Quench Magazine, JOY Issue 185, December 2021

JOY issue, no. 185, December 2021

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Quench is Cardiff University’s award-winning art and culture magazine, run by studetns since 2003.

From tackling taboo topics to creating editorial photoshoots, we’re leading the way in student publications and we’re always looking to expand our team!

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If you have any further questions then send us an email at editor@quenchmag.co.uk. Don’t be shy!

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Editor’s Letter

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Hey! I’m so excited to be bringing you the second issue of Quench magazine of the semester - we had such an overwhelmingly positive response to our first issue release, so I want to start of by saying thank you for all of your support. I’m so glad that we managed to kick off the year with such an exciting issue, and I hope we only move upwards.

There have been some changes to our Quench team since the last issue release - we have two new deputies, Phoebe and Maja, who I am so very grateful to have.

They both do such an amazing job of balancing sections, coming up with ideas, and generally just being little wonders when it comes to running our magazine. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you both do!

This issue’s theme is joy; a feeling which we all know, but I think becomes harder to find as the winter months draw closer. After the warmth of summer and the excitement that a new term brings, November and December can often make us want to curl up under the duvet cover and emerge only once the new year has begun (making an exception for Christmas Day, of course!).

I’d also like to say a big thank you to our section editors, who work tirelessly to bring us online articles every single day and keep our print and digital issues running. I’m truly in awe of how positive, creative and hard-working you all are, and the magazine wouldn’t be what it is without you.

That’s why I wanted to encapsulate what it is that brings us joy. We’re all here because we love how much joy art and culture bring us, but I wanted to dig a little deeper and find out what it is specifically that we love so much about the books we read or which songs ignite that little flicker of warmth inside of us - basically, what it is that keeps us going when things get hard.

When the weather gets worse, which in Cardiff, means when that one day of sunshine every three weeks disappears completely, it can have a real impact on how we feel about ourselves and our motivation to keep up with studying, working, or even socialising. I hope this issue reminds you that there are small joys to be found everywhere, sometimes we just need reminding of what they are.

This is our last issue of 2021, and I think that our joy issue is the best possible note to leave it on. I’ll sign off by wishing you all a happy holiday and best wishes for the new year, and I hope everyone gets to relax a little and spend time with those they care about the most.

Love,

Deputy Editor’s Letter

At Quench, we try to find a theme that every section can work with. Something that our world is so thoroughly peppered with that it is visible in every aspect of art and culture that we talk about in this magazine. And you know that weird coincidence of how once you notice and acknowledge something – you start seeing it everywhere around you?

How when you learn a new word in a foreign language – or even your mother tongue – people magically start using it more around you? This is what happened to me as we were working on this issue. I have started to notice the theme of Joy popping up everywhere around me. So I took this opportunity to study it. Not that overwhelming feeling that makes my whole body buzz – but the small, everyday moments of happiness. Like the excitement painted on the face of a little girl waving to me from Central Bar’s window when I waved back while eating a fresh doughnut almost melting in my mouth.

Prompted, I took a head-first dive into the topic of how materialism makes us less content – the subject of the capsule wardrobe, minimalist lifestyle, savings and reading for fun. I started to wake up and get my bedroom ready to the sounds of the Make Your Damn Bed Podcast and stopped tracking every single aspect of my life. But what stroked the cord with me the most was one sentence I heard in one of my favourite life-philosophy oriented shows: we are not supposed to hate our jobs.

Read that again. We are not supposed to hate our jobs.

Obviously, very few people will be smiling waking up ridiculously early on a Monday morning after staying up too late to finish the last two episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.

Nonetheless, if the work that you do makes you count down minutes left to Friday afternoon since the moment you open your eyes on Monday – it is probably not the thing you should be doing. The right role will make you content with even the most mundane tasks.

I am not going to lie – university is not what keeps me going. However, I will be forever grateful to my past self,

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my parents and friends who told me to chase my dreams, pick Cardiff and then go for the role of the Deputy at Quench.

Because even reading the same article for the third time during the final copy check is somehow pleasurable. And the articles themselves? Gorgeous. Beautiful ideas from beautiful minds of beautiful people. Full of words that spark joy.

My favourite artist during their show in Webster Hall a few years back said:

“And in a world where it is so dangerous to have empathy, in a time when it is so dangerous to feel bad, to feel pain, to feel hurt, because there is so much of it around us, all the time.

When we look at the news, when we turn on the TV there’s just pain freaking everywhere it’s so hard to feel something.”

And that pretty much sums up why I hate the news. So I could not be happier for my first issue to work on as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief to be dedicated to Joy – the very opposite of the news.

I really hope you will enJoy reading it as much as I did putting it together.

Deputy Editor’s Letter

This being my first Deputy Editor’s letter, I’ll admit, is quite daunting. Quench has always been such an impressive magazine to me, and despite writing down every thought I’ve had and reading through endless letters from previous deputies, I have still sat at my laptop, fingers on keys, unable to know exactly how to compose it all.

Despite only being part of the Quench team for a short amount of time, these two months have floored me; it is amazing how hardworking everyone is, the amount of time and effort that is dedicated to creating this magazine is unimaginable. Isabel Brewster, an absolute superwoman of an Editor who has not only driven Quench to its success when the academic year has just begun but manages to balance her degree and job all at the same time. It goes without saying, Maja is the perfect Co-Deputy Editor; she is not only incredible at the job but is so thoughtful and always ensures no one is cracking under all the pressure!

All in all, I can easily say this was the perfect year to join the Quench team.

I came to university unsure of what my passion truly was, knowing I had an interest in journalism but having yet to delve deeper into which areas truly drew me in. Admittedly, having my first year cut short from the pandemic and my second year online entirely, I struggled to really connect with my interests. However, now beginning my third year at Cardiff University, able to engage in my degree in person, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, it is finally beginning to feel normal again. With this newfound appreciation post-pandemic, I can say with such relief and excitement that this year feels like the best yet and my passions are now beaming- perfectly timed with the theme of this issue, joy.

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We have battled for eighteen months, facing lockdowns, isolation, and extreme boredom! No matter how many Pete Wicks workouts I tried, whether I watched every movie, series, and documentary on Netflix, or even deciding to relearn all GCSE French- nothing was beating those pandemic blues. So, what better than to celebrate the glowing light at the end of this dreary tunnel than to base this issue of Quench entirely around the subject of joy? Whether you find comfort and joy in music, or turn to fashion to express how you feel, each section of this issue shares with us where we can find our own happiness.

I cannot express enough how important it is to support others, not only being there for your friends and family but also those you may not even think about, whether it be a smile to a stranger or sparing some change for the homeless. If recent times have taught us anything, it is to spread kindness and positivity to each other. Hopefully you take inspiration from this issue of Quench and not only care for yourself and your own happiness (which is extremely important!), but also spread that joy to those around you.

We choose every theme of our magazine with such thought and care, and Issue 185’s theme of joy could not have come at a better time.

Designed by: Maja Metera

Meet the Team

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Meet the

ISABEL BREWSTER Editor-in-Chief

SHIVIKA SINGH Literature Editor

CATRIN LEWIS Clebar Editor

PHOEBE WILLIAMS Deputy Editor

CATARINA VICENTE Literature Editor

LAYLA DOCKERTY Travel Editor

MAJA METERA Deputy Editor

ANGHARAD ROBERTS Clebar Editor

ALEX WHITEMAN Download Editor

Meet the Team

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e Team

INGA MARSDEN Spotlight Editor

HOPE DOCHERTY Spotlight Editor

EMUN YEAT Food Editor

BETH MENDLETON Food Editor

GEORGIA MEROPOULOS Features Editor

MAGGIE GANNON Fashion Editor

SURAYA KAZZUZ Fashion Editor

PUI KUAN CHEAH Film and TV Editor

ZAINAB JAVED Film and TV Editor

Meet the Team

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ROWAN DAVIES Music Editor

HANNAH LAYTON Head of Photography

SHAFIA MATULEB Head of Design

RUBIE BARKER Music Editor

SAHINA SHERCHAN Photographer

RAHIMA BHATTI Page Designer

KATE WALDOCK Columnist

SIAN HOPKINS Illustrator

ANNABELLE INGRAM Page Designer

Meet the Team

ESZTER GURBICZ Page Designer

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MANON JONES Social Media Manager

MIA WILSON Page Designer

KATIE LESLIE Page Designer

ALEKSANDRA BUBIENIEC Twitter Manager

EVE DAVIES Instagram Co-Manager

TILDA SKENE Copy Editor

SARAH MASON Instagram Co-Manager

Film and Tv

Column

Memories of the Cinema …....................... 14-15 Its a Wonderful Life ……………………...... 16-17 The Euphoria of Film and Television.......... 18-19

Happiness in the coldest months…………. 32-33

Music

Food and Drink

Music in the days of the pandemic……..... 20-21 Songs that bring us joy: A personal insight 22-23

Happiness is One Long Noodle Strand….. 36-37 6 pints of ice-cream…………………........... 38-39 Pay it forward - One Latte a time………..... 40-41

Features

Literature

It’s a new world: what is bringing us happiness in 2021?……................................................... 26-27 Student Insights: 5 habits that are bringing us joy ……………................................................. 28-29

Books that bring us meaning and joy……. 42-43 Maximising happiness and gratitude through Journaling…............................................... 44-45 The power of positive poetry……………… 46-47

Clebar Interview with Club Ifor Bach……………... 50-51 Favourite moments since the pandemic…. 52-53

Travel What makes a “happy country”…………... 54-55 Diwali 2021: What you need to know…….. 56-57

Fashion Finding self-confidence again - a struggle with hormonal acne............................................ 60-61 Post-Pandemic fashion - the outfits that are bringing us joy…........................................ 62-63 Exploring the ‘Blue Beauty’ movement…. . 64-65

Diwali 2021:

Spotlight Sharing joy with your partner……………… 68-69 “You Are Not One Half Of An Orange”…… 70-71

Download Exploring Empathy in Life is Strange: True Colours…………....................................... . 72-73

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Illustration by: Shafia Motaleb (@artsyfifi)

Film and Tv

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Film and Tv

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Words by: Pui Kuan Cheah The cinema is a safe space for me; a form of escapism.

Being completely immersed in a movie in a dark cinema hall, I usually would not bother about the people seated around me. However, this changed when I watched Avengers: Endgame back in 2019. It was a full house, a rare sight and only reserved for the biggest blockbusters.

Given how quick pre-sale tickets sold out, presumably most if not all the audience present, including myself, were fans of the MCU, eager to find out what was in store after the shocking ending of Infinity War a year earlier.

In one of my favourite scenes, Hiccup is learning to fly with Toothless, his dragon, and the music alone is enough to send chills down your spine and goosebumps across your body. This breathtaking part is filled with laughter, amazement, and light-hearted fear as they both soar through the air, enchanting the audience with the film’s incredible animation. It is a movie that can be enjoyed by anyone. Being well-executed and simply magical, this film will never be forgotten, with my first ever experience of the cinematic atmosphere forever memorable and cherished.

Many criticise Endgame for having too much fan service, but that was what made this opening day viewing so special and one of my best memories of the cinema.

Multiple times throughout the movie, the audience collectively gasped, cheered, cried, and even broke out into rapturous applause for the entire credits. The scenes that garnered the biggest reactions? When Cap took hold of Mjölnir, and when all the heroes from the MCU came together to take on Thanos’ army (Alan Silvestri’s “Portals” score makes me shed happy tears to this day). I had never seen such loud reactions to a movie in the cinema, and it made this experience even more enjoyable. By the end, I had borne witness to a cinematic universe that brought together people who shared a love for characters they had grown up with. I left feeling euphoric, carrying that radiant experience in my heart out of the hall.

Words by: Megan Shinner

Words by: Lucia Cubb The cinema is an amazing place: from the humongous screen in front of you to the surround sound system, it is a space that can captivate anyone. The first time I ever went was to watch DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon, a movie that I can describe as none other than epic. The thrill of cinema for the first time is something that I am sure most people will remember; even the adverts before the movie started were exciting (although this may have been due to the build-up of adrenaline in anticipation of the film).

I popped on my 3D glasses, ready for the action to start – and I was instantly enthralled. The roar of the dragons across the screen as their wings seemingly popped out and nearly hit me was incredible. I was no longer a child sitting on a seat in a cinema, but a Viking alongside Hiccup.

The cinema is an arena for the imagination to go wild. I have spent many magical hours pondering the screen, including my first trip to see Wall-E with my parents and once to see the release of The Princess and the Frog wearing my princess dress. However, my fondest memory of the cinema must be the release of the Downton Abbey movie.

I’m not one to indulge in and obsess over a TV series but whilst Downton Abbey was running, I’d count down the days until the next season’s release - then would binge the season like there was no tomorrow. Downton Abbey was the world I could slip into for hours on end. The second tickets were released, I was buying them!

On the day of the long-awaited visit, I distinctly remember being the youngest in the cinema; my mother was the closest in age to myself. However, it was so wholesome to see all the old ladies with their friends and husbands, chatting away about what the Grantham Family had been getting up to after all this time.

As soon as the first glimpse of Highclere Castle appeared after its lengthy driveway, and the first few chords of the theme tune played, there was not a dry eye in the house!

There was a multi-generational love and emotional unity over this family and their story. My mother, grandmother, the older ladies, and I were back in our happy place catching up with the Granthams.

