I think everyone has a favourite photo of themselves. And by photo, I don’t mean a selfie with perfect lighting that makes you go, “that’s the one,” before uploading it to every social media platform you’re on.

No. I’m talking about the days when bringing your memory card to Wal-Mart was a thing. In the mid-2000s when owning a digital camera was all the rage. Taking iPhone photos at a club? That was frowned upon. In fact, anyone trying even remotely to take a photo at a concert with their phone was instantly ostracized.

And while now, that may be the new norm, there’s something about holding a physical photo and having a memory that was made tangible. One that perfectly captured a moment and one that’s free of filters and photoshopped edits that you find every so often forgotten in a drawer.

For me, it’s one specifically that reminds me of better days. Ones that involved drinking cheap whiskey and pink champagne out of water bottles before walking triumphantly into a bar and getting adorned with a glorious “X” on each hand in permanent marker. The mark that was utilized as a prize to show off what was an epic night to my friends the next day in class.

And while I don’t still drink water bottles filled with cheap whiskey or pink champagne, that photo kind of makes me wish I could.

The photo itself, taken by my best friend, captured my beaming smile in a moment that caught me off guard in a bar as I waited for a band to hit the stage. I was wearing my signature all-black attire, Converse and was holding a digital camera that I always seemed to have in my hand.

That’s the thing about looking back, though. I mean, could I really see myself drinking pink champagne out of a water bottle in public at this stage in my life? Probably. But I guess that means the photo doesn’t remind me of better days at all, just really, really, good ones.

As a frosh in university, the possibilities of life seemed endless; and going to see live bands was one of the things that made that feeling possible for me.

So, even though I still have the same hair and my go-to look is still to dress in all-black attire and Converse, I no longer carry that digital camera in my hand.

That beaming smile, though? It still makes its appearance every so often when I find that photo in the back of my drawer.

L

The more I think about it and the older I get, (I guess wisdom really does come with age. Or maybe it’s just the pandemic and the fact that we’ve all pretty much been alone with our thoughts for the past 730 days…but, who’s counting?) the more I start to realize that life’s disappointments are a mere reflection of the expectations we have built up to them.

Regardless of circumstances, having some form, any form of expectations for how certain situations will pan out, is simply part of our human nature.

But, when you think about it, the best moments in life catch you off guard and often turn out nothing like the way you expected them in the first place.

So, why is it so hard to just let go and let things be?

In simpler terms, have you ever looked forward to something for days, weeks, even months? And along the way, you inevitably imagined what that would look like? What it would feel like? What would go right? What would go wrong? You’ve pictured it a few different ways. Regardless of the complexity of how you pictured it, you did. At least once. And that’s precisely where a window of opportunity turns into a self-inflicted window of disappointment. Why? Because you created expectations. And if they don’t end up panning out the way you imagined, it’ll ultimately lead to a form of disappointment. And that’s no one’s fault but your own.

While it can definitely be challenging, to say the least, the solution to dodge disappointment in life is to be present. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong.

It’s difficult. Especially if you’re someone who is notorious for overthinking and tends to mentally prepare yourself for various different scenarios as a result. Guilty.

But you can work towards it.

So, here’s your reminder for the day, or month, or whenever I come back, to try and let go and let things be.

It won’t always be easy, but it’ll help you be a happier person in the long run.

Over the past few years of keeping this blog alive with my on-again, off-again thoughts from the heart, I’ve somehow racked up roughly 15K visitors and 20K views. I will still never understand where and when and how my readers have resonated with my words, but somehow, they have.

Thanks for hanging in there.

L

Whenever I think of long summer nights that followed days where the sun beamed late into the evening, I picture a sky illuminated entirely by stars, the distinct smell of fresh cut grass and the endless smiles that came from the familiar sound of “Bobcaygeon.”

The Tragically Hip were one of those bands that could unite anyone; no matter what setting it was in. Their songs were the kind that you couldn’t help but smile at and sing along to with the fans that in my opinion, all agree defined our nation.

Gord’s passing is the first celebrity death that hit me. Listening to their discography in his honour, I couldn’t help but fight back tears.

In that moment, the thoughts and memories that correlated with their music flooded my mind. Smiling as I reminisced, but saddened at the thought that this was essentially, the end of an era for myself and many others.

I think back to all the concerts I attended that featured their music before the opening act that were strategically meant to get the crowd excited before a show that wasn’t even their own.

