Category: Self & Style

By ANNALEIGH DE LA ROSA and CYNTHIA FLORES DIAZ

The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the theme for Met Gala 2024 during a morning news conference last month and described the theme as reawakening the costumes. The theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” will “explore the notions of rebirth and renewal, using nature as a metaphor for the impermanence of fashion,” according to the Met in a new release. 

The Met Gala is an annual red carpet event that happens in the beginning of May or usually the first Monday in May. The event takes place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and starts in the evening. The Gala is also an annual source of fundraising for the museum’s department’s exhibitions and other necessities. There are specific themes for each gala every year, some being: “In America: A lexicon of Fashion,” “ Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” “ China: Through the Looking Glass” and many more over the years. 

250 of old pieces of fashion being revealed in a new way and as well some pieces never seen before in public will be showcased on the first Monday of may in 2024. The Met’s Marina Kellen French director and CEO, said, “This innovative show will push the boundaries of our imagination and invite us to experience many facets of a work, and learn more about its history, and, ultimately, to gain a deeper appreciation of its beauty.” 

The Met Gala was established in 1948 as a charity event for fundraising for the Costume Institute by Eleanor Lambert who was a publicist and fashion promoter who also invented the New York Fashion Week. After the first event the Met Gala expanded and turned into one of the most exclusive events of the year. The event expanded under the control of two editors-in-chief, Diana Vreeland that worked from 1972 to 1989 and Anna Wintour that started from 1995 to current times.

Collages reflect some of the best dressed celebrities of the 2023 Met Gala theme, “Karl Lagerfield: A Line of Beauty.” The collage images were created using remove.bg and canva.com. (CYNTHIA FLORES DIAZ/ Ethic News image)

Throughout the years we have seen many extraordinary themes and dress codes along with many fashionable pieces that go with them. Last year’s 2023 Gala theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” displaying many extraordinary pieces remembering the loss of Karl Lagerfeild who was a German fashion designer, known as the creative power of the revival of the world known brand Chanel, and died in 2019. His fashion looks being he designed were known as cutting edge and relevant. Celebrities like Rihanna, Doja Cat, and Jenna Ortega wear memorable fashion pieces in respect of Karl Lagerfeld.

The Met Gala is known to be the Super Bowl of fashion occurring every year and with a new creative theme, everyone enjoys and will anticipate its new designs, until the next first Monday of May.

By ANGELA MOAWAD and JOSIE DURAZO

The favored painter, Wassily Kandinsky said that, “Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” 

This can be in ways that mess with our minds, in either positive or negative ways.

Color affects all living things in their everyday lives in ways that most don’t pay attention to.

An example of color psychology that is well known is the tradition of wearing black to a funeral. The color black in this case, is associated with feelings of grief, mourning and sadness. Clothing is only one of the ways color affects us.

Color is also used to sell products in marketing, because of the way it affects moods, and even goes so far as to affect blood pressure, according to Paint Color Psychology.

It affects our decision making, our communication and much more. According to the article, “Color Psychology”, the following are ways in which colors are connected to our everyday lives.

Red is the most intense color, it catches peoples attention and is the base of many food industries to enhance appetite. Other things the color red is associated with is energy, war, power, desire, love, passion and most commonly danger.

Yellow is one of the more positive colors, associated with happiness, intelligence and optimism. In the article “The Psychology of Color and Their Meanings” from Color Psychology, it states that studies have shown that the color yellow is associated with left brain thinking which promotes rational thinking. The light bulb is associated with having new ideas, inspired from the color yellow.

Orange is a mix of both the yellow and red characteristics. Orange is the color of social communication and adventure. Those who favor the color orange are probably on the more social side and extroverted. Traits associated with oranges are enthusiasm, rejuvenation and courage.

The way that colors work in our brain has a large impact on the way we live. Positive and negative colors can take up a lot of our emotions and the walks we take through our life.

Featured image: Artistic depiction of a brain with multiple colors. Image was created using canva.com. (ANGELA MOAWAD/ Ethic News image)

By SKYE GAYNAIR

Growing up being neurodivergent can come with a lot of struggles and confusion but imagine being unaware of why you’re struggling. 

Let’s discuss what being neurodivergent is and how it can affect daily life and activities. 

What does it mean to be “neurodivergent? According to Oxford Languages” Neurodivergent is differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal (frequently used concerning autistic spectrum disorders); not neurotypical.” People who are neurodivergent may identify with autism, ADHD,  down syndrome, dyscalculia, dysgraphia,  dyslexia, etc. These are all disorders caused by the way that someone’s brain functions. They can be caused by traumatic experiences or simply just genetics. It’s not something that can be spread. 

Struggles occur through reading, writing, and just overall learning disabilities. Also social communication difficulties or just functioning as someone would consider normal. For example, some people with neurological disorders have a hard time giving eye contact so neurotypical people may see it as rude or unusual.

Neurodivergent isn’t just for one age group nor does it just affect one group of people. According to studies men tend to show symptoms in earlier stages of life and women develop them later on. According to the EMOHA article, “What’s so serious about neurological disorders in elders?” Those above the age of 55 are more vulnerable to neurological disorders. Neurological disorders are more detrimental to older individuals. It then makes it difficult for them to live independently. 

As crazy as it sounds, there’s also some type of discrimination when it comes to minority families dealing with neurological disorders. At times it takes longer for a diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes it’s not because of the doctor’s opinion, it has to do with the family as well.  From the experience of being a Black American, my family is not attentive when it comes to health whether it be physical or mental. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many. A lot of the time it stems from bad experiences in the healthcare industry.  

In the NPR article “A history of discrimination leads to a lingering fear of doctors,” Rahim Kalil shares his and those around experiences in the healthcare industry as a Black man. Kalil said that as a Black man, “We know when we’re being patronized, put down, you know, avoided.” He said the disrespect can be subtle, but still harmful. He says, “When we come in, these are the attitudes that we perceive. We don’t want to go through that mess. We don’t. So we avoid it.” 

As published in the National Library of Medicine, care from a neurologist is important but certain patients are less likely to receive that care. The article states, “Neurologist involvement in the care of people living with neurologic illness reduces adverse events and acute care hospitalizations. Unequal access to neurologic services has been documented for a few neurologic diseases. For example, patients with MS who are black, physically disabled, lower income, uninsured, or living in rural areas are less likely to receive care from a neurologist.”

In groups of minority people, we sometimes may lack the knowledge or resources to care for ourselves or our children with a disorder so it’s up to us to educate each other. Here are a few signs that may be an onset for a neurological disorder: poor attention span, poor social skills, hyperactivity, repetitive movements, vocalizations, and difficulty reading, writing, and learning overall. 

If you are experiencing any of the following don’t panic because it may not be a neurological disorder but to be safe, voice your concerns to a healthcare provider or make your guardian aware. Neurodivergence is not something that can be treated but you can receive help to regulate it. Depending on the diagnosis it can either be managed with some type of medicine like Methylphenidate.  According to the National Health Service, methylphenidate “belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that control attention and behavior.” You may also be offered therapy.

Love your unique mind, regardless if others make you feel like you shouldn’t. Neurodivency can come with the struggle of feeling unusual, Being different in a society that’s fixated on following trends, will shame you if you don’t. Don’t follow behind, don’t allow those who haven’t experienced your reality to tell you who you should be. Be you authentically, it’s only one. Get comfortable with your mind, body, and soul because you’ll be living there for a while.

If you need someone to talk to feel free to contact your counselor, a trusted adult, or call 800-273-TALK (8255). You matter, you’re loved, you’re you. 

By NADIA CENICEROS, ANNALEIGH DE LA ROSA and EMELY CASTRO 

American pop singer, actress, and makeup artist Ariana Grande has released a new foundation in 60 shades, adding on to her beauty brand. The makeup and skincare brand is called r.e.m beauty and the name for the new foundation is the Sweetener foundation. The foundation was released on Aug. 24 only in Ulta Beauty stores.

The brand released the foundation soon after she released her new fragrance Cloud Pink which is the newest fragrance to her Cloud perfumes. The foundation was also released before the week Grande released some  re-recordings and music videos for her 10 year anniversary for her debut album, “Yours Truly.”

The foundation is vegan and cruelty free, along with all of her other products. The foundation is made to be longwearing and made as skincare formulated for the skin, leaving the skin hydrated with reduced pores and brighten skin. On Aug. 28 Grande did a pop up in New York City for the release, giving ice cream and foundations for fans that came throughout the day.

The Sweetner foundations in a range of 60 shades are sold exclusivly at Ulta Beauty stores. (NADIA CENICEROS/Ethic News photo)

Just like Grande’s concealers, her foundations contain a shade range with 60 different shades and provides a full coverage. These shade ranges have barely beaten Rihanna’s “Fenty Beauty” shade range by ten shades. With the large range in shades it brings exclusivity into the makeup community the diversity.

Packaging for Sweetner foundation in shade “Tan 6 W” and retails at $35. (NADIA CENICEROS/Ethic News photo)

The Grammy winning singer is currently acting in the film musical movie “Wicked”.

