Ragne’s Abyss

A look into my mind and an entrance to my soul.

“Language alone protects us from the scariness of things with no names”

Toni Morrison

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Ragne's Abyss

A look into my mind and an understanding of my soul.

recent posts

    • Why Is Everyone Buying Labubus?: The Rise of Cute Consumerism

      Labubus are figurines that the internet has been obsessed with recently. In every video, there’s a tiny rabbit, a baby-shaped toy, attached to someone’s purse, on someone’s shelf, or being unboxed in a video. The toy has even reached mainstream celebrities. Cardi B posted a decorated Labubu Christmas tree on her Instagram story for her daughter, Kulture.

      While it’s understandable why the toy is popular amongst children, it doesn’t explain why adults are ecstatic over getting a toy. The new mainstream content, like Labubus, is a prime example of how social media is leading us into overconsumption.

      Labubus come in boxes that are called “blind boxes”. When buying the toy, you have no idea which Labubu you’re getting. The excitement of not knowing ties into the “need” to buy more. The disappointment of not getting the Labubu wanted also leads to buying more.

      This isn’t just seen with Labubus. There are a ton of different brands of figurines that do the same thing. Some examples would be Sony Angels, Hirono Figurines, Smiski, and Miffy. Each box ranges above $10, sometimes hitting closer to $30.

      It is understandable why Labubus and their competitors are admired by the internet. They’re cute and appealing to many as decorations and or accessories. I myself have considered buying a box or two due to their cute-appeal. It’s not only exciting to see what toy you’ll get, but it also can be fun to collect them. Along with their appearance, their pricey-prices are appealing as well.

      Though many online shoppers strive for lower-priced items, they admire what they can’t afford. The idea of having an item that isn’t cheap fuels us with excitement. We feel as though we’ve gained status in society because we have the money to afford what the wealthy buy. Having the money to buy a lot of wants is a flex, especially in a world where our needs are rising in price. Our spending habits all tie back to the world’s social hierarchy. 

      Some may claim that the trinkets aren’t extremely costly. To that statement, I say for the size and quantity of the item, they are. A box for Labubus are often $19.99 and can range to hundreds depending on the amount and size of the blind box you’re buying. Buying two boxes equates to $39.98 for two figurines. Pop Mart, the company that sells Labubus and many other trinkets, allows the consumer to buy a particular series of ten Labubus for $209.90. These figures are two inches tall and four inches wide; pretty small figurines. The amount of money put into these toys is wasteful, especially for their size, quality, and quantity.

      It’s completely fine to splurge a little on wants. Buying a decoration for yourself here and there is fine. Yet, when the narrative starts to shift into putting your wants before your needs, that’s when things become toxic. Spending large sums of money on items that can’t be used, aren’t very big and will soon vanish due to trends fluctuating, isn’t smart and is uneconomical; especially for adults who have larger responsibilities. We’re buying unnecessary items simply because they’re trending; even more so because celebrities and influencers are buying them.

      Overconsumption is taking over and promoting putting our wants before our needs. Labubus are just one of the many items that we overspend on. The items simply give us instant gratification for a day, and it fades by the next, leading us onto a conveyor belt of never-ending purchases. It is far deeper than instant gratification.

    • My Constant Meet With Burnout

      Sometimes I find it difficult to write. Mainly because I always force myself to think psychologically and write down my thoughts like a poet. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but it becomes exhausting after some time.

      I’m always forcing myself to be poetic and analytical. Unfortunately, I’m not a philosopher, nor am I a poet. Sometimes I enjoy simply writing about my day or what I’ve seen. The only thing that stops me is the fear of going unnoticed.

      I dream of being a writer—there’s nothing else I’d rather do. To be a writer, doesn’t your work have to be seen? To be seen, doesn’t your work have to be interesting? I find myself questioning everything that I write. I’m always wondering if it’s intriguing enough to be read.

      I become frustrated with myself when I can’t create a constant stream of masterpieces. Then I’ll go months without writing because I’ve lost my creativity; many call this feeling a ‘burnout’. I’m very familiar with burnouts.

       I don’t want to force myself to be creative. Is it really creativity if it doesn’t come naturally? I’m an artist, a writer. My art should come to me freely, not in chains. I wish to allow myself more freedom, time and space to stretch my wings. 

      Art is art regardless of its nuance. What one person may find boring, the other may find interesting. So, 2026 will be the year I allow myself to write without forcing thought. I refuse to judge myself when I can’t think critically, and I refuse to put down the pen when I want to write about the mundane.

      Writing is an art without boundaries.

    • Intention In Fashion

      Fashion is a staple of art that must be participated in, not followed. What makes fashion iconic are the unique pieces that are put together. When placed together, it’s meant to flow in a way that stands out but isn’t overbearing. 

      There are certain unique pieces that I find to be riveting when gazed upon. They’re provocative in a way that’s voguish and not overly trendy. These pieces are charismatic due to their atypical appearance. When paired together with other items, they mend into the art called fashion. 