Design by: Rahima Bhatti

The Euphoria of Film and Tv Film and Tv

There are many aspects of the creative industries that both fascinate and excite me; one of the largest being film and television production. Indeed, the ability to step into a world different from our own is a wonderful experience that film and television can bring to us. Whether that’s being immersed into the Jurassic Park film series or swinging across the streets of New York with Spider-Man, these stories can become a huge part of our lives.

This highlights one of the core joys that film and TV can bring to us – escapism. With our increasingly busy schedules, the moving image provides the perfect way for us to relax and unwind from a working day. Sometimes we may choose to spend a couple of hours (or even a whole day) binging the latest Netflix series or spontaneously decide to watch an array of Marvel classics back-to-back. This can provide a sense of comfort and nostalgia, and I often find myself re-watching films that I loved a few years ago. Although I know how they end and can practically recite the film word to word, these types of movies never disappoint. Indeed, the library of moving images that streaming services like Netflix provide allows us to watch endless amounts of content on our own accord, and this creates the perfect opportunity to be entertained in our own space.

However, the cinema remains a fundamental part of the film experience for me. I have always loved going to the cinema because of its exciting atmosphere, where there are little to no distractions. This is particularly important with films that require your full attention, such as Christopher Nolan’s thought-provoking, thrilling movies. Not to mention being able to enjoy Hans Zimmer’s incredible score with enhanced dramatic effect. Moreover, there is no better feeling than watching a highly anticipated film for the first time which has had months, if not years of immense build-up and trailers - such as the latest James Bond movie No Time To Die. Plus, getting a Tango Ice Blast every now and again is a big bonus!

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One of my favourite things to do after watching a film or TV show is to look at the behind-the-scenes footage, since I am fascinated by the process from script to screen. While this may ruin the magic for some people, I find it interesting to explore what each production role entails and how these come together to create the end film. These resources have been a great use of the digital age we now live in, and have been a source of inspiration to enhance my knowledge of production roles within the industry. This certainly inspired me to take film studies at college, and I got the opportunity to explore my own creative skills through writing a screenplay and making a few short films/documentaries.

Studying film made me realise the importance of watching films that I wouldn’t necessarily choose to and illustrated how the medium is a creative way to engage with a variety of different worlds, stories, and characters. It also reaffirmed how joyful it is to talk about different films and TV programmes with those around you. For instance, TV Drama is a great genre to watch with other people at the same time because you can share different opinions with one another, while trying to piece together what’s happening in the narrative. Although you are all watching the same thing, people tend to take away different aspects and this can become an interesting point of conversation.

Indeed, it is important to note that fan cultures are hugely significant within this space, and often both online and offline communities form with like-minded individuals, coming together to talk about their love for a certain celebrity, film, or television programme. This represents one of the core enjoyments of film and TV – bringing people together.

Ultimately, I love film and TV. I love experiencing different realities. I love the emotion. I love the escapism. I love the creativity.

Words by: Zoe Williamson Design by: Isabel Brewster

Film and Tv

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It’s a Wonderful Life 13 Going on 30 (2004) 13 Going on 30 had a huge impact on me as a teenager, and even now, it reminds me to take life one step at a time and to live in the moment. The film is a joyful and nostalgic exploration of the idea of wanting to be ‘grown up’, through the ensemble of characters. At the centre of it all, the main character Jenna Rink wishes to fast forward her childhood to become grown-up, which is supposed to entail independence and being “30, flirty and thriving”, as she desires to be. However, she quickly realises it’s not all that.

Jenna reels over the ‘loss’ of her childhood in the final scenes of the film, as she realises she spent her life continuously chasing a more mature image, quickly wanting to be an adult regardless of how she treated those around her. She misses her childhood innocence, and thankfully rectifies her mistakes when she reverts to her 13-year-old self, and pursues a different life that is much more positive and good-hearted. 13 Going on 30 reminds us to not immerse ourselves too deep into the rat race of life, but rather to bask in and savour what the present has to offer.

Words by: Pui Kuan Cheah

Peter’s Friends (1992) 1992’s Peter’s Friends follows a simple plot; after the passing of his father, Peter (played by Stephen Fry) inherits a beautiful country house. As a way to usher in the New Year, he decides to invite old friends from his university days to spend the holiday with him. These six friends have not seen each other for ten years, and so their lives have entirely altered, sending one to America, with others having children and others who bring along their spouses. However, Peter has not just brought them here for a reunion, he wishes to confide in them all regarding a secret - one that impacts the rest of his life, and perhaps the longevity of it.

Without revealing too much, I can promise readers that Peter’s Friends is a film that highlights the importance of kindness and understanding. Throughout their reunion, these friends learn just how crucial it is to simply love one another and appreciate company no matter the years gone by, taking us down different roads via both tears and laughter. Whilst this plot is hardly complex, it possesses a wondrous positivity that is rooted in humbleness, humility, and the feeling of belonging amongst others. Simply heart-warming.

Words by: Leona Franke

La La Land (2016) Has there ever been a film that first fills your heart with sheer, unadulterated joy before shattering it into a million smithereens? Damien Chazelle’s cinematic marvel La La Land does that to me every time I revisit it. It not only boasts of a sublime love story but also speaks of dreams and aspirations and the choices one makes in life. It features strugglers, Mia and Seb, as they both find their lives intertwined after a dejected Mia, an aspiring actress, stumbles across Seb, a jazz musician, playing a melancholic tune on his piano at a restaurant and they fall in love. It is glorious.

The opening sequence itself sets the tone perfectly for the film. Punctuated to Justin Hurwitz’s magnificent soundtrack, it depicts a traffic-jammed freeway where people suddenly break into a delightfully choreographed dance number. A moment of exasperation turns to pure joy. But Chazelle’s artistry shines most in its gut-wrenching climax when both Mia and Seb are magically reunited and pulled back in time. The camera glides along with our protagonists as they pirouette through what their life could have been together. Yet, I can’t help but seek out La La Land in times of utter despair. It leaves a profound ache in my heart but a silly grin on my face. And isn’t this what life is? A mixed bag of emotions. La La Land makes me nostalgic but also hopeful for the future, as I embark on this journey called life.

Words by: Zainab Javed Design by: Isabel Brewster

Music

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MUSIC IN THE DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC: How artists have uplifted us through times of diffculty

Whether we’re heartbroken, mourning, or just walking home through the rain, there’s always a song to match our feelings and mood - and at best, cheer us up. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting lives around the world, music made people forget everything for a moment. It brought joy to us during lockdowns, and in the months of social distancing, it helped us regain optimism - a kind of saving grace. We have not only been enjoying music releases of our favourite artists but also sharing new kinds of concert experiences via the internet.

At the beginning of the pandemic, millions of fans all over the world were able to glimpse into the living rooms of The Rolling Stones, who performed alongside many other musicians at the international Global Citizen’s One World: Together at Home online special in April 2020. The audience was particularly delighted by the performance of late drummer Charlie Watts, who seemed to play air drums on their 1969 hit You Can’t Always Get What You Want. There was much speculation as to whether Charlie was playing air drums, or if he was working with software that virtually simulates a drum set. Whatever he did, the audience loved it. “Charlie Watts happily playing air drums for The Rolling Stones is the kind of feel-good content we needed,” wrote one Twitter user afterwards.

The Global Citizen special was set up in collaboration with Lady Gaga, who in turn released a new album shortly thereafter in May 2020. With Chromatica, she released melodies inspired by house music of the 80s and 90s, ending a four-year musical hiatus. Her new songs mentally transport her ‘little monsters’ back to the dance floor of the club, in a sweaty, dancing crowd at 3 am – providing an escape from reality in lockdown. In September of this year, the remix album Dawn of Chromatica was released, in which Gaga brought together a widely varied group of

artists. With Ariana Grande, Elton John, Rina Sawayama, Clarence Clarity or Pabllo Vittar – she reminds us of what has always been the foundation of her music: a sense of community, solidarity, and tolerance.

A catchy tune that is also inspired by the 80s was released

by Twenty One Pilots in April 2020. While lyrics of Level of Concern revolve around the global pandemic, its melody is rather spirited and cheerful. Clearly, the song wants to give hope by creating a feeling of comradery. The music video - which has received almost 75 million views - documents the making of the song, that the duo recorded and filmed individually during the lockdown. Short clips show the two of them spending time with their families; they decorate the walls at their homes with stars that glow in the dark and which can later be seen shimmering in all colours behind them. Below the YouTube video, a user commented: “I love how creative this music video is, it really captures how trying to be positive and creative in quarantine feels”.

Joseph and Dun donated a portion of the proceeds from the song to the non-profit Crew Nation, which distributes the donations to solo self-employed artists in the music industry who have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic.

Moreover, a truly multifaceted album was released by The Weeknd at the beginning of the pandemic. Critics praised his work After Hours in which he reinvented himself as it stands out stylistically from previous works and opens a personal and vulnerable side of the singer. The album was eagerly anticipated in March 2020 and was still topping the charts at the end of the year. His song Blinding Lights was celebrated as the album’s biggest hit and broke records throughout the year by becoming the most streamed song on Spotify and the longest-running Top10 hit in U.S. chart

Music

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continues to uplift us during “Music times of hardship and will always give us something to lean on or look forward to when nothing else can.

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history. With the hashtag #BlindingLightsChallenge, it also became a viral trend on TikTok that received over 510 million views. Everyone from families to shop assistants or firefighters danced to the song on TikTok during the lockdown.

“Blinding Lights spoke to the world in a time when it was most needed. That uplifting quality is undeniable and why nurses, families and kids with their dogs were all posting dances showing their moments of relief during these tough times”, said The Weeknd’s manager Wassim Slaiby in an MRC Data report.

While many of the COVID-19 restrictions have since been lifted, the world is now looking forward to another highly anticipated release.

After a mysterious worldwide promotion that projected a big 30 on billboards and buildings, Adele recently announced her new album due to be released on November 19th.

Music continues to uplift us during times of hardship and will always give us something to lean on or look forward to when nothing else can.

Words by: Svenja Schindler Design by: Katie Leslie Illustration by: Sian Hopkins

Music

Songs that bring us joy: A personal insight

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Music

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Harmony Hall Vampire Weekend

On their 2019 LP Father of the Bride, Harmony Hall is subtle at first and then all at once warm and soothing. The guitar line is one of the smoothest on any ‘guitar-rock’ song in recent memory. It’s introduced quietly at the start but then grows

by Craig into the beating heartbeat of the The song is summery without Strachan track. ever being too sweet and soft but still packing enough tempo to let you dance along. Moreover, as the track continues the drums come in and the whole song is spread open - like the sun breaking from behind the clouds.

It’s odd, therefore, that the main hook “I don’t want to live like this, but I don’t want to die” is so bleak on paper.

In fact, the whole song is full of anxious and troubled lyricism. Yet, at first listen, you would never think it. Maybe it’s a statement on finding joy even in the hardest times or maybe it’s a well-disguised plea for help among the bones of a beautiful pop song. Either way, you can’t help but feel the vitality of the music. It has a contagious joy to it that has caught hold of me through the coldest of winters and the heaviest of hangovers. And that I think defines a joyful song to me.

My Girl The Temptations

by Emma Williams

Reading through the pitch for this article, I had no doubt which song I was going to write about. My Girl

by The Temptations has been an everlasting source of joy to me for years. The earliest memory I have of hearing the song is dancing (or wiggling) around the house to it with my mum when I was two years old.

It is safe to say the enjoyment has never ceased.

It features on my ‘generation’ playlist and every time I listen to it I want to get up and boogie – even on the train as I write this! Not only is the rhythm great for grooving, but the lyrics, especially ‘I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day, When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May’, always strike a chord with me – pun fully intended. These words both make me appreciative of being alive, even when the British weather takes a turn, and remind me of my mum singing them to me which is a memory I will always treasure. A truly uplifting hit that I highly recommend.

Words by: Craig Strachan, Emma Williams, Pui Kuan Cheah, Leona Franke Design by: Katie Leslie

Age simply isn’t just a number when you’re a Swiftie, and 22 might just be my favourite thanks to Tay. I first heard the song when it came out.

I was far from being 22, but I was nonetheless excited for that year to come.

22 Taylor Swift

by Pui Kuan Cheah

The song paints a picture of your 20s - youthful ecstasy mixed with the confusion that comes with being suddenly thrust into the world of adulting. It manages to give me hope about the years to come, as daunting as it appears. As she calls it at one point in the song, it leaves us “happy, free, and confused” and that it’s “miserable and magical”.

Whenever the song comes on, it makes me want to passionately scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs in sheer happiness, even if I’m not 22. It’s a major mood booster. Taylor was able to encapsulate all the feelings one might have about this age - and decade - so perfectly into one song, which is why it has a special place in my heart.

Whilst they are more known Hold Me Like for thought-provoking, political a Heaven lyrics, Welsh heroes Manic Street Preachers’ Hold Me Like a Heaven, Manic Street brings about a special uplifting mood Preachers for me. Whilst the first verse does contain some typically dramatic lyrics about hating the world, it

by Leona almost experiences a shift of tone Franke from the first chorus onward. James Dean Bradfield, the lead singer and guitarist, asks for an unknown person to ‘hold him like he’s lost in their heaven’, and as always, his immaculately smooth vocals are blooming with emotion. Something about the flawless melody, uplifting chords and backing vocals within this chorus just feel extremely touching, in my opinion.