A moment in time that froze as their lyrics brought together all the strangers in the crowd to bond over their words and melodies and share the same feeling of Canadian pride.

And in moments just like those, his spirit will continue to live on. May he rest in peace.

There’s a reason why people say it’s easier to see the glass “half empty.” Although I’m definitely a firm believer in practicing positivity, (key word: practicing,) it doesn’t necessarily mean that it happens successfully on a daily basis even when I try.

My struggle with various forms of anxiety has enabled me to explore options such as meditation, many (many) self-help books and what many perceive as spiritual healing; but just like any sport or activity, positivity definitely takes practice, patience and perseverance.

It’s definitely easier to spiral into a state of negativity than it is to count your blessings. Sometimes it’s even more convenient. Admiring what others have accomplished or acquired and comparing it to your own life is human nature; being inspired to pursue your dreams and acquire great outcomes to your future is simply a part of life. Jealousy on the other hand, is what’s toxic. There’s definitely a difference between admiring for inspiration and envying others without trying for your own success.

I think pop-culture and social media is to blame for a lot of first world problems; it has led people to “admire” others in the form of jealousy as opposed to admiring them for positive inspiration.

I try and have good days. Every morning when I leave my house, I try and practice the “theories of positivity” that I’ve learned and read about in countless books. I do my breathing exercises, I say and write down my daily affirmations, I think about the things that matter most in life and remind myself that the little things don’t…but even so, sometimes, I just have a bad day.

Finally, I’ve come to the realization that you don’t always have to be positive. You can put it into practice all you want, but sometimes, you’re just going to have a bad day.

Sometimes, when life throws you lemons, they hit you right in the face and you just have to admit defeat and call it a day.

This realization has been incredibly liberating.

Although I don’t allow myself these kinds of days very often; I’ve realized that sometimes it’s okay to accept the outcome of the day and simply aim to try harder for a better one tomorrow.

As long as you’re always striving to move forward, the speed bumps won’t matter in the long run. Cut yourself some slack, you’re only human.

L

By: Lucy Mazzucco

This week, I got to chat with social media personality and YouTuber, Tasha Leelyn; known online for her impeccable style and beautiful pastel pink hair. Tasha grew to fame online attracting viewers when she began posting videos of her experiences with specific hair dyes and “DIY” ways to safely dye hair pastel colors at home.

Before beginning her YouTube journey, Tasha was pursuing photography, a passion which she incorporates into new content she makes for her channel. “I was working at a commercial studio in Toronto for two years prior to starting my channel. Most of the techniques I learned in that studio are now applied to my videos,” said Tasha. “If I had never taken an interest in photography, I would have never started my journey on YouTube. I still attack my videos in the same way as I did with my photos; I start with a still concept and hope it’ll work when I make it into a video.”

Through her YouTube journey, Tasha has been able to help women and men who are interested in the beauty and hair community and has been able to make many friends along the way. “I’m a pretty quiet person outside the internet and making new friends was never my forte,” said Tasha. “My channel has enabled me to connect with some of the most amazing people who all have the same passion for hair as I do.”

Tasha believes that she showcases her true personality on social media, which is why her viewers and new found friends watch her videos. “The person you see on my channel is the same person who will tell you she woke up at 3PM and ate McDonald’s for dinner,” said Tasha. “I also think people resonate with me because of my size. There are a lot of really fit and skinny girls on YouTube who I love to watch, but I don’t see myself as either of those. I’ve got big hips and thighs. I think that’s why girls like seeing clothes on me; I’m a size that can be considered relatable to a lot of people.”

As far as staple hair and makeup, Tasha has made her mark with her love of pastel colors along with tweaking the “grunge” look with a majestic free-spirited twist. “I’d say my favorite hair product at the moment is the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Smoothing Serum. As far as make-up goes, it would have to be the MAC blush in Well Dressed. Fashion wise, my staple would definitely be an over sized Harley Davidson t-shirt.”

Along with beauty tips, Tasha’s channel showcases her advocacy for self-confidence and she believes that everyone should find a way to be happy in their own skin. “At the end of the day, it’s always best to stay true to yourself and kill ’em with kindness,” said Tasha. “The only person who has to be happy with your career path, looks, goals and personality is you. Everyone is different and everyone has a path. Follow yours.”

To watch her videos, visit Tasha’s YouTube channel.
For updates, follow her on Twitter and Instagram!