bags. Check your venue’s policies ahead of time, but it’s good practice to bring items you’re comfortable disposing of if need be.

Also make sure to $nd out if the concert has a VIP package. If it does, keep in mind that no matter what time you arrive, VIPs will always get $rst access. !at being said, buying a VIP package can be a great way to minimize camping time.

Safety Tips

Concerts usually take place in or near big cities, providing less-than-ideal spots sleeping on the streets. Such an activity will always bear risks, but there are steps you can take to minimize them.

Never camp alone. Always bring a friend (or several!) along for the ride. Not only will the company make the hours go by faster, but there’s also power in numbers. Trade o% sleeping so one person is always able to keep watch.

Avoid setting up camp in low-lying areas. If it rains, you’ll be flooded.

Secure valuables, and only bring what is absolutely necessary.

Don’t let your hygiene su:er. Some concertgoers even have horror stories of fainting from the sheer force of bodily odor in concert pits. Try to rotate holding a spot with your peers and take a shower at a nearby gym or community center. Pack a travel toothbrush, a water bottle for rinsing and mouthwash.

Drink more water than you think you need to. !e last thing you want is to have spent all this camping only to faint at the concert!

Concert camping is not for the faint of heart, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

Remember to plan ahead and use your head, and you’ll be up close and personal with your favorite artist in no time!

Tava(o celebrates her ;.est for the barricade at Chappell Roan’s Visions of Damsels and Other Dangerous !ings Tour.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

9

NEW CITY, NEW CIRCLE

Movi() awa- fro& Mia&i is an opportunity to take a breather from fast-paced nightlife. More relaxed daytime hangouts are a great way to bond with new people.

10

DISTRACTION

The Guide

After graduating, you may find yourself moving to a city where the seasons change, the streets are quieter and the bars aren’t overflowing with crowds of classmates. Adapting to a less exciting post-Miami life is hard.

Making new friends is the best way out of it. words_jay moyer. photo_ethan dosa. design_cole selden.

L

izzie Kristal, a UM alum, moved to Minnesota after graduating in the spring of 2025. !ere, she works as a project coordinator for Artful Living Magazine and a restaurant host on the weekends. While Minnesota o%ered a lifestyle di%erent from Miami, Kristal welcomed the adjustment.

“I missed many of the social and ‘cool’ aspects of living in Miami surrounded by all my friends, but I was also itching to move to the next chapter of my life,” she said. “I was craving something quieter, and the adjustment wasn’t that bad because of it — but I know not everyone feels that way post-grad.”

A quieter town can feel like a breath of fresh air compared to Miami. For alumni like Kristal, leaving Miami is an opportunity to slow things down. Gone are the days of choosing between frat parties and bar crawls every night of the weekend.

Fortunately, slowing things down doesn’t mean foregoing a social life entirely. It just means $nding friends in new places. Kristal credits her restaurant job with allowing her to make friends post-grad.

“Because things are low-risk there and most of my coworkers are my age, it’s easier to make friends,” she said. “I highly recommend getting a silly little restaurant job on the side if you have time.”

Braving the Cold

While a low-pressure job can be a great way to make friends, not everyone has that opportunity. Challenges like work-life balance and social anxiety can become major obstacles to a social life, especially in a new environment.

Sal Puma, another class of ’25 alum, found that his hometown felt quite di%erent when his friends moved to di%erent cities.

Making friends was something that felt e%ortless in Miami. In New Jersey, however, he encountered new anxieties.

“I thrived with classmates and coworkers because we had something in common, shared experiences and we were forced to spend time with each other,” Puma said. “!ough outside of a shared class, club, or shift it was daunting.”

Puma, who works as a technical analyst at Fiserv, started o% the summer strong with old friends and Jersey shore outings. As the colder months rolled around, and corporate life started to intensify, things didn’t feel quite so exciting. While Miami experienced “sylly week” parties and hot, humid beach days, the Jersey shore became barren and cold.

“Not having access to a bustling Miami social life and instead watching others have it was driving me a bit insane,” Puma said.

Constantly Connected

One of the major downsides of social media is FOMO, or “fear of missing out”.

While it’s great to stay in touch with your Miami friends, some of whom may not have graduated yet, this constant connection can easily make you jealous, sad and nostalgic.

Instagram dumps and Snapchat group sel$es start to feel like people rubbing it in.

Puma brings up an interesting point about social media. Watching others have fun while you aren’t having any, quite plainly, sucks.

However, to the newly graduated, social media brings enormous bene$ts as well.

Platforms like Dice and Posh help college students access local social events. Both are massively popular with the UM student population, o%ering everything from Club Space tickets to Factory Town music events.

Post-grad, platforms like these can be incredibly useful if you live near a city with a bustling nightlife scene.

In big cities and small towns alike, there are bound to be Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages dedicated to curating the best local events, day or night. Kristal and Puma can both attest to the usefulness of these pages.

Kristal, an avid gym-goer, has found events at her local gym through the internet. She $nds the gym to be a great place to organically make friends while bettering her mind and body. “!ere’s this event at my gym that one of the badass female trainers puts on every Sunday morning, and I found it through Instagram,” she said. “About 25 women show up and workout together, and it’s such a great way to meet like-minded people.”

Moving away from Miami is an opportunity to take a breather from fast-paced nightlife. When he isn’t going to New York to club in the city, Puma uses social media to $nd more “wholesome” events, as he puts it. “[!ese] can be great to take newer friends to, to foster those relationships without the chaos of a night out,” he said. “!ese pages show me special nights at museums, thrift/flea markets, food festivals, you name it.”

Friends of Friends

One way to maintain your network is through mutuals. Maybe your closest friends are busy with their new grown-up jobs, but the friends you met through them are down to hang out again. Even if you don’t feel particularly close with these acquaintances, there’s no harm in reaching out. It might be the start of something amazing.

Without that one really close friend to bridge two people together, it might feel di&cult to build a relationship.

Puma remembers the moments when it felt awkward to reach out to friends of friends.

“You have to shake the feeling sometimes of feeling like you’re only friends with someone though someone else,” he said. “Once I realized that I’m my own person I started deepening the relationships with those I just met and now I’m meeting their friends and doing the same thing, slowly growing my social web.”

For Puma, these mutual friends eventually became a great support system. If you look

back on your tight-knit circle in college, it’s probable that many close friends were once someone else’s friend. In college, however, forced proximity brings us all closer together in the blink of an eye. After graduating, that process might take a little more e%ort.

Reaching out in spite of the anxiety takes strength. However, reaching out doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It can be sharing an Instagram post that reminded you of someone, or inviting someone to do some work at a co%ee shop together. Chances are, the people you’re trying to connect with are also looking to connect with more people.

“I think people are receptive to making new friends as long as you don’t come on too strong,” Kristal said. !is is when small gestures are key. If you’ve ever had friends who seem to only exist in the realm of shared group chats and Instagram story likes, consider inviting them out on a random night. Or maybe you happen to be in their area, and want to see if they’re available for lunch. !ese small interactions go to show that you care about furthering a friendship. Of course, the worst thing anyone can say is “no”.

When asked if Puma would do anything di%erently with his post-grad life, he said, “I would’ve reached out to more friends sooner and told myself to be less anxious about doing so. You can’t get out there if you don’t put yourself out there.”

Whether you’re an extrovert, introvert or somewhere in between, it’s always possible to make new connections. Your social life isn’t bound to end once college does. You’ll $nd ways to keep it alive at the small local bars, the gym or the co%ee shop. !e friends you make post-grad might just be for-lifers.

“Yo. do(’t wa(t to be the perso( who pea,ed i( colle)e. So while the $rst year or so you can cling to it a little bit, after a while realize it’s time to reinvent yourself.”

- Sal Puma

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

11

words_amanda mohamad. photo_julia campbell. design_charlotte deangelis.

Breakups are tough enough without having to run into your ex while in line for your morning co!ee.

EXCOUNTERS

Whe( e(co.(teri() a( ex, remember you’re both probably feeling the tension.

M

any $rst-year college students experience their $rst breakup when their high school partner goes to a di%erent school or stays behind at home. Fortunately, not having to see your ex can make the healing process easier. But what do you do when you break up with a college partner, and you still have to see them around campus and in your city?

Distraction breaks down what you can do in the case of an ex-counter.

Same School, Different Majors

!is scenario is likely the easiest of all to avoid your ex on campus. While the University of Miami has almost 20,000 people coming and going on campus every day, you can’t go from one end of campus to another without seeing at least one person you know, so the chances of seeing an ex remain high.

If you and your ex used to study together at the library or in another populated part of campus that sees all types of majors, try $nding study spots within your own school.

Not only is it unlikely they have classes near you, but it also gives you a chance to surround yourself with people of similar interests, and maybe make a new friend (or more than a friend). As for the places that are harder to avoid and may be part of your daily routine, like the campus food court or Starbucks, try ordering ahead online so you can spend as little time there as possible in case of a run-in.

Same School, Same Major

Meeting your $rst college partner from classes is a common experience, especially for those in the same major who may have multiple classes with each other. But unlike the “same school, di%erent majors” scenario, if you break up with someone in your major, civility is essential. !is is not a case where you should block them on every platform and turn the other direction if you see them

coming, especially if your classes together are not 100-student lecture halls.

You don’t need to be friends, but you should learn how to communicate without angst.

Don’t feel the need to rush a deep conversation that neither of you is ready to have, but agree on basic ground rules when it comes to communication and seeing each other. Can you count on each other for the study guide and continue to pair up for group projects? Or should you be making a new class bestie?

At the end of the day, your priority as a college student is getting your degree, and no ex, no matter the circumstances, should make your academic journey harder than it needs to be.

What About Off Campus?

