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Ohana Magazine
WELCOME
The team behind Ohana is made up of a community of creatives who are aiming to push culture forward in order to make a real impact. Ohana’s mission is to inform, form debates, shift discussions and raise awareness about important and relevant topics and issues. The magazine is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, which will be reflected in editorials, opinion articles, essays, news, politics, and lifestyle content. With fashion becoming an evermore important entity from which social, cultural, and political statements are made, Ohana aims to engage with readers through the lens of fashion and art. In addition, Ohana will raise awareness of the nine hidden characteristics and ensure that others are mindful of how they may be discriminating against one another. With this in mind, the logo was designed to embody all that Ohana stands for. The logo is simple and clear. The larger circle represents the Ohana family as a whole, and the smaller circle represents you as an individual within the Ohana family.
FOUNDER Emily Orr Fashion Business and Promotion Ohana was founded by Emily Orr in 2021. Ohana is a Hawaiian term which refers to a person’s extended family. So, as Emily wanted readers to feel like they were part of a bigger family where everyone is embraced and accepted, the name Ohana was a natural fit.
Ohana Magazine
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Meet The Team
Victoria Holland
Ayesha Naveed
Katie Jones
Zobiya Shukeel
Yoana Petrova
Charlotte Chambers
Fashion Business and Promotion Writer
English Language and Literature Writer
Morgan Blythe Fashion Promotion Writer
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English Writer
Art and Design Designer
Megan Brooks
Fashion Branding and Communication Writer and Designer Ohana Magazine
Illustration Illustrator
Fashion Promotion Writer
Lucy Lee
Graphic Communication Designer
Jessica Sohal
Cherie Kwok
Elliot Wilson
Nakul Patel
English Language and Literature Writer
English Literature Writer
Diana Padovac
Illustration Illustrator
Illustration Illustrator
Art and Design Designer
Carina Coelho
Fashion Branding and Communication Writer and Designer
Follow us @ohana.magazine Jessica McEwan
Fashion Business and Promotion Writer and Social Media Exec Ohana Magazine
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CONTENTS hana Issue #001
AWARENESS 08 The Ascent of Sustainable Fashion 10 40 Shades of Beige 12 Contraception The 9 Protected Characteristics: It is against the law under the Equality Act 2010 to discriminate against someone because of their: • • • • • • • • •
Age Disability Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation
Ohana will aim to raise awareness of these characteristics.
14 Put Yourself In Someone Else’s Joggers 16 The Future of Digital Fashion 18 Royal Rumble 20 Celebrating Autism Week 2021 22 The Media’s Good and Evil Portrayal of Disability and Disfigurement
24 On Tokenism 26 The Glass Ceiling 27 “Green is the New Pink” 28 DermatilloMania 32 It’s a Sin
For editorial enquiries, email: ohanamagazine21@gmail.com Keep up-to-date on our Instagram: @ohanamagazine Connect with us over on LinkedIn: Ohana 6
Ohana Magazine
EMPOWERMENT
LOCKDOWN
34 Naked Flame
54 Mind and Body Benefits of Yoga
36 @Gashtrays Interview
56 The Magic of Crystals
40 Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby!
58 I’m COVID Positive...But not in that way...
44 Love The Body You Are In
60 “U would’ve gotten it by now”
46 Book Review
62 Capturing Creativity
48 Don’t Use Social Media to Impress; Use it to
64 Instant Gratification
Impact People
50 Should I Have It All Figured Out? 52 Dear 20 Year Old Me...
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The Ascent of Sustainable Fashion By Zobiya Shukeel
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ast fashion is a term you have no doubt heard of. Our fashion- forward society has always given precedence to aesthetics and keeping trendy, and that seems to embody the very definition of fast fashion- clothing that is rapidly created from catwalk trends into affordable pieces by mainstream retailers for consumers at lightning speed. Whilst this seems like the perfect option on paper, the detrimental reality of fast fashion has led to much environmental harm. Fashion consciousness is the newest trend and it’s here to stay. This change is on account of consumers, especially Millennials and Gen-z who are becoming more socially and environmentally conscious. A little on fast fashion, it came towards the end of the 20th century and seemed to become well- loved due to the vast, rapid production of trendy garments. Brands like H&M, Zara and Primark are many of the faces leading the world of fast fashion. Although this was a revolutionary change within the fashion industry that made fashion accessible to many people, to keep making vast amounts of clothes whilst being able to profit, it led to companies offshoring in order to benefit from the poorest countries being exploited at the cost of low priced clothes. This has led to many ongoing ethical implications from sweatshops to low wages and non-existent hygiene standards. Although at what cost have we been able to indulge in the luxury of having fashion trends at our beck and call. Let’s take a t-shirt, a classic wardrobe piece bound to be found in every wardrobe. The production of cotton is one of agriculture’s most polluting crops that require hazardous pesticides in order to be used. Moreover, the colouring agents used in the dye can poison the earth after sitting on landfills waiting to decompose which can take over 200 years. Furthermore, the dye’s colouring agents can poison the environment after sitting on landfills for over 200 years to decompose. Then there’s the washing of any clothing, which releases 500, 000 tons of microfibres to
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the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. It is safe to say one of the most notable victims of fast fashion is mother earth. However, some brands are changing, like Levi’s’ and H&M, which have collections made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton. By recognising that change is due, retailers are captivating the young and environmentally conscious buyers. As stated by Jonathan Reynolds, professor of business at the University of Oxford, the decline of fast fashion is “a matter of when, rather than whether”. In comes sustainable fashion. The sweet, sweet success of change. In the minds of any conscientious clothing buyer, the term instantly conjures up a halo. Sustainable fashion is the phenomena towards greater ecological integrity and social justice that looks to address the whole system of fashion. From second hand clothing, up-cycling to thrift flips, this major change has led to the fashion industry trying to keep up with this latest trend. Social media has played a big role in changing attitudes towards sustainability, for the better. Believe it or not, there was a time when shopping consciously, in second hand stores, clothing was not the least bit trendy and was seen as a home of discarded and old unwanted, worn out pieces. The boom of second-hand clothing has been tremendous, especially in 2020 during the pandemic. #sustainablefashion has over 828 million views on Tik Tok. That fact summarises the growing power that social media has over society and the prospects of a greater, greener future. There’s no need to detest fast fashion, the aim of this article is to promote being fashion conscious. By paying attention to the clothing we buy, we are not only changing the future of fashion, but also the future of sustainable living, and thus the future of the world. Fast fashion, like all trends, must come to an end and become a thing of the past.
Ohana Awareness Magazine
Ohana Magazine
40 Shades of Beige By Ayesha Naveed
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he makeup industry has changed since the days of countless shades of beige. In 2017, Rihanna shocked the beauty industry as she released a massive 40 different foundation shades in her first Fenty Beauty makeup line release, later expanding to 50. At the time, there were other brands who had released 40 shades, however they had slowly built towards this figure. No one had ever released 40 shades in their first launch. In just over its first month of release, Rihanna’s range racked up a whopping $100m. 40 shades became the new standard... No more 20 shades of beige! This, for me, was the moment when true inclusivity began. All of a sudden anything less than 40 shades was not enough. Every brand was held to the standard that Fenty had set. 40 was the minimum. No more adding shades later to reach 40- it had to start there. Anything less implied no interest in inclusivity. This innovative move by Rihanna separated her makeup line from being solely viewed as a ‘celebrity brand’ to what has now become an established and successful brand in its own right. The ‘Fentyeffect’, coined in Vogue, is still in full force, setting the standards for other brands to follow suit. Everyone is trying to out-do one another, 45, 50 shades at a time! It’s shocking that it took a celebrity to lay the foundations for the beauty industry to become ‘inclusive’. American journalist and makeup expert Linda Wells wrote in an article for Women’s Wear Daily that “Now, 40 foundations has almost become the industry standard, but it’s really broadening that conversation and proposition out to other products as well”.
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There has been an ongoing debate surrounding the authenticity of some brands when they release ‘inclusive’ and wide-shade ranges. Inclusivity is being questioned often at the minute, especially following the recent events in the Black Lives Matter movement, as many brands have become ‘allies’ of the movement. However, as soon as media attention steered away, so did they. One perspective taken is that these businesses are fundamentally BUSINESS: their purpose is to make money and follow whatever will make them the most cash. But there are brands who claim to be inclusive (Benefit Cosmetics is just one example) who do not portray this in the products they launch. For many years the ‘Holy Grail’ Hoola bronzer had only one shade. Now in order to be inclusive Hoola has added 3 shades to the range. Social media has had a huge influence on this issue. In 2018 Beauty Blender released shade ranges for its new foundation, leaving people frustrated. Even though having 32 shades sounded great, the range was not filled with a diverse spread of shades. Instead, the range was mainly composed of beige and white shades, with no more than 7 shades that matched tanned/darker skin. There was huge backlash for this, and rightly so. Former makeup consultant turned YouTuber Alissa Ashley used her platform to address this, explaining that “It’s evident that 40 shades is definitely the new standard for foundations, but when we say we want 40 shades, that doesn’t mean 20 shades of beige, 17 medium, and 3 dark. Give us a range. A balanced one at least!”
Ohana Awareness Magazine
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Ohana Magazine
Contraception During COVID
By Jessica Sohal
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n the current climate, it may have been trickier than usual to get hold of your contraception.
Marie Stopes International Reproductive Choices research showed that more than a third of women did not know how to access contraception during the Coronavirus pandemic. A survey of 1,000 UK women, conducted by Ipsos MORI, on behalf of the leading sexual and reproductive health charity revealed almost a quarter of UK women have needed to access contraception during COVID-19, but many have been left in the dark about how and where to go. • • •
Less than half (46%) thought they could access contraception through their GP* Less than half (48%) thought they could access contraception through a pharmacy* More than a third (35%) of the women who tried to access a contraceptive service, thought that the service had got worse*
If you need some guidance… Dr Amy Kerstein, an NHS GP, has created a series of podcasts aimed at young girls and women to help navigate the best options. She discusses that women’s need for contraception does not stop during an emergency, but due to the pandemic, women and girls have been neglected. Many have been left confused about where they can access a contraceptive service during COVID-19, unable to use the method of their choice or worryingly, unable to access a service at all. Many usual contraception options are harder to get hold of at the moment, and as always women’s health is important! If you’re struggling to make sense of the medical world right now or are trying to seek some advice, Dr Amy Kerstein podcast – Doctor Amy discusses all the safe alternatives out there!