By KENDRA BURDICK

High school social standards are often a daunting part of adolescent life. Students are tasked with navigating a complex and ever-evolving social scene, and their status among their peers can have a significant impact on their overall happiness and well-being. While social norms in high schools have certainly changed over the years, there are still certain expectations and behaviors that persist.

One of the most prevalent social standards in high school is the expectation of popularity. While the concept of the “popular crowd” has been around for decades, social media has added a new layer of complexity to this issue. According to a Pew Research Center study, 71% of teens use social media, and many use it as a way to create their online image and gain social validation. This can lead to a high level of pressure to fit into a certain mold and maintain a certain level of popularity.

“Fashion affects my school life because people judge you based on what you’re wearing and not on your personality or morals. Being judged affects me and others emotionally and mentally because all we’re trying to do is express ourselves and we are turned into something that’s through another person’s perspective and not our own,” states Brooklyn Andrews, a freshman attending Yucaipa High School. (KENDRA BURDICK/ETHIC PHOTO)

Another aspect of high school social standards is the pressure to conform to specific fashion trends whether it be what’s shown on social media or around campuses. According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, clothing and accessories are the top spending category for back-to-school shopping, with an average of $239 spent per family. For many students, following the latest fashion trends is seen as a way to fit in and gain social acceptance. This pressure can be especially challenging for students who come from low-income families or who have different tastes and interests.

In addition to these external pressures, certain behaviors and expectations are reinforced within high school social circles. For example, drinking and partying are often seen as a rite of passage and a way to gain social status, even though they can have serious consequences. Similarly, bullying and exclusion are sometimes used as a way for individuals or groups to assert their dominance over others.

So, why do these high school social standards persist? According to psychologist Dr. David G. Myers, social norms are “powerful guides for behavior” that can help individuals make sense of complex situations and feel a sense of belonging. In other words, following the crowd can be an easy way to find one’s place in a social group.

However, it’s important to recognize that these norms can also be harmful and limiting. Students who feel that they don’t fit into the popular crowd or who don’t conform to specific clothing trends may feel isolated or excluded, which can have a negative impact on their mental health. The pressure to drink, party, or engage in other risky behaviors can also lead to serious consequences, from physical harm to legal trouble.

Kai Jiang, a junior attending Redlands High School, explains their personal experiences with social standards. “When I became a freshman, we were coming back from distance learning, and everyone was so separated and divided into groups with only people you knew. I thought this would change as physically going to school became regular but everyone is still divided into groups and they don’t like to mingle (associate) with other people.” 

Jiang continues to express how it affected their mental health. “Humans have to socialize to survive and stay sane, but it’s difficult to do when you are pressured into joining a club to be known and to have people hang out with you. It made me very uncomfortable having to act a different way to be let into a club and a class. This made me realize that stereotypical high school cliques are stereotypical for a reason.”

So, what can be done to address these high school social standards? One solution is to promote a culture of individuality and inclusivity. Friends, other students, and the people surrounding them can encourage students to embrace their unique interests and talents, rather than trying to fit into a specific mold. Teachers and counselors can also work to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students, no matter the student’s background or social status. In addition, guardians and other adults can help by modeling and reinforcing positive behaviors, such as healthy decision-making, empathy, and respect for others.

High school social standards are complex and ever-evolving. While some norms are deeply ingrained in our culture, it’s important to recognize their harmful potential and explore ways to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Promoting individuality, empathy, and respect, can possibly help teenagers navigate this challenging time in their lives and emerge as confident and fulfilled young adults.

By NADIA CENICEROS

The brand includes different foundations, highlighters, eyelines, lipsticks and more. (Nadia Ceniceros/ Ethic News Photo)

HudaBeauty is a cosmetics brand created by Huda Kattan. Kattan is a 39-year-old makeup artist, beauty influencer, and entrepreneur. The brand was created in 2013 by Kattan and her two sisters Mona and Alya Kattan when she simply could not find false eyelashes to purchase. Now, HudaBeauty is a favorite and popular brand that many people love.

Before she was an influencer, Kattan had worked at a finance office but quit to pursue her dream job. In April 2010, she started a blog called “Huda Beauty” with her videos about makeup tips and tutorials. However, after three years, Kattan’s sister, Alya, gave her 6,000 dollars to start the company after considering it for some time. She also used her 10,000 dollars of savings to start her now well-known brand.

The first product to launch was false eyelashes. Her false eyelashes became very popular after the Kardashian sisters had talked publicly on social media about how great the lashes were. When she later released eyeshadow pallets, the colors were bright to embrace her heritage and have makeup with a Middle Eastern impact. As Kattan’s products got more attention, her followers on social media became larger as she would constantly post about new or feature releases.

HudaBeauty’s “Glowish” highlighter. It retails for $38 at any Sephora store. (Nadia Ceniceros/ Ethic News Photo)

In 2022, HudaBeauty sold more than 140 beauty products that range from lipsticks, eyeshadow pallets, compact powder, highlighters, false lashes, and more. HudaBeauty is mostly popular for its eyeshadow palettes for varieties of colors in pigmentation and matte lipsticks. Kattan also sells 39 different shades of foundation, after releasing nine more shades in 2020. HudaBeauty is only exclusively sold at Sephora stores.

HudaBeauty is connected to a skincare line called “Wishful” which was also made by Kattan. The line is also sold only at Sephora stores. The line was released on Feb. 16, 2020, with its first product being an exfoliating scrub. There are so far 34 products available in different sizes. HudaBeauty sells a fragrance brand called “Kayali” founded by Huda’s sister, Mona Kattan. There are 11 different types of perfumes, the first edition was released in 2018 and is now sold on the HudaBeauty website.  

HudaBeauty makes over two hundred million in annual sales today. Kattan’s net worth is about five hundred and sixty million, while the brand is four hundred million. HudaBeauty is manufactured in Dubai, where her parents were from. Kattan is the second richest beauty influencer, right behind Sofiya Nygaard. HudaBeauty is declared one of the fastest growing beauty brands.

By ELIZABETH MOLLOY

An illustration of the new pleasing nail polish Shroom Bloom set (ELIZABETH MOLLOY)

Singer and actor Harry Styles released the beauty brand Pleasing with only the first collection of the brand in November 2021. The second micro-collection from the brand was released with a springtime theme in March. The collection has been named “Shroom Bloom,” a play on words with a nod to plants that start to bloom during the springtime.

With the release of this collection, Styles has chosen Mick Fleetwood to become the face of Pleasing and the collection itself. Fleetwood is the drummer of the band ‘Fleetwood Mac.’ Styles also has close ties to the band through the lead singer of the band, Stevie Nicks. 

With a new collection comes new products and colors. This time around, Styles has featured four new nail polish colors: Sprouting, The Whole Dewniverse, Tender Bud, and Vine Ripe. 

The brand also features two new skincare items. This includes a serum, “Acid Drops” as well as a Hand Plus Nail Balm. According to Pleasing, “This essential hand and nail cream melts into skin…protecting hands against drying elements and enriching nail beds.” In regards to the serum, it includes three different acids that are beneficial to the skin: malic acid, hibiscus acid, and salicylic acid. These acids combined with other ingredients provide glowy and replenished  looking skin. 

The apparel added to the collection features illustrations from artist Marisol Muro. Muro was consulted to create illustrations that are now displayed nearly everywhere when it comes to promotion from the brand. The newest line of Pleasing apparel displays Muro’s illustrations on the front. 

From March 15 to March 20, there were Pleasing pop-up shops in Los Angeles, New York, and London. Currently, all products are only being sold online and have not found their way to a store. These pop-up shops provided an opportunity to buy these items in a store as well as enjoy the art and whimsicality of what Shroom Bloom is all about. 

This collection showcases bright colors, a whimsical tone, and as Styles puts it, “a supernatural feel. This collection is a more authentic reflection of the singer himself as well as the intended idea of the brand; it’s intended to be something fun with no boundaries and that everyone can enjoy. This is very clear through the difference between the serious tone of the first collection and the fun lighthearted tone of the second. 

These products, including apparel, can be found on Pleasing, the Styles website where both the first and second Pleasing collections can be found. 

By MIA ARANDA

Thrifting has garnered more and more popularity throughout the years. Any store that sells donated clothing, furniture and other merchandise at discounted prices is considered a thrift store. Although often thought of as simple stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army, thrifting can also include rummaging through bins and booths at garage sales and swap meets.

Part of the attraction that draws many to thrift stores are its affordable prices and unique pieces. Oftentimes, clothing items at thrift stores only cost a few dollars allowing customers to purchase multiple items for an outstandingly low cost.

Redlands East Valley High School sophomore Alma Shelly King said, “[Thrifting] is a lot more affordable for people who can’t always buy from the more expensive clothing brands.”

King typically looks for sweaters, band t-shirts and jeans at local stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. Their favorite thing about thrifting is finding old, vintage clothing.

Many also find excitement in discovering unexpected pieces, which can help diversify one’s closet, especially if they are yearning for more distinctive, occasionally unconventional, articles of clothing. In addition, the special experience of finding and purchasing a hidden treasure at a thrift store makes the item even more memorable.

Chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s concept of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” accurately illustrates the fixation over thrifting.