If your ex is the same age as you, chances are you’ll end up going out to the same places. For $rst-year students, that may look like seeing your ex at Sandbar or Oasis on !ursdays. For students 21 and over, you’ll see everyone and their mother at Regatta on Fridays. If you’ve managed to avoid them on campus so far, the $rst time seeing them o% campus is going to suck even more. Not only will it remind you of the past, but if you’re a few drinks deep, the emotions, whether sadness, anger or something in between, will begin to creep out.

No ex should stop you from having a good time out. However, this does not give you an excuse to act like you’re in a movie and throw a drink in their face, or make out with a stranger — unless they cheated, then by all means unleash it all. !e best thing you can do is act like you’re having the time of your life without them, even if it doesn’t feel that way. Order the fun cocktail with a name you can’t pronounce, because money comes back. Dance and sing your heart out, and if it’s karaoke night, choose a song you used to listen to with them and make new memories with it with the real loves of your life: your friends.

No (eed to hide; a run-in with your ex is only as awkward as you make it.

12

DISTRACTION

The Guide

H

G N I N E P P A

Delve into the booming South Florida film scene, revisit your childhood comfort media or learn why Gen Z is having less sex than its preceders. photo_anna mondschein.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

13

turned

FF

Gen Z spent a major period of its adolescence hidden away in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s trapped in an overwhelming mental health epidemic. With all this to carry, something has to give — and that something just might be sex. words&design_ariana glaser, photo_julia campbell

R

ecent studies have suggested a nationwide sex recession, and the Institute for Family Studies found that Gen Z in particular is having less partnered sex than ever before.

Between 1990 and 2024, weekly sexual activity between adults fell from 55% to 37%.

Sex therapists and researchers attribute the shift to several factors, including the rise of technology, mental illness and converging societal expectations.

Are Computers Replacing Connection?

Meet-cutes are increasingly being replaced by dating apps. Take five minutes to share a few pictures and a brief biography to Tinder, and you’ll have several potential matches within seconds.

Nina D’Ambrosio, a $rst-year student at the University of Miami, is one of 30 million annual users on Hinge, ranked the third most downloaded dating app globally. Still, she admits dating apps’ e%ect on her generation’s intimacy has been “astronomically bad.”

“Dating apps make it way too easy for toxic hook-up culture and give people a dopamine or sex addiction. Within minutes, you could find someone to get with,” said D’Ambrosio. “Apps like Tinder use the addicting brain chemistry of social media and ‘swiping’ and the number of matches to trap you in this cycle of always wanting or looking for more, or just constantly being on the hunt.”

Dr. Carol Clark, a board certified sex therapist who has practiced in Miami since 1990, said the convenience of dating apps can make digital intimacy feel “safer, both physically and emotionally” — at least initially.

“People don’t get to know each other the same way as meeting in person,” said Clark. “!ey think they know someone and then have unrealistic expectations about sex and being in a relationship.”

Researchers have also noted an increase in digitally-driven solo forms of sexual

14

DISTRACTION

Happening

expression through consuming pornography and AI-driven relationships.

Digital sexuality is nothing new; researchers have found pornography to be increasingly detrimental to physiological development. While research has deemed pornography harmful to sexual relationships by perpetuating sexual illiteracy, encouraging unrealistic expectations and normalizing physical abuse, the addition of arti$cial intelligence threatens to eliminate partnered intimacy entirely. “[Solo sexual expression] is becoming more and more common as the porn, sexting, AI romances and virtual relationships get more accessible,” said So$e Roos, a licensed sexologist and author at Passionerad, currently based in Sweden.

“For someone born into the digital age, loving online often feels safer.”

Mental Health’s Role

Roos went on to explain the close connection between desire and mental health. Anxiety can make it more difficult to relax into intimacy, depression can decrease libido and emotional burnout may teach the body to prioritize recovery over physical connection.

Often named the “unhappiest generation,” Gen Z reports higher rates of depression and anxiety than its preceding generations. !e COVID-19 pandemic is partially to blame, but others suggest contributing factors include social media, societal pressures and political circumstances.

“We have the most access to information that any generation has had before, and genuinely there’s a lot of depressing information online, and it gets distorted and ampli$ed,” said Sophie Hartog, a UM sophomore. “Ignorance is bliss. !e environment is going downhill, and there’s so many external pressures that have been here for a while. I’m wondering if [these pressures] might be having an impact now.”

Mental illness suffers enough stigmatization as is, but when those affected are finally able to seek care,

Wee,l- sex.al activitbetwee( ..s. ad.lts a)ed 18 to 64 fell from 55% in 1990 to 37% in 2024, according to GSS data analyzed by the Institute for Family Studies.

medications often offer little assistance to those suffering from lack of libido. Most Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) — one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants — cause sexual dysfunction in more than 60-70% of users. Increased serotonin often decreases dopamine and testosterone levels, leading to lowered arousal, delayed orgasm and genital numbness.

Societal Standards

Several environmental pieces contribute to why Gen Z is less likely to engage in partnered sex. First and foremost, the state of the economy makes privacy less attainable and the risks of sex less viable. Approximately half of Gen Z reports they still live with their parents due to inflation, high housing costs and a tight labor market. Add in decreasing reproductive rights in certain states, and the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can become catastrophic.

Moreover, many believe dating culture has taken a turn for the worse, with an October 2025 Vogue article suggesting having a boyfriend is “embarrassing.”

“I think there are de$nitely three types of people: those looking for serious relationships, those not and those who are conflicted,” said Niki Kawa, a UM $rst-year student. “It is de$nitely hard to $nd people who mean it when they say they are looking for a serious relationship…many either don’t want to emotionally invest or do so too quickly, leading to a lot of hurt and less trust in future relationships.”

Other UM students, such as sophomore Georgia Kerr, suggest sex and dating altogether is simply “something that not a lot of people are focused on.” Collegeaged young adults seem to be prioritizing platonic socialization and career aspirations, leaving little time in their schedules and mental room for partnered sex.

Why Does It Matter?

Roos concludes that the phenomenon is likely both a temporary response to modern

pressures and the signi$er of a lasting generational change.

“Some of it can be tied to today’s stress, digitalization and post-COVID climate,” said Roos, “but the increased awareness around physical health, consent and identity could surely make this a change that’s here to stay.”

Research suggests many of the same forces reshaping young adults’ social lives — including increased time spent online, heightened mental health concerns and a changing societal environment — are also changing how and when relationships develop. !e so-called “loneliness epidemic” might rise, the shyness toward this milestone could coincide with a slower transition toward independent adulthood, reliance on digital intimacy is already becoming more and more apparent and birth rates are declining both throughout the U.S. and globally.

But students and researchers alike believe the shift can — and already has — lead to good as well. Intimacy is becoming less about sex and more about connection, and the conversation surrounding sex is changing.

Whereas sex was historically seen as a taboo topic, a newfound openness has led to an ampli$ed emphasis on consent, a better understanding of mutual pleasure and a wider knowledge of safe sex practice.

“People used to jump into relationships for fear of being alone or rushing into marriage and [having] kids,” said D’Ambrosio. “People are getting used to having later relationships and commitments and enjoying their youth and options while they have the time.”

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

15

THROUGH A LOCAL LENS The aesthetics a(d stor-li(es of South Florida $lms are incredibly personal to many South Florida natives.

Many people were introduced to South Florida’s film scene through blockbuster hits like “Moonlight” and “Waves,” but there is a vast world of smaller films to enjoy as well. Take a deeper look at South Florida’s rich film culture and some of the diverse narratives that shape it. words_rosibel mercedes. photo_ethan dosa. design_charlotte deangelis.

16

DISTRACTION

Happening

Setting the Scene

From Miami to Palm Beach, South Florida possesses an infectious charm which seeps right through the silver screen, luring audiences and $lmmakers alike. But when it comes to the region’s rich cinematic history, what does its story look like visually, and who gets the opportunity to tell it?

The South Florida Film Canon

In order to be a part of the South Florida $lm canon, movies are shot on location and written and directed by people who live or lived here. For University of Miami sophomore and Miami-native Isabella CelyGarcia, the aesthetics and storylines of South Florida $lms are incredibly personal.

“I can recognize all the landmarks and settings in ways that I rarely see in Hollywood,” Cely-Garcia said. “Sometimes it feels like every movie is set in LA or NYC, and that leaves out a lot of really raw stories. !at’s why movies like ‘Moonlight’ are so highly awarded. It’s fresh.”

Must-Watch Documentaries

In her documentary $lm “Razing Liberty Square” (2023), Oscar-nominated, Miamibased $lmmaker, Katja Esson, centers the demolition and redevelopment of Liberty Square, a public housing development in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood.

As Miami’s flood-prone coastlines drive investors towards the higher-elevation ground of inland neighborhoods like Liberty City — one of South Florida’s most predominantly African-American neighborhoods — the testimony of its residents captures resilience in the face of climate gentri$cation.

Haitian-American, Miamian and $lmmaker, Monica Sorelle, takes viewers through a similar journey in her $lm “Mountains” (2023). She tells the story of demolition worker, Xavier, and his family as the threat of demolition creeps closer and closer to their own backyard. She describes the feature $lm as a “Caribbean, Miami $lm,” for and by the people it aims to represent.

In fact, Sorelle estimates that the $lm’s characters speak Haitian-Creole for about 80 percent of the $lm.

Kelly Reichardt’s “River of Grass” (1994), set in the Broward and Miami-Dade Counties between the City of Miami and the Everglades, subverts common crime drama and road movie tropes all while producing a su%ocating sense of listlessness. Reichardt grew up in the part of South Florida where the $lm is set and describes “River of Grass” as a “road movie without the road, a love story without the love, and a crime story without the crime.”