*All the statistics for this article have been taken from Marie Stopes International Reproductive Choices. A group of 1,000 women aged 16-50 in the UK were interviewed by Marie Stopes on behalf of Ipsos MORI. Data has been weighted in terms of gender, area, working status and income to the established offline population proportions for age.
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Put Yourself In Someone Else’s Joggers By Victoria Holland
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he social exclusion of the disabled community remains a topic which very few are willing to address. Yet as mental wellbeing has become an increasingly popular topic within the media, especially in relation to Covid-19 and how feeling ‘under house arrest’ has impacted individual’s mental health, this poses the thought of whether living with lockdown, is a reflection of the lifestyle of someone living with a disability. Various theories have been identified in an attempt to justify this continuous lack of social inclusivity towards impaired individuals. Initially, the moral model historically dates back the furthest, and thankfully is the least prevalent today within western society. The model associates disability and disfigurement with sin and shame in relation to religion, which sadly led families to banish their loved ones from communal interaction in an attempt to mask their own humiliation. This ultimately indicates where this societal misconception, that people with disabilities are different and abnormal, was sparked. A view point that is disappointingly still a common thought process within society today, and therefore those living with impairments are extensively made to feel that they do not belong within an able-bodied society. Following this, in sync with the growth of modern medicine, the medical model argued that physical social exclusion of differently abled individual’s is due to their inability to overcome their disability and supposedly enforcing their own isolation. This suggests that mental illness and depression within the disabled community is self-inflicted and at no fault of social accessibility. More recently, the social model and human rights model have increasingly recognised the social barriers restricting the inclusion of the disabled community. This includes physical accessibility, segregation within education and workforces, and falsely informed assumptions.
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These preconceived thought processes have led to a broad investigation of how clothing influences society’s perspective on the disabled community as a result of the unexplored adaptive fashion sector. Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams, explores this concept in relation to the ‘disability uniform’ and how this impacts individual’s self-expression, mental well-being, and societies reluctance to communicate and accept those who deter from social norms. When interviewing Dan Metcalfe, who became paralysed as a result of a motorbike accident six years ago, Dan admitted to purchasing jogging bottoms in 3XL just to allow for the waistband to stretch wide enough for him to negotiate his limbs into independently. In her Ted Talk “how adaptive clothing empowers people with disabilities,” Mindy Scheier presents the issue of jogging bottoms and loungewear based clothing being the only available mass market garments which allows for independent dressing. And as a result, how it becomes a uniform for people with disabilities to be seen only in society wearing jogging bottoms, thus creating a stigma of laziness and lack of self-pride. Scheier talks of her son, Oliver, who was born with Muscular Dystrophies (MD) and therefore due to weakening limbs, is only able to wear joggers to school as he lacks the ability to manage zippers and buttons at school independently. She also mentioned how this confinement to joggers would always make him feel different from his friends and that Oliver’s daily mental well-being would be particularly affected. Just as wearing a suit empowers and a little black dress makes you feel beautiful. As we all know, individualistic expression is a way for us to increase our self-esteem and confidence. So the fact that people with disabilities are confined to wearing joggers for the rest of their lives is an automatic sign that this community has been excluded. Not only is this community excluded from feeling self-confidence, but they’re
Ohana Awareness Magazine
also often excluded from social interaction too. Think about it. You’re planning a largescale event with a formal dress code. Will you still invite people who constantly dress as though they ‘can’t be bothered’? Now reverse the roles and think about how you would feel not being invited to that event, just because something out of your control confines you to joggers. You’d experience ‘FOMO’ right? In our daily lives we all experience this on some level especially due to social media, where we often see other people’s lives through a perfect filter and compare them to that of our own, but at what level of ‘FOMO’ does our mental well-being start to be impacted? If you ask me, I’d guess it would be when
you were excluded from an event due to something out of your control. Another example of such exclusion is how many of us have found a simple joy in lockdown by getting dressed up as a way to make us feel better. Now, imagine how you would feel if dressing up wasn’t an option because the only items in your wardrobe were joggers? As humans, it’s natural for us to make initial judgments on others based on their physical appearance, primarily h ow they’re dressed, so how can we challenge this moving forward?
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The future of digital fashion by Carina Coelho
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Ohana Magazine
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he COVID-19 pandemic, one year on in the UK, has had huge lasting effects on everyone’s lives. Many lockdowns later, we have all had to adapt to a new normal. Many retail brands have fallen victim to the virus, but some are thriving digitally with high consumer demand. The fashion industry has been hit hard and turned on its head, with London Fashion Week 2021 held entirely online in February with audience-free shows. However, this allowed us to watch A/W21 on the frow – at home. Genders were merged together into one week, giving designers full control of the collections they showed using innovative technology and experimental creativity. While physical shows are invite only, this year’s LFW has meant that once again the digitized format is accessible for everyone at no cost. British Fashion Council Chief Executive Caroline Rush said that; “Moving LFWM into LFW in February will continue to de-gender LFW, allow designers greater flexibility to consider what collection they show when, and minimise travel requirements, taking us one step closer to a more sustainable future.” This asks the question; is the future of Fashion Week in a post-pandemic world going to be digitized to diminish the effects of traditional fashion week’s waste, emissions and impact on the planet? Let’s face it – during fashion weeks gone by, influencers, buyers, editors and fashion fans were being flown in from city to city which, again, is very unsustainable. According to the UK’s department for business in 2020, ‘A single passenger travelling on a domestic flight in Britain can lead to climate impacts equivalent to 254g of Co2 for every kilometre they travel’, which shows aviation contributes to a large amount of emissions during fashion weeks. For some time now, fashion has been on the verge of mass change, with the pandemic forcing the industry to adapt and overcome restrictions. Shows and entire seasons were cancelled last year, with an open letter written by Dries Van Noten in May 2020, calling for a change in the fashion calendar and how collections are presented and consumed. Several big labels such as Gucci and Saint Laurent announced similar concerns, detailing how it is time to reflect and slow down the calendar. Saint Laurent said in a statement last year “Conscious of the current circumstance and its waves of radical change, Saint Laurent has decided to take control of its pace and reshape its schedule.” Brands are taking charge of their own collections – which is a step forward, however there hasn’t been an industrywide revolution to the traditional calendar. With the move to a digital fashion week, we have seen how brands creativity has flourished in times of adversity.
Moschino for Spring 2021 came up with a puppet show short film, in which the designer shrunk the collection for dolls to walk down a runway complete with a doll front row. It was very on-brand and playful, with ingenuity at its core. We also saw industry leaders on the front row – virtually – at Balmain SS21, where highbrow guests
“Is the future of Fashion Week in a post-pandemic world going to be digitized to diminish the effects of traditional fashion week’s waste, emissions and impact on the planet?” such as Anna Wintour and Kris Jenner sat on large TV screens in front of the runway. Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing said, “Just like the runway and seating, many of this evening’s designs reflect our new reality,” which is evident through the 80’s inspired tailored blazers paired with matching print biker shorts – perfect for the waist-up dressing! These re-imagined experiences only emphasise that the future of fashion events could be digitally focused. Although London designer Bianca Saunders believes the future of fashion shows won’t be entirely digital, instead a combination; “There are things that cannot ever be replaced without some radical new technology – people need to see the product in real life, see how it moves, touch it and really be immersed in the ‘mood’ that the designer is trying to express. Instead of taking over from real life, digital should be seen as an additional weapon in a designer’s artillery.” Moving shows online, on the other hand, provides brands with huge exposure to large online audiences via streaming platforms and new technology. This gives a wider appeal to new audiences worldwide, broadening the reach of luxury high fashion more so than a traditional show. As the UK begins to see the light at the end of the pandemic’s tunnel, it has become clear that brand survival requires innovation and adaptation. The industry is taking steps forward to improve its negative impacts, but it will take a collective effort to see real, lasting, positive change. As digital fashion week formats continue, this could be the start of a new era for fashion, so I’m excited to see what the future holds.
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Royal Rumble
By Ayesha Naveed
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veryone was awaiting the full interview to be released, from the short trailers that were put up before. The hype around this was insane. Everyone was waiting for their truth, no matter what side of the coin you fell – whether you love Harry and Meghan or were sceptical of them. Watched by an immense 11.3 million viewers in the UK on ITV, it detailed their experiences within the confines of Royal Life. Nothing was left unsaid. 2018 was the year of the Royal Wedding, it broke viewing records. The main thing of speculation was the wedding dress. It was a fairy-tale wedding, a fairy-tale story. The girl gets the Prince. However, the tide in terms of media perception and articles shifted from positive stories about the pair to more negative. For the one positive story there were plenty negative stories attached to the couple. Pitting Kate against Meghan, and William to Harry. From the interview it was stated from the start, that the purpose of this interview was not money, they would not be getting paid – instead it was there to tell their truth into the world. Shed light on all the issues they had to face, both behind the scenes and in front of the world’s media. For instance, there was a discussion about the colour of Archie’s skin colour. Harry confirming there was a discussion around ‘what will the kids look like’. It was not confirmed who it was however Harry clarified it was neither one of his grandparents. When marrying, Meghan knew that it would have
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been hard however it still was nothing to what she thought it was. Whilst there was internal racism within the Palace there was narratives pushed by the media with arguably racist undertones. Whenever they bought up the topic of the media they would be told from the family ‘We’ve all had to deal with things that are rude’ however ‘rude and racist are not the same thing’. A day after the UK aired the interview, the palace released a statement which stated, ‘The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan’. This links into the next point about mental health. Mental health within the palace was not taken seriously. Meghan explained how she felt alone and isolated from the family – resulting in suicidal thoughts. Resulting in her feeling as though ‘I just didn’t want to be alive anymore’. No help was given even when she went to ask for help. No resources were provided. She explains how she was ‘told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution’. The exit itself from the Royal Family was tagged to be a ‘Megxit’ as she was the influence and reason for Harry distancing himself from the monarchy. However, from his perspective he explained how he had to do this. It was necessary to do so, to protect his family. Releasing them from the confining environment in the castle.
