Month: October 2021

Language Learning

Posted on by andrew

Jihu Lee (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

The convenience of language often overshadows its impacts on one’s reality and identity. We are so used to speaking for unavoidable communication purposes that we miss how language shapes the world we live in. Last semester in college, I took a linguistics course that explored the relationship between language, individuals and society at large. There are two concepts from the class that have stuck with me ever since: 

 

  1. The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that language has a tendency to influence our thoughts and reality. Language acts as a lens through which we see the world and different tongues may cause people to have varying perspectives of their lives. 

 

  1. If language does have the power to influence our realities, the words we use on a daily basis can subconsciously uplift or harm ourselves and others. 

 

As a bilingual speaker of English and Korean, this answered so many questions I’ve had for years. Why was it that I wanted to use Korean to be more emotionally expressive, even when I was more comfortable with English, as it was my first language? And why do I feel like two completely different people when switching between the two? 

 

The short answer is, I am experiencing the world in different ways when I use English and Korean as a result of cultural and linguistic variation. In English, I can be as versatile as I want in articulating my thoughts. But in Korean, I have access to single words that can sum up an emotion that I would need to describe in two or three sentences in English. Not only that, there exist Korean idioms and expressions that specifically capture the nuance and emotion of certain situations. They either sound completely ridiculous in English, or are utterly untranslatable to begin with. This is not unique to Korean versus English, but for every language in the world. Each tongue has a set of vocabulary that makes it uniquely powerful. 

 

I was born and raised in Utah, in the United States. In my 19 years of life, it has only been a span of several months since I have finally reconnected with my Korean heritage. Before, I had wanted to hide this part of my identity from everyone’s sight and even downplayed my ability to speak the language. Although the story of my journey to this point is beyond the scope of the topic at hand, I will say I presently feel grateful to my upbringing for enriching my world, both culturally and linguistically. 

 

The power of words is also significant within a single language and not just comparatively across different languages. As a society, the normalized use of words like “crazy” or “insane” continues to perpetuate stigma against mental illness. In the 1970s, one study found 220 negative words for women while there were almost none to describe men in the same way. If language can influence our attitudes toward the world, it is important that we work to reduce harmful language patterns starting with ourselves at the individual level. 

 

Our choice of words and phrasing in our mundane day-to-day life has far greater an impact than we might think. A familiar example might be the way we talk to ourselves. Looking in the mirror and telling yourself that you are capable will inevitably produce a stronger, more positive effect than saying you are worthless. Another important strategy is balanced thinking, in which we practice accepting that multiple emotions can be valid at once. For instance, tell yourself, “I am anxious about the future, but I believe it will work out,” rather than, “My future looks bleak from where I am and it will always be that way.” This type of self-talk is neutralizing and more realistic without forcing you to believe in pessimism or toxic positivity. We have the power to create a better reality to live in as long as we are mindful of what we constantly tell ourselves. 

 

The incredible impact language can have on our perspectives on life cannot be understated. Words literally influence how we think and perceive ourselves and others. Multilingualism enhances our experience in the world by offering different interpretations of the same emotion, as I like to think of it. A fun example is the informal Korean equivalent to the English phrase, “This is ridiculous!” In Korean, the expression roughly translates to “my ear is stuffed.” Having a diverse heritage enriches our identities, as we get to carry multiple perspectives of our lives.

 

And as mentioned, our ability to influence what kind of lives we lead has roots all the way down to the simple words we use every day. Together, we should make it a goal to appreciate and be mindful of our capability in using language to make a better world for everyone to live in.

 

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My name is Jihu, and I’m from Salt Lake City, Utah! I have been with Low Entropy since May 2021. Some of the things I love are reading, writing, listening to music, playing with my dogs and spending time with my sister!

Video Gaming and Mental Health: It’s Super Effective

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Blaine Hancock (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Let’s face it – life can be pretty hard sometimes. It can be incredibly draining on your mental health to have to juggle a job, family, friends, school, errands, etc. The question is, what can we do to help lower our stress and keep our mental health in check?

 

I’m sure you know of several different strategies such as exercising, listening to your favorite songs and eating healthy foods. However, have you ever considered that playing video games may be an excellent way to lower your stress and help your mental health? Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t do the other strategies I listed (because you definitely should), but it may be wise to consider gaming as a strategy too! Here are just a handful of the positive effects video games can have on your mental health.

 

Note: This article only applies to a low-to-moderate amount of gaming. Playing video games too often may not be great for your mental health. Just like everything else in life, moderation is key!

 

Lower Anxiety (Brief Escape)

 

First and foremost, playing video games can help you escape your daily grind and lower your anxiety. Video games provide a source of fun that can often be lacking in life. They transport you to a world where you, and maybe a few friends, are able to run, jump, explore, discover and have amazing times! This brief escape into a realm of fun can help calm your mental health and may provide you with more perspective on your current life stressors.

 

Sense of Accomplishment

 

After beating a tough video game level you’ve tried to complete a dozen times, you feel a sense of accomplishment that is absolutely unrivalled. This feeling can do wonders for your positivity and confidence levels, which in turn can completely revamp your mental health. This sense of accomplishment can also come from simply completing minor tasks that help to progress you in a game. Keep completing those quests and rebuild your mental health at the same time!

 

Increase Creativity

 

One interesting positive effect of video games is their ability to spark creativity. Video games often contain incredibly creative art/visuals, music and writing. Hearing and seeing these interesting works can inspire you to add some creativity to your own life! This creativity could be as big as wanting to create your own video game, or as small as simply wanting to add a bit more color to your wardrobe. Either way, feeling more creative and passionate about something is an awesome way to combat mental health struggles.