South Florida Film Festivals

Film festivals are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the South Florida indie $lm scene, and explore a part of the region that isn’t a beach or club. Miami Film Festival, organized by Miami Dade College, o%ers a vibrant variety of new, local and global talent.

One of the festival’s most recent standout features is “Honeyjoon” (2025), a dark comedy about a grieving mother and daughter holidaying in the romantic Azores, directed by writer, $lmmaker, artist and Miami-native Lilian T. Mehrel. !e festival even featured the University of Miami’s $rst undergraduate feature $lm “Rope Tied” (2026). In the $lm, directed by Chiara Padejka and Evan Friedmannan, an artist and his muse test the limits of coexistence.

University of Miami Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Creativity, Dia Kontaxis said, “!e Miami Film Festival continues to be a vital platform for independent voices, with a terri$c slate of Miami premieres this year… including premieres like ‘Tropical Park,’ ‘Dual Citizen’ and ‘Eva y Adán en Miami,’ $lms that refuse to flatten the city into a single story.”

Kontaxis is also an acclaimed producer, editor, educator and $lmmaker. FilmGate Festival, Florida’s longest-running short $lm series, featured one of Kontaxis’ own $lms: “George V” (2025). Directed by Kontaxis and Dennis Scholl, the $lm foregrounds the legacy of self-taught Ukrainian artist, George Voronosky, based in South Beach in the 70s. !e festival also featured 2024 short $lm, “Ana y la Distancia.” !e 11 minute short $lm, directed by queer, Cuban-born, Miamibased artist and $lmmaker Hansel Porras Garcia, tells the story of a Cuban mother exiled in Miami as she waits for the arrival of her son, who attempts to cross the border to reach her.

Supporting Independent Cinemas

While festivals make for valuable seasonal spotlights for standout cinema, South Florida’s independent cinemas operate year-round to provide the screens to display the region’s most personal stories. Visiting brick-and-mortar institutions like O Cinema South Beach and Cinema Paradiso Hollywood is a great way to experience South Florida on $lm. !e University of Miami’s own Cosford Cinema is “an invaluable resource for the indie scene,” Kontaxis said. “Its ‘Indie Nights’ program regularly gives local $lmmakers a dedicated screen and a real audience, which is rarer than it should be in a city this size.”

As we look toward the future of South Florida on the silver screen — and binge its past — it’s clear that the region’s $lms represent far more than palm trees, beaches and neon skylines. South Florida’s cinema preserves its diverse narratives, just as vibrant and layered as the region itself.

Crime and Action

If after watching some documentaries you’re in the mood for comedy or crime, don’t worry. South Florida cinema has got you covered there too.

Start with “Pain & Gain” (2013), an action-packed $lm based on articles about the Sun Gym Gang, a group of bodybuilders ex-convicts convicted of violent crimes in Miami in the 90s.

Or, take a look at Larry Clark’s “Bully” (2001), based on the true story of the 1993 murder of Bobby Kent, for a story that pushes Broward County, the Everglades, teen sexuality and crime into the limelight.

“Moo(li)ht” (AB16) directed by Liberty City native Barry Jenkins, earned 161 awards and 288 nominations.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

17

Comfort in In recent years, “healing your inner child” has become a prevalent idea not just in therapy sessions but also in the media, and amid the stress of university life, some college students use children’s content for comfort and nostalgia.

So&eti&es, a coz- (i)ht i( with your favorite stu%ed animals while rewatching classic Disney movies is all you need.

words_amanda mohamad. photo_wes Ceischer&ariana glaser. design_jay moyer.

niversity of Miami senior and track and $eld high jumper Kennedy Sauder said that since high school, he has found himself relying on the television shows and movies he watched growing up to cope with responsibilities.

“Anything that feels simple, funny and low stress ends up being comfort media for me,” Sauder said. “I noticed myself going back to old shows without even thinking about it.” !is pull toward childhood comforts raises the question: Where does the desire to reconnect with your youth come from?

For some, it’s tied to escaping adult pressures, like the grind of a 9-5 job or the stress of midterms and $nals at a university.

For others, revisiting childhood memories through media helps them gain closure on past unful$lled childhood needs or even trauma.

Sauder said children’s media helps him to feel calmer and more grounded during stressful times.

“Certain shows instantly bring me back to being at home after school, hanging out with friends or relaxing on weekends as a kid,” he said. “It reminds me of moments when life felt simple and predictable. It reconnects you with a version of yourself that felt more carefree.”

U

olds to watch a fast-paced cartoon, watch an educational cartoon or draw a picture for nine minutes while completing tasks testing their basic executive function (EF), including attention span. !e children watching the fast-paced cartoon performed signi$cantly worse than the other two groups.

But the study noted that children aren’t the only ones whose EF decreases with certain media. It happens in adults too, just with smaller, short-term e%ects.

According to the study, “Adults report feeling less alert immediately after watching television. Most research on television has focused on attention, one of many EF processes.

Entertainment television is particularly associated with long-term attention problems; thus, its viewing might be most likely to have negative short-term impacts.”

At the same time, mental health is talked about much more openly today than in the past, particularly compared to the 2000s and early 2010s.

“Our generation [Gen. Z] is more open about mental health and self-care. !ere is less pressure to grow up in a certain way, and more acceptance around enjoying whatever makes you feel good,” Sauder said.

The Cost of Constant Content

Trending: #ChildhoodMemories

College students anxiously wait every week for the newest episode of “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Besette” or “Euphoria,” but the seriousness of “adult” shows can worsen stress rather than help with decompression. Over-stimulation can happen to anyone, although it is often associated with those with autism spectrum disorder or other mental health or developmental conditions. !e downsides of media overstimulation are nothing new, even among young children.

A 2011 study by the NIH National Library of Medicine randomly assigned 60 four-year-

18

DISTRACTION

Happening

Finding joy and comfort in children’s media reaches social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. With algorithms that change based on your interactions with the content, once you come across one nostalgic video, it’s only a matter of time before your feed is flooded with them. !e same applies to streaming platforms.

While Disney+ is often the go-to for watching childhood content, once you watch just one kids’ movie on Netflix, the platform immediately starts suggesting your next watch.

Sauder, a public relations major, understands this system all too well.

“TikTok and Instagram constantly bring back old shows…Trends make people revisit childhood content, and the algorithm pushes nostalgic posts because people engage with them a lot. It creates a sense of shared memory,” Sauder said.

UM sophomore Lorena Sills, also a public relations major, sees this $rsthand on her feeds, especially with the trending “Nostalgia Core” videos. “‘Nostalgia Core’ or even edits of childhood movies bring back all these emotions,” Sills said. “!ese are like little gateways to get people thinking about our childhood again, and most people respond positively in the comments to these types of videos.”

Since it’s only her second year in college, Sills uses childhood media to bond with her friends and even make new ones.

“My friends also love to watch their childhood shows,” she said. “I recently just watched a few episodes of ‘Jessie’ on Disney+ with my roommate because we were just talking about how we miss watching these shows when they were popular.”

As we move through life’s chapters, from school to career and beyond, nostalgia often remains, often because we are so focused on the next step that we forget to enjoy where we are now. Turning the page doesn’t mean letting go of the joy from previous chapters.

“A lot of people my age feel like they should be extremely mature, but I think they should stop and realize that you can’t get this time back, so enjoy it,” Sills said.

And with commencement approaching, Sauder is also continuing to put his comfort $rst.

“It’s okay to be immature,” Sauder said. “It’s also about taking care of yourself. If something makes you feel grounded, it’s valid.”

W

H E FO RK T T A H

No need to scream “What the fork?!” any longer — we’re here to give you the low-down on Miami Slice, jazz bars and adult grocery shopping. photo_anna mondschein.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

19

MIAMI SLICE For New Yorkers craving a taste of home, Miami Slice promises pizza that rivals the Big Apple’s signature dish.

Grab a slice for -o.rself at Miami Slice locations in Downtown Miami or Key Biscayne.

words_ariana glaser. photo&design_anna mondschein.

T

he University of Miami student body is made up of an overwhelming percentage of New York natives. !ey’ll tell you how glad they are to be out of the cold or away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but if you ask them the one thing they really miss, there’s a pretty good chance they’ll say the pizza.

As a New Yorker myself, it’s true: Nothing truly compares to New York pizza, but Miami Slice’s “artisan NY-style pizza” comes pretty close.

The Story of the Slice New York pizza is worldfamous for a reason — particularly because it isn’t so easily replicated.

Apart from the cultural signi$cance of being in New York and the phenomenon of $1.50 pizza when everything else in Manhattan is extremely overpriced, New York pizza just tastes like magic.

Recreating New York pizza outside of the Big Apple is especially di&cult because a large part of what makes it so good is where it’s from — even past a $gurative sense. Many believe Manhattan’s water composition makes New York tap water the secret ingredient to achieving the speci$c texture of the dough, though there’s little evidence to prove this isn’t simply a myth.

Past dough consistency, New York pizza is heralded for several de$nitive traits — particularly, its high-gluten, floured crust and thin layer of slightlysweet sauce topped with low-moisture mozzarella. New York pizza can also be de$ned by its typical baking strategy. It’s usually cooked in a coal-$red or older gas deck oven, which promises the signature char semi-masochistic New Yorkers crave.

All this to say — there’s technically nothing stopping pizza shops outside of Manhattan creating equally enticing slices. !ere just had never been anyone to successfully do it — until Miami Slice.

20

DISTRACTION

What The Fork

Mia&i Slice offers five si)(at.re flavors: Margherita de la Casa, Pepperoni Proper, La Salsera, Leeks on Bacon and Mushroom Truffle.

Miami Slice is celebrating its 7th year in operations. !e company spent a fortnight testing various dough iterations in order to recreate the iconic New York crunch and flavor. Miami Slice opened only upon achieving their current recipe, because, as they declare on their website, “You can’t rush the craft.”