There is a poignance to the lyrics, too. At the time of writing, Nicky Wire (bassist and lyricist) was going through the process of watching his mother’s health deteriorate, resulting in her tragic passing while the band were touring.

Whilst not confirmed, it is possible that the experience of his mother’s fight with illness may have influenced these lyrics. Either way, it is a song full of emotion, and - speaking as someone who has seen the Manics live - it is a highlight of the performance with the audience all smiling and being held within the heaven of a concert.

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Features

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It’s a new world: What is bringing us happiness in 2020?

Features

So much changed in 2020, including our experience of happiness. We were cut off from so many people, so many events were cancelled, everything was on hold. It was kind of hard to ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ our way through the days. Lots of us started to experiment with different ways to pass the time, or we just went a bit stir crazy. Remember banana bread? That time when it seemed like everyone was running 5k around their neighbourhood? Homemade ice coffees? Well, according to Joy Strategist (yes, it’s a real job title), Grace Harry, this is exactly what we should all be doing -exploring different hobbies and activities and seeing if anything sticks. Grace asked herself ‘let me figure out what I do like’, she found what made her happy and pursued that.

The process isn’t as simple as it sounds, though. I tried and failed at a few things, before discovering my love for houseplants. An article told me that after introducing certain plants into my home I’d notice ‘an improvement in my overall happiness’. I got myself two. A snake plant and an aloe vera because they’re hard to kill. Two became twenty. My flat is more like a greenhouse these days.

I’m not sure exactly why my plants make me feel good; whether its the nurturing aspect, the daily ritual of watering them or just the fact they look pretty. Either way, that article was right. I’ve noticed a massive improvement in my mood and mental health since I started caring for my little green friends.

Luckily for my plants, this hobby stuck. They’re all still alive! However, now that life has returned to normal and we get busier, it’s easy to neglect the little pleasures we made time for in lockdown. I used to do yoga every morning. But recently I noticed I was doing it so much less!

I was feeling worse for it too. Sluggish, achy, stressed. So, I forced myself to do some sun salutations the other day and straight away, I felt loads better. It left me so energised

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and calm. We all know exercise releases happy chemicals in the brain, so making time for it is essential to me.

Everyone’s different though, so what you love doing might be totally the opposite to what I’ve just been going on about. In fact, the meaning of happiness differs globally.

Languages such as Russian and German understand happiness as having elements of ‘luck and fortune’.

Whereas, in the US, the definition of happiness isn’t associated with good luck anymore- apparently it used to be in the 1800s. Levels of happiness also varies between countries. For the fourth year running Finland have been dubbed the ‘world’s happiest country’ by the World Happiness Report. Their secret appears to be an amazing universal healthcare system. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that health and happiness go hand in hand.

Another bit of advice from Grace is that joy is your ‘birthright’. It’s something we all deserve, an essential ingredient to actually living your best life. Whatever your happiness is, find it and embrace it.

Words by: Abbie Dix Design by: Eszter Gurbicz

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“

I pride myself in the sense of security in feeling like my body is no longer an enemy. Yes – I cannot control my illness, but sure as hell I won’t let it dictate how happy I am.

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Student Insights: habits that are bringing us joy In the past year – having relapsed in my anxiety, PMDD and other hormonal issues, I have jumped on an express train to self-love. Jumped and fell face first smashing it against concrete – because it is very freaking hard to love your mind and your body when you feel like both betray you on a schedule. Quick sidenote – my depression is a symptom of PMDD – a clinical version of killer PMS, so I feel overwhelmed and hopeless every month.

I couldn’t beat the depression and anxiety by finding out I’m an ENTJ or Cancer Moon. It is completely not what I mean – no matter how much I adore tests like that and probably have taken every one that exists. I couldn’t beat it at all. So I stopped fighting it. I started to look inwards – for responsibility for things I can control, for signals. I gave up forcing myself on the TGV. Instead, I actually put some good money, time and effort into building a habit of getting to know myself.

I observed myself through graphs, charts and mood trackers – writing down how well I slept and ate, whether I took my medication and how much time I spent staring

at my phone. Every day before going to bed I filled out few pages of trackers in my bullet journal. Excessive?

Maybe. But this way I learned how much sleep I need, that I really cannot eat sugar before bed and that smut makes me laugh more than funny cat videos on TikTok. I tracked when exactly the symptoms start and which combination of popular remedies such as yoga or ice cream help me the most. I would remind myself that there are ways in which I can help my body and mind get through the hard times. I pride myself in the sense of security in feeling like my body is no longer an enemy.

Yes – I cannot control my illness, but sure as hell I won’t let it dictate how happy I am.

You don’t need a reason to learn about yourself. Do the 16 Personalities test. Why not! But then make a habit out of noticing the signs of your personality. Feeling bloated?

Observe what you eat in a month. Stressed? Which way do you prefer to relax? Why? It turns out that many day-to-day problems can be easily solved if you just form a habit of looking within yourself.

Words by: Maja Metera Design by: Katie Leslie

Illustration by: Shafia Motaleb (@artsyfifi)

Illustration by: Shafia Motaleb (@artsyfifi)

Column

FINDING JOY IN THE DARKEST MONTHS

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I’m actually rubbish in the summer. The heat that seems to give everyone else energy makes me super sleepy. And it’s not like I can sleep in the sun: I have this talent where I burn easily and then somehow go paler than I was before I burnt- it’s a really annoying party trick. That being said, we live in Wales, so often the temperature and sun are the perfect levels for me to enjoy the long days and lack of uni work. Then winter hits. You’d think, due to my vampiric-like pallor and reaction to heat, that I’d be really excited about this. But as the nights stretch out it can be easy to fall into winter blues. So, even though it seems like this article was going to just be an essay on why I don’t like each season, I’m actually going to focus on how we can break out of this seasonal low point.

You’ve probably heard of the term ‘SAD’ before, but in case you haven’t, the term refers to ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’, a disorder that means you feel depressed depending on the season (usually the winter). Whilst SAD doesn’t appear to affect everyone, many people do tend to feel a drop in mood during the colder and darker months. According to David Cox in the Guardian, some scientists suggest that SAD and ‘winter depression’ are the behavioural remnants of our past, as our ancestors slowed down during the ice age’s winter months. There is, of course, also the theory that the lack of sunlight affects our dopamine and serotonin levels, producing a sort of double whammy where we have less energy and feel sadder.

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So what can we do to try and avoid this seasonal drop in our mood? Every single year when it gets to winter I think about buying one of those SAD lamps, which are meant to bolster my mood by recreating sunlight. Every single year I then go round complaining about the price of the thing until we’ve reached mid-December and there’s no point in getting one of them anymore.

Instead (in between moaning about the sheer price of SAD lamps) I try to focus on the small positive aspects of the colder months, and how they make me happy. In the past, I struggled with my mental health for years, and the winter months would affect me to an even greater extent than the warmer seasons. I often felt lost during these months, questioning everything in my life including my future, my relationships, and my present. The winter provided an easier escape from social interaction when my mental health would want me to isolate myself from help. The thing that aided me the most (apart from therapy!) in my slow journey to happiness would end up being the most cliché phrase to ‘take it day by day’, and this is what I try to apply to my winter slump, as well as any time in my life where I feel low.

The phrase ‘take it day by day’ in itself is quite irritating, especially when you’re told to do that by well-meaning but not so understanding people in your life. We are all taking whatever “it” is day by day, aren’t we? Can’t exactly fast forward to the time when we are feeling better, we quite literally have to do every day before we can reach that point. But when I started to apply it to my life in the form of writing down, or even simply thinking about, the small things I look forward to in my day, I slowly began to regain control of myself more. I started really small, so I’d be thinking about warm showers when I’m really cold, or the food I’d eat when I get home, or sometimes the music I was going to play on my headphones.

33 It was all things I could control so that my anxiety couldn’t get in the way of it. I was able to gradually build up the things I was excited about in my day, to the point where I’d be able to go to events without self-sabotaging or see the people I loved without bringing myself down.

On more stable ground with my mental health, I still apply this process to the winter months. I now focus on the fact that I get to wear my favourite sweaters, nap in the afternoons, and watch film marathons in the day without feeling weird guilt about not leaving the house. I have this massive Carhartt jacket which I am obsessed with, but it gets so hot to wear, so I can only really put it on in the colder months. I love reading, but I find it easy to put off when it’s warm outside and I could go out with friends. Waking up in the morning when I’m really warm but the room is nice and cold so that I can find a colder part of the duvet always feels amazing. These feel like the smallest parts of life when you add up everything else that makes the day, but taking the time to find joy in what you might normally take for granted will give you a boost of serotonin, that over time, might just mean you enjoy winter that little bit more.

Sometimes the smallest things can bring joy when life is feeling more difficult than usual. During the winter months, it can be hard to hold onto a positive perspective, especially when it feels like you’re constantly living in a dull indie film with blue-tinted scenes. But it’s important to take advantage of the UK-wide slow down when you can, and enjoy the leisure that winter can bring.

Words by: Kate Waldock Design by: Annabelle Ingram

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Food and Drink

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OOPS, I’VE GOT A BEN AND JERRIE’S FETISH!

Food and Drink

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These past two years of uni, my relationship with sugar has progressed from borderline intimacy to full-blown steamy romance.

Everyone thinks I have a problem but I simply do not care. As you can tell from the title, my preferred poison is ice cream. Lots of it.

But what I’ve realised is that they seem to have greatly increased the amount of cookie dough chunks in their original cookie dough ice cream.

As for where to get it, cookie dough is always on sale everywhere at £3 so there’s no excuse to not try a pint.

One thing I’ve realised since coming to the UK is that desserts are ridiculously affordable here.

Local retailers of Ben & Jerry’s, in particular, are exceptionally benevolent; the perpetual sales, coupled with my severe lack of self-control makes it impossible for me to extricate myself from Tesco’s freezer section.

Now I always purchase and consume my ice cream by the pint. Anything less would be ludicrous. The point of getting a pint is so you can inhale it at record speed, suffer from brain freeze, proceed to declare to everyone that you’re swearing off ice cream for a month, only to buy another tub the very next day. It’s a vicious cycle that’ll probably end with you starring in a diabetes commercial but trust me, you’ll enjoy every single minute of it.

Next up is Ben & Jerry’s Netflix and Chill’d. This is my favourite flavour of theirs. The saltiness of the pretzel swirls is chef’s kiss. Unfortunately, each pint tends to be a hit or miss; if you’re lucky, you’ll get one with a ton of swirls but if you’re like me, you’ll finish the tub unsatisfied.

Perhaps it’s a marketing tactic to get customers to purchase more pints for more pretzel swirls?

If it is, I’ve fallen for it every time. Netflix and Chill’d is most often found at discount at big Tesco.

Now, we’ll delve into the serious part - the best ice cream flavours and where to find them at (somewhat) dirt cheap prices.

First off, cookie dough is always a crowdpleaser. No, I’m not talking about Lidl’s budget Gelatelli pints. Those are radioactive sludge masquerading as cookie dough. We’re talking about the sacred Ben & Jerry’s chocolate chip cookie dough, one of the best flavours ever, and now‘s the best time to get them.

The company is celebrating 30 years of the aforementioned flavour and have rolled out two new creations: Rain-dough and Dough-ble.

We’ll end with strawberry cheesecake, also from Ben & Jerry’s (I’ve clearly got a type).

I don’t particularly enjoy this flavour, but I’ve seen a lot of people raving about it so here goes. If we’re talking aesthetics, the pink of the strawberry is very appealing and gives the otherwise milky ice cream a nice pop of colour. Taste-wise, someone called this flavour DaNgErOuS (spelt exactly like this for optimal effect), decadent, delicious and delightful.

Alliteration at its finest indeed.

My obsession with ice cream is pathological.

If anyone can get me a job as an ice cream connoisseur, I’ll gladly be indebted to you for eternity. Also, I’d like to remind all my fellow ice cream feinds to remember to practise good oral hygiene after devouring your pints because dentures before 70 aren’t cute!

Words By: E Mun Yeat.

Design By: Annabelle Ingram

Stop and Smell the Coffee...

Cardiff is paying it forward and spreading joy, one latte at a time.

No matter what you are going through, be it exam stress, money woes or family trouble - a hot drink on a cold winter’s afternoon offers a spark of joy amongst the dreary fog. It is the small things that make someone’s day, a ray of hope when the road ahead seems long and the destination out of sight.

Cardiff’s pay-it-forward champions offer just that – from a cup of joe to a plate of warm food, local businesses are showing us just how important kindness can be, and how many people depend on it.

Brodie’s Coffee/Bricks ‘n’ Mortar - Hot Drinks for the Homeless. Gorsedd Gardens. North Road I spoke to owner Ian Brodie about what made them decide to take up a pay-it-forward scheme, how it helps people in our community and why other businesses should take part. From the beginning in their iconic little cabin in Gorsedd Gardens, Brodie’s would make sure their less fortunate customers didn’t go without a hot drink on bitterly cold days – but the demand was high for a small independent business to keep up with. So, one post-it note on the board at a time, drinks pledged by other customers was a great way to solve this problem.

It was met with an amazing response and meant they could ‘offer more on a daily basis and really build relationships with the homeless of Cardiff’, and as a team, they’ve ‘gotten to know so many people who have turned their lives around’. Proving the significance of a little cup of the kindness of strangers.