Thrifting is also admired for being environmentally friendly.  Thrifting promotes the reusing of items. As a person gives an item a second life, they are helping decrease the size of landfills and the need for the production of additional items. It can also help preserve water due to less clothing production, reduce chemical pollution and lower one’s carbon footprint, or in other words, the greenhouse gas emissions produced from one’s actions.

According to Goodwill, their stores have contributed greatly in “diverting nearly five billion pounds of goods from landfills and into reuse.”

Thrifting can be a time-consuming pastime that may require a lot of patience, but the thrill of accumulating unique finds for low prices and promoting environmental friendliness makes it worthwhile.

By MIYAH SANBORN

As we all know, keeping a room clean and organized is a very difficult thing to do. A few days after cleaning, things like trash, dirty laundry, and random items, start to pile up on the floor. 

Freshmen Ava Larson said, “I have a really hard time keeping my room clean after cleaning it. Everytime I clean, [by] next week stuff is everywhere on the floor.” 

Not only is cleaning a messy room extremely repetitive with time, but it is not the most enjoyable or pleasant activity in the world. Even while listening to your favorite songs while picking up your room, it can get tiring after a few minutes. Sometimes all you want to do after a long day is relax in your room, but you can’t because it’s messy! Having a cluttered space often leads to stress and can cause a cluttered mindset.

Although it is hard to keep a room clean and organized for a long period of time, there are a few steps that will help make it easier: 

1. Detail clean the room 

To do this you just need some cleaning spray, a towel and a trash bag. Start with picking up any trash on the floor or under the bed. After the trash is all picked up, wipe down all surfaces in the room, then go through all your drawers and throw out anything that you don’t need anymore. 

2. Get rid of old things 

If you have any old notebooks or nick nacks you don’t use anymore, throw it away! If there are clothes that don’t fit anymore, or that you just don’t wear anymore, donate it! By doing this, it will eliminate clutter and give you more space in your room!

3. Reorganize 

When you are done cleaning out everything, go through the items you have and separate them into different categories. Once you do this, it will be so much easier to find things you are looking for! 

4. Make your bed everyday 

By making your bed in the morning, it automatically brightens the room and makes it feel much cleaner. William H. McCraven, a retired Navy SEAL, said that “if you make your bed in the morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.” 

5. If you see something out of place, put it where it belongs! 

If you walk into your room and see a piece of trash laying on the floor, quickly put it in the trash. If there are dirty clothes on the floor, pick them up and put them in the hamper. It is so much easier to take five seconds picking up a piece of trash off the floor right away, than to spend hours cleaning a messy room! Every item has a home and we just need to help it get there!

     6.   Make a list of chores 

If you are the type of person who likes to write lists, this trick is for you! All you need is a pen and paper and maybe even a notebook! To keep your room very tidy, make a list of daily, weekly and monthly chores. An example of a daily chore is to pick up things off the floor, a weekly chore might be to vacuum the room and a monthly chore could be to wipe down flat surfaces in your room! It is an easy, yet effective way to keep yourself accountable for keeping your room organized! 

Even though keeping a room clean can be extremely difficult and tedious, it is not impossible! Using these tips and tricks will definitely help. 

Featured Image: The desk of high school senior, Lilian Mohr, who is currently attending Redlands East Vally through distance learning. All classes, school work, and assignments are done here and Mohr states “I have really tried to keep my work space clean and organized as it helps me stay productive during school.”(Ethic Photo/ Lilian Mohr)

By KENDRA BURDICK

Throughout the history of astrology there have been many people that look for answers, signs and predictions relating to the movements in celestial bodies. In the mid-first millennium, humans have been using the term “zodiac” in reference to a list of stars along the ecliptic. From farmers using the zodiacs as a calendar or navigators using the zodiacs as a map, to the job title “astrologist,” history is littered with many uses for the zodiacs.

A large number of people made zodiacs a source of a mystical direction for answers or adventures. Zodiacs can even be found in various belief systems in ancient cultures, costumes and even civilizations. Some religions and beliefs also include the zodiac philosophy. For instance, the chinese calendar has historically been associated with the ancient religion of using the zodiac signs as a way of determining the changing seasons.  

According to Time News, “It’s thought that all of these ideas came together when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt around 330 BC.” They contributed the idea that patterns of stars made up constellations through which the sun appeared to “move” at a specific time during the year.

The zodiacs are simply constellations that are matched to dates based on their placement between the sky in the sun. They are mostly known for their positions of the sun as they appeared over 2200 years ago. According to Time News, “Some horoscopes sites may promise predictions based on the ‘movement’ of the stars.” 

Many people believe that these zodiac signs can show predictions about a person’s day or month. Many newspapers have obtained the tradition to print the horoscopes or predictions of all zodiac signs to please some readers and for entertainment.

Zodiac signs have no actual proof that you have a correlation with our personalities and are not an exact science. However, throughout history they have helped us understand ideas of life and have proven to encourage self-confidence.

Senior at Redlands East Valley, Skylar Watson, shares a photo of her own necklace featuring her Zodiac sign. Watson says “I have always really been interested in horoscopes and I feel like I match with the traits that are often associated with my Zodiac sign really well.” (Photo credit to Skylar Watson)

Through all the zodiac signs, each individual sign represents an individual’s own unique traits and talents. Many people connect themselves to their zodiac sign characteristics. The different astrological stars, signs and planetary bodies all contribute to the influence of your personality.

Most people know their star signs or horoscopes and carry some traits associated with their signs. While most people in the United States are familiar with astrological signs, few are acquainted with other cultures’ zodiacs. 

Many Native Americans used nature as a main source of inspiration as they associate every aspect of life, including birth symbols. Some people connect birth symbols with their zodiac signs along with celestial bodies.

“We don’t really know who first came up with the idea for looking at things in nature and divining influences on humans,” says astronomer Sten Odenwald, the director of Citizen Science at the NASA Space Science Education Consortium.

Zodiac Signs have been, and still are, an extremely important part of history and culture. We depend on them for a sense of navigation, hope, hobbies and understanding these spectacular celestial bodies.

The Zodiac Signs:

Aries (March 21-April 19), Taurus (April 20-May 20), Gemini (May 21-June 20), Cancer (June 21-July 22), Leo (July 23-Aug. 22), Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22), Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22), Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21), Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21), Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19), Aquarius (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) and Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 20)

Originally published in La Plaza Press

By ARIANA GHALAMBOR

Minimalism. We’ve all heard of it. Whether you’ve watched every single episode of Marie Kondo’s hit Netflix series, seen pictures of tiny, empty rooms floating around on the internet, or read a book or two from The Minimalists, minimalism is all about owning only what adds value and meaning to your life (as well as the lives of the people you care about) and removing the things that do not bring joy into your life. It’s about removing the clutter and using your time and energy for the things that remain. 

While many people focus on the decluttering and getting rid of several items, for many people, minimalism is all about the intention. It is not that having stuff is bad, it’s when the thing you own ends up owning you that’s the problem. The most important philosophy of minimalism is intentionality. In minimalism, everything the person owns is there intentionally because it brings meaning into their lives. A minimalist will usually choose to value quality of items over the quantity. This means that the amount you choose to possess will be unique to you and fit to your personal choice. Minimalists want to have exactly what they need and nothing more because it affords them a life that is perfectly aligned with their vision of an ideal life.

The goals of minimalism include but are not limited to:

1. Focusing on what matters: quality time with loved ones
2. Saving money; removing debt
3. Have a flexible schedule with minimal commitments
4. Pursuing what’s interesting and, where possible, and profitable
5. Minimizing distractions and unpleasant elements in life
6. Reclaiming more time and living in the moment
7. Eliminating distractions and discontent
8. Ridding yourself of excess items that don’t bring joy into your life

Contrary to what some people think, there aren’t any actual rules to minimalism. There are no official guidelines of minimalism to determine whether or not you’re doing minimalism right. Minimalism will always look different for everyone. It is meant to be used as a tool that fits each unique individual and changes depending on each person. For some minimalists, they may have 60 CD’s in their library. But they are still nonetheless minimalists because every single CD brings joy into their lives and is there intentionally. You don’t have to own below a certain number of items. You can still have nice things, and no, you don’t need to get rid of your favorite collection—whether it’s books, shoes, or music. Minimalism doesn’t have to look like white-walled, modern and empty homes you’ve probably stumbled upon in magazines and videos.

In the end, minimalism is less about owning fewer items and more about actively making choices on what kind of things truly matter to you. Again, it’s all about the intentions one sets to own mainly what sparks joy in your life and the intentions to rid yourself of junk that doesn’t.

The society and Western lifestyles that many Americans participate in encourage the constant pursuit of bigger and better is an endless cycle. There will always be a nicer car to buy, a bigger boat, a larger home, and or a faster private jet. This is a problem because it creates a society that values quantity over quality. You could have 20 different sneakers that are all uncomfortable and low quality, but there is simply no reason to because you could use that money to buy 3 pairs of high quality and comfortable shoes that will last you much longer. In minimalism, the goal is to fight against this societal pressure and value the quality of items you enjoy over the quantity of that item. This will mean that you will save money from only buying one, high quality item, over buying hundreds of low quality items that you have to continue rebuying because it won’t last.