For their $rst two years in business, Miami Slice operated exclusively through curbside pickup, delivering directly from their original pizza lab. A small gathering of friends and family quickly grew into a large customership which remained loyal when the slice bar $nally opened.

An especially unique attribute of Miami Slice is their delectable selection of flavors.

Miami Slice Today Unlike most prominent restaurants in South Florida, Miami Slice refuses reservations. Customers choose between walk-in dining or takeout. Finding its home in a compact corner of Key Biscayne, spots at the pizza bar are extremely limited. Lines often trail out the door.

With nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram, Miami Slice has become much more than simply a restaurant — it’s become a Miami staple.

M.shroo& Tr.ffle a(d Peppero(i Proper (which features hot honey) are Miami Slice fan-favorites.

Mia&i Slice is co&i() to Coco(.t Grove with a new location taking over the former Harry’s Pizzeria space.

An especially unique attribute of Miami Slice is their delectable selection of flavors.

Past classic margherita, customers can also taste-test “pepperoni proper” (a combination of classic pizza elements plus pepperoni and hot honey), “la salsera” (which features red sauce, vodka sauce and pesto), “leeks on bacon” (garlic con$t cream, mozzerella, leeks and bacon) or “mushroom truffle” (made up of truffle cream, mozzerella and a mushroom medley).

In many ways, Miami Slice’s allure admittedly comes primarily from crowd psychology. !eir lack of reservations complemented by limited bar seating generates a communal bias: “If it’s that hard to get, it must be good.”

Whether Miami Slice truly rivals New York pizza depends who you ask. New York-born purists — myself included — will always contest that nothing beats the original. But a thousand miles from home, Miami Slice o%ers a promising replica that might just come close enough to (temporarily) $ll that void.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

21

azz It Up The perfect jazz bar radiates authenticity. Nobody’s performing for the algorithm. Nobody’s checking a setlist. The night doesn’t have a script. In Miami, that authenticity isn’t always easy to find. words_valentina mena quiñonez. photo_julia campbell. design_jay moyer.

ichard Padrón is Cuban-born Miami-raised guitarist and composer. He believes real jazz has to be a representation of the moment and the time. It isn’t a rehearsed show, it’s a conversation happening in real time. Musicians pull from their lived experience, including their roots, their folklore and their ancestors. For Padrón, that’s Cuba. For Miami, that’s everything at once: Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Brazil all layered into a room.

But Miami and jazz have a complicated history — and an even more complicated present.

R

Golden Age to Now

Overtown was once called the Little Broadway of the South. In the 1940s and 50s, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and Louis

22

DISTRACTION

What The Fork

Armstrong performed there, staying in Black-owned hotels because segregation barred them from Miami Beach. !e music was real, the scene was alive and it was entirely Miami’s own.

That era is gone. What replaced it, according to the musicians still trying to make a living here, is something far less nourishing.

Padrón calls much of what passes for jazz today “museum jazz”: musicians replicating note-for-note what someone played in 1958, dressing the part and presenting it as authentic. An Elvis impersonator, according to him, is exactly the same thing.

“Jazz has to come from you — your experience,” Padron said. “If you weren’t alive in 1945, how are you going to reproduce that authentically?” Real music demands real roots. Imitation, by de$nition, isn’t jazz.

People with Passion

Roxana Amed has lived that contradiction for thirteen years. A jazz vocalist who directed the International Jazz Festival of Buenos Aires for nearly a decade and has been nominated for Latin Grammy, she arrived in Miami expecting a scene. What she found were lobbies: restaurants where someone plays in the corner while people eat. !ree hundred dollars get split among a full band for three hours of work. “!e irony of Miami,” she said, “is so much money, so many people, and nothing for the arts.” !e disrespect is structural. According to Padrón, in most Miami venues, musicians aren’t hired to be listened to. !ey’re hired to $ll silence while people eat. !e music is furniture.

Amed sees the other side of that equation: the audience.

Ar&stro() Jazz Ho.se is one of the most reliable Miami venues for nightly jazz performance.

“!ere could be a public,” she said, “but you have to invest in that public.” !e room has to exist $rst. !at includes the curation, the acoustics and the entry fee that tells people what they’re walking into.

“Nobody’s opening a real club, one with a good curator, where you charge an entry — and I think people would go,” Amed said. !e audience that would sit close to the stage, go quiet and actually listen isn’t a fantasy. It just hasn’t been given a place to exist yet. !e students who are training inside that system see it clearly too. Jack Kimmel, an electric guitarist at Frost, walks into any jazz bar the way only a musician would: clocking the gear, reading the sheet music on the stands and watching the musicians signal each other without words. A glance, four counts and a smile that means, “I’m wrapping up, you’re next.”

Kimmel loves that moment. But ask him

about the scene outside the conservatory walls and his answer is direct.

“If you leave Frost, there’s nothing here,” he said. “!e audience isn’t growing and I don’t think it has the conditions to grow.”

Miguel Escobar, another Frost musician, is more optimistic about Miami’s future, but even he admits that $nding authentic live jazz in this city requires e%ort most people won’t make. Miami thrives in Latin music, according to Escobar.

Both Kimmel and Escobar recommend Lagniappe, Zeye and Frost’s own concerts as the closest thing to a real scene that currently exists. Both agree that the music is here. !e rooms, the funding and the audience are not.

Invest in the Art

Miami doesn’t need a revival in the Instagram sense, like a trendy bar with “jazz nights” printed on a chalkboard. It needs

dedicated spaces with proper acoustics, real funding, honest curation and the kind of neighborhood roots that make people feel like the music belongs to them. It needs places where you sit close to the stage, pay a real entry and the room goes quiet because everyone chose to be there. !at’s not a fantasy. It exists in Buenos Aires, in New York and in cities that decided their artists were worth investing in. Miami has the talent. It has the cultural DNA. It’s missing the institutional will to treat jazz and the musicians who play it with the respect they deserve.

Until then, find the pockets. Talented artists exist. And when you find one, show up, because the musicians who are still here, still playing original music in a city that mostly asks them to be background noise, need an audience that knows the difference.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

23

GROCERY LIKE A GROWN-UP Moving into your first grown-up apartment comes with new challenges and new responsibilities.

For example, how do you fill the pantry? Here’s a basic overview of how to grocery shop when you’re newly on your own.

Let .s be the first to &other -o. since your mother isn’t here: Buy the damn veggies.

words, illustration&design_jay moyer.

The Plan

1.

All good grocery lists start with recipes.

If you’re a cooking amateur, and the thought of having multiple recipes makes you feel completely lost, fear not. You don’t need to have Gordon Ramsay-level expertise to plan your grocery trip. All you need is a general idea of what you like.

Say you’re craving something with chicken this week. A family pack of chicken might last you much longer than a week, and you can stretch it into a variety of meals.

Chicken alfredo? Add pasta and sauce to the list. Chicken tacos? Add tortillas and cheese.

Fried chicken? Add panko, flour, eggs and seasoning to your heart’s delight.

Try to alternate your main proteins and vegetables week by week. !is way, you won’t get bored of eating the same foods, and you’ll have a variety of nutritious meals to choose from.

The Bulk

2.

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money. Especially if you shop at stores like Sam’s Club or Costco, you may only have to stock your bulk items once or twice a semester.

When $guring out what to buy in bulk, consider shelf life. !ese are foods you want to keep in your pantry or fridge for a long time, without worrying about whether or not you’ll have a mold problem. !e best foods with long shelf lives are dry, canned or frozen. Consider rice, pasta, beans, frozen veggie mixes or even long-lasting vegetables like potatoes and onions.

24

DISTRACTION

What The Fork

Once you have your pantry staples sorted out, you’ll have the foundation for a lot of good meals. A family-sized jug of cooking oil can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner all semester long. Processed snacks, like chips, often have long shelf lives and can be great to have around in case you’re in a hurry.

If you’re a co%ee or tea drinker, you can stock up on your favorite beverage mixes in bulk. Any ca%eine addict knows the struggle of waking up and $nding out you ran out of K-Cups — again. Buying the biggest box you can $nd gives you more bang for your buck, and ensures that you won’t be worried about running out for a long time.

Spicing It Up

3.

Now you’ve mastered the art of basic recipe planning, and your bare necessities are covered. Next, it’s up to you to tweak your grocery list based on your personal taste.

Having a solid spice cabinet is a great way to start. If you’re a big fan of mild flavors, maybe salt, pepper and a couple dry herbs are all you need. If you like to crank up the flavor all the way, you might want to invest in unique ready-made spice mixes to give your food a quick and easy boost.

Some flavor bombs can go with almost any meal. Jarred garlic can last a couple months; bouillon cubes can last a couple years. Vinegar, soy sauce and hot sauce all go a long way in adding that zing to a sauce or stir fry.

Typical Shelf Lives Don’t Wait! (3-4 days) Spinach Chives Tomatoes Cilantro Weekly Rotation (7-10 days) Bell peppers Broccoli Brussels sprouts Green onion Take Your Time (2-3 weeks) Carrots Celery Onion Potatoes Ginger

F

LE X If there’s one thing UM students know how to do, it’s flex. Past the ever-so-present flex culture, we’re also talking about all things flexibility, from bouncing back after a sports injury all the way to yoga at Club Space. photo_anna mondschein.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

25

NOT TO FLEX,

BUT...

U(iversit- of Mia&i st.de(ts are no stranger to flex culture.

From expensive dinners with friends to Ferraris on the street, Miami is literally rich with luxury. Whether it’s displayed online, worn on the body or served on a plate, taste is something to showcase. words_karly rae. photo_evgenia kakari. design_cole selden.