 

Strengthen Social Connections

 

Creating new social connections or building on established ones always has a positive impact on your mental health. One way of helping to create new social connections or build on old ones is to throw some video games into the mix. Adding video games into a social setting creates a common element for everyone to talk about and have fun bonding over. Also, video games are often a casual enough activity that you all can discuss your lives/stressors while still gaming together and enjoying one another’s company. Social connections can be strengthened and your happiness will skyrocket!

 

At this point, you may be thinking to yourself, “What are a few video games I could play to experience some of these positive effects?” My three suggestions are Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Stardew Valley and Super Mario Party. You will have an absolute blast with these three games, and your stress levels will surely lower. Best of luck in your mental health/video game journey!

 

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Leave your thoughts for Blaine in the comments below – better yet, start up a dialogue with the Low Entropy community in person, at a Conscious Connections meeting or online at our community site. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube to stay up-to-date with Low Entropy news!

The Solace in Words

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Bethany Howell (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

COVID-19 stole many things from us. From the great importance of face-to-face contact with loved ones to the simple pleasure of going to the local library, many activities once commonplace were taken away this past year. Even with all of these sacrifices, I would say my greatest personal loss was the beauty of possibility.

 

I had lost my chance to meet an old friend at a café, to discover a new passion roaming the paths of a festival, to find the love of my life walking to my next class. We all know the old adage “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone,” and yet I never truly felt it until I lost my ability to fantasize about possibilities. I realized quite quickly that I relied on this romanticization of day-to-day life to feel good about myself and my place in the world. I also realized that, with these moments now taken away from me, I would have trouble gaining happiness. 

 

Not only had COVID-19 stolen my life, it had also stolen my hope. 

 

Sometime, after months of – in all honesty – doing nothing productive and wallowing in my own grief, I came to realize that something must change; I had to seize my own form of hope from the world around me, no matter how bleak it appeared through the lens of my depression. I had to find something – anything – that would bring me joy. 

 

This is when I discovered writing. It started out with a few simple poems jotted down in a notes app about what I missed pre-pandemic. This small creative outlet quickly grew to a revival of an old blog account where I could post the emotions I was finally able to put into words. I began to post not just about my life, but also my past. I wrote some poems that I would happily show my parents and others about personal topics that still stung to the touch. No matter what, I wrote poems that I was proud of above all else. 

 

In the middle of 2021, over a year since what I refer to as “The Great Loss of Hope,” I applied for a blog-writing position at Low Entropy. I knew that, if I got in, it would give me the chance to share my writing and, hopefully, use it to help others. I jumped at the chance, eagerly and with the gusto of a child. As you can probably guess, I did end up becoming part of the Low Entropy team. 

 

Many people say that the most difficult part of writing is starting, and I fully agree. That blank page can be daunting, especially when all you allow yourself to create is perfection. Through writing, I discovered how my perfectionistic tendencies have stifled my creativity. My ability to express myself has always been guarded behind those high walls of self-protective instinct, and it took months of private writing to finally break through. 

 

Though I can proudly say that now I am able to write freely, that was not always the case. One small thing I can thank COVID-19 for is giving me the time to experiment freely with myself and my writing; I guess that proves that even the biggest challenges can be used for good.

 

I cannot, in good conscience, say that writing completely solved my problems, as I still find myself reminiscing on the past instead of living in the moment; however, I can say that it has helped me finally defeat my fear of failure and that, in itself, has brought me a new form of hope. I now have a healthy hope for my future with writing and a hope for my future with Low Entropy. 

 

This post is not meant to be an advertisement to write, nor is it a statement about the therapeutic benefit of creativity (though I can vouch for it!). I have written this as proof to you – and myself – that there is a bit of light at the end of every tunnel, no matter how long and dark it seems. 

 

None of us could have predicted any of this at the start of 2020 and, though it has been quite the ride, I am glad to say that we have made it through and that right there is something of which to be proud.

 

—

 

My name is Bethany Howell and I am a third-year university student majoring in psychology and minoring in family and child studies. I have a passion for writing and mental health and my ultimate goal since age 13 has been to make a difference in the world through helping others, which is how I ended up here at Low Entropy!

Race and the Importance of a Quick Start

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Taylor Caldarino (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Have you ever wondered what age is best to start a conversation with your kids about racism? It can require creativity to come up with a way to explain this topic that is age-appropriate and ensures your child grasps what you are saying, but discussing racism from an early age helps give your child the tools necessary to prevent forming certain ideologies.

 

I believe parents should start conversations with their children about race starting around one year of age, but of course, making it extremely basic. This is because starting as early as three months old, babies start to show preferences for people that look like them. This makes it more likely that children will develop friendships that are homogenous, even if the child is growing up in an ethnically diverse area. Developing friendships outside of one’s race may help them to experience more cultures, which can lead to less ignorance or a better understanding of which ways racism affects people who experience it. 

 

Children are highly malleable, they pick up what the media and their peers say very quickly, and they believe it. This means that, since some races are portrayed in negative ways and white people are portrayed as superior, children form ideologies that the colour of your skin determines whether or not you are beautiful, a good or bad person, or smart or unintelligent. This is shown in Mamie Phipps Clark’s famous doll test study, in which kids are shown a white and a black doll and the majority of the kids applied positive attributes to the white dolls while associating negative attributes to the black dolls. I highly recommend watching this video on the doll test, it is quite eye-opening.