It may seem like an overwhelming challenge at first, but as you untangle the life you built around owning more things, you’ll find the stress disappearing and the world starting to slow down. Those choices you make will begin to build a muscle that will fundamentally change the way you live your life.

Okay. So you like the idea of what you just read but you feel intimidated on how to begin your minimalist journey. Starting small is the best way to get started on something that feels like a big change. Try by first getting rid of one item you own that you feel is unnecessary in your life. It could be an old tee shirt, a nail polish you never used (and don’t plan on using), or a stuffed animal you haven’t thought about in years at the back of your closet. It can be anything, but make sure to try and donate or recycle items that someone else could benefit from as opposed to throwing them away in the trash. Some people also prefer to resell lightly used items by a yard sale, online app, or to a pawn shop if it is more valuable. 

One rule of thumb many minimalists like to use to guide them is: “If you haven’t touched the item for over 6 months and there is no true use for it, get rid of it”.

The next immediate step is to stop the influx of buying new things that you don’t actually need. Whether that means logging out from Amazon or not going to the mall anymore, take steps to prevent yourself from purchasing new things that will continue to clutter your home. It’s important to not find yourself in a loophole of waiting for big sales to buy unnecessary items like Black Friday that won’t get any use. Many people of Redlands have heard about minimalism and have various feelings about it. One of the students, Emily Miller of Redlands East Valley says, “Minimalism means to surround yourself with the least amount of things that will keep you happy and healthy. Not to indulge yourself with unneeded things.” She says that objects and materials have never really gotten in the way of her life but sometimes she spends money on items she doesn’t truly need. Although Miller speaks very highly of minimalism, she would never try it because she has too much attachment to her items to lead a minimalist lifestyle. She adds that, “I think the idea of getting rid of things that don’t get used often is a good idea. For instance, only keeping clothes that fit me and make me happy rather than holding on to them in case I might use them later” are some ways she would introduce aspects of minimalism into her life.

By ISAAC MEJIA

“Elevate your mood today with a positive attitude” (Isaac Mejia/ Ethic News).

Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial in life. This is especially true for students in times of distance learning, where never-ending technical difficulties continue to wear patience thin and attack mental psyche. During distance learning, it is very common to find feelings of frustration or thinking negatively throughout the day. It is possible that the thought of a pessimistic mindset is justifiable or that it helps cope with current struggles. Nonetheless, constantly thinking negatively can leave someone overwhelmed with defeat, frequently upset and cause unnecessary anxiety. 

According to a study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, more optimistic people had a “30 percent lower risk of dying from any disease.” So, how do humans combat negative thinking? The answer is simple: It starts with you. You have the power to change your way of thinking and transform the way you choose to live your life. 

Here are some habits that may help you start to develop a positive mindset:

1)  Coming to terms with negativity

We are all human beings. It is unrealistic to think that we can operate throughout our day without ever experiencing a negative thought or emotion. Because of this, you can allow yourself to temporarily feel negative. Sometimes, it’s okay to not be okay. It is not okay to trap your emotions inside yourself and never come to terms with what’s really bothering you. So when you start to recognize that you are having negative thoughts and feelings, you should talk about it, release them, and move on. 

After you release yourself from your thoughts, you can start thinking positivley without any negative thoughts in the back of your mind preventing you from doing so.

2) Appreciation and Perspective

Once you have a clear mindset, start to recall all of the good moments, cherishable memories, and simple instances of happiness that you have expeirenced throughout your day. No matter what, there is always something that you can be thankful for. Sometimes, when we are so consumed in our misfortunes, we allow our negative thoughts to overshadow all the positive aspects of our life. It is easy to forget the many luxuries we enjoy on a daily basis such as being allowed to pursue an education, having air conditioning in our car, or owning a mattress to sleep on. 

No matter what, our circumstances can always be worse. Therefore, it is important that we appreciate what we individually have and recognize that some of our problems are miniscule compared to others. Putting things into perspective can be very beneficial when you are attempting to think positively. 

This is not to say that your negative thoughts aren’t affecting you, but it is a tactic that will help you identify whether or not you are manifesting a greater negative perspective than necessary. By simply appreciating all of the wonderful things you do have and putting your situation into perspective, you can transform your way of thinking and elevate your mood.

3) Limit negative encounters

As we start to think more positively and develop happier lifestyles, we want to prohibit ourselves from interacting with things that will stimulate negative thoughts and set us back. We do not realize that some of our daily habits are a direct catalyst for our negative mentality. In today’s society, where social media reigns supreme over the lives of many high school students, we are unaware that hours of social media scrolling can generate negativity. 

Unintentionally, you may find yourself constantly comparing other individuals lives to your own which will cause insecurity and negative thinking. Maybe you are not a social media addict, another source of negativity can present itself through watching the news. The news, while informational, discusses many topics that you may find disconcerting or troubling. These feelings can lead to negative thoughts and even fear. You should be mindful about how you spend your time and ask yourself whether or not you are being lifted up or brought down by those things.

As many people probably can concur, starting to think positively is hard. It’s a commitment, a choice; a lifestyle. It will improve your quality of life as, according to John Hopkins Medicine, a positive attitude is directly connected to “lower rates of depression” and “less stress.” At first, you may find it difficult to change your way of thinking, but as long as you persevere, you will start to develop a positive mindset and wonder how you ever lived without one.

By MAGGIE SNAVELY 

Life is filled with so many detours. As much as we wish things could always run smoothly, that is simply not the case. When you are constantly thrown twists and turns it is extremely difficult to stay motivated. There are some steps you can try to help deal with unexpected detours.

Slow down

Sometimes it is easy to get frantic when you’re moving through life smoothly and quickly. Then an obstacle shows up in front of you, but you don’t want to stop. The best thing you can do in these scenarios is to slow down and remember that life isn’t a race. Though it can seem daunting, sometimes we might have to take a different path than the one we want. That doesn’t mean that path can’t take you to the same place. Physician Susan Biali Haas, a writer for Psychology Today, said, “I have been stunned by the experience of slowing down. It is like waking up, without having known you were asleep. What I’ve realized by slowing down, though, is how habitually I have been rushing.” Take some time to stop and ask yourself if you are unknowingly rushing through your life.

Believe in yourself

Nobody enjoys life detours because it takes us away from our comfort zone. Which makes us question ourselves and wonder whether or not we will be able to handle this detour. This fear of the unknown causes us to only focus on the bed and parts of ourselves that we think are weak. To get past these blocks in the road you have to leave this negative mindset behind. Tell yourself that you will be able to overcome this, because chances are you will.

Acceptance

There’s no reason to panic when you can’t find an immediate way around a detour. As much as we may not want to, some detours cannot be passed. You need to know when to find a path around the detour, and when to tough it out and accept it. Most of the time, you can’t control what happens to you. It’s up to you to decide how you handle life’s sudden changes. Choose to learn from this life event and gain some personal growth or learn new things. A sudden detour only has to be a waste of time if you make it one. Besides, even if you don’t see it now; this detour might be taking you to the place you need to go.

“Not all who wander are lost” -J.R.R Tolken 

By LILIAN MOHR

Amidst a global pandemic almost every aspect of daily life has been impacted in some way. Schools are digital, stores are closed, and friends have to stay six feet apart from each other. 

Meanwhile healthcare workers put their life on the line every day to help those in need, but the best way for everyone else to help is to just follow CDC guidelines of social distancing and staying inside. 

Jack Tetrault, a senior at Redlands East Valley, says “It feels really weird now that I went from being crazy busy and doing something all the time either with school, sports, or ASB, to now just sitting at home.  I catch myself feeling like I should be out doing something or like I am forgetting something but actually there is nothing really going on.”

For many, this new way of life has led to boredom or a sense of helplessness as a lot of events have been cancelled or postponed leaving people with pretty clear schedules for the next few months. 

There is an easy way though for almost anyone to get involved in helping the community while in quarantine, even from their living room couches. Making homemade masks can bring a neighbor, loved one, or healthcare worker the personal protective equipment that is essential during these scary times.

Skylar Watson, a senior at Redlands East Valley, says “My grandmother made masks for our family and I actually was inspired to learn how to make them too. It gave me something to do in quarantine and I felt like it was a great way to help in any way I could.”

Follow the steps below to make your own homemade masks:

Materials Needed:

Sewing machine and/or thread and sewing needle

Any fabric without large gaps or holes in the material

Flexible string

Paper and pencil

Sewing pins

Ruler or measuring tape

Step 1: Pick out a fabric and gather materials.

Step 2: Make a stencil to trace the size of mask desired, mark around the stencil, and cut out the mask. Repeat this step twice to get two identical cut-outs of the mask.

Step 3: Lay the pieces of mask on top of each other with the back sides facing out, meaning the side of the fabric that will show show in the end is what is turned inward. 

Step 4: Then sew the vertical short sides together on each side.

Step 5: Now take the two ends that have been sewed together and bend the fabric so they are now in the middle of the mask. Now what was the narrow parts of the material that were in the middle of the mask is now on the side.

Step 6: Sew the top and the bottom, long sides of the mask together but leave about a one inch gap at the end of the top. 

Step 7: Now begin to gently pull the inner fabric through the hole that was left until the mask has inverted itself and the front side of the fabric is showing. 