They noted that the scheme can be a ‘poisoned chalice’ as some people may take advantage of others’ generosity – but ‘for every one person behaving poorly, there are nine that just really need something to lift them on a cold day’. So this shouldn’t deter other businesses from doing the same thing, as it is so worth it to look after those nine.

More than 1 in 5 people live in poverty in Wales. Here are some organisations you can get involved with or donate to, in Cardiff.

Food Cardiff Your Local Pantry Cardiff Cardiff Foodbank Al-Ikhlas Foodbank FareShare Cymru

There you have it, whether you pledge a drink for each one that you buy or donate your free coffee from your loyalty card – each one will bring joy to someone who needs it most.

The Table - ‘If you can’t afford to eat, come and eat.

Somebody else has paid for you.’ Pentyrch Street.

This little café is tucked away in a church in a small corner of Cathays. Selling pancakes, soup and toasties on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and singing hymns on Sunday when they operate as a church. The chalkboard on their wall amongst the comfy sofas and fairy lights reads – ‘If you can’t afford to eat, come and eat. Somebody else has paid for you’ - with the Bible verse, ‘come if you are thirsty, come to the waters, and you who have no money, come buy and eat’.

As well as providing sustenance for the less fortunate, The Table’s staff also work on a voluntary basis, showing the heart and love they have for the community. The church has a warm, homely feel – it is even equipped with toasty fireplaces, and this is reflected in the lovely staff members who make everyone feel at home.

If they can go out of their way to serve the community, we can give back by pledging some cash for visitors who might not be able to afford a meal that day.

Wild Thing – Pay what you can. Cathays Terrace Wild Thing operates with ethics and accessibility in mind.

As well as having a fully vegan menu, the business operates on a pay what you can model. They do not run as a charity or receive grants; they just rely on those who are able to afford good food to fund the people that can’t.

They are passionate about this model and their main aim is to ‘make good food accessible to all’. If you prioritised rent over a meal out this week or fixing your car over a decent food shop, you still deserve indulgent and healthy food. That is where Wild Thing comes in.

They also support Cardiff’s first Community Fridge which is located in Cathays community centre. It provides free access to surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, distributing it to those in need. They have a contribution system where businesses can register their details with Wild Thing and contact them when there is food that is going to waste – for volunteers to pick up!

Show them your support the next time you go out for brekkie or brunch, get nourished and pay what you can afford.

Words by: Beth Mendleton Design by: Isabel Brewster

Literature

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Embracing the joy of reading:

how does reading bring us joy?

A s an English Literature student, it would be too easy R eading is known to bring a sense of calm to people, for me to try and convince you that reading is one of and is much easier to do without any distractions (so life’s many underrated pleasures. Commonly mistaken for simply ‘making people smarter’, reading offers individuals many benefits that can add to quality of life.

In a world where we as a society rely on technology on a daily basis, reading allows us to switch off from reality in a positive manner; where we are able to focus on using our imagination and gain perspective.

Therefore we must ask why exactly is it so common to hate on reading today? Does technology make it easier to hate reading as an activity? As the modern world continues to develop, so do reading habits. Reading is more accessible than ever before, with e-books and audiobooks on top of physical books (everybody seems to forget that libraries are free), there’s no way reading could go out of style!

put your phone away!).

It is similar to meditation in that it is able to transport the mind elsewhere and allow individuals to use their imagination to escape from their own world. This means that those who regularly read are also known to have lower stress levels, as well as better sleeping patterns, and higher self-esteem. As an avid reader myself, I find that confidence levels can increase depending on the relatability of characters and plot. If you are reading a story you feel you can relate to on an emotional level, or if you are able to see your own traits in a character, it could make you feel less lonely and as though your struggles are seen as valid.

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Idifficulties t could also help you to find ways to overcome those and take inspiration through reading. Reading gives us a way to romanticise what we would typically see as the mundane aspects of our lives and can motivate us to look at the world in a whole new light.

W hile the relatability of characters can be important to readers, it is also important to recognise how crucial it

could be to step out of our comfort zone and read what we don’t relate to as much. Reading puts individuals into the mindset of others and allows readers to develop the ability to question and analyse a situation. It is proven that reading is, therefore, able to make individuals more sympathetic and understanding to situations they may never have been in before, ensuring that we have an open mind.

F or me, reading is something that has brought joy for as long as I can remember. I am reminded daily as

I study my degree why it is that I love reading so much.

University life allows me to surround myself with books, whether it be in Blackwell’s Bookshop in the SU or at any of Cardiff’s lovely libraries; every day feels like I’m living the dream. Despite this, nothing brings me greater joy than being able to return home to the beautiful bookshelves in the comfort of my childhood room.

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W hether it be for my studies or for my own pleasure, reading will always take me back to my youth where I actively chose to surround myself with the authors that I still have on my shelves to this day.

Iparents am always reminded of how lucky I am to have who funded my love for reading, and who

supported my decision to surround myself with books.

They filled our home with constant reminders that my sisters and myself could be anything we wanted to be so long as we worked hard. Without their constant love, support, and confidence, I know I wouldn’t have come as far as I have today, and I will forever be grateful for the inspiration they provided us through the world of reading.

W hether it’s a passion or a way to escape reality, reading can bring us joy and impact us on so many

unspoken levels. In my nineteen years, reading has brought me comfort, perspective, inspiration, and knowledge. It is a privilege to be able to read, and one not used often enough in modern society - instead it is being increasingly replaced with the use of technology.

Words by: Alexa Price Design by: Annabelle Ingram Illustrations by: Sian Hopkins

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Books that br Words by: Laura Satterthwaite

During the first lockdown in 2020, I found it was common for me to feel disconnected from society, and the world in general. I wanted to find a read that would make me feel like a real person again, and here began my undying love for ‘Submarine’ by Joe Dunthorne.

This book gives me meaning because of just how relatable I find it. The protagonist, Oliver Tate, is equally as insufferable and unlikable as I feel I was when I was 15, and this factor alone helped me become more grounded at a time where everything was so up in the air.

As someone who grew up in Wales, the book being set in Swansea made me feel super connected to my homeland and the awkward relationship that Oliver and Jordana share epitomises the stereotypical first relationship that most if not all teenagers encounter in secondary school.

Dunthorne writes the book from Oliver’s perspective, and I found it extremely interesting to delve into the mind of a 15-year-old boy (fictional or not, that’s still a major investigation!)

Submarine is arguably an easy read, but in the midst of the pandemic, it was one that I absolutely needed to reconnect with my adolescence.

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ring us meaning and joy Words by: Shivika Singh

A book that has brought me plentiful meaning and looking back to my journey with this book brings me immense joy is, The Alchemist. The Alchemist was one of the first books I gave a full read to and fell in love with the message.

This book narrates the story of a young shepherd boy, Santiago who lives in the hills of Andalucía in Spain and decides to explore life beyond his humble home and flock of sheep. It is his passion and perseverance that he one day finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanized by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. This book effortlessly imparts the message of pursuing your dreams by following what your heart desires.

When I first read the book, I was still very young although the character of Santiago and his relentless efforts to follow his dreams inspired me and stuck with me for a long time. I picked this book up again when I was about Santiago’s age and could relate to the hassle of life and dreams better. This book just fulfilled me with new energy, a positive outlook and motivation to follow my heart and dreams.

As I have grown up reading many books and like experimenting frequently, I don’t usually read the same books repeatedly but I decided to re-read The Alchemist during the pandemic. Like every other time, this book stood apart again- bringing me meaning and joy during tough times.

Words by: Catarina Vicente

Anyone who reads for fun knows how books can be instant mood-boosters, especially during difficult times like the pandemic. In my case, I turned to many familiar, beloved reads during this time, but the book that brought me the most joy was the Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.

I read this book voraciously, it just draws you in so quickly.

It tells the story of Alex, a high-school dropout who is sought by Yale’s secret societies because of her ability to see ghosts, and her journey as her past catches up with her when a girl is murdered, and members of the societies are possible suspects. The book keeps you at the edge of your seat, raising questions while holding back the answers, about Alex’s backstory, the secret societies, and the murder. Most importantly, it has an ending that fulfils your expectations, which has made me all the more excited for a sequel.

Granted, the book does have some graphic scenes and discusses explicit themes, so keep that in mind, but if you enjoy a book that keeps you guessing, look out for Ninth House.

Design by: Rahima Bhatti

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The Power of Positive Poetry When I categorize poetry as ‘positive’, I don’t just mean in the motivational-cat-poster type of way. Whereas an inspirational quote or a particularly encouraging piece of prose is one that helps me get through the morning, the most impactful poetry is that which completely changes my perspective for the better—both of my own life and the world around me.

Positive poetry can take many forms. Literally, of course, poetry can positively impact someone whether it’s spoken word, an Instagram post, or a Shakespearian sonnet. But when looking at how these poems encompass positivity— it’s just as diverse. The first way poetry can be positive is through relatability. Relatable poetry may not be optimistic but can comfort the reader by ensuring that they are not alone in the problems they face. Many poets use writing as an outlet for their emotions and inevitability bridge a deeper connection to their readership. Personally, reading poetry that I am empathetic to has inspired me to find my own outlet in writing. It allows me to be vulnerable, a skill that has transformed my relationships with others for the better.

But how does one find a relatable read? As a woman, I seek poets such as Charly Cox of ‘She Must Be Mad’ and Greta Bellamacina of ‘Tomorrow’s Woman’. They are great authors that deeply connect to the feminist

struggle. It’s almost startling to read and feel the familiarity of a fresh female perspective; it’s almost like they write every experience as if they lived it with me. As a person regardless of gender, there is one book that really hits home. Often noted by her husband and popular poet himself, r.h.Sin; Samantha King Holmes has created a masterpiece in her 2019 release of ‘Don’t Tell Me Not to Ask Why’. From her youth to her marriage, Holmes seemingly covers everything and, in turn, touches any reader that may stumble across her poetry. Her blurb gives the most powerful, motivational message of all:

‘ I feel so broken I am going to make something really great out of that ‘ -Samantha King Holmes Additionally, poetry can have a positive impact far beyond the individual. My favorite poets are those who bring their diverse perspectives into the white-dominated, heteronormative field that is the poetry industry. By writing about POC and LGBT issues that are often overlooked by big

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media and publishers, readers broaden their viewpoint towards a equalitarian society, gain awareness about issues, and help fight for change. One poet that contributes to this (and one that I have always admired) is Robert Swaney-Boreaux. Although his book, Lovely Seeds, might be the most common way to recognize him, I found him when he started as an Instagram poet about four years ago. Safe to say, I have been hooked ever since. A Lakota-born Native American, Swaney-Boreaux invokes such an immersive empathy in his writing that anyone who reads his work will instantly want to address the systems that continue to suppress Indigenous communities. Robert teaches his readers and his following about Lakota culture and practices, as well has the tragic history of forced assimilation and genocide imposed by the United States.

A recent poem of his, ‘Flesh and Bone’, is particularly beautiful. You can find ‘Flesh and Bone’ as well as his other poems at @robertswaneybordeaux on Instagram.

Lastly, we can’t ignore a classic poet. Another example of positive poetry is through writing about the simple things in life. The things that give us joy. The things we often take for granted and don’t pay nearly enough attention to. Mary Oliver does that better than anyone. Last week I went to Waterstones to do a little research on older poets.

I wondered: what has made these poets so successful for so long? Amongst the many editions of her poetry on the shelves, Mary Oliver’s second edition of ‘New and

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Selected Poems’ fell into my hands. On page 25, a line in ‘Oxygen’ stood out to me. It reads:

‘ You are breathing patiently; it is a beautiful sound ‘ It is poetry like this that makes me aware that I am alive, and that life should be lived fully—and there’s nothing more positive than that.

Words by: Grace Caselden Design by: Eszter Gurbicz

Illustration by: Shafia Motaleb (@artsyfifi)

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Clebar

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Sgwrs gyda Ian Cottrell ac Esyllt Williams o Dirty Pop: Yn y rhifyn hwn, mae Catrin Lewis yn trafod gyda’r DJs Ian Cottrell ac Esyllt William a wnaeth sefydlu Dirty Pop yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach 13 mlynedd yn ôl.

Mae’r noson yn parhau i fod yn boblogaidd heddiw ac yn gartref i atgofion melys ar gyfer sawl un. Maent yn trafod yr ysbrydoliaeth y tu ôl i Dirty Pop, ei effaith ar y gymuned LHDT+ â’u hatgofion arbennig o Clwb.

Ble gychwynnodd Dirty Pop a sut wnaethoch chi gwrdd?

Esyllt: Wnaethon ni gwrdd amser maith yn ôl trwy gigs, teledu a cherddoriaeth. Oedd y ddau ohonom ni’n gweithio’n Clwb ar y pryd ac oedd hyn yn ystod adeg pan oedd na lot o bethau diddorol yn digwydd yn y byd cerddoriaeth. Roedd Girls Aloud ar eu huchafbwynt a oedd y ddau ohonom ni’n chwarae lot o pop ac a diddordeb ynddo. Felly, wnaethon ni drio creu noson fwy rheolaidd a dyna le ganwyd Dirty Pop. Oeddech chi’n teimlo bod ‘na angen ar rywbeth fel yma yng Nghaerdydd a’i fod yn wahanol i unrhyw beth arall oedd ar gael ar y pryd?