 

It can be hard to come up with ways to make a discussion age-appropriate or comprehensive for little ones, but there are plenty of great books and shows available that do very well when it comes to explaining how to treat others from different races. 

 

—

 

My name is Taylor, and I am currently majoring in psychology and minoring in gerontology at Simon Fraser University. I also love to hike and cook!

Starting Small

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Jihu Lee (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Can you think of any skills or abilities you acquired during childhood that are now second nature to you? Perhaps developing a love for a food you used to hate or learning a second language that you are now fluent in. You probably didn’t notice much progress until a sufficient amount of time had passed. Change accrues over time and takes patience, whether we are trying to become skilled at a hobby, see gym results or pull ourselves out of a dark place. 

 

We sometimes can’t help but wish for instant gratification, so we’re often reluctant to start something at all. But starting somewhere, no matter how far of a shot in the dark, will eventually lead us to our goal point. In the 1980s researchers identified six stages of change, the first of which is mere precontemplation, where people have no intention whatsoever of changing their behavior or lifestyle. This should indicate that even the smallest of steps counts as a move towards change, no matter how unproductive they may seem. It may feel daunting to take a step out of our comfort zones, until we start to see our hard work pay off. But keep in mind that taking initiative puts you further along the way than if you had done nothing at all, even if the beginning looks unpromising. 

 

Another key point to staying on track towards change is to be consistent with our efforts. During times when everything seems stagnant, rest assured progress is slowly happening. Imagine a leaky tap dripping water into a bucket. Initially, you might think it will take an eternity before that bucket fills up. But be patient and the water will rise to the brim before you know it. 

 

Most importantly, we need to be self-aware and hopeful during our journey towards our dreams. Doing the same thing over and over won’t produce different results. That isn’t what consistent effort entails. Instead, we must push ourselves to be cognizant of where we can improve and to stay humble so that we don’t let a milestone get to our heads. Similarly, we have the right to give ourselves credit for the work we are putting in. Just because change isn’t immediately visible doesn’t mean your efforts are all for naught. Rebecca Solnit’s take on being hopeful is that it is the balance between optimism – the belief that everything will be fine without taking responsibility – and pessimism – the belief that everything will end up in ruins no matter what. Between these hot and cold endpoints is the gradient of uncertainty where it is up to us to take action. Hope reassures us that no matter what kind of outcome we get, our efforts create the ultimate impact. 

 

Here is what we have discussed so far about working towards change: 

 

  1. Take a step: it doesn’t matter how small or if you’re doubtful of whether or not it’ll be worth it. All you need is to start, and from then on, you’ve already pointed yourself in the direction of change. 

 

  1. Just because you don’t see anything yet doesn’t mean nothing is happening: don’t be discouraged when you can’t see much progress overnight, within a week, over the course of months or even years! Change doesn’t adhere to deadlines, so always remind yourself that every effort you put in will reward you somehow, even if not in the way you’d expect. 

 

  1. Don’t be afraid to evolve: not surprisingly, in order to see change, we must change. This can mean different things for every individual. You might recognize where you lack and intensify your efforts, while another person learns to respect their own boundaries and give themselves the rest they need in order to be more productive. Whatever it takes, we have to evolve if we want to create change in our lives. 

 

  1. There is hope: it is okay if your investments didn’t produce the rewards you wanted. Even if you didn’t fulfill the goal you were aiming for, the experience you acquired in striving to reach it will surely serve you well in another walk of life. 

 

Starting out small can set off a chain reaction of progress. As a final note, I want the reader to remember that everyone lives at a different pace, and a slow journey is never a sign of inadequacy. And it is never too late to try something new as long as

you just start!

 

—

 

My name is Jihu, and I’m from Salt Lake City, Utah! I have been with Low Entropy since May 2021. Some of the things I love are reading, writing, listening to music, playing with my dogs and spending time with my sister!

Self-Therapy: An Introduction

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Anastasia Lee (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Therapy is expensive. Each session can cost between $60 and $250 or even more, potentially racking up thousands of dollars per patient per year. Although therapy is effective, it is not a solution for everyone, and there is no one-size-fits-all kind of therapy. Everybody’s psychological needs differ, and sometimes professional psychological treatment isn’t enough.

 

Depression and anxiety are becoming more and more common as psychological disorders, especially after a year-long global pandemic. Mental health decline is on the rise, peaking in the past decade, and it is worsening due to debilitating economic conditions. Losing jobs, homes and assets can be traumatic, as being stripped of your necessities can force you into survival mode. The cost of living is becoming more and more expensive. Considering these major challenges and dramatic changes in the environment, it is no surprise that depression and anxiety are becoming more prevalent in our society.

 

Self-therapy, which is any healing tool that provides mental alleviation and emotional support, has the potential to become the future of mental health therapy. It focuses on the individual becoming dependent on their cognitive and support systems, instead of relying on others for therapy. It is bringing back the power to the individual and creating a solid foundation for their mental health. It is not a replacement for therapy with a trained professional, but more so a way to cope with challenging, complex circumstances when one cannot afford therapy.

 

I must re-emphasize that self-therapy is not a substitute for therapy. It is a coping mechanism. There is no professional training required for self-therapy, and therefore it is not considered an form of medical therapy.

 

What is self-therapy?