26

DISTRACTION

Flex

S

ome University of Miami students are well versed in the premium displays of luxury. From foreign sports cars scattered around campus to high-fashion trends modelled through student style, the taste for $ner things extends beyond just visibility. !e performance that comes with luxury has become the real vogue.

Simply owning something is no longer enough. In the age of flashy social media dumps, there has been a clear shift from simply having to showing. Users often curate profiles that showcase their best selves. Flaunting material luxuries to align with their carefully cultivated lifestyles, individuals construct an online image as a personalized exhibit. !is performance of wealth is often referred to as “flexing”, a modernized term for showing o%. While the intentions behind “flexing” are subjective to individual ethics and goals, many argue that flexing material goods online does not come without consequences. It may set unrealistic expectations, promote excessive consumerism and assign value to individuals based on their $nancial status.

When luxury becomes the leading tool for signaling status and self-worth, people conflate wealth for success. !is neglects the subjectivity of success; determining someone’s standing relies on a complex spectrum of ethics, experience and the variables that interplay.

Whether one chooses to embrace or eschew the lavish lifestyle, why do people feel the need to display wealth, and how do they do it?

carefully constructed lifestyles. Even exclusive gym memberships and wellness habits have become part of a muted performance of status.

Reflecting broader consumer trends and shifting aesthetics, flex culture now seeps into almost every online space. Despite criticism, flex culture has pushed society beyond mere ownership, o%ering people a new level of control over how they present their pride.

for individuals to make a statement through their presentation.

To those in tune with these social cues and cultural codes, whether it’s the dedication behind thrifting a vintage Juicy Couture purse or the discernment necessary to recognize an iconic classic car, flexing becomes less about ownership and more about the meaning behind it.

Low-Key, High-Value

At the University of Miami, where flexing can be both pervasive and aspirational, the culture naturally extends into everyday life. !e saturation of prestigious pop-ups and high-end vehicles creates both allure and motivation, especially toward students envisioning a future adoption of this lifestyle.

College can serve a greater purpose beyond simply being an academic or social hub. It functions as a cross-section of sociocultural dynamics and kindred individuals, all of whom play a role in absorbing, shaping and circulating the culture around them.

At the University of Miami, students particularly drawn to luxury culture have created spaces that represent their shared interests. UShift — a luxury car meet club — acts as a common space of emerging personalities, ambitions and aesthetics.

University of Miami student Evan Hartigan shared insight into this space, describing how social media has ampli$ed car culture. He explained that platforms provide wide access to trends, builds and information, which influences both interest and participation.

“As someone who participates in motorsports, social media is also a huge networking and marketing tool. People see cool trends and cars, and want to experience it for themselves,” he said, emphasizing social media’s role as both inspiration and bridge between individuals in the community.

Hartigan also drew a clear distinction between appreciation and performance in regards to showcasing luxury cars.

“Appreciating cars is about understanding the engineering, driving experience and purpose behind a build, while showing o% is more about validation and flexing for attention,” said Hartigan. “One is a passion driven person into cars; the other is a status driven person into hype.”

Ultimately, luxury on campus is not just about what is owned, but how it is individually interpreted and performed.

Students often experience a constant swap between authenticity and performance, from curated online profiles to casual interactions on campus.

Quiet luxury embodies a more reserved yet meaningful method of expressing taste, an “if you know, you know” attitude often popularized by those who abstain from outward displays of wealth.

The Lo.bo.ti( heel, introduced in 1993, is an instantly recognizable status symbol.

From Trend to Takeover

Initially, the ability to showcase status on stage was limited when media representation was reserved for celebrities or public figures. In the wake of social media, however, exclusivity is no longer a barrier. The stage has expanded, allowing flex culture to evolve. With the right platform, anyone can participate.

Various forms of flexing are often shaped by personal aspirations, cultural influences and aesthetic preferences, resulting in expressions that are unique to each individual’s display. !e classic “flexer”, for instance, might resemble what we picture as the dominant stereotype among pop culture, with money spreads, flashy watches, bottle service and boat days.

The “luxury girl” flexes include designer book bags, curated skincare routines and premium diets, but flexing has surpassed the category of obvious price tags to

This can be seen in fashion-forward digital spaces like Depop, where resellers focus on styling and branding to highlight the perceived rarity of underground or vintage pieces. Buyers may surf for oneof-a-kind pieces that hold greater social value than the latest luxury product’s price tag. In this realm, luxury is no longer defined by ownership or price alone; it requires a blend of effort, taste, knowledge and often expertise.

Value is not always attributed to its market price, but to the desire for exclusivity and signaling. !e vintage fashion scene is often fueled by symbolic signaling, a way

Flexing in Campus Culture

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

27

28

DISTRACTION

Flex

“&o(e- tal,s b.t wealth whispers” is a phrase commonly used to describe the di%erent between those who flaunt super$ciality and those who are actually high-status.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

29

BOUNCING T

here’s nothing like a career-ending injury to !ere’s nothing like a career-ending injury to remind an athlete that the human body is fragile. As I was wheeled toward the operating room in a hospital gurney, I contemplated my life choices. !e doors opened. Monitors beeped around me. People asked if I was comfortable as they transferred me over to the table. My doctor — a former rugby player turned orthopedic surgeon — approached me.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

Calm and stoic, he was performing a routine procedure, even though it was borderline catastrophic for me.

I shrugged, and I told him I was okay. I didn’t tell him what I was really thinking, about how I remembered every moment and decision that led me here in the $rst place.

Years earlier, a thin, almost gangly girl 30

DISTRACTION

Flex

BACK

walked into her $rst wrestling practice, and she had evolved into this: a decisive, muscular athlete with strong shoulders who couldn’t quite recognize herself in photos from before.

As much as I had given to this sport, as much as I loved it, it had thanked me for my loyalty with a mid-match shoulder dislocation and a torn labrum.

“Count backwards from 10,” the anesthesiologist said from behind me. As I dozed o% somewhere around $ve, there was an uncomfortable truth swirling in my head: Forget putting on a singlet ever again — my shoulder might never regain full mobility.

The Mental Piece

!ere’s a particular kind of silence that follows an injury like that.

Not the grand, cinematic kind. Not the gasp of a crowd or the whistle that stops a match. !at part is over quickly. It’s the

aftermath: the days that follow, when the adrenaline wears o% and the reality settles in. Your body, which was once so reliable and strong, becomes something unfamiliar.

Injury has a way of making athletes strangers to themselves. One moment, the body is an instrument sharpened by repetition. Next, it’s a question mark. For Miami alum Max Flory, an All-American diver and U.S. national team member, that question came at the worst possible time. !ree weeks before Flory was set to compete in the NCAA Swim & Dive Championships last year, he broke his hand hitting it on the springboard. In that moment, everything shifted for one of Miami’s top divers.

“I was in a cast for two weeks, and I couldn’t dive,” Flory said. “I couldn’t practice.” !en, three weeks later, he competed anyway.

For Flory, breaking his hand wasn’t

Bo.(ci() bac, after a sports i(D.r- isn’t just about recovering physically — it requires a mental healing process as well.

What injury teaches athletes about rebuilding their bodies — and learning to trust them again. words_bella armstrong. photo_wes Ceischer. design_charlotte deangelis.

just a setback. It was a familiar reality for athletes whose bodies are constantly pushed to their limits.

“Athletes are prone to injury because you’re just doing the same type of movement over and over again, putting stress on your body,” Flory explained. “A lot of injuries are overuse [injuries], but a lot of sports are dangerous, so you’re more prone to accidents as well.”

The body, once pushed to its limits in pursuit of greatness, suddenly demands patience instead of punishment, precision instead of power. That’s where the real work begins.

What makes the recovery possible is something scientists call neuroplasticity: the body’s ability to adapt, relearn and rebuild after trauma. It’s the reason muscles regain strength, movement returns and patterns once lost can be formed again.

But while science explains how recovery

happens, it doesn’t fully capture what it feels like to live through it. !e challenge of rehabilitation is that it asks athletes to rede$ne progress. Winning is no longer measured by times, scores or podium $nishes, but by patience.

“Motivation isn’t just wanting something,” Flory said. “It usually leads to action.”

Moving Forward

Rehabilitation is often framed as a return: a journey back to baseline, back to the version of yourself that existed before everything went wrong. For many athletes, that version is gone. What replaces it is something more complicated. It’s a negotiation between what the body was, what it is and what it can become again.

“An injury is an injury, but you can speed things up through your mindset,” Flory said. “There’s a psychological

component to recovery.”

Physical therapy becomes both science and ritual. It’s a process rooted in repetition, retraining the body through small, deliberate movements until they become instinct again.

Because the hardest part isn’t always regaining strength. It’s believing your body won’t fail you again.

Flory is still navigating that balance.

Even now, he’s competing through a knee injury, which forces him to constantly adjust how far he can push his body as he trains for an upcoming international competition. “!ere are certain things I can’t do anymore, mostly with my knee,” Flory said.

That adjustment has reshaped how he approaches training.

“I do very low reps compared to most people in practice,” he said. “But it’s not as frustrating when you leave practice still feeling good, versus when you try to do more than you can handle and you leave feeling horrible.”

And somewhere in that process of training and rehabilitating, the body begins to remember itself. Movements that once felt impossible become familiar again.

Strength returns, slowly and unevenly, until one day it doesn’t feel like starting over anymore. “!e more physically $t you are, the easier it is for you to come back,” Flory said.

“But there are times when you have to be conscious and hold yourself back.” !e body has to rest before it can bounce back, and sometimes, that patience makes the impossible become possible. !ree weeks after breaking his hand, Flory won the NCAA national championship in the men’s 3-meter springboard, setting a personal best.

Flory’s comeback is a reminder of what the body is capable of when given time to adapt and rebuild. Injuries stand as a reminder of how incredible the body actually is. It relearns movement. Rebuilds muscle. Scars fade, skin stretches and wounds heal.