Ohana Awareness Magazine
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Celebrating Autism Week 2021 By Zobiya Shukeel
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utism Awareness Week 2021(30 March- 5 April) marks fourteen years since the UN dedicated a day (2nd April) for people who have autism. It’s a week filled with celebrating and acknowledging autism as well as spreading awareness to continue the positive progression. In the past, Autism was regarded as a disability and presented in a dehumanising and demeaning way. It is only in the last two decades that a positive shift has been brought about in disassociating Autism with impairments. But have we progressed far enough? In light of autism week, we need to celebrate the progress that has been achieved and take a look at how much further we need to go. As members of society, we have a responsibility to stay informed. But first, let us acknowledge the very basics: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a lifelong development disability that affects how a person experiences the world around them. The varying characteristics can include, challenges in communicating and socialising, overwhelmed from loud noises and bright lights to anxiety in unfamiliar situations, to name a few. The condition affects over 700,000 people in the UK and at least 1 in 100 children. There are many common misconceptions regarding ASD, from mainstream media misrepresentation to unproven assumptions, but this is slowly getting dispelled and as a society who seek to stay informed and rectify past mistakes, change is on the horizon. A celebratory change to keep in mind is supermarket ‘quiet hours’ that have been implemented to be Autistic friendly. Led by supermarket retailer Morrisons, it entails lights being dimmed, music turned off and reducing excess sounds, all at a set time every week. It’s a step forward but it needs to be implemented by more big-time retailers. One hour a week should be the bare minimum.
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Another term to add to keep in mind is neurodiversity. The aim of the movement is to recognise that neurological conditions like autism, does not make individuals different but normal, they are certainly not deficit and they need not a cure. Let’s address the film and TV industry. Unfortunately, for many people, the only time they are exposed to any sort of neurodiverse condition is through mainstream media. Now this can be both positive and negative. Positive in informing and creating awareness in an easy-to-understand way and negative through inaccurate portrayals. More recently, singer/ songwriter and now turned Director Sia has received a great deal of criticism for her movie ‘Music’, which came under fire for its tone- deaf portrayal of an autistic teen, played by an able- minded actress. Making a profit from an illness that was misrepresented and supported by underdeveloped research serves as a reminder of the shortcomings of Hollywood in regards to diversity. It even got nominated for two Golden Globe Awards! However, we must acknowledge that cultural attitudes are shifting, in fact, in 2020, Disney + provided two short animations that mark the change in accepting neurodiversity and celebrating life with individuals of neurological conditions. ‘Float’ is a charming short animation, guaranteed to warm your heart that presents a father who realises his young boy is different, ‘not normal’, and so he must protect him from society’s relentless alienation of anyone different. It strikes a poignant message and is a metaphor of the autistic experience, inspired by the director’s son. ‘Loop’ is another touching animation that features a young girl in the ASD, a representation to a different side of the spectrum that is hardly ever explored on screen. The young girl has non-verbal autism and sensory needs that influence the journey she takes to communicate with an unfamiliar young boy, who grapples building a connection with her. The animation features a girl of colour allowing for awareness to be spread of an accurate array of identities and is certainly a progressive step.
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The importance of representation can be life-changing. There are a great many famous celebrities and people in History that have had ASD. From Anne Hegarty in ‘The Chase’ to the Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles who have some form of excellence or genius, is a positive portrayal in TV and of reality, but it is important to remember that intellectual ability ranges across the diverse spectrum. The way we perceive disabilities will shape our future and neurodiversity should be celebrated to allow us to move forward as an empathetic and progressive society. As neurodiverse author Sienna Castollon wrote, ‘awareness isn’t enough, we should be striving for acceptance and equality’. Moving forward, let go of any previous misconceptions and learn to embrace ‘different’. For Autism Week this year, educate yourself on the journey for change that has only just begun.
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“they are routinely mocked and villainized in the media.”
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Ohana Magazine
The Media’s Good and Evil Portrayal of Disability and Disfigurement By Victoria Holland
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e’ve all had days when we wake up, look in the mirror, and don’t want to leave the house because we’re afraid of being judged and stared at by strangers on the street because we have a spot on our face. However, for disabled or disfigured people, this is a much bigger problem, as they are routinely mocked and villainized in the media. Within her novel ‘The Psychology of Fashion,’ Carolyn Mair explores how media, television and film promote the falsely informed belief that beautiful, socially respected and upper class individuals have greater opportunities and potential for success than others, particularly those with disabilities and disfigurements who physically fail to adhere to society’s vision of ‘perfection.’ The media, television and film industry heighten this thought process through their casting of differently abled actors and actresses in comparison to those that appear to lack any imperfections. As ‘good’ characters are typically portrayed as flawless individuals, often centring around society’s favoured characteristics of being a slim, white, able-bodied female, as ‘bad’ characters are commonly stereotyped as evil through their bodily or facial disfigurements. For example, within the modernised adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1983 ‘The Witches,’ where Anne Hathaway has been increasingly criticised for her
role as the Grand High Witch character which she plays with only three fingers, and how this depicts a negativity surrounding limb difference. Backlash to the film led to numerous Paralympic athletes and impaired consumers publicising the #NotAWitch message in aim of dispelling the depiction of disabilities, particularly visible impairments such as limb amputation and facial disfigurement as ‘weird’ and ‘freaky’ as it was in the dark ages. Nonetheless, in the media, this link between disability and the casting of undesirable characters is frequently visible. As a non-disabled female, it’s difficult to comprehend how this villainized portrayal of the disabled community would impact individual’s self-perception, particularly among children, arguably the audience which Roald Dahl targeted with ‘The Witches.’ Moreover, how does this negative portrayal of people with disabilities affect able-bodied children’s understanding of disability? Potentially instilling fear in adolescents of people with visible impairments and disfigurements? So, after their discriminatory and damaging portrayal of the disabled community, which arguably encourages their exclusion from society, perhaps it’s time for the able-bodied to be portrayed as the evil villains.
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On Tokenism By Ayesha Naveed
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lowly but surely the beauty industry is progressing. Both luxury and drugstore brands are making diverse shade ranges, in a push for inclusivity. However, there is an apparent difference between genuinely attempting to become inclusive and being ‘inclusive’ for the sake of looking good. Fake gestures are increasingly becoming more transparent. This distinction between tokenism and genuine inclusivity is something that was made more apparent in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement. Some brands really put on the performance of their lives. During this period, social media users posted a black square on their feed as a gesture of solidarity with the hashtag ‘Blackout Tuesday’. Feeds were flooded with black squares. However, it slowly transitioned from showing solidarity to something which was simply a trend. Even though it was started with good intentions- the desire to spread the word and show solidarity - instead there were disruptive discourses taking place. Appearing anti-racist was the aim. However, in order to truly follow the movement you’re required to give time and energy to learn the cause thoroughly. Instead, the symbol of a black square highlights how it
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is a performative gesture rather than an act of solidarity with those hurt and affected. Brands followed suit with this and then posted makeup looks from black creators, putting an emphasis on them. This act was performative again as before some brands alienated creators who were black, not showing their work on their social media pages. It demonstrates how brands make a conscious decision to be perceived as inclusive despite having no actual intentions to be inclusive. There was only an emphasis on them in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, and as quick as they all appeared on their feeds that’s how quickly they were removed. Highlighting its tokenism, as if brands were genuine, they would have posted them alongside their regular content. The physical alienation demonstrates how, rather than inclusivity, they are using it to advance the brand. A business decision rather than a humanitarian one. Two-dimensional acts like this should not be held in the same regard as actual three-dimensional products and pushes for change. Social media is a place where customers can directly question brands, and hold them to account. Where in the
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past they would not have had the opportunity to make this impact. There is a distinction to be made between a genuine attempt to progress and an act of tokenism. However, this lack of inclusivity is evident not only in complexion products but also in other beauty categories such as eyeshadow and lipstick. Huda Beauty, in my opinion, exemplifies inclusivity and makes genuine efforts to do so. When she released her Mini Obsession nude palettes, instead of just one, there were three. The term “nude” does not apply to a single skin tone. Instead of singling out people with different skin tones with the term “nude,” they are broadening the market to include them. The term “nude” is not a blanket term; there are variations, and the beauty industry should not create products based on a blanket mentality.
“There is a distinction to be made between a genuine attempt to progress and an act of tokenism.” Ohana Magazine
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The Glass Ceiling By Elliot Wilson
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ver heard the metaphor ‘glass ceiling?’ According to a quick internet search the glass ceiling is defined as “an invisible barrier that prevents a given demographic from rising beyond a certain level in a hierarchy.” It basically suggests that if you are of a certain background, you may struggle to get a job in a certain industry. Despite anti-discrimination laws that make it illegal to hire or not hire someone based on certain background characteristics, some prejudiced views persist today. I’d like to focus on one background feature in particular, which has become more prominent in recent years due to the increased frequency of phone/video calls. The feature I’m talking about is accent
Well actually, no. In a survey of the British population, 99.2% of people said they have no trouble understanding the strong Geordie accent. So it seems a lack of understanding is not the reason for prejudicial employment. So what does cause it?!
Research by the UK government in 2012 uncovered a great deal of evidence to suggest that recruiters in Britain strongly favour certain accents over others when choosing candidates for employment. To be more specific, results showed that those who speak with ‘Received Pronunciation’ (RP) otherwise known as ‘The Queen’s English’, were more likely to get jobs in elite firms than a person with any other British accent. Why is this the case? Why is a scruffy dosser with a voice like Hugh Grant more likely to land a job than a perfectly qualified Ant or Dec?