 

Self-therapy is a potentially effective practice with all kinds of benefits: processing negative thoughts and emotions; coping healthily with trauma; rediscovering unconscious, shadow aspects; reflecting on your actions, habits and behaviors; keeping track of your progress and much more. Self-therapy isn’t limited to a specific set of practices. It is formed and shaped according to the needs and desires of the individual. Self-therapy is very much like self-care; it is for the mind and heart.

 

How is it an effective tool for coping with negative thoughts and emotions?

 

Self-therapy is a channel for self-expression and conscious processing. It brings unconscious and subconscious programming to the conscious surface. It is essential for working through trauma, which is often responsible for negative thoughts and emotions. Whether through journaling, voice messages, videos or other forms of self-therapeutic expression, it is a productive and constructive coping mechanism for releasing heavily suppressed thoughts and emotions. In this way, they do not remain trapped within the psyche, where they wreak havoc on our mental and emotional well-being.

 

How do I prepare for self-therapy?

 

  1. Intention-Setting: Before diving into self-therapy, evaluating your intentions for why you believe therapy is necessary and how you will undergo the process is essential for an effective session. Every session doesn’t have to be the same, and depending on the needs of the individual, the intentions can differ as desired. This intention-setting practice can be performed in various ways: writing down purposes in a journal, repeating them aloud in front of a mirror, sharing them with a trusted friend or family member, or expressing these intentions through art and music, to name a few.

 

  1. Creating a Safe Space: Your sanctuary can be created anywhere. Whether it’s your bedroom or outside in nature, being where no distractions or problems can reach you is the best place to be. It can be by yourself or with a friend or trusted partner, and it is encouraged to have someone assist you in the process if possible. You can put on music or surround yourself with the things you love and appreciate the most in life. Build your safe space as you like, and change your environment as needed.

 

  1. Practice Vulnerability: If you’ve spent years hiding who you truly are from the world, then it’s time to open up and express yourself, finally. Use your voice to talk about your thoughts and emotions. Don’t overthink anything you’re saying. Just speak. Detach from any judgments projected on you. Take it easy on yourself and ease away from being self-critical. It is okay to have flaws and imperfections, and practicing vulnerability requires accepting these aspects of yourself. Become more comfortable listening to your voice, feeling your emotions and hearing your thoughts.

 

  1. Ask Yourself Questions: When practicing self-therapy, it’s essential to guide yourself with the right questions. It is beneficial for you also to ask yourself questions to assist you with your healing process. Write down your own questions and answers throughout each session and, if needed, go completely off track and dive deeper into what needs confrontation. Every session is meant to be for your personal needs, so do exactly what you feel is best for you.

 

  1. Acquire the Right Tools: Self-therapy is relatively cheap and easy. The essential tools needed are a journal, pen and mirror. Of course, these aren’t requirements. Self-therapy can be talked through without notes, but having a mirror may help you connect with your body, language and ways of expression. A journal and pen may be useful for writing down things you want to remember in future sessions, while also tracking your progress and seeing what you need to work on and integrate.

 

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My name is Anastasia. I am 22 years old, and I am from California. Ever since I was a kid, writing has been my passion because it is a channel of self-expression. With every piece of writing, I hope to build a collected masterpiece of art to share with the world.

The Highly Personalized Art of Defending Yourself from Cannonballs

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Christina Liao (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Your emotions can overwhelm you in an instant, like a cannonball. One minute, you’re walking. The next, you’re doubling over from a wave of anxiety. One minute, you feel fine. The next, you feel like you can’t get out of bed. You can’t move, you can’t breathe. The pit in your stomach feels like it will never end. Crisis mode will start in any second. 

 

This feeling is obviously not great, but did you know that there are ways that you can prevent it? To prevent you from going past the point of no return? One way is to write your thoughts down on a piece of paper, and then just throw that paper away. Whenever you feel like your emotions start to become too much, pick up a pen and lay down a piece of paper. Then, write down everything that you’re feeling at that moment. The pen and paper are your friends, your therapists, your muses. Whatever you want to call them. Once you’re finished, put the pen down. Crumple up the paper in a tight ball, then throw it into the nearest garbage bin. Don’t even keep it so you can read it at a later time, just throw the paper out. If you try to read it, you will just give yourself more anxiety.

 

Another thing that helps me is reading. It’s a great hobby that can temporarily distract you from your own life. You can fight dragons with queens and experience a life-changing type of love, all from the comfort of your couch. If you find that your emotions are starting to take a toll, maybe you should go read a good book as a distraction. I suggest The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab and These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, if you’re interested in fantasy. 

 

The methods that I’ve suggested may work for some, but not others. I’ve just personally found that they’re good ways to keep my own emotions in check. Please understand that it’s important to control your emotions so they don’t become overwhelming, but also know that sometimes you just can’t. Everyone has different ways of preventing crises because everyone deals with things differently. You need to find your own way of calming yourself down. Whether it’s listening to music, meditating or writing your thoughts down like I suggested, you should have a strategy to calm yourself down whenever you feel like your emotions are starting to take you over. 

 

At the end of the day, you should be the one to control your own emotions, and not let your emotions control you. You are the one who chooses how you will accomplish that. There are countless articles on how to control your emotions and countless articles that will tell you which one is the best for you. However, you’re the only one who can decide for yourself how to maintain a good mindspace. Keeping a good headspace is important, and preserving good mental health even more so.

 

Don’t let a cannonball of emotions ruin your day. Everyone gets overwhelmed; it’s a natural part of life.