“Pay attention and take care of your body,” Flory said. “Being able to shift that mindset away from the outcome and onto the pieces that you can actually control is one of the big things that allowed me to have such a good performance [at NCAA championships].”

Since retiring from wrestling, I $nd myself thinking back to that day of my surgery. Instead of $xating on how fragile I felt, I think about what came after: the slow, frustrating and often invisible work of putting myself back together. !en I focus on all the opportunities I don’t miss out on because my shoulder healed.

Injury doesn’t just teach you what your body can’t do. It forces you to learn, piece by piece, what it still can. And maybe that’s the real comeback. You don’t return to who you were before, but you learn how to trust who you are now.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

31

Cl.b Space has beco&e the perfect wa- for University of Miami students to unwind and partake in the city’s vibrant social scene.

Club SPACE is one of Miami’s most iconic nightlife hotspots, but some Saturdays at 4:20 P.M. the venue swaps out sultry for zen.

Yogiinvaders enjoy live DJ performances and find a flow state through instructorled breathwork and stretching. Best of all: It’s free to attend. words_ rosibel mercedes. photo_jonathan padrino. design_charlotte deangelis.

32

DISTRACTION

Flex

F

or over 25 years, Club Space has been a name synonymous with marathon sets, neon sunrises and the intoxicating, relentless rhythm of house music. It has earned a global renown as a mecca for electronic music lovers, in the heart of Downtown Miami.

Founded by Miami native Luis Puig in 2000 and now owned and operated by Link Miami Rebels, the club is composed of three

rooms: the Terrace, the Ground and Floyd. !e Terrace is where Space hosts its sunrise parties, as the transparent roof allows the sunlight to signal morning.

But at exactly 4:20 p.m. on Saturday afternoons, the Yogiinvaders project, founded by Ti%any Levy (aka Ti(opia) in 2017, encourages swapping out bottle service for yoga mats. !e Terrace — usually packed with dancing bodies and the hazy

Spots are li&ited, so be sure to arrive at Club Space, located at 34 NE 11th St in Downtown Miami, early.

euphoria of a 7 a.m. peak-hour set — is radically transformed. Yogiinvaders gifts the community a unique wellness experience: Club Space in a completely di%erent light.

Whether you’re a yoga expert or just a student looking to decompress, Yogiinvaders invites you to unwind at 420 Yoga.

Bridging Rave and Retreat

Miami is no stranger to extremes of partying and wellness. For Levy, 420 Yoga meant bringing light into the darkness she has witnessed at Space and in the larger clubbing scene. !e Yogiinvaders project is grounded in positivity and bridging these worlds, combining wild, party Miami and the wellness community under the same disco ball. Really, this is an intuitive continuation of the values at the core of the rave community: P.L.U.R. (peace, love, unity and respect).

Yogiinvaders envisions yoga for everyone, no matter their experience or level of extroversion. Your average yoga class may seem intimidating, and 420 Space Yoga prides itself on welcoming introverts, and those who maybe don’t have the most expensive yoga clothes, but just love dancing. !e Yogiinvaders project is not just about the trendiness or edginess of cannabis and yoga. !e true value of the experience lies in learning to sit with yourself and set intentions, building community and resilience through mindful movement and music. For Levy, intuitive movement is central to wellbeing. !e project also hosts events to give back to the community and get club-goers involved in various social causes. Care about Miami’s ecosystem? Get involved in 420 Yoga’s Downtown Clean Up at Bayfront Park.

Want a unique way to celebrate women?

Participate in 420 Yoga’s Women’s Month Celebration and women’s self-defense seminar. Are you passionate about rehoming puppies? Adopt a pup at the Terrace!

Cl.b Space (or&allcloses at 11 a.&. !at’s just enough time to go home, shower, nap and come back for yoga.

Zen Canes

!e University of Miami student body is intimately acquainted with the delicate balancing act of “work hard, play hard.” For some Canes, Space Yoga has become the perfect way to unwind and partake in the vibrant social scene of the city.

Gina Monet Hyde, a junior at UM, noted Yogiinvaders’ positive community.

“420 Yoga was so much fun,” she said.

“I went with my friends for the $rst time and everyone was so friendly and the actual yoga session was really nice. !e instructors change every Saturday, but I felt like I got an actual workout in while being in an uplifting environment.”

For others, like junior Ean Miller, 420 Yoga has become the perfect way to achieve zen.

“It’s my favorite free activity on a Saturday,” he said. “It’s a lot calmer than Space usually is and provides a fun

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

33

Ever- 4AB Yo)a sessio( features a live DJ to set the vibe of the practice.

opportunity to unwind and reconnect with yourself. It’s also down the street from Eleventh Street Pizza, and yoga and pizza is my new favorite Saturday ritual!”

Joining the Flow

Ready to enjoy live DJ performances and $nd your flow state? 420 Yoga is 18+ and

welcomes people of all levels and experience.

Register and get a free ticket on the Dice app. !e event is bring your own everything: mat, joints, lighter, water and towel. You can even bring your dog, if you wish. Make sure to arrive around 3:15 p.m. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the yoga session, usually led by Levy herself, starts promptly at 4:20 p.m..

Tho.)h t-picallled b- Tiffa(- Leva(d A(drea Lopez, guest instructors sometimes come to share in the relaxation.

34

DISTRACTION

Flex

!e Yogiinvaders project is perfect for Miami’s unique duality, and Club Space is the best place to dance until sunrise and $nd profound stillness on the mat just a few hours later. 420 Yoga invites you to reimagine healing and wellness on the dance floor at the Terrace and discover your new favorite Saturday ritual.

If you’re looking to freshen up before school lets out, prioritize your gut health or take the time to learn about body dysmorphia and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

& H T L A E H

photo_anna mondschein.

S S E N L L E W

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

35

I

was barely twelve years old when I got my $rst period. For the following year, I complained of increasingly painful cramps and inexplicably sporadic periods, and I was waved o%, told such symptoms were normal for someone just starting puberty. It wasn’t until closer to my fourteenth birthday when I additionally added excessive facial hair to my list of complaints that I was $nally diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome — better known as PCOS. What is PCOS? PCOS is a chronic, hormonal disorder that a%ects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. !e most common symptoms are irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, severe acne, thinning hair, insulin resistance, weight gain, oily skin and infertility. PCOS poses additional long-term health risks, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and endometrial cancer. While PCOS can be treated through medication and lifestyle changes, there is no cure.

In the Medical Field According to University of Miami Nurse Practitioner Lawren Mundy, PCOS is most commonly diagnosed through the Rotterdam criteria, which requires the presence of at least two of three main features: irregular periods, androgen symptoms (such as hair growth on the chin, chest or nipples) and 12 or more follicles in at least one ovary.

Up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed because, according to Mundy, “Providers or even patients…don’t really take the time to listen to what’s going on.”

Genetics play a major role in the development of PCOS. Oftentimes, the mother or grandmother will have experienced PCOS but will have neglected to investigate the symptoms. When the prospective patient comes to her mother explaining she has especially painful periods or excessive facial hair, the symptoms might be waved o% as “running in the same family.”

But, as Munday explained, “It’s not normal to miss two months of a period.”

Lived Experience Past physical symptoms, more than half of total PCOS patients experience mental illnesses or eating disorders.

Mood swings are another common yet often overlooked symptom of PCOS. Underlying hormonal balances in conjunction with insulin resistance tend to inspire irritability, anxiety, depression and fatigue.

“I see [mental illness] a lot, especially with my adolescent [PCOS patients], because developmentally sometimes

36

DISTRACTION

Health & Wellness

they’re at the stage when they’re really influenced by their peers,” said Dr. Catherine Silva, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Miami Health System.

“So physical appearance is a big concern for them, and there’s a lot of anxiety and depression that comes with it, because they’re not happy with how they physically look or how often they feel.”

UM freshman Mia Vargas $rst noticed something was o% when she compared herself to other women in her family and realized she was the only one experiencing what she’d $rst assumed to be extreme pubescent changes.

“Before starting treatment, it was especially hard,” said Vargas. “My mom didn’t fully understand at $rst since she never experienced acne or excess body hair, so I often hid what I was going through, like shaving at a young age or dealing with [acne] breakouts in secret.”

Vargas admitted to struggling with body image before beginning treatment.

PCOS has consistently been linked to instances of body dysmorphia, de$ned as a mental health condition that leads to an incessant obsession over perceived physical flaws.

Body dysmorphia aside, the stigmatization surrounding PCOS alone is enough of a trigger. While obesity can be a contributing factor in exacerbating systems, it does not directly cause the disease. !is is a common misconception in the $eld, and something that $nds many patients on the receiving side of unhelpful advice: i.e.“Just lose some weight!” !en there’s the everlasting fear of infertility, a deeply sensitive subject for any young woman who spent her childhood dreaming of one day becoming a mother. !e aforementioned high androgen levels present in women with PCOS often prevents eggs from properly developing or releasing.

Managing PCOS PCOS may be without a cure, but it can be managed through treatment.

Kailey Lewis (@yourpcosnutritionist) and Tallene Hacatoryan (@pcos.weightloss) are registered dietitians that have amassed large Instagram followings consisting mainly of women with PCOS hoping to take control of their lives back.

“One piece of advice I wish I heard early on was that PCOS was not my fault, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Lewis, creator of EmpoweHER Nutrition and Wellness and the PCOS Power Plan.

“I hope my platform informs women that they do not have to be controlled by their condition and they can $nd food freedom and enjoy life again without worrying about their PCOS.” Lewis believes successful PCOS

management requires building routines and habits that $t your lifestyle without adding the burden of stress. Opinions on dietary restrictions di%er, but developing nutritional habits structured to balance blood sugar, counter inflammation and support gut health is a great place to start.