Step 8: Now sew the top and bottom, long sides of the mask again but this is now going to create a hem. 

Step 9: On both short sides of the mask, fold in about a half an inch of fabric or enough to were a pocket is made that a piece of string could be inserted through. Now use pins to secure this fold and sew along the end of the fold. 

Step 10: Now cut two, nine inch pieces of any type of flexible or stretchy string.

Step 11: Thread the pieces of string through the folds on each side and secure them with a knot.

Step 12: Now either use the masks when in public, give them to friends and family, or donate them to healthcare workers to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus. 

By MAGGIE SNAVELY

(Markus Spiske/ Pexels)

Having to be isolated from the rest of the world can leave us with many conflicted feelings. Maybe you feel happy to stay home, or maybe you feel lonely. Either way, this quarantine has definitely left us feeling different than before. It is important to find ways to keep a healthy mindset during this tough time. 

There are plenty of good habits and activities that can help you keep busy during quarantine. Staying busy is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself sane. If you find yourself constantly pacing back and forth from one side of your room to the other, it may be time to find something new to do. Whether that means picking up a new hobby or going for a walk, it can help take your mind off how bored you are. Try to catch yourself when you find yourself hopelessly wandering around the house.

Staying busy during quarantine is best done through new hobbies. You may have heard this one before, but it really works. Some may feel discouraged when it comes to trying new things and will avoid them if they don’t think it will be a success. However, this mindset will keep you from engaging in activities that you might have enjoyed in the end. There’s no harm in trying. Now especially, you have the time to start something new. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite hobby.

Being isolated can lend to a state of confusing thoughts and stress. It is important to find a way to clear your head during this quarantine. A simple such method is spending some time outside. It may seem silly, but by simply getting some fresh air and enjoying nature, you’ll become more clear-headed and focused. If that doesn’t work for you, maybe doodling or another form of creative expression will help you de-stress. The main idea is really about making time in the day for yourself. You may even just need a good solid nap. Everyone needs a nap sometimes.

One of the problems that could be causing stress is the clash of schoolwork in a home environment. Before you would go to school and learn. Then you would come home and it would be time to relax. Now, it’s hard to know when to relax and when to work on school, leaving you even more stressed out. It will be helpful to try and separate the two as much as possible. Set times during the day for when you will work on school, and when you can relax. This will guarantee that you won’t end up spending all day stressing about school and not getting time for yourself. It can also help with organization and time management.

You may not realize it but keeping your mind healthy and happy will be one of the most important aspects of this quarantine. Even if you don’t agree yet, there’s no harm in trying.

By MAGGIE SNAVELY

(Bongkarn Thanyakij / Pexels)

School isn’t just a place for learning and academics. For some students, it is where they are allowed to express themselves, to laugh with friends or show off creative style. Even if we are unable to do it anywhere else, we know that we can express ourselves at school. 

However in quarantine, it seems almost impossible for us to express ourselves or communicate with friends like we did previously. The time is now to use all the technology that’s available to us. With all our options, we forget how useful technology can be when trying to keep in touch or express oneself.

It starts to become tiresome when the only one you can show your outfit to is your dog. When you can’t show your friends your first successful batch of cookies, you need a solution. Social media platforms are quite handy when it comes to interacting with friends or modeling your favorite outfit. 

Whether it is just messaging directly or posting a picture of your new favorite painting, social media lets us share parts of our lives with the people we cannot physically see right now. Most importantly, it’s a great way to remind ourselves that, although it’s tough right now, it is going to be okay. Social media can be used to spread supportive messages as well as keep students up to date with each other and feel involved even though everyone is isolated.

Social media, however, is not the only way to stay connected or express oneself. On March 20 of this year, “Animal Crossing New Horizons” was released. This video game seems to allow people to relax during these stressful times. Soon after it released, players discovered that the wholesome game easily put a smile on their face. 

“Animal Crossing New Horizons” lets you use your creativity to turn a deserted island into your personally designed town by styling your own character, clothes and house. Along with these features, the game allows you to keep in touch with friends and family who also have the game by exploring each other’s island or just going fishing together. “Animal Crossing New Horizons” is a simple, relaxing way to keep in touch with loved ones while having some wholesome fun.

Although it sometimes feels like the opposite, we have so many options when it comes to social technology. Use social media to show off your new talents or how good you’ve gotten at dancing. Meet with friends in a virtual town you created yourself. It may not be the same as meeting in real life, but it’s all we have right now and it is better than nothing at all. It is the perfect time to use technology to spread the joy or simple silliness that many of us need right now, so why not take advantage of it?

By MAURICIO PLIEGO

Being organized is something that many people believe to be essential to our day to day lives. People have their personal views on how organization is achieved as it may come easier in small or large steps. In a system of organization it is important to develop these skills because not only will they be helpful to your personal life, but it is also seen as an important trait and skill to have when finding a job or even your future dream school. Here are five tips for becoming organized:

Make time

To be able to succeed in becoming organized, you must be able to make plenty of time for the area that may need your attention. This must become a habit or a part of your daily schedule for any form of order to occur.

Keep what you can handle

In any job, school, or task needed to be completed, always do what you know you can handle. It is great to push your limits but not to an extent where you can not handle the situation. It is best to learn to grow with the circumstances given to you.

Motivation

For any possibility of anything happening, you must be motivated until the very end. A good thought would be to think about what could have been gained by organization or what time and money could have been saved. You must maintain motivation if you are to complete the skill of organization. 

Create a routine

Creating a routine allows any attempt at becoming organized to become permanent and it creates a much easier environment around you to become more coordinated. Each time this routine is repeated, the easier it will become and the less time this task may require. It is reported by Blurtitout that “reducing our stress levels can easily be done through creating a daily routine” as it makes each passing day much easier without having to stress 

Be patient

Sadly, like most things becoming organized takes time. If you are to ever be able to gain this skill and maybe even master it, you must learn to be patient and learn to build up from the bottom to create a “better you” and environment for you.

These five tips were taken into account for students and adults with school while juggling a job or another task along with their lives. Becoming organized is an essential part of anyone’s lives as it enhances them to be able to complete more parts of their lives and move forward. Organization is an important and difficult skill to maintain over long periods of time. So next time you find yourself stressing because you can’t find that essay you wrote for english, maybe try some of these tips to bring yourself closer to an easier and more organized life.

By MAGGIE SNAVELY

About 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders and studies show comfort objects and breathing techniques can help reduce anxiousness. (Angelita Hutabarat / Ethic Photo)

There are always places wherein we feel uncomfortable, like a party we wish we weren’t invited to, the entire time just longing to be home laying in a cozy bed. Everyone has certain places where they just feel more at ease in. Sometimes even just having something from those places helps us feel more comfortable in normally awkward situations. By wearing the same sweater that we always nap in to a party we don’t want to be at, the party experience wouldn’t be so bad.

Freelance writer for SheKnows, Brianne Hogan, writes how some objects resonate so positively with us because of the personal attachments they represent. Objects are strong channel to lpast memories, especially if they produce a familiar sound or smell. Hogan reports that the portion of our brain that processes smell is “very closely connected” to the part that processes emotion. When you find a beloved stuffed animal from your childhood, you can’t help but reflect on it and smile, reminiscing about all the tea parties and playdates. The movie ticket that you used last week during an outing with friends reminds you of all the fun of that day. Now it may seem pointless to save that ticket, but when you’re going through a tough time and you decide to pull out your box of mementos and find the ticket with all its happy associated memories, it won’t seem so pointless anymore. 

Many of us try to heal our wounds or boost our mood by going on a shopping binge, but this behavior tends to result in regret for all the money that was spent on an impulse. Most of the time, the shiny new products we end up with don’t make us happier in the long run. They rarely remind you of a happier time or smell like a familiar place it’s just an empty object. They may seem cool at first but after a while you may seem to realize that new anything doesn’t have memories. If you’re shopping for an object maybe it’s because you’re searching for something more meaningful. Before you buy it perhaps you already own an object that can make you happy. So next time you feel like you absolutely must have that new item at the store, clean out your closet, look under your bed to find all those objects that bring back many dear memories; and you might decide that your just fine without it.

By RAYANN ABDO

A study published in “Social Psychological and Personality Science” found that when people wore formal business attire and completed a series of experiments that challenged their cognitive processing abilities, those who dressed up felt “significantly more powerful” and “in control of the situation.” ( Angelita Hutabarat / Ethic Photo)

Will you choose jeans or sweatpants? Is it a cute outfit kind of day or a too tired to care day? These questions and so many more often go through our heads when standing in the closet and contemplating your choices. Waking up early for school isn’t usually one of our happiest moments and sometimes it can affect how we dress. Similarly, staying up late will probably make you reconsider carefully selecting your outfit for the next day. When it comes down to it, choosing our outfit for the day all depends on our mood. A simple yet stylish outfit can brighten your mood whereas an extremely comfy outfit might make you more tired. 

Fashion is not just about wearing clothes that fit the current trends; it is more about finding clothes that make you feel good and confident in your own skin. As nobody has the same personality or style, you shouldn’t choose what to wear based solely on the fashion choices of others. Your clothes should make you, and only you, feel good. Fashion is about finding a way to express yourself and show the world who you are.