Ian: Mae’n rhyfedd achos wnaethon ni gychwyn yn swyddogol yn 2008, ond wnaeth o gychwyn rili yn 2006. Oedd genti lefydd fel The Barfly oedd yn cynnal gigs a oedd o’n gyfnod diddorol o ran bandiau indie. Enghraifft amlwg yw The Killers oedd yn defnyddio dylanwadau electronig.

Oedd na lefydd yn dre oedd yn chwarae’r gerddoriaeth yma ac oedd cerddoriaeth pop yn dechrau mynd tipyn bach fwy caled o ran y sŵn. Oedd y pop yn amsugno’r steiliau roc yma, lle cyn hynna am flynyddoedd oedd genti gerddoriaeth fel S Club 7, Steps a B*Witched.

Oeddet ti’n dod allan o gyfnod ble oedd pop yn targedu cynulleidfa iau tuag at sŵn mwy caled oedd yn gweddu mwy i’r llawr dawns.

Esyllt: Oedd mwy o ‘edge’ iddo fo ac elfennau mwy hip-hop a oedd o’n rili teimlo fel ei fod o’n mynd i rywle.

‘Dwi’n credu dyna pam wnaethon ni alw fo’n Dirty Pop oherwydd oedd o ‘slightly on the dirty end’.

Ian: Mae’r ‘dirty’ yn disgrifio’r sŵn yn fwy na dim byd arall, oedd o’n edgy a ‘dwi ddim yn meddwl oedd na nosweithiau fel na yng Nghaerdydd. Oedd Es a fi yn dod o gefndiroedd eithaf gwahanol o ran cerddoriaeth, fi bach mwy cerddoriaeth house a dawns ac oedd Es yn fwy bandiau a indie ond oedda ni gyd yn cymysgu yn yr un cylchoedd. Oedda ni ddim jyst efo pocedi o ffrindiau, oedden ni’n ffrindiau efo’r DJs ac aelodau bandiau ac oeddet ti’n amsugno’r steiliau gwahanol. Cyn Dirty Pop doedd na ddim rhaniad pendant ar nos Sadwrn yn Clwb o ran y lloriau a cherddoriaeth. Nawr mae gen ti indie ar y top, funk a soul ar y canol a ni ar y gwaelod. Mae’n haws i’r gynulleidfa bod y DJs ddim yn chwarae’r un math o gerddoriaeth ar yr un adeg.

Ydy Dirty Pop wedi newid dros y blynyddoedd?

Esyllt: Mae lot wedi newid. Wnaethom ni’m dychmygu bydda fe’n troi mewn i rywbeth mor fawr a wnaeth e. Oedden ni’n meddwl am ba fath o noson oedden ni eisiau. Oedd diddordeb ‘da ni mewn gweld gwahanol fathau o bobl yn cymysgu a bod neb yn teimlo yn anghyffyrddus am edrych yn wahanol. Oedden ni’n trio creu rhywle agored a ‘dwi’n meddwl gwnaeth hynna weithio.

Dechreuon ni ddenu mwy o bobl ifanc oedd ddim yn

Clebar fyfyrwyr a nifer eithaf sylweddol o bobl LHDT+. Daeth Dirty Pop yn le ble oedd pobl yn teimlo’n saff. Oedd lot mwy o fechgyn yn gwisgo colur a chwplau o’r un rhyw ar y dancefloor. Newidiodd cymdeithas law yn law gyda hynna, oedd na newid yn y noson wrth i amser fynd ‘mlaen ble oedd yn haws i bobl fynegi eu hunain.

Ian: Wnaethon ni fyth gychwyn y noson i apelio at un gynulleidfa, wnaeth y gynulleidfa ffeindio ni. ‘Dwi’n caru gallu dod a’n ffrindiau i Clwb ac mae’n brilliant ei fod o’n wahanol i Mary’s neu Golden Cross, y bariau traddodiadol, mae’n miwsig ni’n wahanol i’r llefydd yna. ‘Dwi’n meddwl ein bod ni’n fwy craff, dim mewn ffordd snobyddlyd, o ran beth da ni’n chwarae achos da ni ddim yn dafarn neu’n far. Ti’n mynd yna i ddawnsio. Dechreuodd Clwb fel rhywle i Gymry Cymraeg ac oedd genti agweddau eithaf milwriaethus o ran y bobl oedd yn mynd yno. Oedd disgwyl clywed cerddoriaeth Cymraeg trwy’r nos a ‘dwi’n meddwl bod agweddau’r gynulleidfa Gymraeg sy’n mynd yno yn lot fwy agored rŵan. Hynny yw, dydyn nhw ddim yn disgwyl clywed cerddoriaeth Cymraeg. Mae Clwb wedi gorfod newid er mwyn goroesi. Mae’n darparu pob math o gigs a cherddoriaeth rŵan a digon o stwff Cymraeg.

Mae Clwb wedi ffeindio ei draed yn yr ystyr yna, mae’n gallu plesio pawb. Mae’r gynulleidfa wedi ehangu ac mae pobl yn mynd yno oedd byth yn disgwyl gwneud.

Beth yw eich hoff atgofion chi o Clwb?

Ian: Pa mor hir sydd genti?

Esyllt: Mae’n rhaid bod y tro na wnaeth y holl Lady Gagas gwahanol droi lan i fyny yna.

Ian: Doedd o’m yn noson arbennig chwaith, doedden ni heb ofyn i neb wisgo i fyny. ‘Dwi hefyd yn caru gweld pobl yn gwneud dance offs, fel pan maen nhw’n gwahanu ac yn gwneud un ochr yn erbyn y llall. ‘Dio ddim yn digwydd yn aml ac mae o’n gyfeillgar ond yn hileriys. Hefyd, yr adeg lle wnaeth Esyllt chwarae Umbrella efo’r conffeti.

Esyllt: Ia, mae hwnna’n un o’n hoff atgofion i. Oedd confetti cannons wedi cael eu rhoi lan ar gyfer y gig o flaen ni a doedden nhw heb gael eu defnyddio. Mae ‘na rhan yn Umbrella ble mae ‘na key change ac felly nes i bwyso’r botwm confetti ac oedd hynna’n rili sbesial, gweld pawb yn mynd yn nyts.

Ian: ‘Dwi jyst yn lyfio pan mae’r goleuadau yn dod ymlaen am 4 o’r gloch ac mae pobl yn clapio. Mae pobl yn wirioneddol ddiolchgar. Mae’n rili neis dweud gweld chi wythnos nesa.

Esyllt: Ie, y peth mwyaf neis ydy’r sgyrsiau bach dani’n cael gyda phobl. Mae’r pethau bach cymdeithasol a’r gymuned yna’n rili neis, lot gwell na unrhyw beth mawr flashy.

Sut oedd y cyfnod clo i chi?

Esyllt: Pob nos Sadwrn oedden ni’n gwneud playlist a oedden ni’n cael lot o ymateb a phobl yn hala lluniau ohonyn nhw’n gwisgo crysau-t Dirty Pop, oedden ni’n dal i deimlo mewn cysylltiad â’r bobl a’r gymuned.

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Sut deimlad oedd cael ail-agor ym mis Awst a beth oeddech chi’n edrych ymlaen fwyaf ato?

Ian: O’n i methu aros, o’n i ddim am chwarae unrhyw beth o Fawrth 2020 ymlaen nes hanner nos. O’n i’n meddwl ‘let’s keep them waiting’! Wnaethom ni chwarae Dirty Pop bangers hyd at hanner nos.

Esyllt: O’n i’n edrych ymlaen at chwarae Stupid Love gan mod i ddim ond wedi ei chwarae o unwaith cyn cau.

Nes i fwynhau DJio efo’n gilydd hefyd oherwydd fel arfer ‘da ni’n gweithio ar wahân pob yn ail wythnos. ‘Dwi ddim yn mynd mewn gyda rhestr chwarae, ‘‘dwi’n dewis wrth fynd ac oni’n edrych ‘mlaen cael arbrofi eto.

Ian: Oedd na gymaint o fiwsig wedi ei ryddhau yn y cyfnod a oedd o’n neis gweld ymateb pobl.

Oes ‘na unrhyw gan neu artist sy’n diffinio Dirty Pop i chi?

Ian: ‘Dwi methu dewis un, mae tair cân yn dod syth i’r cof. ‘Dwi’n meddwl bod Bad Romance gan Lady Gaga, Million Dollar Bill gan Whitney Houston a Dancing On My Own gan Robyn diffinio’r sŵn, y profiad a’r llawenydd.

Esyllt: Hefyd Cut To The Feeling gan Carly Rae Jepsen! ‘Da ni’n chwarae caneuon ‘da ni’n hoffi oherwydd fel arall beth ydy’r pwynt? ‘Da ni eisiau sicrhau bod pawb yn mwynhau oherwydd er mai gweithio ydyn ni efallai bod o’n achlysur arbennig i rywun arall.

Beth sy’n eich cyffroi am ddyfodol Dirty Pop, unrhyw gynlluniau am newid?

Esyllt: Wnaethom ni ddim dechrau efo strategaeth, dim ond creu noson oedden ni’n rili mwynhau ac yn ffodus mae pobl eraill yn ei hoffi o hefyd.

Ian: Mae’r adeg yma o’r flwyddyn wastad yn gyffrous oherwydd dyma pryd mae myfyrwyr yn dod i Gaerdydd ac yn ffeindio Dirty Pop. Dyma’r cyfle i’w bachu nhw i mewn. Yn enwedig efo freshers blwyddyn yma gan eu bod nhw heb gael llawer o gyfle i fynd allan.

I gloi, pa dri gair buasech chi’n eu defnyddio i ddisgrifio Dirty Pop i rywun sydd erioed wedi bod?

Ian: Wel, llawen yn bendant. Mae llawenydd yn cyfleu lot o bethau o ran teimlad. ‘Dwi hefyd yn meddwl cofiadwy achos ti’n gorfod gwneud yn siŵr bod pawb sy’n dod yn cofio rhywbeth ac yn cofio’r profiad, hyd yn oed os ‘di nhw ddim yn cofio’r caneuon.

Esyllt: Beth am agored hefyd?

Ian: Ia, ‘dwi’n meddwl bod hwnna’n gweithio mewn sawl ffordd oherwydd y gynulleidfa sy’n dod, er ein bod ni’n ffiltro lot o ganeuon allan ‘dwi’n meddwl ein bod ni’n agored o ran be dan i’n chwarae hefyd. Felly, ia, llawen, agored a chofiadwy!

Interview by: Catrin Lewis Design by: Isabel Brewster

Cyfyngiadau Coronafeirws wedi codi o’r diwedd: Beth yw’r fomentau gorau?

Ar y 7fed o Awst 2021, ar ôl dros flwyddyn o addasu i fywyd newydd o fewn pandemig, cafodd bron pob cyfyngiad ei chodi yng Nghymru. Am dros flwyddyn yr oedd disgwyl i ni gadw i ffwrdd o’n teulu a ffrindiau, neu i weld nhw dim ond o fewn swigod. Roedd rheolau am bob agwedd o fywyd, rhai a wnaeth gadael ni yn drysu dros ysgol, prifysgol, ein bywyd cymdeithasol, ein hiechyd ac yn enwedig, y bobl o gwmpas ni. Yn edrych yn ôl i Fawrth 2020, a’r noson ofnadwy wnaeth y Deyrnas Unedig i gyd cael ei rhoi o dan gyfyngiadau bydd yn newid ein bywydau, mae’n anghredadwy i feddwl am y newid o’r amser yna i nawr.

Yn amlwg, efo’r newidiadau eithafol i fywyd pob dydd, roedd rhaid i ni fel cymdeithas addasu. Aeth y byd gwaith ac ysgolion yn hollol ar-lein, roedd cymdeithasu yn digwydd o bellter yn unig, roedd ein bywydau i gyd yn cylchdroi o fewn pedwar wal (ond am fynd mas am dro). Roedd y deinameg o fywyd pendant yn newydd ac yn rhyfedd. Ar ôl fisoedd o addasu i fywyd llawn cyfyngiadau, wnaeth nifer dysgu i fyw efo meddylfryd positif a gwneud y mwyaf o fywyd hollol newydd. Meddai Darya Williams, myfyrir pensaernïaeth yn ei trydedd flwyddyn ym Manceinion, “Fy hoff beth am lockdown oedd dysgu sut i fwynhau cwmni fy hun eto, ar ôl amser prysur yn byw gyda myfyrwyr eraill.” Yn bendant aeth bywyd yn llawer mwy tawel o dan y cyfyngiadau, ac yr oedd yn amser i ni fel unigolion dysgu sut i fwynhau cwmni ei’n hunain.

Wnaeth bywyd newid eto yn Awst 2021 i bawb yng Nghymru pan wnaeth y gweinidog cyntaf, Mark Drakeford cyhoeddi a bydd Cymru yn mynd i rybudd lefel 0. Yn fyr, roedd bywyd am edrych yn agos iawn i’r ‘normal’ roedden ni’n adnabod cyn cyfyngiadau. Roedd y wlad ar agor ac roedd y teimlad o rydded yn cael gafael ar bawb. Yn bersonol, y momentau gorau i mi ar ôl i’r cyfyngiadau codi oedd y gallu i weld teulu eto, heb boeni cymaint am bwy sydd yn gallu gweld pwy, ac yn gwybod yr wyf yn gallu cofleidio nhw heb reolau. Wrth siarad â mwy o bobl ifanc am y newidiadau yma. Maent yn amlwg mae’r codiad o gyfyngiadau wedi cael effaith bositif ar fywydau pobl, yn enwedig o ran yr hawl i weld y bobl rydych yn caru. Meddai Holly Lewis, BA i’r BBC “Rhai o fy hoff amseroedd ers y cyfnod cloi yw gallu gweld ffrindiau a theulu yn fwy aml a’r gallu i deithio unwaith eto.”