It seems that generally we’ve begun moving in the right direction. Up until the late twentieth century the BBC only employed those who spoke with RP but have since done away with this stuffy approach and refuse to let accent determine employment. That’s obviously a positive. However, certain forms of accent exposure have lead stereotypes to rocket in the wrong direction. Reality shows such as The Only Way is Essex and Geordie Shore look to entertain their audience by presenting an exaggerated version of what the locals are like. This has lead to a common stereotypical understanding that people from Essex are stupid, and all Geordie’s are violent.
In 2011, Cheryl (formerly Cole) was dropped from X Factor US just three weeks after signing on for the job. It was soon revealed that the reason for the Geordie’s sacking was due to feedback from the American audience claiming they simply could not understand what she was saying. On an international scale this is interesting, but is it the case within Britain that some accents are just too hard to understand?
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The answer is really quite simple. Historically, speaking with RP was a sign of education. Those who mispronounced words, spoke with slang and in incomplete sentences were perceived as uneducated and not fit for employment in certain industries. But, surely, we can see that someone with a strong Scouse accent or a Bristolian twang is just as educated as someone with a clear RP, can’t we?
It’s a slow process, but we’re constantly moving towards a less prejudiced society. Little by little the accent barrier in employment is bound to be outgrown by generations of open-eyed young pioneers. I mean, Lenny Henry’s had a decent career and he’s stuck with a Brummy accent, so we can all be positive about our chances...
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“Green is the new pink!” By Charlotte Chambers
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olour forms a complex language in an important visual form. It harnesses the power to evoke emotional responses and intense memories in every person. Colour can symbolise and evoke reactions for so many different things from very personal experiences to centuries of tradition, culture and social conditioning. Colour is used in so many different visual communication methods, but one such important method is that of marketing. If you have ever seen Gilmore Girls, you may understand the title. For those of you who haven’t seen it (though I highly recommend you must!) and for those of you who have, but don’t remember, I shall enlighten you ... This particular scene is set during a baby shower for a mother-to-be who is about to have a baby girl. However, the decorations and gifts are all green in colour which caused some confusion for the mother and daughter duo; Lorelai and Rory, prompting them to question; “isn’t it supposed to be pink? Pink for a girl?” to which they are told “Pink’s out! Green is the new pink!” But, why is it that we associate certain colours with different genders? So, where did this all begin? There are rumours that about a century ago, baby boys were dressed in pink and baby girls were dressed in blue. Looking at an issue of the British Ladies’ Home Journal, it stated “there has been a great diversity of opinion on this subject, but the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger colour, is more suitable for the boy; while blue, which is more delicate and dainty is prettier for the girl.” The origin of pink for a girl and blue for a boy is believed to have developed some time after World War II when product manufacturing and marketing really took off. During this time, red then became more heavily associated with
romance and, by association, pink became the new colour for girls as women were seen as more ‘emotional’. From here, it became the social norm, as companies realised they could profit from selling specific products marketed as being for a boy or for a girl. For example, in the 1950’s, car manufacturer Dodge launched its pink and white ‘La Femme’ model which came furnished with a lipstick holder and a dainty pink umbrella. However, in a world challenging these gendernorms, it appears as though marketing is shifting from limiting colours to genders and looking towards evoking those powerful human emotions that we all can share. WGSN looked at the types of colours marketing campaigns may use during a time where most of us are feeling high levels of fear and anxiety. Bright colours and warm tones are being applied to clothing and homeware to evoke a sense of energy, joy and optimism. The COVID-19 pandemic saw children and billboards plastering rainbows in hope to spread happiness and smiles, creating a feeling of togetherness. Research suggests that certain colours, such as the pastel shades, have a calming effect on the body. This has seen brands use these colours to promote a positive message of mental wellness and a calming atmosphere. Pastel blue has been shown to reduce our heart rate and has been used in public areas in London and Tokyo for suicide prevention. I definitely think it is refreshing to see a shift in marketing campaigns from pushing unwelcome gender stereotypes on consumers, to using colours for more inclusive and productive ways! Here’s hoping the power of colour continues to be used for evoking positive emotions and not for further gender norm divides.
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DermatilloMANIA By Jessica McEwan
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Ohana Awareness Magazine
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It’s A Sin TV Review By Jessica McEwan
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n line with LGBTQ+ History Month, in February 2021 Russel T Davies carefully and beautifully explored representations of the LGBTQ+ community during the 80s, outlining the highs and extreme lows amidst the AIDS crisis. The groundbreaking series follows Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin, who all meet in London 1981. They find themselves connected in London with one another, alongside Ash and Jill, where they home the ‘Pink Palace’ - the birth of their subsequent in-joke, ‘la’. Richie Firstly, we discover Richie’s story. A late teen that has just left the Isle of Wight with new-found freedom and a sense of real optimism for what university-life in London could offer. Ritchie Tozer (played by Olly Alexander from Years & Years) quickly starts to live authentically, exploring his sexuality more overtly than he has ever been allowed to before. Perhaps the suppression of being trapped on such a small island with small-minded people, led to his indulgence in sex. The topic of AIDs is introduced into the series as gossiping pub-talk, and Richie rejects any truth in it, encouraging the group to also debunk it. Episode two showcases a satirical eulogy in which Ritchie lists all of the obscure rumours that were emerging about AIDs… “Do you seriously think there’s an illness that only kills gay men? It can calculate that your gay and kill you, but no one else? Hmm.. what about bisexuals? Do they get sick every other day?” Ritchie is presented here as an AIDs denier, for which Davies suggest “… the point is, we all were. He’s representing everyone who said that”. Sadly, as the series progresses and despite the rejection of receiving his initial test results, Ritchie contracts AIDs, where then and only then, does he reveal his sexuality to his parents. This sparked a string of complex events that led to Ritchie being isolated in his family home, where he passes away without his friends around him.
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Roscoe Roscoe Babatunde (Omari Douglas) immediately reveals his queerness with unapologetic defiance from the very first scene in which we meet him. As the series progresses, we learn more about the complexities of Roscoe’s home life, as a young Black gay man whose parents reject anything other than a perceived normal. Therefore, his relationship with his family and particularly his father become fragmented. It is important to highlight that Russel T Davies explores both representations of race and sexuality within Roscoe’s character, something that Douglas beautifully portrays throughout. Perhaps a key moment, is Roscoe’s disbelief when he receives the news that he has tested negative for AIDs. Potluck? When considering the future of Roscoe’s character, in an interview with DigitalSpy, Omari Douglas suggests that he would “hope that Roscoe manages to find some outlet for his expression. I feel like he’s a kind of vessel for all that stuff – the clothes that he wears, just wearing makeup, and those kind of things”. He goes on to add in summary, that “as much as it’s fiction, we are representing a time – and also a group of people.” Colin Finally, Colin Morris-Jones (Callum Scott Howells) is introduced to the series as a shy and sweet Welshman, again newly moved to London. He begins living in a rented spare room with a family, but quickly jumps at the opportunity to move into the Pink Palace. Colin is often teased in a playful way for being the groups virgin or the ‘innocent one’, which is why when he becomes seriously ill, no-one expected his AIDs diagnosis. It’s in this storyline that Davies exposes the legal battle many young men faced, as once admitted to hospital, were treated like convicted criminals in a prison cell.
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“La!” Partly this was due to a lack of medical understanding about what AIDs actually was, but also a great ignorance and neglect to the so-called ‘gay disease’ – Colin was deemed a “public menace”. His positive diagnosis came as a great shock to characters and viewers, highlighting that despite being less sexually active than his friends, he still caught AIDs. This is a very important and carefully considered juxtaposition of characters by Davies. To conclude, It’s A Sin highlights the horrific toll HIV and AIDs had on the gay community during the 1980s and early ‘90s. One of the show’s fundamental concepts is signifying the marginalization and shame that queer communities suffered, making the AIDs epidemic so devastating. Therefore, were many activists who sought to fight against the disease itself, but also the stereotypes surrounding it.
Jill’s character embodies this, as the glue that held them all together throughout the series. Finally, It is important to remember that this series stands to signify the story of a small group of people affected, yet in the UK alone, AIDs destroyed the lives of just under 2000 people in 1995. In recognition of this month’s LGBTQ+ History Month, we ask that you reflect on those individuals that suffered and acknowledge that their struggles are sadly what has led more open conversations about sexuality to emerge. Whilst there are still many stigmas to shatter and detach from, society is starting to embrace sexuality more openly, offering a voice to all.
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Naked Flame: Taking the Candle Game to the Next Level By Morgan Blythe 34
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his latest Body Candle trend is giving the interior design world a shake-up. I am sure you will have all seen it. If not, type into Etsy “Body Candle”, and you will be presented with pages of: “Female Torso”, “Naked Body”, “Modest Girl”, “Curvy Naked Torso”, “Goddess Venus Body”, and no it is not anything too dirty or suspicious! This obsession with buying and selling Body Candles is unexpected, but fun. I had to get on the hype, so I ordered a vegan, lilac “Lady Torso” candle with gold leafing from “VYE Collection” on Etsy. She arrived, beautifully scented and neatly packaged up with a personalised note and an extra candle as a thank you. Too good to burn, and no this is not a plug, but I am all for supporting small businesses! So, she is standing on my desk next to my ‘KKW Body’ perfume bottle that is in the shape of Kim Kardashian herself. Tiny waists, big boobs and big bums. As beautiful as they are, I can’t help but feel like we are still glorifying unrealistic body types, and now not only am I seeing them online, but they are also standing on my desk, perfectly poised. However, credit where credit is due, I have started to see more of these body candles that are somewhat ‘realistic’ in regard to their shape. I have seen ‘bigger’ tummies, waists that are not quite as ‘snatched’ and even pregnant body candles, because “real women have curves”. This candle trend has blown up, but they can easily be pushed to the back of the shelf as quickly as they are being sold, especially once the bigger, more profitable brands get on the bandwagon. So where does that leave these bodies and the creatives behind the moulds? As more and more people/ brands start producing these candles, the less unique and interesting they potentially will become. So, are we just romanticising curves because it is on trend? That being said though, if you are happy in your body, why should it matter? After speaking to the owner of VYE Collection, I learnt that based on her sales and experiences, the ‘bigger’ bodies do not sell as well which is disappointing. However, she was excited for the future of her business, and explained that she has ordered more moulds (specially from Poland!) and will be launching a whole range with stretch marks and bigger tummies: “The new moulds are bodies that look more like me!”