—

 

My name is Christina and I am currently a student at Simon Fraser University in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. I love listening to music, reading, writing and, honestly, anything Marvel. In short, I’m a total nerd. I volunteer as a blog writer here at Low Entropy.

Trying

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Cristina Crescenzo (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

I have been having a lot of sleepless nights, so naturally I listen to music to put myself to sleep, but last night I came across a song I haven’t heard in a while. It was “this is me trying” by Taylor Swift. While I was listening to it, I couldn’t help but think about the resilience of the human soul and how everyday someone in the world is actively fighting something. The song itself is about two people fighting very difficult obstacles, alcoholism and depression, with lyrics about wasting your potential as you are getting drunk on that third glass of whiskey. Another part of the narrative was about someone driving up to a cliffside and thinking about ending it all. In the end both of these people don’t give into their demons by the simple acts of not pouring another drink and by turning around and driving home. 

 

However, I believe we live in a society where small victories like that go unacknowledged, and that we have to be 100% fine or just give up entirely. The funny thing to me is that I know every single human being is dealing with their own problems, and while some are better at hiding it, we still know in our hearts that we don’t give others the benefit of the doubt. In my own personal experience, I think it is a big accomplishment when I just get out of bed, brush my teeth or eat something. To me, those are things that mean that I am not giving into my dark thoughts that day. I know that must seem like the bare minimum, but for me that is enough for now. Furthermore, I found as I grew up, there were fewer opportunities to be rewarded for our wins in the midst of a whole lot of loss than when we were kids and our teachers gave us gold stars. 

 

Unfortunately, as an adult, I guess we have to accept that there isn’t always going to be someone there to pat you on the back when you do something well, and we have to learn that the validation we give ourselves is enough. Therefore, although I may want my family to recognize the strength I have used in order to live my life, I will also have to realize that sometimes those small gestures towards peace might go unnoticed. So it may not be what you need, but it’s what you have to do to survive. Thus, if you are one of those people taking those small steps to overcome your affliction and you feel like no one sees you, just know that I do, and congratulate you on all your hard work up to this point! I would also like to suggest listening to some Taylor Swift, she always cheers me up when I am down.

 

Lastly, I just want to say to everyone who believes that their loved one isn’t doing anything to fix their situation, I promise you, if you pay attention, one day you will be able to have a front row seat to the greatest victory of their lives as they proclaim, “This is me trying!” 

 

***

 

I am a 21-year-old English major at Capilano University with hopes of eventually writing young adult novels, and spreading disability and mental health awareness.

Reason to Roam

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Simin Ghaffari (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Administrative Assistant

 

Walking has always been a great form of exercise, and it is a great way to boost your physical and mental well-being. Walking has helped me relieve my stress and find peace during a pandemic.

 

When I was 11 years old I read a book, a Bertrand Russell biography. He was a polymath, and worked in philosophy, mathematics and logic. He walked three kilometres a day and used that time to think and create things

 

My math was very bad at school, but I thought if I started walking like him, I would be great at math. 

 

I didn’t become good at math at all, nor philosophy, but walking became my habit. When I am sad, or need to think or plan, I go for a walk and it helps me mentally and physically by allowing me to focus on the beauty of nature.

 

I walk, and the benefit of walking helps me so much. Especially during the pandemic, walking in nature helps me to stay mentally and physically active, and also helps me see more beauty in nature and the people around me, and I start taking pictures of everything. These little things make me happy in those moments, and I forget all the problems in the world and in my life

 

Now, as I am getting older with osteoarthritis in my knees, sometimes I have to beg my legs to cooperate, but walking is still joyful. 

 

Walking can help your mental health. Studies show it can help reduce anxiety, depression and negative mood. It can also boost self-esteem and reduce symptoms of social withdrawal. To experience these benefits, aim for 30 minutes of walking, three days a week.

 

***

 

I am a person who doesn’t give up easily. I stand up when things are not right, no matter what I have to lose. I am friendly, minimal and concerned about the environment. I enjoy photography, dance, music and nature. I enjoy everything, and I am eager to learn new things. – Simin Ghaffari

In the Stars

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Jihu Lee (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Over the course of my life so far, I have turned to art to seek out light that could penetrate the darkness that has trapped me. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by art and creativity growing up. Writing has always been fulfilling for me, and is a refreshing outlet for my thoughts and creative expression. My little sister and I both play instruments, so music has been a significant part of our lives as well. Almost two years ago, I discovered my ability to draw people from photos of them. Even though I don’t draw as often nowadays, I know I can pick up a pencil and paper anytime and draw a sketch of anyone I wish. 

 

My sister discovered her own talents for crocheting and cooking. She can watch tutorials online and replicate them flawlessly. During the pandemic, we cooked and baked a variety of meals and desserts together, from couscous to cinnamon muffins. We made cheesecake three times, none even close to perfection (the second time, my sister forgot to add sugar to the filling), but our time spent baking together on its own makes the experience worthwhile. 

 

In addition to partaking directly in forms of art, I take inspiration from artists, both proximate and on the other side of the world. In November 2020, my sister and I heard BTS’s ‘Dynamite’ in the car and were drawn to the upbeat, vibrant energy of the song. Already we have come a long way from novice K-pop fans to supporting multiple artist groups, each with their own styles and concepts. We grew up speaking Korean with our parents at home, so watching and listening to K-pop content and music while understanding the language strikes a pleasant chord in me. Even though we don’t know any idols personally, the music and comfort they bring with their mere existence explain why millions of people around the world love them the way they do. 