Foment arall i fi yn bersonol oedd gwireddu bydd bywyd o fewn y brifysgol yn nawr mas o’r tŷ. Mae’r llyfrgelloedd a’r undeb myfyrwyr ar agor felly mae’n teimlo’n llawer mwy fel y ‘bywyd myfyrwyr’ sydd yn cael ei foli cymaint.

Mae Morgan Dean, myfyrir troseddeg yn ei ail flwyddyn yn Abertawe yn gytûn efo hwn. Meddai, “Ers i gyfyngiadau cael eu codi, fy hoff eiliadau wedi bod yn mynd nôl i brifysgol mewn person oherwydd wnes i ddechrau fy mlwyddyn gyntaf blwyddyn ddiwethaf ble roedd rhywfaint o gyfyngiadau dal yn lle. Nawr, mae gen i’r cyfle i gwrdd â phobl newydd ar fy nghwrs dwi ddim wedi cwrdd ag o’r blaen. Wrth gwrs, mwy pwysig, mae gweld fy nghelu mewn person a’r cyfle i fynd i lefydd gyda nhw yn neis hefyd.”

Fel pobl, mae bywyd i ffwrdd o bobl eraill yn anodd, felly mae’n mor adfywiol i allu bod efo’r bobl danom ni’n ofal amdan o fewn gosodiad mwy normal. Yn meddwl am fy hoff fomentau ar ôl i’r cyfyngiadau cael i godi, a hoff fomentau pobl arall; mae’n amlwg nid yw bywyd yn yr un peth heb fod o gwmpas pobl, neud heb y rhyddid i fynd i’r llefydd danom ni eisiau mynd. Mae’r dyfodol yn edrych yn braf, dyma’r cyfle perffaith i fod yn ddiolchgar am fywyd, a’r bobl sydd yn rhan ohono fo.

Words by: Catrin Lewis a Angharad Roberts Design by: Isabel Brewster

Travel

Happiness is a Collective Rather Than an Individ What Makes a ‘’Happy Country’’?

We all know individuals can be happy or sad -- we all have good days and bad days, ups and downs, smiles and tears -- but have you ever considered the happiness of a country?

It is generally understood that simply having enough money to cover your needs and wants helps you live a relatively happy, comfortable life, however, there are many factors that affect our happiness. It is true that our mental well-being mirrors our environment. Put one on a beach with a cocktail in hand and I’m sure they’d feel some degree happier than when sat at their work desk with a coffee. Albeit finance or location (or cocktails) do impact our happiness, the people that surround us also have a significant influence. One person’s happiness holds the happiness holds the potential of triggering a chain reaction that benefits not only their friends’ mood, but their friends’ friends, and their family, and their colleagues, and so on.

Ultimately, happiness is a collective phenomenon that spreads through social networks like an emotional contagion, therefore, it is interesting to investigate how happiness levels differ between countries around the globe. The World Happiness Report is an annual publication by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network that ranks happiness levels in 149 countries. The report is based upon detailed Gallop polls in which respondents’ ratings of their own lives are correlated with various ‘quality of life’ factors.

The Top Ten: Nordic nations usually occupy the top spots due to their healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity, showing that it is not always money, power, and warm weather that produces happiness as many people assume.

In March 2021, Finland has ranked the happiest country worldwide for the fourth consecutive year. So, without glorious sunshine, immense power, or huge wealth, what makes citizens of certain countries happier than those of others? Finland has been praised by international bodies for its efficient democracy, which gives citizens freedom and autonomy. Finnish people don’t suspect that their government or businesses are corrupt and more than 80% of Finns rust their police force, showing that, trust lies at the foundationsof a happy country. Finland’s progressive taxation and wealth distribution have allowed for a flourishing universal healthcare system, and other progressive systems guide their workforce.

Words by: Eve Davies Design by: Rahima Bhatti

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dual Pursuit: So and other progressive systems guide their workforce.

Finland is one of the first countries to employ the flat working model, in which there is little to no hierarchy in the workplace. This structure promotes communication between all departments and increases employees’ involvement in decision-making, giving them a greater sense of worth and appreciation. Workers are often more willing to work when roles are flexible and restraints are low, therefore, Finland’s workplace productivity is high.

Additionally, Finland is committed to closing the gender pay gap. Hence, it is one of the only countries in the world where fathers spend more time with their children than mothers. The absence of stereotypical, dated gender roles contributes to the country’s overall happiness.

Ultimately, Finland’s national happiness rests on its nontraditional approach to long-lived problems. If happiness is generated by feeling fulfilled at work, having trust in government, and strong social, educational, and healthcare systems, then it is easy to see how Finland achieve their top spot. Other Northern European countries, including Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Norway, followed Finland in the world happiness index Denmark’s main driving forces towards happiness were its high GDP per capita and the generosity of its citizens and corporations. Switzerland scored high due to their long life expectancy, low levels of obesity, strong sense of community, and firm belief in it being a safe and clean country. Iceland’s greatest factors were its social support network and generosity. Generosity was also a high scorer for the Netherlands, along with their perceived lack of corruption. Norway ranks high due to its universal health care system and free college tuition. Norwegians maintain a healthy work-life balance, prioritising time for leisure and relaxation. They also have a strong national community with low crime rates.

In the 2021 World Happiness Report, New Zealand was, again, the only non-European nation in the top 10. Social support was one of New Zealand’s flourishing qualities. In early 2019, Jacinda Arden introduced a well-being budget, which funds projects to tackle climate change, digital transformation, social exclusion, poor health, housing and domestic violence. This has since enhanced the well-being and happiness of the nation.

Australia just missed a spot in the top ten, coming in 11th place. Although I am a believer that the famous Aussie sunshine and beaches can produce endless amounts of happiness, there are many other aspects that make it a happy country. Australians’ laidback culture and passionate belief in a ‘fair go’ for all promote equality and happiness down under. Their environmental values are also said to play a significant role as 91% of Australian’s say that they are happy with their water and air quality.

What about the UK? The UK has descended the world happiness index from 13th to 17th place. Granted it hasn’t been the most uplifting of years due to the pandemic, however, this fall leads me to question what our country could be doing differently.

There has been suspicion around the corrupt nature of our government during the pandemic, which, along with prolonged lockdowns, has undoubtedly had a detrimental impact on citizens’ happiness.

To improve levels of happiness across the country, I think that UK authorities need to implement more liberal methods of ruling, especially considering measures taken to ‘prevent’ Covid-19. They must further promote equality in the workplace, home life, and wider society, and hold tighter censorship over our media to prevent overly depressing (often fake) news stories. After all, how can we be expected to be happy when we are constantly bombarded by distressing media stories and statistics.

The country deemed the least happy was Afghanistan, followed by Lesotho, Botswana, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

If I could whittle it down to three factors that contribute towards a happy country, I’d award equality, progression, and generosity. I think it is appropriate to assume that balanced, forward-looking societies make for happier residents and the UK has some catching up to do in these areas.

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Quench Template 20/21

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Vidunto eost, ulparchitam ex exersperepel esed quam quam, qui omnis et evelendunt officiis reium volorem quis vendae suntemp oreperes dollanda ea que laccum quo ommoleceate ipsunt eos quatesed quam is aborro que posam que is et harum que sitest, culpari inctore odigent laut occupie ndandunt inulparum remquam, aditesc iusdantias et aut odicium verepudita nonsedi cipsundanda seque ea nonecto et ut volor molupisque laborro videlent ipsunt.

Editisi musaperem fuga. Us sitendis a num non corrorum venihilianto odi beati net landit dolo inihici pient, od esti omnis asime in rem hil modiam que qui volupta dipsanimolor resti niet optaes reror asinum audita que occumqu iantias pellam, od molestem et volor re veles in corende bitatiis et aut lacit autet es dolo moloria nis ni dolore et mi, ene et, ut aut fugiatectiae nonecus antenec ullias am evel et magnis es quatia quunt esequat.

Bearumqui alitat laut ad ut accaes erum harumquam, sanis dent aliquos dolorum, volum acestibus, imi, odita quae seque magniscid eum eiumque optate modiae ne dolupta doluptatiae nonse conectu sapient isitia ex esequam nos nonsendae et quae doluptas qui sitiur, tem audit lacessi ommodia quundi doluptatquis non rempore mporiberunt, ut venihit iasperum reperia si sinveli quasperum fugit min rempore hendent otatur?

Velique quunt fugiti as incium audam quas nam il eatqui non nonessimus erro minis dolent, od etum.

Ipsae doloreprecae ad quaepel moloriorent aliqui qui ium volumquis ideria sapersperis dolupta prae sequo et laut fugitibusdam fugitio. Daes dipsus moluptur aut eum facepeles endamus, santo que eruptur maion cullora

earupis citem. Nem dem reptibus.

Xim seque prem fugitem res doluptis debit ut rem quaeperepedi voluptum quam eatempo rruntus sa suntio comni ratum dolupta il eossecu sapedig natur, si conest, sollabore ni rem volorrum esequi nit, quis dolora cullendeles aut eost laut volum laboreratias nis destios rae. Cientur atquiaercid ut dolut endissus doluptatur? Vidunto eost, ulparchitam ex exersperepel esed quam quam, qui omnis et evelendunt officiis reium volorem quis vendae suntemp oreperes dollanda ea que laccum quo ommoleceate ipsunt eos quatesed quam is aborro que posam que is et harum que sitest, culpari inctore odigent laut occupie ndandunt inulparum remquam, aditesc iusdantias et aut odicium verepudita nonsedi cipsundanda seque ea nonecto et ut volor molupisque laborro videlent ipsunt.

Editisi musaperem fuga. Us sitendis a num non corrorum venihilianto odi beati net landit dolo inihici pient, od esti omnis asime in rem hil modiam que qui volupta dipsanimolor resti niet optaes reror asinum audita que occumqu iantias pellam, od molestem et volor re veles in corende bitatiis et aut lacit autet es dolo moloria nis ni dolore et mi, ene et, ut aut fugiatectiae nonecus antenec ullias am evel et magnis es quatia quunt esequat.

Ipsae doloreprecae ad quaepel moloriorent aliqui qui ium volumquis ideria sapersperis dolupta prae sequo et laut fugitibusdam fugitio. Daes dipsus moluptur aut eum facepeles endamus, santo que eruptur maion cullora earupis citem. Nem dem reptibus.

Xim seque prem fugitem res doluptis debit ut rem quaeperepedi voluptum quam eatempo rruntus sa suntio comni ratum dolupta il eossecu sapedig natur, si conest, sollabore ni rem volorrum esequi nit, quis dolora cullendeles aut eost laut volum laboreratias nis destios rae.

Cientur atquiaercid ut dolut endissus doluptatur? Vidunto eost, ulparchitam ex exersperepel esed quam quam, qui omnis et evelendunt officiis reium volorem quis

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From the 2nd-6th of November this year, the world observed Diwali: the festival of light celebrated annually by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Muslims and Newar Buddhists around the world. Whilst it isn’t recognised as a public holiday in the UK, celebrations were held in many major cities and attended by many, unsurprisingly given the range of ethnic groups that now influence our culture.

So what is Diwali, where does it come from, and what does it mean in the UK?

also celebrated by spring cleaning the home, which is seen to welcome positive energy and marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar calendar with a fresh start. Most people will also buy new clothes especially for the event, typically bright and colourful to reflect the nature of the festival, and will traditionally cleanse their skin before putting them on, in order to wash away all evil in their lives. Traditionally, sweet foods are eaten and exchanged as gifts as a symbol of happiness.

You may have noticed that Diwali is celebrated on different dates every year (last year the third day of Diwali - when most celebrations are held - was on November 14th). This is because Diwali is actually a feature of the Hindu lunar calendar, rather than the Gregorian one, where it falls on the 15th day of Kartik: the holiest month of the year. Whilst it’s mainly known as an Indian festival, it’s now very widely observed and is celebrated as a public holiday in places like Malaysia, Myanmar, and Nepal, among many others.

Known as the ‘’Festival of Light’’, it celebrates the triumph of good over evil and commemorates the return of Rama, the Hindu lord of virtue, and princess Sita, who came back to their kingdom having defeated the evil king Ravana.

Diwali has become more and more widely celebrated in the UK in the last few decades, and considering that around 2% of our population identified as Hindu in the 2018 census, it wouldn’t be surprising if in the future it became an even bigger feature in our calendars. The state of New York is currently in discussions about making it a school public holiday next year, which I for one think would be an excellent idea; after all, we can’t claim to be a multicultural society without catering to different cultures.

The popularity of the Trafalgar Square Diwali celebrations this year proves the festival’s significance within our society, complete with dance performances, stories, art, food, and even a cooking demo, all live-streamed online partly due to COVID restrictions.