Including nutrition habits to support balanced blood sugar, gut health, and inflammation is important to consider when developing nutrition plans.

Hacatoryan suggests prioritizing consistent strength training over excessive cardio.

“I always emphasize that the goal isn’t a number on the scale — it’s feeling better, improving symptoms and supporting your health,” said Hacatoryan. “Weight loss is often a result of that, but I’m very mindful to promote balance, not restriction or unrealistic expectations.”

Lifestyle changes are the $rst-line solution for reversing PCOS symptoms, though birth control can, in conjunction, serve to regulate the menstrual cycle.

Nearly all PCOS symptoms can be adequately managed through treatment — including infertility.

“Sometimes when I disclose the diagnosis, sometimes patients will be like, ‘oh, my gosh, I’m not gonna be able to have kids,’ which is not true, 100%,” said Silva. “Fertility may be a little bit challenging, but it’s not completely impossible. Not if you start your treatments early on and you’re connected with a reproductive endocrinologist.

We’ve made a lot of progress in fertility as far as that goes.”

Conclusively It’s been half a decade since I was diagnosed with PCOS. !roughout high school, I consistently gained several pounds each year, relied thoroughly on birth control and antidepressants while remaining unable to keep up with my peers in gym class. PCOS has unquestionably made my life harder — it’s made my body feel like it’s actively working against me.

I had to make the decision for myself that my body is my own, and it can only be controlled by an outside force if I let it be. I had to make the decision to begin weaning o% medications and trusting myself to overcome physical hardship. I had to make the decision to show up for myself by going to the gym even when I didn’t want to, by prioritizing protein even when I wanted to resort to comfort food.

PCOS makes mine and so many other women’s lives harder — but it doesn’t make our lives impossible, unless we let it. A PCOS diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Rather, it can be the catalyst for taking back control of your life.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome a!ects one in ten women, and yet it remains one of the most misunderstood chronic illnesses. words,photo&design_ariana glaser

LIVING WITH PCOS

Teal is the official color for PCOS aware(ess, meant to symbolize hope, unity and strength amongst patients.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

37

MIRROR

Body dysmorphia is more than an insecurity. On a campus shaped by social media and constant visibility, students are learning that perception doesn’t always match reality. words_sierra mcdonald. photo_evgenia kakari. design_jay moyer.

38

DISTRACTION

Health & Wellness

RORRIM P)a+,-.)/,0 +a123.4 ute auditiat que quaectus pratas arunt dolorem imos aut evelias lorem ipsum.

Bod- d-s&orphia is more than just occasional self-consciousness. It’s a serious mental health disorder.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

39

MIRROR RORRIM MIRROR RORRIM

W

e spend all day looking at ourselves, for better or for worse. !e problem isn’t just how we look. It’s how many layers exist between reality and perception.

A quick glance in the mirror before class feels $ne, maybe even reassuring. But a front facing camera, a scroll throw Tik Tok or a tagged photo can shift that feeling immediately. Suddenly, the details stand out di%erently. !e angles change, lighting shifts, your skin looks uneven and your body unrecognizable. For so many students, this mental shift isn’t occasional. It’s constant.

U(treated bodd-s&orphia can bring about severe $nancial, mental and physical consequences.

The Student Experience

For one student who wished to remain anonymous, the shift can happen instantly.

“I can feel completely $ne getting ready in the morning, and then one bad photo or a random angle on my phone will send me spiraling,” she said. “It’s like I’m suddenly seeing a di%erent version of myself that’s hard to unsee.”

“It feels like a cycle I can’t break,” said another anonymous student. “Even when I know it’s just lighting, editing or a $lter, I still compare myself to it. Logically I understand body dysmorphia, but it still doesn’t go away.” !ese experiences aren’t just about vanity. !ey reflect a deeper disconnect between how someone looks and how they believe they look. For students navigating social lives, academics and identity all at once, that disconnect can quietly take over daily routines. In a place like Miami, where beach days, pool parties, going out culture and constant visibility are part of everyday life, that pressure only intensi$es.

Understanding Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphia, clinically known as body dysmorphia disorder, is not the same as normal insecurity.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can’t be seen by others.” !is distinction matters. While most people may feel self-conscious at times, body dysmorphia can lead to obsessive behaviors like mirror checking, obsessive social media use or avoiding social situations altogether.

40 DISTRACTION

Health & Wellness

MIRROR RORRIM MIRROR RORRIM Curated Until Perfection

It’s impossible to talk about body image without talking about social media.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have normalized $lters, editing apps, and curated content to the point where reality feels secondary. FaceTune, AI editing tools and even more subtle lighting adjustments create images that are polished beyond recognition. “!e research at this point is unequivocal: social media has outsized negative mental health [and] self image impacts on the population at large, and in teenagers and preteens speci$cally,” said David Berry, a professor of strategic communications at the University of Miami.

While he acknowledges social media has created undeniable bene$ts for connection and community, he notes that the data increasingly shows certain platforms can have a disproportionately harmful e%ect on users’ self-perception.

On top of this, Miami adds its own layer of pressure. Unlike campuses with seasonal weather and more covered up lifestyles, Miami’s climate encourages year-round exposure. Social environments centered around the outdoors and nightlife places a constant emphasis on appearance. !ere’s also a shift in how wellness is presented. Trends like “what I eat in a day,” “hot girl walks” and hyper-curated $tness routines turn health into performance.

Instead of focusing on how the body feels, the emphasis is on how it looks, and how it can be shared online.

The Impact

!e e%ects of body dysmorphia go far beyond appearance. Students report avoiding social events, skipping classes or even feeling unable to focus academically because of how consumed they are with their appearance.

One student described the pressure as “honestly exhausting,” explaining that “no matter how I look in real life, there’s always something online that makes me feel like I’m falling short.”

Body dysmorphia has a serious impact on emotional well-being. Anxiety, low selfesteem and even depression can develop when someone feels like they can never meet their own expectations. As a result of this issue being so misunderstood, many students struggle in silence.

“You look $ne” might seem reassuring, but it can also feel dismissive to someone dealing with distorted self-perception.

Coping

Despite how overwhelming it can feel, there are ways to break the cycle. !erapy is one of the most e%ective tools. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, helps

individuals challenge distorted thoughts and build a more realistic perception of themselves. Awareness is the $rst step.

Recognizing that these perceptions aren’t always accurate can help create distance from negative thoughts, making them feel more manageable over time.

Reducing comparison is another key factor. !is doesn’t necessarily mean deleting social media entirely, but it does mean being more intentional about how it’s used. Curating feeds, limiting screen time and being mindful of edited content can all help. Excessive online use — especially on image-focused platforms — has been linked to heightened body dysmorphia, as it encourages constant comparison, magni$es perceived flaws and can make negative selfperceptions feel more entrenched.

Many studies suggest that the way adolescents engage with social media matters more than the platforms themselves. !ey highlight how excessive engagement can foster addiction-like behaviors, expose young people to cyberbullying and intensify feelings of isolation, inadequacy and social comparison.

For some students, the shift comes from rede$ning what “heath” means. Instead of focusing on appearance, the emphasis moves

Bod- d-s&orphia ofte( leads to bod- chec,i(), which is an obsessive monitoring of physical appearance, including the size, weight and shape of certain body parts.

towards energy, strength, and mental well-being.

Several students report that while it’s challenging, concentrating on how they feel rather than how they look has been the most helpful approach.

Body dysmorphia isn’t just about mirrors or photos. It’s about perception and how easily that perception can be shaped by external influences. In a world where technology is only advancing, and images are constantly $ltered, edited and compared, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s real. But recognizing the gap between reality and perception is where change begins. !e problem isn’t just how we look, it’s how we’ve been taught to see.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

41

GUT FEELING Your gut is talking.

Are you listening?

Your gut microbiome might be complex, but taking care of it doesn’t have to be. words_morgan mechler. illustration&design_annamarie andrews.

E

DISTRACTION

1. Eat More Fiber !e most important way to support your gut is by adding $ber to your diet. Fiber is essential because it feeds bene$cial bacteria.

Foods like black beans, whole grains, raspberries, prunes, broccoli, and chia seeds are all excellent sources of $ber.

2. Stay Hydrated

ver notice when your stomach feels o%, everything else does too?

From bloating and fatigue, to mood swings, your gut impacts more than just digestion. Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels, you will $nd wellness influencers telling you how to “$x your gut,” promoting green powders or the latest “magic” wellness shot. Amidst the rise of the “gut health trend,” it can be di&cult to separate what actually works from what is just marketing.

What does “gut health” really mean?

According to the American Medical Association, it refers to the optimal function and balance of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. !is includes digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintaining a healthy microbiome - the community of bacteria living in your gut. Simply put, when your gut is balanced, your body functions better.

A healthy gut supports digestion, immune function, energy levels, and even your mental health. Research shows a strong connection between the gut and brain, known as the “gut-brain axis,” which highlights how closely your digestive system and brain are linked.

Trinity Health explains the gut-brain axis is a communication network involving your neural, hormonal, and immune pathways.

In other words, your gut constantly sends signals to your brain, influencing everything from energy to stress levels.

Despite this, trends like juice cleanses or detox drinks claim to “reset” your gut overnight. While popular, they are often unnecessary and expensive. So, don’t drain your bank account for a temporary $x that won’t address the root of the problem. True gut health is not about quick $xes, but about incorporating simple, everyday habits into your routine.

42

FIVE KEYS TO A HEALTHY GUT:

Health & Wellness

Staying hydrated is another key factor.

Water helps break down food so your body can absorb nutrients e&ciently. Without enough hydration, digestion can slow down, leading to bloating or constipation.