 

Stereotypically, idol groups are said to cater to the demographic of teenage girls. This conception in society harms not only teenage girls, who get mocked for their genuine support of these artists, but fans who are outside of the demographic in question as well. K-pop artists like BTS explore a wide range of topics in their music, including mental health, societal issues and generational pressures. In doing so, they break the barriers of age, gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, and appeal indiscriminately to audiences around the world. 

 

Something about the way millions of people are making Korean music more mainstream in their lives within a largely Western-centric society should indicate that the condescending stereotype of a boy band doesn’t really hold. 

 

Channeling your creativity and inspiration to escape your surroundings and reality is not unproductive. It is essential for most people. While others may find it more efficient to grind for prolonged periods of time, some may need to relieve the pressure before continuing on. I encourage you to keep your imagination alive as a reminder that you’re human after all. 

 

Never be ashamed of finding yourself returning to art if it gives meaning in your life. Keep holding onto whatever inspires your inner creativity, and it does not have to be limited to quintessential activities like drawing, painting or making music. Your love for art isn’t trivial just because you might not turn it into something “practical” that will earn you money. Creativity shouldn’t become a “guilty” pleasure just because society might not let you capitalize on it. 

 

By exploring what you love, you could very well be inspiring those around you to go after what they’re passionate about as well. If someone tells you a certain pastime or an artist has had an unforgettable impact on their life, believe them. In this hectic world where we often lose ourselves, the last thing we should do is put others down for loving something that makes them happy. For me personally, becoming interested in K-pop has helped me reconnect with my heritage, something I suppressed for most of my life because I felt so othered by the mere fact that I could speak Korean. But that is entirely another story of its own. The bottom line is that art in itself is a lifeline, so don’t be afraid to enlighten yourself and fuel your imagination!

 

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My name is Jihu, and I’m from Salt Lake City, Utah! I have been with Low Entropy since May 2021. Some of the things I love are reading, writing, listening to music, playing with my dogs and spending time with my sister! 

You Matter

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Christina Liao (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Sometimes, days become stormy and you feel worthless. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” your brain thinks as you look at the mirror in the morning. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” your brain thinks as you leave your house. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” your brain thinks as you keep your head down and can’t hear your thoughts over the noise. Everyone can feel insignificant on cloudy days, and when that’s happening it’s crucial to remember that you matter. When your brain says “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” it’s important to let your heart respond with “I matter, I matter, I matter,” even when you can’t quite bring yourself to believe it. Power through it, and there’s going to be a light on the other end of the tunnel when you get there. 

 

When you start to feel like you’re worthless or not good enough, it’s key to take a step back, reevaluate yourself and continue on with your day. On some days, it may be hard to look over the dirt and grime, but time prevails and you will eventually feel better, the harder you try. On some days, it seems as if pain becomes an endless pit. Loneliness, worthlessness and overthinking can completely consume your life. When that happens, it is important to take a break from whatever you’re doing and think about the things that make you happy. Go read a book, listen to some calming music, take a walk. Do something that makes you feel at ease. That’s always worked for me, at least. Distracting myself from thoughts about things that I know shouldn’t matter but still worry about has always been a good strategy.

 

Emotions can become overwhelming, and it’s important to find ways to distract yourself when they do. Whether it’s sitting down and watching some television or meditating, it’s important to compose your feelings and keep them in check. Overthinking is unhealthy, but when you’re stressed it becomes almost second nature to overthink. Stress and anxiety come hand-in-hand. Feeling stressed is unavoidable, but it’s important to handle it in a healthy way. Take some breaks, steady your breathing and sleep better. The stress will pass as time passes. Anxiety however, can become a problem, because if it is a constant in your day then it doesn’t go away. Different people deal with it by using different methods, and it’s important to find your own method that is catered to you. If things become really bad, maybe it’s time to find a trained professional to help you through your troubles. Therapists really help and more people are in therapy than you might think. The stigma against getting help really shouldn’t be a thing, because it’s normal to seek it when you need it.

 

Many celebrities are advocates of mental health because they have their own problems with it. Someone as successful as Taylor Swift still goes through anxiety like everyone else, and that makes her just as human as anyone else. In fact, Taylor probably has more anxiety than you and I, having to deal with a global audience assessing her appearance every second of her life. It’s important for the stigma against mental health treatment to be nullified, because everyone has their troubles and those involving mental health problems are normal. Even someone like Taylor Swift goes through them and comes out stronger when they get out the other end.

 

It’s a good strategy to know when you need help and when you’re in a good place – monitor your emotions. Keep a mood tracker handy, write a journal to keep your thoughts in check, whatever works for you is what you need to do to be aware of your mental state. Especially in the midst of this pandemic, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When you do, remember to relax, distract yourself and just breathe. Power through it, and you’ll come out from a tough spot stronger than ever. Life is messy, and it’s okay to feel like your emotions are overloading your life. Just find healthy ways to contain them when it happens and power through the darkness.

 

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My name is Christina and I am currently a student at Simon Fraser University in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. I love listening to music, reading, writing and, honestly, anything Marvel. In short, I’m a total nerd. I volunteer as a blog writer here at Low Entropy.

Wounded Child

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Ling-Yee Sze, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

I personally think that I am quite experienced in feeling lonely. The feeling of loneliness was most pervasive in my teenage or adolescent years.

 

I have always enjoyed alone time. A lot of activities that I enjoy – drawing, reading, playing music, etc . . . are usually conducted independently.