      #1 Isabel Marants

      Isabel Marants are modish for a pair of shoes. They elevate any outfit as simple as a white tee and ripped jeans. They’re a mix of sneakers and heels, pairing elegant with street-wear. For shoes as fresh as Isabel Marants, unvarnished pieces allow them to stand out more.

      #2 Steve Madden Mavis Black Suede

       Fashion doesn’t always have to be made up of luxury name brands. Steve Madden’s Mavis shoes are a sister pair to Isabel Marants but with a lower price. They look almost identical and the Steve Madden Mavis have a haute chain detail attached to its straps. 

       The colors Black Suede and Faux Fur Brown Distressed are the most versatile colors they offer. The brown sole of the Mavis Black Suede’s highlight the color of the shoe, delivering extra charisma. 

      #3 Steve Madden Maxima Black Rhinestones

      Steve Madden’s Maxima sneakers are distinctly stylish. The shoe is covered in black rhinestones that can only be seen in the light. There are no highlights or linings on the shoe, which adds sleekness. Highlights on a solid colored shoe can sometimes take away from the sneaker—making it look more sporty than fashionable.

      The rhinestones take away from the athletic shape of the shoe and place them into a different category. They take casual to another level, placing comfort in the hands of vogue.

      #4 Sp5der Beluga Tracksuit in Gold SS23

      The Steve Madden Maxima Black Rhinestones paired with a baggy tracksuit would flow together. The Sp5der Beluga Tracksuit in Gold would pair well with these sneakers, matching the black shoes with the black lettering on the suit. 

      Gold is bold—allowing a simple outfit to look notable. The scratchy text fuels the street-wear look, which is anomalous to the ongoing trend of simplicity. It brings back the excitement fashion is meant to propel.

      #5 Nike Calm SE

      Choosing the right pair of shoes is key to an upgrade in fashion. The Nike Calm SE’s are a pair of slides that bring both simplicity and intricacy. Their body being covered in fur allows them to stand out from the sea of slip-on shoes. They also have the NIKE symbol engraved into the sides of the shoes—staying branded without excessive advertisement. 

      They’re easy for on the go while also keeping your outfit intact. The sole of the slides lift the shoe off the ground—halting the fur from dragging on the floor.

      #6 Edikted Drop Shoulder Sheer Knit Sweater

      A semi-transparent sweater is edgy in an exciting way. Edikted’s Drop Shoulder Sheer Knit Sweater fits the body without being skin-tight. The top tied with a bralette underneath adds a Hollywood-esque aesthetic. It’s controversial and ostentatious—exactly what fashion is meant to be. 

       A bright yellow bralette would be enticing underneath the sweater. Adding daring colors turns the look into a celebrity piece. The sweater already has an immodest flare to it and though black is trendy, it’s too basic of an undergarment. Bold yellow mated with a dark red miniskirt and bright yellow heels would guide the outfit away from becoming average.

      #7 Christian Louboutin Sporty Kate in Yellow

      Sporty Kate Christian Louboutin’s are chic apparel. They flow perfectly with the yellow bralette and red miniskirt. The red bottoms add an expensive flare due to their trademark. The yellow is bright but it isn’t neon, taking it away from looking low-quality. 

      Christian Louboutin has their symbol positioned on the outer-edge of the heel; keeping them simplistic and allowing their color to do the work. The yellow paired with the red bottom makes them a one-of-a-kind heel. They’re only seen on a selective amount of people, adding to their charm.

      Fashion should be exciting, unique, and admirable. It shouldn’t always be what’s trendy. Fashion is a spectrum—it can be simple, so that it can be curated by everyone, but it should always steer from being basic. Art is far from basic.

      Basic is mundane and requires outside factors to be seen. Bold is striking—it doesn’t depend on status to be alluring. When executed with intention, boldness signals authorship.

      Fashion is an art that should be participated in, not simply followed.

    • MAGA Conservatism Is Causing America’s Regression

      Conservatism has been a recent topic, especially for celebrities in the media. Government officials are promoting the idea of converting into a republican conservative. Books like The Great Gatsby, 1984, and Animal Farm are becoming more prominent in reality. Rights are being stripped away, discrimination is becoming normalized, and conforming to past hierarchies are being pushed. 

       A celebrity who has been breaking the internet with their recent switch is Nicki Minaj. An artist who grew her fame from being different and promoting diversity has since shifted into conservatism. The reason this change is so shocking is because Nicki Minaj’s views on politics, gender, sexuality, and world rights have changed dramatically. Her views now are contradictory to the views she was once known for. 

      “It’s okay to be a boy”, she stated to the audience at the Turning Point USA “AmericaFest” conference. Nicki Minaj has appeared to have pivoted into supporting MAGA and Donald Trump, an individual she has been known to not like in the past. Her remarks on stage received a significant amount of backlash due to the comment contradicting her past remarks of her support to the LGBTQ+ community. 