Many people choose to dress according to what their mood is telling them to that day. Just as our mental state can affect how we dress, the clothing we wear can either confirm or challenge our mood. For example, you might dress in bright, happy colors when you are feeling the exact opposite to cheer yourself up. Modern science suggest that mood can be influenced just by viewing certain “happier” colors such as specific shades of yellow or green. 

Cognitive psychologists Hajo Adam and Adam Galinksy from Northwestern University have found that the clothing we wear affects our psychological states, as well as our performance levels. For this tendency they coined the term, “enclothed cognition.” Enclothed cognition describes the effect clothes have on an individual’s emotions, attitudes and judgements. It can be seen when you wear a certain outfit that you feel looks flattering or a favorite of yours, and the resulting effect is overall improved confidence or a more optimistic outlook. 

Clothes affect our mood whether we notice it or not. They can make us feel powerful, upset, confident or insecure. We all have our good and bad days, and that’s perfectly fine. So why not let your fashion preferences express you and your feelings every day?

By AALEYAH WINSLOW

Fall season 2019 in the Inland Empire has been experiencing weather that can only be described as bipolar. Technically we are approaching the “winter” season, where in the IE winter weather averages a whopping 70 degrees.

This is unfortunate for those who enjoy bundling up in cute winter outfits. Most are rarely able to do so because mother nature always plays everyone and makes it super chilly in the morning but hot in the afternoon, so instead everyone ends up wearing a summer outfit and just bearing the cool morning weather.

Students from Redlands East Valley High School offered their input on this subject and how they choose their outfits.

Eileen Carrillo, REV sophomore, said, “ I put my hoodie on and I don’t have anything under so when I get really hot in the afternoon, I can’t take it off, and that makes me feel annoyed.”

Destiny Gonzalez, REV sophomore, said, “ I choose the wrong outfit in the morning, like I’ll choose a warm outfit, and then I start hating it throughout the day because it gets hot.”

 Here are a few outfit hacks to combat the bipolar weather.

1. Layer with a jacket. Wear your outfit of choice, but throw a cute jacket over it that does not take away from the outfit itself. Then, later in the day when it warms up you can take the jacket off but still look cute. One must not underestimate the power of a jean jacket so that should definitely be one of the first choices. A plus is that jean jackets look really cute tied around your waist.

2. Wear a long sleeve sweater. If you do not want to wear a jacket, when it gets hot, cuff the sleeves up and you will immediately feel cooler while still maintaining a look.

3. This tip is actually a trend of today. Wear a long sleeve shirt under a regular cropped or uncropped  t-shirt. It looks super cute and trendy, and surprisingly, even when it does get hot, you will still feel cool even with the long sleeve. If this is not the case for you and you still get hot, obviously you can just take the long sleeve off.

These tips are simple and easy to do, especially in a time crunch. Say you pick out  a winter outfit without seeing on the weather app that it is going to get warm,  you can just use one of these tips.

Featured Photo: Above is Cole Dabbs, a freshman, and Nayelli Bermudez, a senior, outside in the REV quad at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. (Alyssa Ornela/Ethic Photo)

By VIVIAN DINH

With students settling into classes and new work loads, it’s harder than ever to find time to relax and take care of ourselves. But when we do find time, it is often spent fulfilling daily necessities or perusing on our phones, leaving us feeling unproductive. To combat this prevailing issue, picking up one of the following hobbies can allow you to have fun whilst destressing and calming the mind.

By providing an alternative way to spend time and mental energy, hobbies offers a person physical and mental health benefits and overall improve day to day life. Graphic design created using Autodesk software. (Angelita Hutabarat/ Ethic Media)

Listening to Music

Whether it’s an upbeat pop song or a slow ballad from an unknown indie band, music is the quickest and most efficient way to relax. It can be played while you’re whittling away at your work or simply enjoyed as it is. Countless studies have shown that music can improve your mood and reduce anxiety

Painting

Break out the paint brushes and pop on a Bob Ross tutorial as this hobby flexes your creative muscles. Painting for fun shifts your energy toward finishing a project that doesn’t have a strict deadline to worry about.

Meditation

Although this may seem obvious, many people don’t attempt to meditate in their free time. Meditation can clear your mind of stress and calm your nerves, improving your general physical and mental health. WebMD explains that by meditating we enter a “state of deep relaxation in which our breathing, pulse rate, blood pressure, and metabolism are decreased,” which, in turn, helps “control stress, reduce anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation.” All you need for meditation is yourself and some quiet, so it’s completely free!

Reading

Despite copious amounts of required reading in classes, books are actually interesting!

With loads of authors and genres, novels can transport you to a different world and stimulate your mind. When you find a book you like, it will be hard to stop and set it down.

Journaling

Many may immediately think of the new bullet journal trend, but journaling can just be writing down your thoughts. It can be a form of catharsis by alleviating any bottled up emotions or feelings. Additionally, it’s a nice keepsake to look back upon later.

Making Friendship Bracelets

Even if you don’t have friends to make bracelets with, it’s a peaceful past time to indulge in. With enough embroidery thread, you can make a variety of bracelet styles as infinite design patterns and tutorials are available online. The diligent work that goes into a friendship bracelet makes the end result just as rewarding as the relaxation of making it.

Going for a Walk

After spending the majority of your school day inside classrooms, going for a walk can clear your mind of unwarranted thoughts and stress. Sometimes it’s gratifying to simply appreciate Mother Nature, so stop and smell the roses!

Organize

There is at least one thing in our lives we need to organize, so why not do it now? Organization can declutter your mind and reduce anxiety caused by misplaced items while being productive simultaneously. So next time you sense rising tension within yourself, try and channel your inner Marie Kondo.

Hanging Out with Friends

Surrounding yourself with people whose company you enjoy can help you forget your worries. Friends can be a support system when you need to talk, and it’s proven they can boost your mood. The Mayo Clinic reports that those who have strong friendships minimize the likehood of “depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI).” Just pick an activity, date and some friends to create a recipe for a carefree day.

Bonus Hobby

And if all else fails, Netflix will always be there when you’re bored.

By MIA ARANDA

Doodling: that thing you do when you are bored in class and longing for anything to pass the time, so you grab your pen and aimlessly draw on the nearest scrap of paper. 

However, aimless drawing is not all that doodling entails. According to recent studies, doodling encourages improved memory, better concentration, stress relief and enhanced creativity. 

In class, while your teacher is lecturing, doodling can actually help you recall the information better later. While you probably start doodling with the intention to ease your boredom, it ultimately provides a way to maintain focus during a lecture.

Redlands East Valley sophomore Alicia Gullon said, “I usually doodle when I am bored…doodling alleviates boredom I guess. It also helps to keep you moving so you don’t fall asleep in class.”

According to Harvard Health Publishing, a study was conducted in 2009 by psychologist Jackie Andrade to test the relationship between doodling and memory retention. Andrade had 40 people listen to a two-and-a-half-minute rambling voicemail in which half of the group doodled and the other half did not. In the end, the group that doodled was able to better recollect the details of the voicemail and overall “recalled 29 percent more information.” 

In addition to improved memory retention, doodling can also provide stress relief for many. A person who doodles their emotions can help relieve the negative stress in their life. According to Vox, “the repetition and rhythmic motions of sketching” triggers a relaxation reply. 

REV freshman Kelly Welch said, “I doodle because it’s a quick way to practice drawing, and sometimes I just do it impulsively. Mostly I draw eyes on my hand and faces on paper. Doodling is really helpful in taking away tension and stress from school too.”

Instead of a written journal, doodling can serve as a journal in drawing form. The various drawn expressions can indicate the artist’s emotions or illustrate their surroundings at the time that they doodled. People can doodle what they did that day or simply how they felt; this could appear more visually artistic and appealing than if they had written their feelings down.

Lastly, doodling can be an outlet for creativity. Even if you are doodling something aimlessly, you are still using your brain to come up with drawings that overall broaden your creativity and imagination. 

“When you doodle, you are setting the base to something greater. Your skills develop and your mind can reach to the ends of the world to create something small, yet something that you’re proud of,” said REV sophomore Jo-Ann Lumintang.

Lumintang adds, “I doodle to help me practice what I love. It gives me time to process things and let my mind loose, without any repercussions. Personally, I love to doodle magic items or people. Something small yet memorable.” 

It is time we eliminate the idea that doodling is a distraction and praise it for its many benefits. Doodling can be much more than a few scribbles on a piece of paper; the next time you happen to be doodling, just know that you are broadening your mind.

By MAGGIE SNAVELY

We hear a great amount from seniors that are leaving our school and heading off to start their own life. Congratulations to the class of 2019 for all the work you put in to make it to where you are today. Venturing out into the public world is a pretty big deal, and is expected to change you a bit. However, we can sometimes forget how important our first year of high school is. During this time we go through so many different changes, including changes with our emotions, habits and social life. This change is especially apparent in deciding what we want to do when we get older. Losing friends because they went to another school, discovering your new favorite subject, maybe finding a whole new side to you, all set the stage for when it is your turn to step out into the world. Stepping through those gates onto campus is a realization that a very long journey awaits.