 

When I was a kid, I lived with my grandparents in a small village in a southern province in China. They were quite permissive and busy with physical work. I had great fun playing by myself alone. I did not feel lonely at all; my parents’ love for me was always in the back of my mind. One of my most vivid memories from those years was sitting in the middle of a motorbike, between my grandpa at the front and my grandma at the back.

 

Then many incidents that I would now define as traumas happened after I went to Hong Kong at the age of five that created some negative emotional imprints on me. As a sensitive child, I developed a lot of negative beliefs and coping mechanisms in interacting with people, which resulted in me feeling lonely in or after social interactions.

 

A big wound I have is in my social ability. When I first met my mum at five years old, she perceived me as self-centred and lacking discipline. I do not remember what I did, but one night she beat me and dragged me to the garbage room. That is by far the biggest trauma I have around being rejected and unlovable.

 

Later, my belief of not being social enough or unlovable was reinforced when some teachers indicated that I should spend less time being an observer in group activities. On Parent’s Day, my teacher asked if I was an only child because I didn’t participate in as many peer groups as she thought I should.

 

I carried this wound of feeling socially inadequate into interacting with others. In order to manipulate people into liking me more and appear to be more engaged in groups, I tried very hard to people-please and read others’ minds, and did not dare to push any boundaries. I used this mode to interact with my peers and teachers in my primary school years, then every day after returning home I felt alive and able to be myself again, and not wear the mask of a temperless good girl. I enjoyed a very intimate, sharing, vulnerable relationship with my grandma.

 

The real challenge for me came after my grandma passed away when I was 14. Suddenly my world collapsed, and I felt the intense belief that no one really respected, accepted, loved and made me feel significant other than my grandma. Coupled with some other wounds, such as believing that I was weird, unorganized and timid, or that only outgoing girls were deserving of love, or that my sexual desires made me unlovable, my adolescent years following her death were very rough emotionally.

 

I sought validation and love in indirect ways – I tried to be perfect in every drawing I made so that my peers and teachers would praise me, I tried watching 10 hours of Korean TV series nonstop to immerse myself in the world of the main female characters and feel undivided and loyal love from the main

male characters. These ways to meet my needs for love and connection helped me to forget about the pain for some time, but they were not helping me at the root level.

 

It has only been in recent years, when I stepped into personal development and self-healing, that I began to see my loneliness in different and much more empowering ways. Love and connection is vital to every single person at every stage of life. A lot of my false beliefs about my lovableness stems from the emotional imprints created when I was small. They carried into my adulthood because my brain at the time of these traumatic events perceived interaction and being vulnerable as unsafe, as leading to rejection and shame. In order to better be prepared and protect myself from danger and future interactions, I developed coping or soothing strategies to meet my needs for connection while keeping myself safe.

 

However, when I believed people around me were dangerous and interactions were unsafe, I was not present in my interactions at all. I hid the majority of myself – my traits, my needs and my emotions. The longer the interactions were, the more exhausted and drained and lonely I would feel after. I would then go back home and numb myself by watching television or listening to songs – only when I was all alone would I feel safe to fully be myself.  In those moments I felt so lonely and hopeless and trapped and empty.

 

Now I am working to reconnect with myself – my emotions, my needs and my boundaries – to see who I really am when there is no fear of being judged or shamed, shifting from critical self-talk to a more compassionate tone and replacing self-shaming with self-acceptance. When I fully accept and see and hear and respond to myself, I feel less lonely and I feel able to communicate to other people what I am about and what I need. Even if sometimes these interactions are not satisfying, I’ve started to trust that I can set boundaries and give love and connection to myself, especially my wounded child.

 

—

 

Hi, my name is Ling-Yee Sze and I am a personal development enthusiast who began a self-help journey four years ago. Along the way, I have met many inspiring people. I hope to share my personal stories and collected learnings with you!

Your Own Personal Brat

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Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Anna Bernsteiner examines the concept of anxiety through the lens of a toxic relationship with a fellow with an unfortunate name.

 

Let’s talk about everyone’s annoying little friend Anxiety. Known for various crimes. Creeping inside your brain at night, twisting and turning your thoughts so you doubt and question your entire being. Constantly trying to convince you of all the things that can go wrong and all the failures ahead. And making a sport out of reminding you of every single insecurity that has ever crossed your mind.

 

Charming fellow. 

 

I call mine Brat. ‘Cause then I can say,

“My anxiety is such a brat.” Annoying, spoiled little kid. I think that’s pretty accurate. I can’t just kick him out, so I guess I have to learn how to live with him. Maybe I should befriend him. Tell everyone about him.

But how hard is it to admit your problems to another human being? Or, even better, how hard is it to admit it to yourself? 

 

It’s not as easy as saying

Hey you, I have anxiety. It’s difficult sometimes. It occasionally takes over and feels like I can’t move or think about anything else. I feel like a failure, worthless. Stick with me, I guess? 

 

A little anxiety is normal, it’s your body trying to watch out for you, trying to protect you.

Maybe you get the shivers when thinking about a big test coming up, the first day at work or presenting in front of a big audience. 

 

Yet what if this kid grows up to be a constant disruptive abusive adult who doesn’t want to be controlled or leave you alone?

What then? 

What if it seems like life is too overwhelming for you. Nothing you do is enough or works out. Constant doubt. Constant fear. Constantly on your mind. 

 

Honestly, between you and me, I have not yet found a way to get rid of him. Kid or adult. Still living in my head rent-free. Having tantrums and trashing the place. 