I think that if we are discussing the female body candles, we have to address the chiselled male body candles that are flooding our Instagram’s. Male bodies have also become subject to the new body candle craze, but only ones with defined six packs and who are ‘well endowed’. It is completely normal to have body confidence issues, whoever you identify as. It affects everyone, and so often now, these issues are stemmed from what we see online or on TV. Gym Shark (a sportswear brand) have been under attack recently due to them encouraging the reality of the female body through “before vs. after” shots on Instagram, but not sharing the same authenticity for men. But they were also criticised because the ‘influencer’ they used did not ‘conform’ to the standards that Gym Shark’s consumer expected (slim, muscular or athletic). It was implied that the brand was guilty of promoting unhealthy lifestyles. You just cannot win! So, for male followers of this brand, all they are seeing is perfectly primed, oily, toned male representatives, and also now in candle form. Surely this is not helping male mental health and body expectations? When discussing the male candles with the owner of VYE Collection, she said that “I want to make sure there is something for everyone”, when she told me that she is adding ‘curvy’ male torso candles with stretch marks, to her collection. An exciting step in the right direction for this trend and business! So yet again it seems that there are more trends that force me to say, stop comparing yourself to unrealistic body ideals. It is a vicious cycle. We cry out for realistic body image on social media, but we buy into these exaggerated shaped candles in order to support small businesses. However, VYE Collection and other brands are making moves with this. We are seeing diverse coloured candles to represent skin tones and a variety of different body types. If these candle brands can develop further, this could be an exciting and interesting moment, and hopefully we will start to see more realistic body standards going forward for the new generations.
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@Gashtrays_ Interview
By Charlotte Chambers
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ani is (in my own words) the most creative genius I know. Having known Hani for more years than I would care to admit, I really wanted to share her creativity and words of wisdom with you about her experience running the taboo Gashtrays. Tell me a bit about Gashtrays and how the idea came about During her time studying for her Art Foundation in Leeds, she wanted to create a unique piece of work for her friend’s birthday. She explained her friend was a male feminist and she loved the idea of this dirty pun “I just loved the idea of my friend, a male feminist, awkwardly interacting with this object that he was fearful of but also in awe of”. Gashtrays then evolved from a post on social media of this improvised ceramic work had absolutely taken off on social media. People began sending in requests for their own vulva dishes. “I have realised how powerful it is to focus on and celebrate something that has as large a stigma attached to it as genitals do. I got to hold the power of breaking this stigma and these words only hold as much power and significance as you allow them to. Whether people agreed with this message or not, it was generating important conversation.”
Not only has it been an inspiring, stigma-breaking journey for Hani, she explained to me that starting Gashtrays has been a wonderful learning experience for her. Before she made her friend’s birthday present, she had never worked with clay or ceramics, and each step of her business journey has been inspiring to her and her followers. What is your favourite piece of art that you have created? After much deliberation (too many wonderful creations!), Hani decided that her ‘Bush Planters’ were her favourite piece.
“These were such a technical challenge to me. I had to learn a completely new technique called Slip Casting which involves making moulds and filling them up. This new challenge introduced me to a wonderful community on Instagram of potters who massively helped me. I love creating these items as they allow for so much detail and personalisation designed to help people view genitals in a much more positive way which I think is just something so beautiful.” I am sure if someone told Hani while we were in primary school that she would be examining people’s genitalia and making sculptures, she would not have believed them! Ohana Magazine
What has running Gashtrays taught you?
“I set my own deadlines. I am such a worrier and a stresser. I spent my school and university days worrying and revising regardless of how I was doing. Gashtrays has taken me on a journey of patience, tolerance and self-forgiveness. I realised no one actually has the right way to do it, you just have to learn” Hani explained that she has loved all the education she has gained from running Gashtrays. Through creating genitalia ceramics, she has embarked on a journey of education about both male and female body parts. She says “These subjects being taboo lead to such poor education of sexual health, risking both women’s and men’s mental and physical health” Have there been any stigmas you have faced while running Gashtrays? “I do notice a difference in engagement when I talk about sex ed topics or that a lot of my more realistic creations do get taken off. There have been several occasions where I apply to create a
promotion advert but it just gets rejected immediately so I think that they have my account on a ban due to the nature of its content. For a platform like Instagram, which should facilitate companies like mine and help me connect with my audience, the platform seems to make it impossible to work without using it while also censoring my content. I do try and make my branding more neutral and pretty colours to level it out but then I can’t also make my art to please the algorithms and rules.” Can you tell me about some of the work you undertook before starting Gashtrays? Hani started her career off studying Graphic Design at Kingston University, with a focus on Social Design. This encompasses designs focussing on social and environmental benefits. She has always had a passion for creating and crafting and was keen to try new things whenever she could. While at university, she won a Creative Conscience Award for her project; ‘With & For’ which was a mastectomy lingerie tailoring service for breast cancer survivors to help them celebrate their new bodies.
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“This project was inspired by mum who had undergone a double mastectomy. The reaction to this project was just so wonderful and there was so much love for my mum which really helped her with it all. It has led to so many amazing things such as her being featured in a short film, being released soon, called Nipple Whisperer. This work, alongside working for the charity Creative Conscience after her degree, has founded her passion for what Gashtrays does. I work with some great charities such as CoppaFeel! So sales from products like my nipple pins goes towards these causes. My work may be laborious and not as well paid but I absolutely love it!” What is your most memorable achievement? “That would have to be ‘Gashtrays Gallery’ it has been such a labour of love. I usually work independently but starting the gallery has meant that I now rely on so many wonderful and creative people. I am very aware that I am a white, middle class CIS female, like the majority of people within the industry. I love that it provides the platform and the opportunity to share different voices and perspectives. I have realised that when you are putting your own voice out there, like I do, you really have to consider that you are not the only voice out there, there are so many more who are often undervalued and overlooked and I think it’s been so valuable to learn from them and create bonds between a variety of like-minded artists.” I have loved watching this small business evolve and celebrate topics we are all too afraid to mention. Hani’s work is beautifully crafted and wonderfully designed. Small businesses, like Hani’s are championing a great movement and it’s great to witness it.
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Let’s talk about sex, baby! By Jessica McEwan
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Ohana Empowerment Magazine
“You are your own soul mate, so love and treat yourself in the same way you would your life partner.” ― Miya Yamanouchi
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o come on, let’s get past the awkwardness and social taboo of talking about sex. How is your sex life? Is it thriving during lockdown with your partner(s) or slacking terribly? Maybe you’re taking the time for selfexploration or forming virtual relations through video chat... The fact of the matter is, sex is important.
way that allows users to choose from categories such as ‘going solo’ or ‘long distance dating’, the platform encourage people to immerse themselves more in their mental and physical responses to sex. So, come on. Why not give it a go and spin the wheel?
Sex is vastly becoming a topic that is pushing against the constraints of being a ‘hush hush’ topic, with Gen Z set as the pioneers of leading such conversations. You only have to look at the success of Netflix series Sex Education and it’s 40 million views since airing (January, 2019) to know that everyone is quite frankly talking about sex. But in a pandemic-era, how has our disconnect of physical touch left our sex lives? Skin hunger is becoming a more widely understood phenomenon due to the detached social environments and lack of touch we find ourselves in (Kai, 2020). What people are unaware of is a hormone called oxytocin, which is released through physical touch, reducing stress and calming our nervous system – something we are perhaps all in need of! Jesse Kahn, the director of The Gender & Sexuality Therapy Centre (aka The Sex Guru) suggests that, “physical human contact is an emotional and physical need based on our biological and psychology.” To overcome this, marriage and relational therapist Shadeen Franics suggests that people should invest time in self-led intimacy through body mapping – running your fingernails on the backs of your knees, or exploration through solo intimacy, such as giving yourself a hug, or self-massage. Whilst this offers a certain level of intimacy, it doesn’t necessarily provoke the sense of pleasure gained through sexual interaction. However, technology lab Future of Sex have designed a new tool to enhance solo sexual intimacy. The Wheel of Foreplay is an online platform designed to inspire conversations and sexual activity focused on pleasure in isolation. Organised in a
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Love the Body You are in. By Morgan Blythe
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ody image is a huge topic of discussion. There are so many positive and negative connotations relating to it. How society paints this ‘ideal’ body image, whether that is relating to shape, size or appearance, is immensely important and impacts everyone in different ways. Being body positive, especially in a time when we are so heavily influenced by social media, is essential for supporting mental health, and eliminating unrealistic body standards. We need to see realness, more-so now that we are masking our reality through a camera lens or filter and spending more time online. The hope is that people continue to develop a positive relationship with their body and understand that everyone is different. But how is this going to be achieved going forward into an online-dominated world? Issues around body image have been around for years. In the 1960’s, fat acceptance became a huge movement, and people focused on ending the stigma around fat shaming. It became less taboo to talk about weight and size, and in 1969 The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance was established. In 1996 the website thebodypositive.org was founded. The term “body positivity” was new, but its founders (a psychologist and an individual who had experienced treatment for an eating disorder) thought that it was (and still is) important to talk about this issue regarding body acceptance, stressing that all bodies are beautiful. The body positivity concept has had huge encouraging development over the last 25 years. However, with the rise of social media taking shape, it has also had its struggles. With platforms like Instagram giving people the opportunity to post about their lifestyle, whether it is their reality or exaggerated for their followers, it is easy to spend time comparing yourself to others. That being said, in recent years we have seen advertising campaigns and celebrities/ influencers using their platforms more constructively by
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being more body positive and sharing the before and after reality of each post. Brands are not airbrushing their models and we are seeing stretch marks, scars and body hair for the first time. These are all really inspiring and positive movements, especially from huge companies with big platforms. We are definitely seeing more curvy models with ‘realistic’ body types online now. As a female with curves, it is more inspiring and exciting to shop with a brand who is supporting this movement and using a model that is more relatable. Have we finally ditched the idea that a size 6-8 is the only acceptable size for a model? In an interview with a Photographer at Pretty Little Thing, we agreed that the curvy models that they use in their campaigns were inspiring and it is refreshing to see a range of women promoting Pretty Little Thing. She explained that seeing a curvy model promote these collections made her want to try new styles and branch out with her fashion, but this should be the norm now and it should not have to feel refreshing to see a variety of women in campaigns. However, there is definitely more that can be done. It is important to consider whether your priorities and expectations with social media have changed. Do you actively seek more positive influences on your socials? In a time where we are online a lot more due to COVID-19, we need to be seeing more transparent and constructive content, especially to support our younger, techsavvy generations. What more can you do to encourage positive online interactions? So, what is next for this? It is all well and good that we say we are body positive, but what can we do to push the movement?