Other religions may celebrate for different reasons: Sikhs call the celebration ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’ (the day of liberation) and dedicate it to Guru Hargobind, commemorating his release from prison in 1619. In Jainism, Diwali represents a veneration of Mahavira, an ascetic (meaning someone ‘characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons’) who is credited with reforming the religion and is known for reaching Nirvana after his death. For Buddhists, the event is known as Ashok Vijayadashami and is a commemoration of Emperor Ashoka, who spread Buddhism throughout India throughout his time as emperor from 268 to 232 BCE. Diwali celebrations are characterised by light: fireworks, candles and traditional diyas (oil lamps typically made from clay) are used to symbolise the villagers’ lights that led prince Rama and princess Sita back home. Diwali is

As you can see, Diwali is a beautiful celebration full of light, joy, and rich in historical and religious significance.

Its relevance across different religions and cultures is a testament to the universalism of its overall message of happiness and of virtue, and its ever-growing presence in the UK shows how lucky we are to have a multicultural society whereby we can learn from one another.

Words by: Layla Dockerty Design by: Rahima Bhatti

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

Photography by: Hannah Layton (@hannahlayton)

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Fashion

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Finding Self-Confidence Again: A Struggle with Hormonal Acne

Given the theme of this Quench issue, you may be wondering why I have chosen to talk about a topic that could be deemed fairly negative. The thing is, even though hormonal acne affects many young individuals like me and potentially those reading, it does not need to constantly have a negative light shone on it, nor does it need to be placed with other stereotypically taboo categories such as periods or sex (and they don’t need to be either). Learning to find joy and happiness in your own appearance, I would argue, is pretty vital to maintaining a healthy relationship with your own self-image. In this short piece, I am going to aim to reflect this positive message despite my own struggles I have had throughout my teen years.

Having struggled with hormonal acne since around the age of 14, I certainly don’t intend to downplay the effects this condition may have on an individual. For many of us, the pressure of social media and having to constantly look presentable online is a hard pill to swallow, this coupled with skin issues is almost guaranteed to have a negative impact on one’s self-image. In most instances, hormonal acne becomes most prevalent during the early teen years given the fluctuation of hormones normally due to reaching puberty. As a consequence, many young people feel as though their appearance is worse than others due to having a skin condition and are left fighting difficult mental health battles. For the most part, this experience is commonly had whilst growing up at school which can tend to worsen the impact, although this isn’t always the case.

Many of us also begin to suffer with hormonal acne when coming to university and this can really begin to have a negative impact on the way we see ourselves. Freshers is a time of going out and socialising, and this coupled with new societies to join and immersing yourself into a university lifestyle can be made extremely challenging whilst dealing with acne. For myself, I definitely struggled with these aspects. Coming to a new city is an overwhelming feeling just on its own, but having to deal with the anxious thoughts that can creep in before nights out certainly adds to this. The social aspect of making new relationships with people can also be extremely difficult when you aren’t fully comfortable with your appearance.

Coming to university can, however, be a great change in identity for many of us. Many see it as a new beginning or a chance to perhaps grow your independence and ‘become an adult’. Moreover, many of us see this as a chance to be more experimental with our style and to grow our self-confidence. This latter point is one I wish to emphasize in regard to my previous comments. Although I was lucky enough to have become fairly content with my own skin during my last few years of school, university certainly grew this further as I became less reliant on wearing makeup to leave the house. Don’t get me wrong, to the readers whose makeup is something you use as an art form and as a form of self-expression then there is no need to remove this, but, if you like me are relying on it for perhaps the wrong reasons then I would strongly encourage you to consider what makes you feel this way.

For many of us, social media can be a route cause, so actively searching out content that makes you feel happy and empowered is never a bad idea.

There is, predominantly due to social media, however, an overwhelming amount of beauty and skincare brands that promise to ‘banish’ and ‘clear’ skin. These brands tend to target young individuals in an attempt to lure in those of us who are struggling and encourage us to spend money on products that might not even work. Learning to live independently at university on a student budget is difficult and many of these products can be extremely expensive to purchase. These brands can also tend to push a narrative of the feeling of happiness having a direct correlation with acne-free skin. I would argue that this message can be extremely damaging and that it is up to the individual to make an informed decision about whether to try a medication or product, but that happiness can certainly be found with or without acne.

My time at Cardiff has certainly led to me becoming more confident with my own skin and with my own appearance.

I have certainly found that whilst I am still keen on getting to the bottom of my skin, my own mental and physical wellbeing is far more important, and I would encourage anyone who is reading and struggling to do the same.

Words By: Maggie Gannon Design By: Mia Wilson

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During the long and slow trudge that was lockdown, we all had to find ways to entertain ourselves. It seems the top choice for many of us was to buy clothes, ready for the day when we would eventually be able to go outside and see the world again. As always, TikTok facilitated a whole new array of fashion trends and cycles which seemed to burn out just as quickly as they started. Such a fast turnaround in fashion trends made it very difficult to know what to buy when looking towards that post-pandemic life. In reality, it doesn’t quite feel like the pandemic is over, but there is one thing that is certain, we as a society have become much more fashionable. It seems that because of all of these micro-trends, which are near impossible to keep up with, everybody has taken inspiration from everywhere; whether it be subversive basics or Avant-basics, alternative, poppunk, industrial, regencycore, or even ‘cloudwear’.

In terms of my own post-pandemic fashion choices, I have definitely started leaning towards more colour. Rather than following one of the many trends listed above, I took a good look into my wardrobe and realised that there wasn’t much colour. While those staple pieces such as a little black dress and blue jeans are essentials, it was starting to look a little drab. So rather than picking out a black puffer coat like I was previously inclined, I decided to go for a light brown, a subtle but more interesting addition of colour. As well as this, I started to pick out trousers that had pops of colour or pattern to add something a little more interesting into my outfits. Why wear blue jeans when you can wear purple jeans with Pokka dots? Overall, I think that adding this pop of colour into my everyday wardrobe has heightened my fashion.

Words by: Suraya Kazzuz

As gloomy isolation doubled as an opportunity for the growth of individuality, trends such as Avant-basics and marble print boomed towards the final months of lockdown. A rare opportunity for personal style to flourish allowed many to veer away from the ‘safe’ basics they had known, buying into the colourful and niche micro-trends taking social media by storm. Such trends were described as a growing fast fashion takeover, however, the extreme diversity of pieces offered buyers the chance to choose a few quirky finds to become staples of their newly crafted style. Perhaps bolder garments such as The House Of Sunny’s ‘Hockney dress’ were catalysts for exploration, showing us how vibrant we can become without the pressure of a vis-a-vis society.

Personal favourites of mine during the pandemic were Jaded London’s marble knit flares, which grew to be the foundation of my more Avant-basic loungewear looks.

During a time when a trip to the supermarket was our only outside exposure, I was going to capitalise on the loudest loungewear I could find. Another style ‘high point’ of mine was to simply overdress for the occasion. Borderline clubwear on my daily walk; anything camp and comically inappropriate - chosen to reflect what felt like the comical ridiculousness of the time. Seizing every opportunity to wear my louder pieces in inappropriate settings is a fashion breakthrough that’s stayed with me.

Learning to find fashion joy within the monotony has enabled many to continue dressing with flare.

Words by: Eliza Williams

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The pandemic has certainly taught us many things over the last year. One popular style in particular that the pandemic highlighted was pyjamas and loungewear. The deep connection with pyjamas will always take us back to that lazy Monday afternoon when we had nowhere to go, yet all we wanted to do was to dress up and go out.

During the pandemic, I reflected on my own wardrobe and I understood that I definitely had enough clothes to sustain me for at least a decade. Now that the lockdown restrictions have been eased, those pretty skirts and tank tops I was reminiscent of are ready to come out. I mostly missed wearing skirts and dresses to nightclubs or even to my lectures.

However, my obsession with checked prints and the colour yellow has left me with hardly any other colour in my wardrobe, but I have definitely reinvented my style during lockdown. I realised some of my clothes were plainly inspired by my peers, but having that time just to myself made me understand my love for traditional Indian clothes. I have started wearing a fusion of Indian and western to lectures, and especially wearing Kurti on a day out with friends instead of denim. It is beautiful how we keep reinventing ourselves and we can’t simply categorise ourselves into one single box of trends, we are a mix of all of them and none.

Words by: Muskan Arora Design by: Eszter Gurbicz The first lockdown in March 2020 led to a definite rise of escapism, and I certainly felt that through my own sense of style. Ultimately, fashion suddenly became about discovering an aesthetic, but also about selfexpression. Starting with ‘e-girl’ fashion and make-up and heading towards the rewind of 2000’s styles, the topic of controversial Y2K fashion was certainly a defining part of pandemic fashion. This coupled with the 70s revival meant that trends had become far greater than just about standing out and a lot more about nostalgia.

I was not really one for low-waisted jeans, but the bright patterns and flared trousers of the 70s revival became a huge staple in my wardrobe. While there are arguments against micro-trends such as the swirly bodycon dressed that took over TikTok for a while, including arguments that centre around the negative impact on the environment, it is important to note that thrifting has also become huge post-pandemic.

Fashion has become so much fun for me and being offered so many alternatives to over-consumption has removed the sense of guilt I may have previously felt. This has also made participating in current trends a creative process, as well as a way to find smaller boutiques and content creators.

Words by: Francesca Ionescu

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Makeup might bring us joy, but what is it doing to our planet?

Exploring the ‘blue beauty’ movement

Like most relationships, my relationship with makeup has been an evolving one. It started with hate (or at least I made it seem that way), as I fashioned myself a ‘tomboy’ who did not engage in such silly, girly pursuits. I grumbled when my mum dolled me up on special occasions; a sweep of blush on my cheeks and gloss on my lips, but deep down I loved how it made me feel, dainty and elegant. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there? Ugh! Internalised misogyny.

Eventually, my concealed (pun intended)

penchant became more apparent, as I started sneaking into my mum’s makeup drawer and experimenting with the teal and jet blue eyeliners she always used to wear. I figured if I emulated her style of makeup, I’d look just as pretty. And today, life has come full circle. Mum, the very reason I started playing around with makeup, now comes to me to be apprised with the latest beauty trends. Sunkissed blush, cat eyes, bold eyeshadow; we’ve tried it all together and in a sweet stroke of serendipity, our makeup styles continue to remain somewhat identical even after all these years.

Fashion While often thought of as a way to reinforce existing beauty standards by an industry that capitalises on its consumers’ insecurities, makeup stands for so much more than just beauty. It stands for confidence and reflection of one’s personality. For some, it acts as a shield, protecting their inner self and vulnerabilities from the world outside. Even though associated largely with the ‘external’, the effects of makeup extend well beyond the surface, acting on a subliminal level.

One can argue that it is this very subliminal impact of makeup and skincare that has, in recent years, increased the demand for clean, natural and organic products.

Whilst providing the wearer with a major confidence boost, makeup is often formulated with ingredients that, in the long run, do more harm than good. In such a scenario, many cosmetic brands found it lucrative to market their products using phrases such as ‘organic’, ‘clean’ and ‘sustainably sourced’.

Thus, began the organic beauty boom. Over the years, it bifurcated into several, more focalised subsections such as the green beauty movement and the CrueltyFree campaign which sought to amend specific ethical violations within the cosmetic industry. But the overarching principle is relatively similar for all: it’s not only about skin, it’s about life.

‘Blue Beauty’ is one such arm of the clean beauty movement that is motivated by (you guessed it) marine conservation. While it huddles under the same sustainability umbrella as green beauty, blue beauty takes its forerunner’s intention of producing cosmetics with skin and environment-safe ingredients a step further, adding a zero-waste policy to the mix.

The beauty industry is a major contributor to the large amount of plastic that’s choking our oceans. Around 120 billion units of cosmetic packaging is produced each year, including jars, bottles, tubes and even single use sachets, most of which is not recyclable. In addition, even seemingly innocuous cardboard packaging contains some form of plastic in the form of adhesives and laminations. And it doesn’t end here. The sinister cycle continues, since product formulations themselves contain small amounts of plastic that run down our drains. Waste treatment plants are often unable to break down all of these ingredients, which is how they end up in the ocean.

Not only are these harmful when ingested by marine organisms, but also because they eventually travel up the food chain and make their way into our bodies.

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such as Āether Beauty taking steps towards a ‘blue’ future.

Cynics, however, would say that this is too good to be true. And you know what? When the stakes are as high as a climate crisis, it’s better to be skeptical.

As consumers become more concerned about issues such as natural resource depletion and environmental degradation, the ethical performance of products and processes have become a key factor influencing their purchasing decisions. Such a landscape has pervaded what is known as ‘greenwashing’, which is a process by which brands convey a false impression or provide misleading information about the sustainability of their products. The severity of greenwashing is further highlighted when we realise that the beauty industry is highly unregulated. Words like ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ hold very little meaning here. A product can contain about 30% synthetic ingredients and a meagre 1% organic substances and still be marketed as ‘organic’. Yikes!

So what should we do to be conscious and sustainable buyers? First off, DO YOUR RESEARCH. As far as possible. Look out for the ingredient list of the product you plan to purchase and check for any synthetic or nonbiodegradable substances. In fact, the Beauty Heroes website provides an extremely valuable list of ingredients that one must steer clear from, contrasting them against ingredients that are actually clean and healthy. Do consider checking that out:https://www.beauty-heroes. com/pocket-guide/ . Additionally, you can also keep a lookout for the Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance logos, that are a clear indication of sustainably sourced ingredients in the product.

Make mindful purchases. Consider buying your products from brands that are making noteworthy contributions towards a sustainable future such as Lush, which has completely foregone any kind of packaging on their products and even sells makeup refills, thus encouraging consumers to reuse the plastic containers. And lastly, exercise some self-control and stop impulse buying.