The initial step

This step can almost seem illusive, like it hasn’t actually set in yet. This is when it is the first day of high school, and it just feels a little strange. You don’t feel like you belong, like the next day you can go back to middle school and everything will go back to normal. What has not caught up with you yet is that this is going to be a giant influence on you for the next four years of your life. It’s intimidating, looking around and seeing nothing familiar: the lunch table you and your friends would always sit at or maybe your meeting spot to talk during passing periods. All those things are gone, and you can feel so stranded. Or maybe you will jump through the gates with your head held high and a gut feeling that you are going to nail this year and conquer all the fears that had you worrying before. That’s totally great and will definitely pay off in the end. However, no matter which way you choose to start your new adventure, it is going to be a long road.

“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step” -Lao Tzu

Settling in

At this point, you have probably memorized where all your classrooms are, found a place to sit at lunch and most likely gravitated towards familiar faces you recognize from your middle school career. You may not remember everybody’s name in class yet, but you’re working on it. It can finally start to seem real, that you aren’t going back and this is what has become your new life. Everyone is different; some may feel perfectly at home and seem like they already know everyone at school. Others can take a lot longer to feel at ease, and are not willing to open up so easily. You start to notice that it is different from middle school, but not just in an academic way. Going from knowing everyone’s name and waving to people you knew in the hallway,  to somewhere much bigger: a bigger campus, bigger people, bigger options. Then you start to wonder, where is it that I belong in this big, new world.

“If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.” -John Maxwell

Opening up to new

Whether you want it to happen or not, new things will start to happen, which can be both good and bad. Seeing as how there’s many more options available to you, that applies with friends too. There’s so many more people, so you are bound to meet someone new that you get along with. Once that happens, it opens you up to meeting tons of new people as your new friend will introduce you to their friends and so on. Sadly, this also means that some friends will leave. Not all friends are going to stay with you your entire life, and some come and go. This is something that can be not so easy to open up to. It is so hard to think someone that has been the closest to you all through middle school and elementary can leave and become a stranger again. Although it hurts to see a friend drift away from you, you have to remember the important part. You will meet more people that you may get along with even better. It won’t be the last time a friend leaves, but it will not be the last friend you ever make either. The friends that stick around are the ones you want to keep anyway, and, if it doesn’t work out, then it was probably never meant to be. You have to be open to meeting and making new friends as well as letting some go. Keeping an open mind is a very important part of starting high school; there’s so many new options and difficult decisions that you won’t be able to make and move on if you are not willing to try.

“Keeping your mind open in the face of uncertainty is the single most powerful secret of unleashing your creative potential” -Michael Gelb

Finding your safe place

Going into high school you can look around almost anywhere and immediately see all the different groups of friends: the athletic kids, the group that’s always studying and working hard, the gamers always talking about some new release. So many different people that have all found their place. Now where is your place exactly? What’s important to remember is that you are not living this alone. There’s plenty of other freshman that have to feel the same way you do. So why not talk to someone new? Say “hi” to the quiet kid in the back of your class, or say “hello” to the loud one in the front. You never know who you may just click with, so keep your mind open and experiment. However, you never need to change yourself no matter what; no matter how much you feel like you need to fit into a certain group, changing is not the answer. You won’t be happy when you constantly have to put on a mask that hides your true self. People that are similar to you and share the same ideas as you attract each other. As long as what you are portraying is actually you, you’ll draw in people just like you. Even if they don’t have the same preferences or opinions as you, as long as you enjoy hanging out with them there’s no problem. Don’t get caught up in feeling like you must have a certain clique. Maybe you and your group don’t have a title. You aren’t the sporty ones or the super academic ones, but you don’t need to be. They are your friends, and that’s all that matters. You don’t need a title to be a book filled with great times and fun adventures.

Buckling up

Now the year comes to an end, all the struggling from this big change is over. By this time, it’s just school, not an unfamiliar place or somewhere you are visiting; it’s normal now. There’s no more wondering when you get to go back because you know that door is closed and this is the only one open. You’ve got a comfortable group you talk to at lunch everyday and new acquaintances you wave to in the hallway. Maybe you have a new set of routines to get you through your long days, and you have officially calculated the exact amount of sleep you need to stay awake through your classes the next day. You’ve probably decided which classes are your favorite, and which ones aren’t exactly the best part of your day. Perhaps you have picked your favorite spot to get some peace and quiet, like studying in the library or sitting in the shade and reading a good book. You have discovered the little things you can focus on to help you in stressful times, like when the school serves your favorite lunch or you get to go to your favorite class of the day. Either way the hecticness has died down and you are pretty used to how things work around here. Now, of course, you don’t know everything; you’ll meet new friends and lose more too. You will discover new classes that you are interested in, and there’s bound to be more classes that are going to be tough. This year is setting you up for your future to come, so you can’t push it aside. Build yourself a good base in the beginning to make it less difficult in the future.You have to stay on top of things because there’s certain to be obstacles and lots of them. So buckle up because it’s only the beginning, and you are ready for the next adventure.

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong” -Unknown

By ANNALYSE YGLESIAS

High school is a very stressful time in life. Between getting good grades, thinking about college, and choosing what career you want to pursue, it may seem too much for a teen who just wants to do well.

Teens generally want to make sure they do all those things right and make good choices, but for many, doing all that and keeping their mental health up is a struggle. There are many reasons why the end of the school year is unhealthy for young teens. The goal of this article to encourage students to keep their mental health in mind while also keeping up with school.

Students feel pressure from the start of middle school to get good grades in order to attend college. This worry over getting good grades for college as early as middle school or freshman year in high school exists before many even have any idea about what they will do in their future.

Researchers in Sweden recently conducted a study published in BMC Psychiatry, on how school affects adolescents’ mental health. The researchers admit that much more information is needed on teaching and social environments before reaching conclusive evidence, but so far they have found “Longitudinal studies indicate strong associations between school proficiency and indicators of mental health throughout adulthood.”

In high school, keeping up with school work and taking care of oneself can be made more challenging if unaware of how much a mental break is needed. Taking a mental or physical break can mean different things for different people. Stretching, laying down, or taking a nap are some examples of how some prevent from getting too strung out.

While strong mental health can be a process, it is also something that people can start working on at any time. In the 2015 Psychology Today article, “9 Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Health Today,” Dr. Patricia Harteneck offers suggestions on how to keep the mind and body healthy. For instance, “Tell yourself something positive” is the first thing listed.

The second recommendation is to “Tell yourself something you are grateful for, find something you are grateful for, and let it fill your heart, and bask in that feeling.”

Out of all Harteneck’s nine steps, the most helpful one for high school students could be, “Taking a break, in those moments where it all seems like too much, step away, and do anything but whatever was stressing you out until you feel a little better.” Taking a break from things that are causing stress or adding to feelings of being overwhelmed can help not just with decreasing stress, but also increasing happiness.

Overall, there are many solutions to keep one from being stressed out. Listen to your body, and if you feel like you need a break or maybe your body is barely making it through the day, it is most likely correct. Don’t push yourself to keep going, for you know what you feel and can tell when you need to put a hold on things. Be able to recognize when enough is enough.

By EMERSON SUTOW

At first glance, journaling may seem like a joke. How could writing down ideas that are already in your head help you work through problems? Well, take me for example. I thought the same thing, but once I actually took it seriously and started writing, it opened my eyes to how much it helps.

Journaling can have many different uses and can help achieve many different goals. For instance, Psychotherapist Maud Purcell, in “The Health Benefits of Journaling,” addresses how journaling helps clarify thoughts and feelings and also is a  stress management tool. Additionally, it can be used to more effectively solve problems while also helping you learn more about yourself.

Journaling originates from 10th century Japan, according to Michael d’Estries in “8 Famous Visionaries Who Kept a Journal.” It was once used as a form of documentation, but in today’s modern society it is almost the exact opposite. He also points out that many successful people of the past have kept journals, such as Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Mark Twain, and Charles Darwin. Journaling is supposed to help because it uses your left brain, leaving the right brain to be creative with the writing.

People used to write diaries about their daily life so that others could read it and remember that time period. However,  in today’s world, it is used more for personal reasons, like helping one get through a situation, after which it is often discarded.

People journal because they can tell a story similar to a rant or vent, but there are no repercussions. Paper will never judge, question or interrupt you; it is just your thoughts are being written out to make things easier to understand and process, which can help you work through tough situations or feelings without outside pressure or opinions.

Writing in a journal could also be put in place of meditation since it is relaxing and brings clarity to life problems according to various studies cited in “83 Benefits of Journaling for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Management” from http://www.positivepsychology.com.

The best thing about journaling is probably that it connects you to yourself. It gives you the chance to see a situation from a different angle and find the best way to deal with problems.

By ANNALYSE YGLESIAS

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, which describes a feeling of euphoric tingling and relaxation that can come over someone when they watch certain videos or hear certain sounds. ASMR is a tool that people who have trouble with sleeping or focusing believe will help them sleep or relax and can cause them to get a tingling sensation. An example is when a person taps something repeatedly, which could be seen—or rather heard—as soothing.