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Book Review. By Zobiya Shukeel
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omen Don’t Owe You Pretty is a Sunday Times best seller, written by Florence Given, at the notable age of 21. Given covers a range of issues, including pretty privilege, internalised misogyny, and gives an overall guide on self-reflection. In a world that is constantly evolving, we often forget how prevalent outdated narratives shape our society, but this book seeks to rectify that and inspires the reader to reclaim control of their lives. I think it’s important for anyone publishing a book to recognise the privilege that they possess over their readers and to acknowledge the power that their words hold, which allows them to write with the utmost conviction in every word they write. Florence Given holds this to great esteem. Hell, she even dedicates a whole chapter to it. We, the readers, place our trust in the opinions and verdicts of this woman, who takes accountability for her privilege when talking about the issues faced by people of a minority- from racism and homophobia to patriarchy. Every reflection she makes serves
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as a guide to young girls and people alike, and this is done through the foundation built at the very onset of the book. The reflections made are not great revelations to the whole of womankind, nor are they answers to the many irrefutable predicaments that women face in their everyday lives, but in completing this book, you’re bound to gain some pearls of wisdom. By exploring the many injustices that are still prevalent within society, from antiquated gender roles to desirability politics, Given leaves you pondering. No matter the identity of the reader, just how autonomous the decisions we make about our identities and the energy we preserve are free from the reign of an unjust system. I, for one, was able to identify the subconscious bias that seems to dictate many decisions I make in my daily life, all due to the cultural influences that I have internalised. We need to deviate from the narrative that society has placed before us and reject societies unattainable standards.
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“Life is too short not to love the sh*t out of yourself.”
In Chapter Two, Given explores the difficulties and pressures for women to seem desirable and feminine due to the unreasonable injustice faced from fatphobia, transphobia, racism and sexism. To be feminine is often not an active choice, especially for marginalised women, but is an act of survival and a means of gaining respect. Given goes on to say “As a woman in this world, it often feels as though we have two choices. We can either be desired or respected; seen or heard. We rarely get to experience both at the same time.” Desirability politics imposes unreasonable double standards we perform to prove our femininity and gain respect. A great example of this is the history of the dreaded razor. In the early 20th Century, women paid no heed to underarm or leg hair. It wasn’t until a few years later that the carefree approach ceased to exist, with the introduction of gender-specific razors, as it was seen to be a profitable business venture. That’s right, it was all a marketing ploy. In recent years, celebrities have advocated embracing body-
hair for what it is: a natural production of our body and nothing to be grossed out by. Love your body for all that it is. The media is saturated with hyper-feminine and objectifying portrayals of females. Take the example of aesthetic procedures. Society is quick to judge those that partake in these procedures but this is the same society that sets impossible beauty standards and unfairly rewards those who meet this criteria and display femininity. Pretty privilege is alive and thriving. In the words of Florence Given “Life is too short not to love the sh*t out of yourself.” Society has far too often benefited at the expense of women and this needs to change. But change isn’t easy. Start small: reading this book might act as a catalyst for a self-reflective journey that will lead you to the best and most autonomous version of yourself.
‘Women Don’t Owe You Pretty’; A Guide to Reclaiming Your Femininity Ohana Magazine
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“Don’t use social media to impress people; use it to impact people” Dave Willis
By Charlotte Chambers
been have e w e r ng e ld wh cknowledgi r o w In a ng and a our ... praisi ortance of ne workers p li the im ring front e v a unw
In fact, you would be among a lot of people who have inauthentic and tone-deaf content, out of their feed for good. In a world where we have been praising and acknowledging the importance of our unwavering front line workers, it seems a bit of a controversial move for classed in the same bracket. It seems to me that if you
“People are no longer focused on following the extravagant... Instead they are focusing on the smaller, more personable hat a year we have all had! 2020-21 has thrown some interesting curve balls our way, forcing us to stay at home. With not much else to do, it’s no surprise that our screen times have skyrocketed. But has the way in which we use these platforms changed because of our over-exposure? tackle a new sense of normal at home and re-evaluate what’s important to us? In a new, rapidly changing world where core values are at the forefront of peoples’ priorities, attention seems to be moving swiftly. People are no longer focused on following the extravagant... Instead they are focusing on Picture this: you are sat at home (in your new lockdown matching jogger set), scrolling through your Instagram in Dubai. How does this make you feel? You wouldn’t be alone if this made you feel a little bit irritated. 48
It’s no secret that what we see online affects how we feel about other people and ourselves. While we all know that the lives we see through social media are often highly edited and varnished, this fact is often overlooked or forgotten. It is more important now, in a world where our screens are seemingly glued to our hands, to cultivate a world around us of what makes us happy and brings us healthy entertainment and ones who provide raw, real and pure content (...I was going to add ‘unedited’, but let’s face it, we’re all partial lockdown bags and ‘maskne’ aren’t we!).
to inspire and lift spirits. More now than ever, we need a deeper connection with their followers and create this sense of online community amongst like-minded people.
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“Smaller influencers generate a deeper connection with their followers and create this sense of online community amongst like-minded people.”
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Round up of feel-good influencers: Wonderful_U MeganEllaby Fellaby Sarahbrowndesign Michellenorrisphoto Nnennaechem Abimarvel Mattchuupicchu Gentlemenscrub Guyoverboard Kennyethanjones Realryansheldon Langstonamadi Drjoshuawolrich
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Should I have it all figured out by now?
Haven’t got a clue? No, me neither! But plenty- if not most- people figure out WAY later in life, and that’s okay! Fun fact, before taking a whack at design well into her 40s, Vera Wang trained to be an Olympic figure skater in her young adulthood. And if you ask me… she’s doing alright!
By Jessica Sohal
My point is that we can get so consumed by the idea that we need to have it all figured out, our futures planned, so much so, it causes unnecessary stress and fear of the unknown. Sometimes it’s better to take a step back and let life take its cause. All experiences add texture to being; sometimes life isn’t linear, and as ever : what will be, will be.
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hances are, if you’re reading this right now it’s because you’re taking a breather from something important. Maybe your brain hurts from thinking what to write in that next assignment, maybe you’re in favour of trying to figure out a heavy hustle to pay off that student loan, or maybe you’re stressing over the fact you just want to succeed at whatever life throws your way.
The Student Job Market
If this strikes a chord, you’re definitely not alone!
Before I finish, I just wanted to add this (hopefully insightful) segment. As you are probably aware, the pandemic hasn’t made things easy. In this current climate we are in a very insecure job market. It’s scary! Post-university should be filled with excitement and amazing job offers but the reality is so uncertain.
The truth is, we put a disproportionate value on not just our youth, but the preciousness of youth. Let’s be real, no one enjoys the thought of getting old! Perhaps more than any other generation before us, we have been conditioned to assume that the standard is to be a selfmade billionaire CEO by the age of 23; that’s if you’re not at that point, where are you going? When viewed through a certain lens, while it can be inspiring, our youth-obsessed culture can also be horribly toxic.
But fear not, I’ve done some research, and “I got chuuu!!” Here’s a list of things that has helped/ improved job opportunities for me while still studying:
Being a student, sometimes you feel like you’re running out of time. I think it’s
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a given that there’s a stigma, that by the time you graduate you know what your next steps are, and you know where you are heading, in terms of a career or further education.
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CV/Cover . Letter . Personal Statements . Portfolio
GET THESE ON POINT! I’ve made generic ones so whenever a job pops up I just need to tweak it a little and apply straight away. They are so crucial. When applying for a job it’s the first insight to you that recruiters see. It may be on paper or online but let that personality shine. After all they want to see what makes YOU so unique and different. •
Networking
LinkedIn. You’ve probably heard every lecturer mention it, but it’s actually quite useful. You get to keep up with the latest trends in the industry you’re looking to go into (kind of like exclusive access).You get to stay up to date on the latest trends in the industry you want to enter (similar to having exclusive access) and learn what your competitors are doing. Not to overwhelm you, but there will be a lot of people competing for the same job as you so its good to know what they’re up to.
You’ll be able to see their profiles; what are they doing to promote themselves? And it’s such a simple way to possibly get a job. Who knows, with the number of recruiters on there, they might just like your profile and want to interview you based on that. •
Referrals
It’s not always about who you know. However, if you do know someone, take advantage of it. See if they can get you some work experience, some exposure, and a sense of what the company is all about. It could be the deciding factor; you could either love it or despise it. Isn’t it better to know sooner rather than later? •
Career Websites . Company Websites
Set those job alerts up. Be the first to submit an application. Honestly, it’s as easy as that!