Yes, that sparkly eyeshadow palette does look stunning (even more so if it’s on sale), but you already have one at home. Let’s use that one first, shall we?

Blue Beauty strives to change just that. Coined by Jeannie Jarnot, founder of Beauty Heroes, a curated online beauty discovery service, the term encompasses safe, sustainably sourced, and ocean-safe ingredients in collaboration with reused, recyclable, or refillable packaging. In recent times, we have seen several companies such as Lush, The Body Shop and even some emerging indie brands

Words by: Ananya Ranjit Design by: Annabelle Ingram Illustration by: Annabelle Ingram

Illustration by: Shafia Motaleb (@artsyfifi)

Illustration by: Shafia Motaleb (@artsyfifi)

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Joy and Jealousy: How to Celebrate your Partner’s Success

Even though the concept of you and your partner being teammates is preferred, it is sometimes easy to start perceiving each other as competition, as most humans have a natural tendency to compete with one another. See, we may feel jealousy with our friends, peers and family, but jealousy regarding a romantic partner does hit closer to home. As a partner, we want to celebrate our significant others’ successes and be a key member of their support network. However, it is quite the task to encourage someone while also envying their advancements in life. It is important to remember that you and your partner, despite being together, have had completely different life experiences. Therefore, each other’s successes, and each other’s perception of what success truly is, is entirely different. Remember, whilst jealousy is natural in a relationship; joy is way more beneficial. For the sake of this piece, two Cardiff students decided to share their experiences with those complicated emotions.

Words by: Inga Marsden

I have been witness to my partner achieving so many amazing things, both academically and personally, and I too often have felt a sudden twinge of jealousy. It is completely normal to feel this way. Everyone has dreams and aspirations that they want to fulfil, and when you are surrounded by successes it is easy to fall into a pit of self-criticism and sadness that you are not the one achieving them. In these situations, I feel it is necessary to find a balance between allowing yourself to feel these emotions, whilst still actively being proud of your partner for their achievements and making them feel valued. It can be difficult to celebrate your partner when unwanted jealousy dominates, so it is important to communicate your feelings to your partner in a way that addresses your emotions but doesn’t devalue their achievement.

Personally, I find it extremely helpful to remind myself that everyone is moving through life at their own pace, and just because I have not achieved something now doesn’t mean I never will. It is also worthwhile to consider that your partner may have been working towards their achievement for a long time, and your pride in them for finally reaching their goal may almost be as fulfilling as reaching the goal itself. Celebrations do not have to be extortionate or materialistic - kind words go a long way and it is important to let your partner know that you support them, and are extremely proud of them too.

Words by: Laura Mae

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“...the jealousy does not actually have much to do with your partners achievements, but more to do with the fact that you, personally, feel like you aren’t achieving enough.”

In terms of how to overcome this jealousy, it is important to note that the jealousy does not actually have much to do with your partners achievements, but more to do with the fact that you, personally, feel like you aren’t achieving enough. We cannot control the situation, but we can control the way we react to it. I am sure we would all rather react in a loving and supportive fashion, rather than glowing green with envy at our partner’s successes.

The insightful book ‘Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle talks about the fragile nature of the ego, which contributes to emotions such as jealousy. Once we truly tune into ourselves, feel confident and on the way to fulfilment with our own life path, we can simply celebrate the journey of others around us, especially our loved ones.

The ego stems from insecurity and is in tune with your pain rather than contentment. Thus, the less content you are within yourself, the less joy the relationship will entail.

Whilst this may sound rather philosophical, the realisation that self-love and fulfilment can entirely change your outlook on situations has helped me overcome multiple forms of jealousy - whether be it one related to their social stance, sporting endeavours, academic achievements, or sometimes simply if the sun is shining a little more in their neck of the woods. Since reading this book, I have been alerted to the harsh reality that, in most cases, you will never be criticised by someone doing more than you.

It sounds broad and vague to simply advise someone to look within, but trust me, it helps! You are unique - and so are they. So, if you feel jealousy coming along, just breathe, don’t react, push it aside while celebrating for your partner. They deserve to be celebrated. Don’t be ashamed for feeling that way, as it is a natural egoic response to the threat of being outdone. Simply try to work towards being the person you want to become.

Realise you are on your own path, try to be grateful for that journey and the people there with you. I would also advise you to do more of what fills up your cup – whether that be socialising, painting, exercising or simply walking your dog. And trust me - once you start slightly altering your responses, you will feel a sense of pride that, for that moment where you felt threatened, you were able to celebrate someone else, free from putting down yourself in the process. Where there is an abundance of joy there is a lack of jealousy.

Words by: Inga Marsden Design by: Isabel Brewster

Spotlight

‘One half of an Orange’ - a phrase that I remember hearing in my high school years quite a lot. Almost every teenager around me had a vision for an ideal partner that would be their ‘other half’. I simply did not have a partner as I felt I wasn’t ready to begin dating yet. It suddenly became isolating and increasingly ‘uncool’ to not have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. This made me look for my first relationship and enter into an unwanted one. I would have never wanted it in the first place - had it not been for the pressure of my peers.

There is a series of factors that pressurise young people into unwanted relationships. We grow up believing it is everyone’s basic need to be with another person and it is necessary to be sexually involved with a partner to have life experiences.

As I began to realize that I was not yet prepared to make an emotional investment into a relationship, I decided to own my sexual pleasure journey.

Living in a society where masturbation is heavily stigmatized and sexual pleasure isn’t talked about in a healthy and positive manner, I had to navigate my journey from shame to sexual pleasure on my own.

Exploring my vulva, which I had quite early in my childhood discovered to touch, was a nervous and mysterious task for me. As I continued exploring my body, I realized that there is no one set self-pleasure ritual that made everyone happy, so it wasn’t a case of one size fits all. It took me a while to figure out what worked the best for me and how could I maximize my pleasure. For me personally, lighting played a significant role in setting the mood. I connect to my sexuality better when the lights are dim. Since I am very visual as well, I can’t stimulate erotic emotions without using porn or reading erotica. For some other people using things like succulent oils, scented candles, wine, or simply running a shower sets the

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best mood. In short, solo sex is a great opportunity to explore our bodies, identify what makes us tick, and enjoy the health benefits - as masturbation acts as a stress reliever, promotes better sleep, and helps to relieve pain.

However, masturbation alone is not enough for everyone to satisfy their sexual needs and hence people often turn to find partners. As dating sites have become more of a pool for casual sex rather than good old-fashioned dates, many singles resort to apps such as Tinder. But for many people, the urge to find a romantic partner intensifies after a period of being single. As much as I have found peace and contentment in being single, the idea of a ‘real’ relationship has led me to dating apps like Bumble and Hinge too. But every time I realize that I like the ‘idea’ of being in a romantic relationship better than actually being in one and making an emotional investment in a partner.

We have all been fed this concept of a ‘soulmate’ that requires people to find their ‘other half’, implying that they are never enough on their own. Even when we aren’t ready, we actively seek our other halves to make us fully functional human beings. This concept is faulty. You are never a half. Whether or not with a partner, you are always a complete individual, more than capable of your own pleasure. Having a partner could be a wonderful experience but at the end of the day, nobody else ‘completes’ you. You are not ‘one half of the orange’, you are a complete being.

Words by: Shivika Singh Design by: Rahima Bhatti

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Exploring Empathy in Life is Strange: True Colours Warning: This article contains spoilers.

Life is Strange: True Colors is set in a place called Haven Springs, where many tragedies and deaths have happened. And just like in every Life Is Strange game, the main character possess supernatural powers - such as telekinesis and turning back time in previous parts.

In True Colors, the latest in the series, empathy and understanding feelings are the main character’s abilities.

Alex is what one would call an extreme empath, which means she can feel what others are feeling.

The player can unite the people of Haven Springs, who are all affected by a mining corporation that is causing deaths and accidents in their community. This aspect of the game is similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the sense that many people are dealing with the same problem, and it has affected their mental health. True Colors reminds us that although everyone has their own worries and joys, we are all experiencing the pandemic in a similar way and can empathize with each other.

Whilst many people in Haven Springs may look and sound fine, Alex reveals to us that they - in fact - are not. When Alex is close to one of the characters - Steph - who has recently experienced death, a blue aura appears - the colour representing intense sadness. The surrounding area also changes under the influence of characters’ feelings with grey haziness and glare showing how they feel.

Alex can also gather information from inanimate objects as they give off a colourful aura. When players interact with them, Alex gets flashbacks with memories of other characters. For example, when interacting with the foosball table, the player learns that Steph lost her best friend. Then, Alex can use this information to empathize with Steph and help cheer her up. By connecting with more and more NPCs, we learn that people cope with sadness surrounding them in different ways and that we should put ourselves in their shoes, listen and try to understand their situation.

Furthermore, the player is able to empathize with characters Alex barely knows. A student in the tavern looks fine, but thanks to their aura, Alex senses that they are stressed. The player can then play a song on the jukebox to cheer them up. This is a great aspect of the game, as it mirrors how some people feel every day whether we know them or not. True Colors reminds us that genuine kindness can really improve someone’s mental health.

Another aspect of Alex’s empathy is that it allows her to recognise when someone is hiding their feelings. For example, when she interacts with Mac, she knows that he’s scared because of a fight from earlier on. Alex can confront Mac about it publicly or not do anything. This is a situation where the player must make a choice on whether to call someone out on their secrets. These decisions are also an important part of True Colors because they can completely change the course of the game, how characters feel and how Alex interacts with them. This teaches us that we should think carefully about what to do with the information we have been given. If it will escalate a problem or cause hurt (such as Mac’s fight), then it’s best if we keep it to ourselves.

However, if it puts the person in harm’s way, we should get them some help. It also reminds us that encouraging people to be true to themselves is more important than fitting in.

Overall, Life Is Strange: True Colors reminds us to be empathetic and sympathetic to other people and our communities. It shows us the importance of checking up on our friends and loved ones, and that it’s better to be open about our emotions rather than bottling them up.

Most of all, we see the power of empathy in action, along with the changes it can bring.

Words by: Haris Hussnain Design by: Isabel Brewster

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The Joys of Gaming: The Positive Link Between Video Games and Mental Wellbeing With the lockdown last year, the UK has seen a rise in the number of gamers, from 33 million in 2019 to 36 million in 2020. This might be a worrying trend for some as the narrative surrounding gaming and health has not been the best. We often hear from our parents or people around us that playing video games too much might lead to a variety of negative consequences. Take Anders Breivik, Norway’s mass murderer as an example: he ‘trained’ for his attacks using the game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

It cannot be denied that there is some truth to this narrative. Gaming in excess has been shown to lead to many side effects such as vision problems, obesity, anxiety, depression, etc. However, less than 1% of Britons are addicted to gaming in 2020. This means that most of us tend to play video games in moderation, thus keeping most of the harms from gaming at bay. In fact, there is plenty of evidence that gaming in moderation has a positive effect on our mental well-being through social interaction and mental stimulation.

Studies have shown that ocial interactions contribute a large part of our mental health and, according to researchers in the field (eg. Ishii, 2010), online relationships are easier to form and sustain than physical ones. Furthermore, online support has been proven to offer the same benefits as offline support, such as improving emotional and social wellbeing. It is so as gamers can communicate at their own convenience without worrying about physical factors such as geographical location or clashing schedules. Moreover, someone might feel anxious about meeting new people and hence, would be more comfortable and even confident when communicating online. Notwithstanding, cooperative games such as Overcooked! and Heave Ho also promote social interaction with the people we are playing with.

More importantly, multiplayer/online games provide individuals struggling with unique circumstances and who are unable to find anyone who relates to them offline, with a platform to connect with people who might understand their situation. Additionally, being anonymous adds a sense of security and empowerment allowing them to be vulnerable with their feelings, which is something they might not be able to do offline.

Being mentally stimulated promotes good brain health which then allows us to handle stressful situations by using our cognitive, emotional, psychological and behavioural functions optimally. A long-term study conducted in 2013 found that students who played strategic video games such as role-playing, tend to improve in problem-solving and have better school grades the following year. As playing complex video games requires us to strategize and analyse quickly - it promotes higher-level thinking which then develops our brain.

Likewise, it is not unusual to see video games being used in mental health recovery. Video games were found to allow patients to become free of their daily pressures.

For example, the game Plants vs Zombies was said to improve clinical depression in patients. After all, it serves as a good distraction - thus, elevating moods and reducing rumination. Consequently, patients are more expressive, allowing mental health professionals to get to the root of their disorder. As such, it can be prescribed by professionals as an alternate or complementary intervention.

To talk about this further, an interesting piece of research claimed that Tetris could even help people with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by alleviating involuntary recurring traumatic experiences. It turned out that playing Tetris and the flashbacks of traumatic experiences activate similar areas in the brain. As both require the same limited resources, interference occurs.

As such, when patients experience a flashback while playing Tetris, interference causes the memory trace to weaken, thus resulting in fewer flashbacks.

All in all, there are many more benefits to gaming than just mental well-being. Of course, anything in excess will lead to negative consequences but gaming itself is not bad. It is a shame that there is still a stigma surrounding gaming, especially within the older generation. However, as more people are starting to game, hopefully, we will be more educated about its benefits and can then destigmatise the issue surrounding video games and health.

Words by: Megan Ching Design by: Isabel Brewster