3. Manage Stress In a time de$ned by constant noti$cations and busy schedules, managing stress can seem impossible. However, stress is deeply tied to the gut as too much can disrupt digestion and alter the balance of bacteria.

To destress and heal your gut, try walking more, taking short breaks outside, or even journaling your thoughts to clear your mind.

4. Get Enough Sleep Scrolling through “one more Reel” before bed each night can disrupt your sleep schedule. Sleep impacts both digestion and hormone regulation. Prioritizing consistent rest helps your body stay balanced and your gut function properly.

5. Stay Active Regular movement helps your digestive system work more e&ciently. It does not have to be intense - light stretching or a few “hot girl” walks each week can reduce bloating and support overall gut health.

For many college students, maintaining these habits can be challenging. Between busy schedules, dining hall food, and late nights, gut health is often overlooked. However, small changes can still make a big impact. Aryan Ghodrat, a sophomore, explained, “I have been more cautious about what I eat, especially when eating out. I have not been getting Chipotle because of the salt content. I try to prioritize whole foods and cooking at home.” Aryan’s approach highlights how minor adjustments can improve overall gut health.

Although it may seem complicated, gut health comes down to balance and consistency. It is not about strict diets or trying every new trend you come across, but building sustainable habits over time. Small changes, like drinking more water, eating more $ber, and getting enough sleep, can make a noticeable di%erence in how you feel.

GUT-HEALTHY FOODS AND SUPPLEMENTS: Contrary to popular opinion, supporting your gut does not require expensive products. Many everyday foods naturally promote gut health.

Probiotics are live bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance in your gut. They are commonly found in foods like yogurt and kombucha, as well as fermented foods such as sauerkraut.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are types of fiber that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Foods like bananas, garlic, onions, asparagus, flaxseed, chickpeas, cocoa, and oats are rich in prebiotics and help support a healthy microbiome.

While whole foods are the best source of probiotics and prebiotics, supplements can be helpful in certain cases. For example, Benefiber works as a prebiotic and can be easily mixed into water to support digestion and increase fiber intake.

HI O

photo_anna mondschein.

S FA

Let’s play dress up with male style tips, fake Goyards, and chic cuisine.

N Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

43

LOOKING

SHARP

As a man, you may feel like you have fewer options to step up your everyday style. Looking your best doesn’t have to mean buying copious amounts of clothing. All it takes is a little bit of thought and intention behind every part of your outfit, making sure everything feels true to you. words_ariana glaser. photo_julia campbell. design_charlotte deangelis.

44

DISTRACTION

Fashion

Clothes o(l- boost -o.r co(fide(ce when you stay true to what you actually like, regardless of who’s watching.

Collared shirts add a certai( polish to -o.r o.tfit. You can keep them casual with light, flowing fabrics and an opened button or two.

A har&o(io.s color palette is the starting point of any good out$t. To play it safe, try a monochrome $t. It’s bound to look cohesive.

The tr.st- Adidas Sa&ba is the go-to casual shoe for lots of guys.

Consider this look over slides or flip-flops.

Thrifti() ca( be revol.tio(ar- for guys looking to elevate their style — because vintage details don’t exist in Zara’s men’s section. If you’re on campus, check out our very own U!rift for some new wardrobe gems.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

45

Real Go-ard ba)s typically cost several thousand dollars.

There’s a certain kind of confidence that comes with carrying a Goyard, which is exactly why fakes are so tempting to pull o!. If most people can’t identify the real thing, who’s going to notice? words_valentina mena quiñonez. photo_ethan dosa. design_Cora pinner.

B

efore Goyard became a status symbol, it was a tool. Founded in Paris in 1853, Maison Goyard built its reputation designing trunks and luggage for travelers who needed their belongings to actually survive the journey. In 1892, the house developed the Goyardine — a canvas woven from linen and cotton, coated for durability and water resistance. It wasn’t designed to be pretty. It was designed to last. !at utilitarian origin is part of what 46

DISTRACTION

Fashion

makes the fake market so ironic. A material invented for function has become one of the most counterfeited luxury goods in the world — and by some estimates, up to 95% of Goyards spotted in the wild are fake. !e bag that was never supposed to be about status is now almost entirely about status, which raises a fair question: How much of what we’re paying for is craftsmanship, and how much is a luxury illusion built by a century of very deliberate marketing?

FAUX-YARD?

GOYARD

or

What Makes a Goyard a Goyard

!e Goyardine is a hand-painted chevron print on that same coated canvas, built from interlocking Y shapes. On a fake, the pattern looks flat, almost digital. !e real thing has a speci$c sheen — shinier than most people expect, catching light without looking cheap.

Beyond the canvas, the details are where fakes fall apart.

The Stitching: Authentic handles have

exactly 15 stitches, evenly spaced with a slight intentional gap between each one. On a dupe, stitches are often too tight, too loose or inconsistent. Run your $nger across. If it doesn’t feel deliberate, it isn’t.

The Hardware: Goyard brands its snap closures. Clean, precise, not stamped on as an afterthought.

The Heat Stamp: On the leather trim: sharp-edged and debossed, never smudged or sitting on top of the surface.

The Serial Code: Inside the pouch — three letters, six numbers. Missing, wrong or printed on a label? Walk away from that Faux-yard.

Why People Buy Fakes

Not everyone carrying a fake Goyard is trying to deceive anyone. Some genuinely can’t a%ord the real thing and want the aesthetic — a completely valid position.

Others can a%ord it and still choose a highquality dupe, deciding the price di%erence isn’t worth it when the visual result is nearly identical. !en there’s a third group who refuse to compromise, treating the real bag as something to earn rather than simulate.

But there’s a fourth category: people who buy fakes speci$cally to project a lifestyle that doesn’t match their reality so they might move through social circles where material signaling is normalized, even expected. !e bag becomes less about fashion and more about access. It’s not about the Goyard. It’s about what carrying one says.

“If you can’t tell, you can’t tell,” said Camila Ayala, a $rst-year at the University

The Go-ard Artois tote is a popular choice for students because of its top zipper and leather corners that add security and durability.

A.the(tic Go-ards are surprisingly light for their size.

of Miami. “And if it makes you feel a lot better — why not?” !e allure of Goyard has always been that it rewards those who pay attention.

A fake only works on people who are just looking. But now, you’re observing.

Where to Shop Authentic Luxury Bags in Miami New from the Boutique:

Authenticated Pre-Owned:

For Something Different:

MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT Every major luxury house in one walkable neighborhood: Goyard, Dior, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Louis Vuitton. No middleman, no markup. Sometimes a waitlist.

REBAG Brickell City Center Walk-in, no appointment. Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton at resale prices.

CAPSOOL Wynwood Curated vintage and upcycled high fashion. One-of-a-kind pieces, appointment recommended.

COCOWALK Coconut Grove Closer to UM’s campus than the Design District. A luxury boutique option worth checking before making the trek up north.

THE REALREAL App + Miami Design District !e most credible online resale platform for authenticated luxury. In-house authentication team, wide Goyard selection. Best used alongside the authentication tips in this article.

MIDTOWN AUTHENTIC Brickell Chanel specialists, appointment-based.

SWAP BOUTIQUE South Miami Solid bag selection, no attitude, surprisingly good $nds.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

47

Yo. reall- ca( have -o.r ca,e a(d eat it too. Formal wear without the stu&ness of a formal setting makes you feel like a supermodel.

48

DISTRACTION

Fashion

The fun part of any dinner party is wearing a Michelin-star outfit just to gossip in a friend’s kitchen. This is the perfect place to let loose while pretending it’s luxurious.

Turn a casual night into a flashy photo op by embracing the whimsical extravagance of dinner party fashion. words_jay moyer. photo_julia campbell. design_charlotte deangelis.

yes, Summer 2026

!

DISTRACTION

49

yes,

!

The f.r coat is the state&e(t piece for the arrival. Before the mess begins, treat the dinner party like a gala, and remember that photos always come $rst.

Flash- ri()s a(d i(tricate (ails might not be ideal for eating, but they’re perfect for eating.

50

DISTRACTION

Fashion

Dress li,e the ).est of ho(or and feel like you own the place.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

51

Ever-o(e bri()s their ow( dish, a(d ever-o(e bri()s their ow( st-le. Revel in your own sweet spotlight by wearing something di%erent from the rest.

yes, 52

DISTRACTION

Fashion

!

Who cares if it’s a cas.al (i)ht with frie(dsE Heels are the move if you want to feel like you’re on a pedestal.

Chloe’s O.tfit: Red pro& dress a(d thrifted shoes. Why not give these clothes a second life?

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

53

yes,

Mirrors are a )irl’s best frie(d. Always carry a compact and be ready for touch-ups.

54

DISTRACTION

Fashion

!

A((a’s O.tfit: Top fro& Bra(d- Melville a(d Ni,e capris fro& Depop. Trendy and casual for a night spent with your best friends.

Shed that chic o.ter la-er to make way for something more casual. !e dinner party unfolds in stages, and so may your out$t.

Summer 2026

DISTRACTION

55

Senior Spotlight:

Biggest Flex Our graduating sta! members share the big things they accomplished this past year.

“Landing a photography internship with Inter Miami and being able to see Messi every week.”

design_jay moyer.

Julia Campbell

photography director

“I got to be part of Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network.”

Leah Bahamonde sta!

“Selected as one out of twelve students in the country for the CBC-UNC News Media Multiplatform Fellowship in Raleigh, NC.”

Amanda Mohamad happening editor

“Leading the best student publication and sweeping at awards.”

Jay Moyer

editor-in-chief 56

DISTRACTION

Last Distraction

Think you have what it takes?

Join our award-winning staff and you could be climbing the ranks in no time. Start your journey with us as a writer, photographer, designer or PR and social team member.

distractionmagazine.com @distractionmag @distractionmag