Be present Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no and just getting an interview, being and enjoy the career expert, but just doing these that little step ahead it’s humbling spontaneity of few things has really opened up knowing I’m moving forward, while young adulthood; some amazing opportunities for still trying to figure it all out! me. As someone, nearing the end when you’ve waof their degree applying for jobs tered your garden enough, you will blossom – Best of luck! x
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Dear 20-year-old me… By Morgan Blythe
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think it’s easy to put pressure on yourself when you are nearing the end of your degree or finishing school and wondering, “What now?” Especially in a time where a global pandemic has ‘halted the best years of your life’. It hasn’t. Your 20’s will be amazing, and this pandemic will open up a world of opportunities for you. I graduated with my BA nearly 4 years ago, and since then, I have experienced so much, and at 100 miles an hour. However, the pandemic has given me the chance to slow down and take a deep breath. I thought that I had to have everything figured out when I graduated. I asked myself, “What am I going to do with an English Degree, when all I want to do is go into Fashion?” So, I went into panic mode. I had to know what was going to happen next, which, in retrospect, was completely unrealistic. Despite the fact that I was working hard to achieve a goal, I learned to embrace new challenges and exciting opportunities along the way. You will learn that not everything in life will go the way you hoped, which is something that, for me, was really hard. You’ll learn to accept that it’s okay if you don’t have your dream job right away after graduating, because you’ll get there. It won’t be easy, and you will get frustrated. There will be hurdles but push yourself and embrace everything that is offered to you. Do things for you. In 2019, two years after my graduation, I got that ‘dream job’. I relocated to London and began what I thought would be a career in fashion buying. It was everything I expected it to be. I was working in a large, fast-paced head office, part of a large team of amazing girls, spending 2 hours a day on the tube (I got through a LOT of podcasts), and living the London life. My commute to the kitchen every morning seemed a lot more relaxing. Couch to 5k became my new hobby and my busy, bottomless brunching weekends became non-existent. For nearly 8 months, I hadn’t stopped to consider, “Is this what I want?”. That question was answered for me when I got made redundant in July 2020. Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I had no idea what I was going to do. It took me a while to come to terms with this, until I had to make the decision of do I stay in London, or do I move back in with my parents. As I am sure a lot of readers will agree, having a taste of independence is everything. I didn’t want to leave London, and if you had told me this time last year that I’d be living in Birmingham doing a Masters in Fashion in 2021, I would have laughed. Yet here I am, and I think it is the best move I could have done, for myself and my career. The point I’m trying to make is that it’s okay if things don’t go as planned. Life throws curveballs at you all the time and you have to embrace it and be patient. Always have an open mind and your views on life will change. So, what will you make of 2021?
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Mind & Body Benefits of Yoga By Carina Coelho
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hat comes into your mind when you first hear the word ‘yoga’? Usually, it’s fancy poses and headstands. However, yoga is actually a practice which in essence, is all about connecting the mind to the body using your breath. Mindful breathing during a practice is key and can have huge benefits such as helping to maintain a calmer mind, better focus and a sense of self-awareness which stays with you off of the mat. Three lockdowns’ later, even practicing for a few minutes each day can take your mind off the heavy news. If you are perhaps new to yoga or simply want to know more about its well-being benefits, we spoke to yoga teacher Antonia Hruscovschi, who holds online classes via Zoom, and teaches the BCU yoga society. If you are ready to find out how you can practice from home to the different types of yoga, read on and you may just find something new to try!
What is yoga and can anyone do it? Antonia explains that “yoga means union and it is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India. Yoga became popular in the West for its physical benefits but despite the common belief, asanas (yoga poses) are only one part of the practice. The goal of yoga is to create union
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of the mind, body and soul. Whilst the physical practice provides great benefits, yoga also includes breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, cleansing practices and an ethical conduit. That makes yoga accessible to everyone and every body type. Regardless of your age or physical condition, there is something on the mat for everyone. What are the main types of yoga? There are so many types of yoga! Antonia says “some of the most popular nowadays are Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa or Yin Yoga. Additionally, some yoga teachers developed different styles based on previous lineages and these can be recognised under their brand names including Jivamukti Yoga, Rocket Yoga or Dharma Yoga. Although there are many styles out there and each yoga teacher brings their own personal touch to their classes, we shouldn’t feel overwhelmed. Yoga is yoga! I would always suggest trying as many styles and teachers as possible until you find the right one for you!” What are the best types for beginners? Most yoga types can be adjusted for beginners’ level. Antonia said “for someone starting on this journey
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I would suggest choosing Hatha Yoga or Vinyasa Flow to gain an understanding of the poses and sequences.” Additionally, Antonia added that for a more relaxing and restorative practice she recommends Yin Yoga. What are the benefits of yoga? From a physical point of view, Antonia said “yoga helps to build strength, flexibility and stamina.” From a mental health point of view, Antonia says “the connection of the breath with the movement helps you get out of the mind and into the body. Practicing conscious awareness through the breath can help us release stress and be more present in day-to-day life.” Are online yoga classes different? Antonia explained that “online yoga classes are slightly different compared to a regular studio class because you are not able to feel the energy in the room. They’re still great because they provide the opportunity to connect and it’s wonderful to be able to practice from the comfort of your own home.” How can I practice from home? There is a wealth of options available online right now, a quick search on YouTube brings up thousands of different level practices and styles. Starting off by practicing at home is perfect to get moving and find your flow. Antonia suggests “If you can invest in some yoga classes I would suggest trying as many as you can. Classes cost anything between £5 - £10 and your local teachers will be so grateful for your investment. If you ever want to practice with me, you can always reach out via Instagram @ shantoyoga.” Finally, what are your top tips? Antonia says to start where you are - “In yoga the breath is the most important so as long as you can breathe you can do yoga!” She describes that consistency is key; “the more often you practice the more changes you’ll see in your day-to-day life. Your practice is personal, don’t compare yourself with anyone out there.” Ohana Magazine
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The Magic of Crystals By Megan Brooks
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ith all the spiritual healing hype lately, it may be a little hard to navigate. Here is a little quiz to cut through the noise and get you going if you are a beginner! So, what are crystals and how do they do anything? In essence crystals work to balance our vibrations(Astrid Carvel). Everything is made up of atoms, the frequency of the vibration defines the state they are in and the way that they appear to us. For example solids, liquids and gasses (Vex King, 2018). The closer you are to matching something vibrationally the more likely you are to it being brought into your perception. To understand the energy further you must look at colour. For example, Prisons in Switzerland were painted pink as the studies suggest that pink is “psychologically soothing” (Alex Wynick, 2013) Crystals are a way of using non-invasive vibration therapy and Chromotherapy (which is basically using colours for therapeutic purposes) in order to improve your day to day life. Why are people turning to crystals then? The pandemic, a lack of faith in organized religion, the answers are different for everyone. They can be used for many different things too! Some people use them for meditation and manifestation, others for the energy they vibrate. People even go as far as to use them to “cast spells”. Applications like Tiktok have really opened up this whole world of spiritual belief and healing. Witchtok is a key thread in this new spiritual awakening, It also helps that the cost of joining in can be mostly free. You don’t need to buy anything if you don’t want to and crystals can be a cheap-ish step into the magical world of Spirituality. FYI, If you only want to dip your toe, Clear quartz can be used in place of any crystal, but you may need to concentrate your intentions more than you would with a specific crystal.
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Spirituals use crystals in different ways but the key factor is the vibration and properties attached to them. One way to use them is as part of your self-care ritual with a crystal face roller or by placing a crystal(s) in or near the bath. Usually this could be Rose quartz or Amethyst. Rose quartz for its effect on the heart chakra, It can be used to boost self-love, promote emotional balance, friendship and romance. Amethyst is one of the most recognised and used for the third eye chakra. A protective stone, purifying the mind and promoting calm. Some people wear them or keep them on their person for protection or for easing anxieties. These crystals could be Black Tourmaline (protection, self-confidence) or Amethyst (protection,calm). Crystals can also be used for manifestation and meditation, using the crystals properties to focus the intention. Or simply for decoration around your house. Keeping certain crystals in different rooms for their benefits. For example, Amethyst in the bedroom to aid sleep and calm and Citrine in the office to boost creativity. As a starter pack Clear quartz, Amethyst and Rose quartz are the three most frequently bought to get going. Do your research on crystals for your needs! One of the most appealing things about spirituality is that it can be moulded to suit you and your life. If you want to work your self-care to run with the phases of the moon, maybe buy yourself a moon stone. You’re struggling to move forward? Maybe Aventurine is a crystal for you. But with everything in spirituality your best tool is your intuition. Which crystal are you drawn to? Maybe that is what you need in your life right now?
Here is a quiz to get you started on your spiritual journey!
Ohana Lockdown Magazine
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I’m COVID positive … but not in that way. By Jessica Sohal
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ockdown has, and continues to affect people in many different ways. For me, it feels like someone has pressed a ‘magic pause button’ on the world. It may actually serve to be much-needed time to recharge our social batteries or even re-evaluate how we spend our time. Often, time is something that we always seem to say we don’t have enough of; “if only there were more hours in the day,” or “I would’ve done that… IF I had more time!” Now more than ever, time has become so valuable in the sense that we’ve got so much of it! If, like me, filling this time has given you moments where you feel a little fed up, know that these feelings are perfectly acceptable! Majority of us are mentally tired and anxious about the situation. And, although it may sound cliché, It is so important to remember that ‘for every low, there is a high’! Even in this current scenario, there have been silver linings. There are SO many positive impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic that are SO crucial to appreciate. Moving into this ‘new normal’ I am hopeful they will naturally become a part of our post-COVID lifestyles. If you haven’t gathered already, I’m not going to talk about the negative stuff here. Let’s face it, we have enough of that in the news! Instead, I’m writing this in the hope that the little snippets of positivity I’ve noticed might also bring you some fresh perspective, ideas or simple entertainment in whatever isolation situation you are in. So, I’ll break it down for you. People Are Nice After All- Something incredible has happened during this pandemic. People of ALL AGES are opening up and getting along. Suddenly, strangers are walking past me and wishing me a “good morning.” I’m waving at the same old couple I pass every morning on my daily walk, without fail! We don’t even know each other’s names! As each new person passes by, we smile and nod, because we both know that there is a need for more happiness in our lives right now, however little it may be. In fact, being kind to others can boost your serotonin, ease anxiety and reduce stress. I’m sure you know ‘smiling is contagious’ so go forth and contaminate as many people as you can! Excuse the irony of the topic, I couldn’t resist! The world is coming together as one big community,
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united in the fight against COVID-19. And I’d like to believe that this positive attitude towards one another – that a stranger isn’t strange for smiling at you or politely saying “hello” – will stay for the foreseeable. Accept And Embrace The Change! TIKTOK - Yes. You read it right. As we all know TikTok has blown up over this lockdown period… (although I know some of you reading might not get the hype). But hear me out! I’ve learnt so much from using it, from “the top Amazon picks you didn’t know you needed” to the importance of self-care! Have you heard of Nabela Noor? She is a BangladeshiAmerican, known for being a lifestyle influencer and YouTuber. During the pandemic she has taken over TikTok with her ‘Pockets of Peace’ series. In the series she showcases one little thing each day which deserves to be appreciated. “Each day carries a few moments of goodness and we deserve to enjoy them,” Nabela expresses. For me, her series has encouraged a new sense of appreciation/perspective for the little things amidst the chaos! Nabela’s Pockets of Peace series has taught me that finding something good in my day can help me to think more positively. And it can be anything that makes you happy! An example would be watching your favourite film, going for a walk, cooking a wholesome meal or lighting some candles and having a pamper day. Following her through the pandemic has inspired me to start journalling. I start my day with writing three things I am grateful for and end the day by reflecting what it entailed and how I felt throughout it. There’s something empowering about writing your thoughts down. It’s been like a mini release for me and I truly believe it has helped with my wellbeing and personal growth. If you haven’t checked out Nabela’s page or tried journalling it is something that I would recommend you do! Despite the gloom that this pandemic has given the world, in time I hope that above all, this pandemic will be remembered for revealing the new person that we have been able to discover in ourselves. On a final note, please remember “You’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home,” and let’s embrace the time we have to work on being the best versions of ourselves!