When people hear tapping or soft talking, it stimulates the brain, which causes it to relax and calm down. YouTubers who make ASMR videos might also listen to ASMR themselves. However, there are many individuals who do not like ASMR because of the way the noises disturb them when they listen to it. The sounds that the people produce might make some very uncomfortable.

There are many types of ASMR, like tapping, tongue clicking, slime, etc. The creators who do ASMR might have a preference for what kind of ASMR they want to do or might do ASMR based on what their viewers want to watch. Some ASMR includes roleplaying, which is when a person dresses up as a character and does ASMR as they usually would but while portraying that character.

Viewers might want their creator to ask them what kind of ASMR they want to do, as many people have different inclinations towards different types of ASMR. If the creators listen to the opinions of their viewers, then it will help the viewers achieve what they want to get out of watching the ASMR video.

People will always have different opinions on the topic, but not everyone has to watch it. ASMR will still be just a thing for people to enjoy and use to relax.

For those interested in the sounds of ASMR, but may not have access to a nearby pencil-tapper or slime, a youtube search for “ASMR” yields a variety of distinct sights and sounds that might be soothing to some.

By MAGGIE SNAVELY

In a world that is so full of new and constantly changing technology, we sometimes forget that maybe every once in a while the phone needs a break.

It’s easy to see why you would choose to do everything on your phone or computer; you can do almost anything on a screen. You can talk to your friends, watch TV and maybe scroll through your social media.

Every once in a while it’s a good idea to come up with new ways to enjoy yourself without the electronics. Here are some ways to feel good and have a good time without staring at the screen.  

Start by making a schedule of times that tell you when your on-screen and off-screen times are. Try to start by keeping yourself off electronics for a short amount of time, then increase the time after a while.

If you enjoy the outdoors, think of something you can do outside. Maybe even get some exercise in and go for a walk while you are out there. If you have any pets, you can go outside and spend time with them; they would certainly enjoy it. There are plenty of hobbies you can do in your backyard or a park of some kind. You never know, you could even secretly have a green thumb.

Having friends to talk to is also a great way to get off your electronics, especially when they could use a break too. Make time for your friends to hold a get together that does not involve technology. Try board games, puzzles, drawing or any other activities. There are plenty of ways to keep entertained without using technology.

Restricting technology use can also leave you in a happier mood as doing so reduces the amount of stress you have. “Life Advancer” tells how “studies by the happiness research institute found that people who avoided social media for just a week were in a much better mood than before because they were present and alive.”

Research done by the Pew Research Center showed that most people that use social media depend on it to provide their news. Depending on these social media platforms so much makes it hard to stray far from social media. Soon, you may find yourself in something close to addiction.

So maybe take a break from all the news, and just think about the present and what’s going on in your world. By not worrying about the rest of the world around you, you will avoid giving yourself more unnecessary stress.

When we take time off of technology, it can really help us see all the issues it was created while we were on it. While some technology can’t hurt, it’s also very important to remember to take breaks.

As research shows, keeping off can improve your health both mentally and physically. So when you’ve spent all day scrolling through your phone, think up another way to spend the rest of your time. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite hobby while you are at it.

By ELLA FITZPATRICK

Can’t think of any gift ideas for your friends and family?  Here are some cheap and easy gifts that you can make in under 10 minutes for $10.

Santa’s Sleigh

Items needed:

• Kit Kat bar
• Two candy canes
• Plastic bag
• Santa candy
• Mini candies
• Ribbon
• Hot glue

Instructions: 
1.) For the base of the sleigh, hot glue the candy canes to the bottom of the Kit Kats and let it sit.
2.)Then, fill the plastic bag with mini candies and tie it up with ribbon.
3.) Lastly, hot glue the bag of candies and the Santa candy to the sleigh and you’ve got yourself a simple Christmas treat.

Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

Items needed:

• Mini marshmallows
• Jar
• Chocolate chips
• Crushed candy cane
• Hot chocolate mix

Instructions:

( Make sure they are in even layers )

1. Pour in hot chocolate mix.
2. Pour in chocolate chips.
3. Pour in marshmallows.
4. Pour in crushed candy canes.
5. Label jar.

Present Boxes

Items needed:

• Paper towel roll
• Thick ribbon
• Thin ribbon
• Tape

Instructions:

1. Cut paper towel roll in half.
2. Fold paper towel roll in half.
3. Fold in creases on both sides of towel roll.
4. Fill bow with small gift.
5. Wrap thick ribbon around the center.
6. Then wrap a thin ribbon around the whole box in a present wrapping style.

Candy Ornaments

Items needed:

• Small candies ( ex. M&M’S)
• Empty, plastic ornaments
• Gift tags

Instructions

1. Fill ornaments with candy.
2. Put name tag on it.

By MAGGIE SNAVELY

Being an introvert causes a lot of common misunderstandings among other people. People that don’t understand what being an introvert means will sometimes take things the wrong way or even get offended.  

The word introvert comes from the Latin word intro, which means “inward.” This can be connected to the meaning of being an introvert because, instead of being a person that communicates a lot to the world around them, you tend to prefer to focus more on things closer to you and are more comfortable with listening to internal thoughts and feelings rather than big groups of other people. It’s nothing personal, but just what are they more comfortable with.

A lot of the time people can end up getting their feelings hurt because they misunderstand an introvert’s intentions. When they tell you they would honestly rather go home than hang out with you at the library, it is not because they hate you. They find it more enjoyable or comfortable to just have time for themselves and enjoy things they can do at home. Some people really would rather go to the library, while others to an after school party, and that’s totally fine; it’s just a personal preference. When they tell you no, it does not mean that they are a mean or rude person; they are being honest. It doesn’t mean you cannot be friends with them, it just might take a bit longer to get close to them.

Having friends that are both introverts and extroverts can be beneficial to both. Sometimes introverts can remind an excited friend when it is time to calm down or when this is something that should be kept private. Introverts can benefit from having friends who are extroverts as well. Having a friend that is comfortable with the world all around them really helps and sometimes forces introverts to get out there and experience new things that they never would have done on their own. When an introvert is forced to do something, like talk to new people, present in front of a class or anything of the sort, having a friend that is confident next to them can make them feel a lot safer. These two different personalities can complement each other really effectively sometimes.

When you are as withdrawn as this, it can affect your daily life. Something as simple as presenting to the class can get you stressing all day until the class is over. When you try to avoid social interactions, people may start to see you as the type of person who does not want to make friends, so it is harder to get along and blend into the high school environment. Sometimes in class, when the teacher asks for answers, you do not raise your hand even though you understand the material. With the participation points you have to get for an A or when the teacher randomly calls on kids to answer the question, teachers that do not understand how you feel make it really hard to participate in class, especially when they tell you not to be shy and get over it. This can really infuriate you, and most of the time distract you from the lecture.

So although introverts may seem withdrawn or reserved, they are just as friendly as any other person; it just might be harder for them to show it. When they do not run up and greet you right away, try not to get offended. They do not hate you; it’s just going to take some more time to get on their safe side. You may think they do not actually want to talk to you, but they may just be waiting for you to take the first step. If you are that person that stays quiet when you actually want to get closer to another person, try to put yourself out there more.

This is not to say that anyone needs to change who they are, they just may need to work at finding those who complement and appreciate each other.

By EMILY BLOMQUIST and AVALON SALVADORE

Halloween is the time of the year to express yourself and dress up as anyone or anything you have ever wanted to be. These are just a few ideas for Halloween costumes that are fun and easy to create with your friends.

Salt and Pepper Materials needed to complete your DIY costume These materials can be found at Walmart, or mostly any craft store         A plain white shirt: $5.88-Womens A plain black shirt: $6.45-Mens All white plain jeans: $9.50-Womens All black plain jeans: $9.96-Mens A gray beanie or top each: $5.20 A roll of black duct tape: $4.97 A roll of white duct tape: $4.26 To create this costume, the only thing you have to do is create a black S on the white shirt and a white P on the black shirt. Then match the white jeans with a white shirt and a black shirt with black jeans.

M & M’s For You and Your squad You will need a blue, orange, yellow, green or red shirt as well as white pants. White construction paper is also required for the letter M cut out. Men’s colored t-shirt: $6-$10 Non-ripped white jeans: $9-$15 White construction paper: $12 You have the option to make a tutu out of the color that matches your M & M color.  If you decide to make a tutu you will need an elastic band, a roll of tulle, and scissors. When you make the tutu, you can tie the tulle to the elastic band instead of sewing it on.

SUPERMAN This outfit has very little work involved in the look, so it is easy to recreate. All these items can also be found at Walmart. You will need: A superman shirt: $9.97 A white button-up shirt, short sleeve: $21.99        Any type of tie: $3.79 Optional black glasses: $5.00 First, put on the superman shirt.  Then, put on the white button-up shirt on top of it only halfway buttoned up. Afterward, put the tie over the shoulder and the black glasses on.

Avocado For this costume, you will need a green shirt, black pants, and green and brown construction paper. Men’s t-shirt: $4-$7 Women’s shirt: $7 Men’s jeans: $18 Women’s jeans: $20 Construction paper: $2-$4 This costume is very simple. Just cut out your avocado, throw on your green shirt and start trick or treating!