So why am I even writing this, if I have absolutely no solution? 

 

Here is why. Growing up, mental health has always been a scary topic to talk about. Anxiety wasn’t a thing. A new sickness just invented. People seeking attention. Weird. You just didn’t talk about it. 

So it’s time to shine a light on the topic. Normalizing anxiety. Normalizing struggles. Normalizing fear. 

When reading this, did it sound familiar? Did you feel like you have experienced this before? 

Identifying the culprit is a great first step to taming your own personal Brat. See how anxiety is triggered. And if you know what triggers yours. You take some control back. 

 

Think about it this way. There are lots of Brats out there and their number doesn’t get smaller. The opposite. Chances are there are people in your life feeling overwhelmed and anxious too. 

And as always, sharing pain makes it feel just a little less scary. So instead of spreading Brats all around by staying silent, you can choose to share. You can choose to tell the people that care about you. You can choose to acknowledge your struggles. 

 

And say, Hey my anxiety is a brat.

 

What about yours?

 

Brat’s the worst. Nobody likes that guy. How do you deal with characters like Brat? Comment below or talk your anxiety out with an empathetic group of listeners in a Conscious Connections meeting.

L’Argent et L’Homme

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Ryan Haddad (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

One unavoidable facet of my personality concerns how little I enjoy discussing movies, even after I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching them. When I happen to find myself in a position where I have to provide an opinion, I usually resort to shoulder-shrugs or general, too-vague-to-pin-down impressions. However, the same attitude can’t be applied when discussing Robert Bresson’s last film, L’Argent (“Money” in English), released in 1983.

 

Bresson was a widely influential French filmmaker who was adamant about creating the films he wanted to see. His vision was uniquely singular and his style was stripped to its essentials, revealing a neat, smooth skeleton rather than a fully fleshed-out organism with all its habitual faults and imperfections. No scene is wasted; no line is unimportant. The ultimate impression was the ultimate goal. As an audience member, you only saw what you needed to see. It’s because of this that his films resemble documentaries more than actual movies. The camera is unusually static, scenes linger, music is rarely used and actors feel rigid and unemotional, like mannequins. Bresson disliked and even actively avoided hiring professional actors for his films, relying mostly on unknowns to emphasize unknown stories.

 

But why mention the film now? Is there anything left to discuss? The story, for the most part, doesn’t follow a character, but rather an object. The film starts when a fraudulent 500-franc note is exchanged between two schoolmates as one of them attempts to buy a picture frame. We then follow the fake note as it switches hands and systematically affects the lives of all who touch it, ultimately landing in the hands of a truck driver who gets taken to court because of it. Now imprisoned and shunned by his family and peers, his life tumbles down a staircase of escalating violence and destruction. 

 

Besides the worthwhile commentary on capitalist greed and the modern human condition, one aspect of the story that personally interests me the most is the hidden (and ignored) impacts we have on the people around us that we probably never stop to think about. The type of responsibility this incurs is one we’ve rarely had to seriously consider in this day and age, but the pandemic has forced us to reconsider the connections we have with the countless strangers surrounding us.

 

Consider the film’s main character. He’s a truck driver who, in a chain reaction of hand-offs, receives the fake note as payment for his services from a shopkeeper. Upon confronting the shopkeeper with no way to legitimately prove his innocence, he gets taken to court, is tried, and falls down a rabbit hole of misfortune. As a viewer, there’s nothing you can glean about his character. The dialogue in the film is delivered in a straight-faced, monotone manner, with minimal emotional range on display. This all serves to intensify the opaque portrait of the truck driver. His gaze is impenetrable, his thinking unclear, his presence an uncertainty, and yet his fate feels curiously intertwined with our own. The entire film serves as an indirect statement about the responsibility with which every individual is burdened within a society. Whether they’re conscious or accepting of it is irrelevant; what matters is that it’s there, it’s real, and it’s something that can roar to life when we least expect it. The truck driver passes on his burden to the viewer, then the viewer to their peers, and so the responsibility grows.   

 

This concept of universal responsibility has become most apparent during the pandemic. The idea that a simple outing can set a chain reaction that affects countless others was previously unthinkable to such a degree. For me, I was able to reconsider the influence my life had on others. I used to fear getting involved with people for multiple reasons. I used to avoid it like the plague. Perhaps it was the responsibility that came with sharing space and the desire for capitalist satisfaction that put me off, even subconsciously, from meeting people’s eyes. But suddenly being forced indoors for the greater part of a year recalibrates your view on the connections you have, and the ones you are forced to consider. Our responsibility to others, the most radioactive thing about us that is simultaneously harmless, is something that binds us together. It’s an inescapable aspect of our existence that can take years to master, or else we run the line of abusing its power to benefit personal gain.

 

It’s human nature to internalize our struggles and seek personal satisfaction. The only difference nowadays is that life has gotten so hectic, so crowded and unpredictable that forgetting about the needs of others has become a relatively easy decision to make. However, certain events can force us to reconsider how desperately we need one another to survive. Something I often think about is the difference between humans and animals at birth. Largely speaking, animals are thrust into action at birth. It only takes a few seconds for a fawn to find its footing before its expedition begins. Humans, on the other hand, take years to rely on themselves instead of others. Our connections and responsibilities to one another form the building blocks of our species.

 

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I’m a recent graduate of the Lebanese American University in Beirut. I will be pursuing graduate studies in London, Ontario this fall. I enjoy reading fiction and follow moose-related posts on Reddit.