Ohana Lockdown Magazine
Gratitude Journal MORNING Daily Affirmation
Today I am looking forward to:
What can I do to make today great?
EVENING I am grateful for...
Three things that happened today:
Thoughts and feelings
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“U would have gotten it by now”
By Megan Brooks
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o, you have moved back to uni. You may be living with your friends, or you could have moved in with strangers. Regardless, people just have different views on the current covid situation. The pandemic has broken up relationships, helped make some stronger or you could have formed some new ones. So much has changed! But watching how the people around you are acting in the current moment could really be affecting your opinion on their character. But most importantly what can you do if the people you live with ignore lockdown rules? You may fear being caught up in the blast if they are caught breaking the law. What if they get caught? Will you be fined too? If you report them, what will living with them be like after? All these questions have very fuzzy responses. As the saying goes “these are unprecedented times” and the sad fact is no one really knows the answers. In terms of fines the Citizens advice website states: “The police could tell you to go home or fine you £200 if you go out or meet with people when you’re not allowed to. You can be fined up to £6,400 if you keep breaking the rules, and up to £10,000 if you organise a meeting of more than 30 people.” Most of the advice online will tell you to try to approach the law-breaking individuals and try to help them see things from your side. An honest
chat can sometimes be what is needed for the situation to look up! This may take more than one conversation and some space between. But persistence and a cool, collected attitude could be what is needed. In the circumstances though time may not be something you are willing to give. However, distance could be a possibility. When people you like with are not respecting lockdown rules or what you are comfortable with, they most likely are putting you and themselves and anyone that the group you come in to contact with in danger. Try bringing the outside guidelines inside (where possible)! Wash your hands and anything you would like to touch or use. If they will not conform to the rules, you may have to bridge the gap for the sake of your health. Remember … “Hands. Face. Space” (Gov.UK). Lockdown affected us all differently. But no matter what your situation you need to try to stay positive. What we are doing now will help ensure a better future. Focus on the up not the down. Keep connected to your loved ones. And remember that with every day we are doing our part we are helping to save lives! If your living situation is like that described above a call to Citizens advice or your local authorities for some more specific advice may be a massive help. Just know that we are all in this together.
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Capturing Creativity
By Elliot Wilson
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ccording to the Official Charts, the word “home” has featured in the title of 248 songs that have hit the top 100. 23 of those songs were simply called Home, and 44 of them made the top 10. It’s evident that the topic of home is a popular one in music- songwriters love to write about it and consumers love to listen to it! However, in the days of a Global pandemic, has home become the last place that a songwriter (or any ‘creative’ for that matter) wants to be? There’s no doubt about it, trying to keep the brain active with creative and imaginative tasks is a brilliant way to combat the otherwise inevitable boredom that this lockdown business can bring about. Studies show that engaging in a creative outlet activity (such as painting, playing an instrument or writing a story) can lead to a dopamine release in our bodies, boosting our moods and further inspiring our imagination. This is all wonderful stuff, but it’s not always quite so easy. As a songwriter myself, I’ve been finding it incredibly difficult to find new inspiration during lockdown, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that. It’s tricky trying to write a new and interesting song when every day all I see is the same few room and the same family members. And this applies across all different sorts of creativity- graphic designers are struggling to conceive fresh ideas, novelists are experiencing never-ending writer’s block. So how do we overcome this and get back to our creative best whilst restricted to the confines of our houses? First up, there are plenty of ways to make the most of our permitted daily outing for exercise. One photographer in Derby has been using his daily walk to take photos of trees and plants (doesn’t sound too exciting yet…). He’s then waited several months and taken photos of the exact same things, to compare them and identify the differences. He’s compiled an
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album of back-to-back spring/autumn photos of the same wildlife, highlighting the natural beauty in the changing of the seasons. An interesting concept. One technique I’ve used to spark creativity when I’m out on a walk is to observe fellow walkers/runners/cyclists around me and start to build up a fictional profile in my mind of what’s going on in their life. I’m not advocating anything creepy…but it can really get your mind thinking in an abstract way if you start to wonder about every detail of a total stranger’s life! This imaginative thinking can inspire totally unique song lyrics or or a short story idea. It forces you to think outside of just the things you experience in your own life and imagine up brand new situations. Of course, not everyone is able/willing to leave the house right now, so what can we do from the inside? It’s easy for the imagination to dry up if you’re stuck in one spot for a long time, but one unique method that gets me thinking differently is to read through very old text messages in my phone. Scrolling through old conversations from five years ago takes your mind out of the present day and into a totally different time. It might spark emotions, remind you of interesting settings, and even bring back specific smells. Yes, you might dig up an unresolved issue… but USE THAT! Turn it into a story, or a song, or a painting, or a hand-woven laundry basket…? However you choose to be creative, don’t let lockdown halt your flow. Use techniques like the ones I’ve mentioned; anything that expands your way of thinking and sparks totally new ideas! And if you don’t generally tend to ‘create stuff’, so to speak, then maybe now is a good time to try! Break out the watercolours or purchase a second-hand ukulele, there’s never been a better time!
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Instant Gratification “People who learn how to manage their need to be satisfied in the moment thrive more in their careers, relationships, health, and finances than people who give in to it”- Ilene Cohen.
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nstant Gratification – it’s a term that I had heard of, but I never really knew what it meant. Not until I came across a whole video on the subject on Instagram. And for those who are like me and didn’t know either, it means having the desire to experience fulfilment without delay or deferment. Basically, it’s like that saying: when you want it; and want it now. After coming across this, it got me thinking. Like many of you, I didn’t think the lockdown would’ve lasted as long as it has. When I think of the idea of instant gratification and the circumstances we have faced, for now nearly over a year, I honestly didn’t want anything more than life to go back to normal, like ASAP! Now that there is this “road map” in place and knowing we are all going to have to readjust our lives again - I kind of have very mixed feelings. Deeping it a little bit, it made me realise that the world moves so fast – one minute were in a world crisis being told its dangerous to leave our home, and then what feels like a flick of a switch, we are moving towards the light at the end of the tunnel. And this notion occurs in our lives without us probably even thinking about it. For many of us, a generation born and raised in the internet era, there is no surprise to why our patience is fading. Trends go in and out of style in a matter of days and it’s hard to focus on one thing anymore. The idea of “good things can take time before occurring” is not that obvious. We have grown up with access to an infinite amount of information at any given time. If you need something answered, Google and the likes of Alexa have now become our “go to” things. Therefore, that feeling of gratification no longer has to be delayed. It happens right away, and I think it is a feeling that we are so used to.
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Ohana Lockdown Magazine
By Jessica Sohal
“good things can take time before occurring” With this in mind, it is easy to fall into the habit of responding with anger and feeling a bit cheated when you are forced to wait. It can be from simple to rolling your eyes when a queue isn’t moving fast enough, or sighing impatiently and slamming our laptops shut when pages take forever to load. It’s funny, because it’s like we have reverted back to our toddler tantrum days, only now we are throwing phones instead of toys. We have come to expect things a certain way, and because of this, it can be difficult to fight the waves of disappointment and frustration that when it comes being faced with certain obstacles (like the three lockdowns). In this way, the idea of instant gratification infiltrates our daily behaviour and shapes our decision making – and not always for the best. Resisting instant gratification is not about denying ourselves of pleasure. Instead, it has to do with managing our desires. It’s about self-control and readdressing our priorities. Tackling instant gratification to me means pushing ourselves to break unhealthy habits, such as the tendency to pick up our phones and browse through social media at all hours of the day. Throughout the lockdown, I’ve learnt the importance of time. It’s given me a chance to practice patience in different ways. It’s given me the ability to exercise self-control and, as a result, a mini reality check to put more focus on achieving those long-term goals. The point I wanted to get across - especially now, moving forward, out of lockdown, is that I hope this new lease of freedom doesn’t take us back to our old ways. Moving out of this stage is exciting don’t get me wrong, but I still hope we appreciate all the little things that were taken away and not move at 100mph like we used to. I think it’s more important than ever to just embrace every moment as we all extend into this “readjustment”. The biggest lesson I’ve taken from the idea of instant gratification and lockdown is how the present impacts the future, and we should use that information to direct our decisions rather than allowing our need for instant gratification to blind us. After all, “living our best lives” once again is something we all deserve to look forward to! Ohana Magazine
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