      Minaj has also made an appearance on the show RuPaul’s Drag Race, a competition show to see whose drag makeup, costume, and performance is the best. The majority of Nicki Minaj’s fandom is made up of women and the LGBTQ+ community, so her switch was disheartening to a lot of her fans.  

      To stabilize and grow their wealth, it’s been pushed by celebrities to denote democratic ideals. Sydney Sweeney and Elon Musk are another set of celebrities who are examples of this. 

      In July of 2025, the actress Sydney Sweeney was seen in a commercial for American Eagle using the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans”. The use of “jeans” in this statement was wordplay for “genes” being that in the commercial Sweeney spoke about how genes are passed down from parents to offspring. She also states in the commercial, “My genes are blue”. 

      Sweeney has faced racial controversy due to the ad campaign because of the remarks of her having good genes and her genes being blue. Many referred to the comment as being blue blooded. 

      Blue Blood refers to being an aristocratic—born into privileged and powerful families. The term’s roots stem from racial and class distinctions. Aristocratic Castilian families often used the term to distinguish themselves from the dark-skinned working class. The idea was that due to their fair and untanned skin, from not working outdoors or being of a different race, their veins appeared blue. 

      Later, President Trump tweeted on twitter a comment about Sweeney’s ad stating, “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there,”. Sweeney said the comment was a surreal moment for her. 

      When spoken to about the ad bringing controversy towards genetic superiority and asked to clear the confusion, Sweeney stated “I think that when I have an issue I want to speak about, people will hear”. Essentially, the actress refused to apologize for any racial confusion her campaign brought. 

      As mentioned before, Elon Musk has used the denoting of liberal values for his personal benefit. Elon Musk and President Donald Trump are known to have had a relationship at the beginning of Trump’s second term. Musk used this relationship to his benefit, incorporating the president’s ideals and supporting MAGA. 

      Musk donated to many of Trump’s presidential campaigns before his election. He was later appointed in a statement by Donald Trump on November 12th, 2024 to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), giving him a larger scale of authority. Trump’s statement, which has been documented on The American Presidency Project, reads, “I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”)”.

       This relationship was a significant factor in Trump’s victory to presidential status. Musk’s net worth also increased significantly after his endorsement to President Trump’s presidential campaign, as well as his many companies gaining regulatory changes under the current administration. 

      The battle between democrats and republicans have become more complex over the years—especially since President Trump’s first election. The introduction of MAGA is overpowering the Republican Party. It’s no longer political, it’s become chauvinistic. 

      Through trials and tribulations of trying to mold our society into a place of equality, it’s being promoted to revert back to what we ran from. A prime example would be President Trump’s removal of DEI; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which is the framework that fostered equality for people of different backgrounds and races in organizations. The glorification of wealth is one of the many reasons for the ability of rights to be removed.

      America has the habit of idolizing wealthy people and putting them on a godly pedestal. The concept of worshipping a human-being is extremely dystopian. Especially human-beings who are benefiting from the suffrage of a community. 

       I find that MAGA is amplified solely because it’s believed to benefit all of those who support it. The imagined belief that “they’re just like me, so they’ll help me”. That belief will never be reality, instead it only fuels oppression and weakens opportunity for the average person. The average person being the majority of America. 

      It isn’t surprising that celebrities are converting to MAGA conservatism. The more wealth that is accumulated, the more you wish to earn. They’re simply trying to keep their wealth while growing their status by associating themselves with a bigoted political force. There’s power in wealth and that power is used for personal gain disguised as societal progression.

      Regression in America is sought after by MAGA conservatives. Their support pushes forth the possibility of this country being governed by one puppeteer. An individual who shows no interest in helping the people and only seeks to endorse their echo chamber. The process of turning a stolen land into a home for oligarchy has only just begun.

    • My Favorite Songs From 2025

      2025 was filled with a rise of new artists and hits from our favorites. I’ve listened to so much music this year, new artists and old. With the year coming to a close, I’ve decided to recollect on My Top 10 Favorite Songs From 2025. 

      #1 Money Is Everything – Addison Rae

      Addison Rae is a new up-and-coming artist whose music has been trending all over TikTok. From once being a TikTok star to now making her way to the Grammy’s, she’s been all over my playlists this year. Her newest album “Addison” has been my favorite due to her tapping into an early 2000’s sound. Her music is fun and gives that teenage-dream energy, which is why I love Money Is Everything. 

      #2 Burning Blue – Mariah the Scientist

      Mariah’s music has been making its rounds in my playlists since 2023. Burning Blue was on repeat for me at the beginning of 2025. The song is not only relatable, but her vocals are fluid. The melody towards the end of the song is heavenly and the mix of orchestra and bass accentuates her voice. 

      #3 Somebody – Latto

      Latto did her big one with Somebody. Her first verse is said in a pattern that tickles my brain. Her verse pace goes well with the beat, which makes it so satisfying to listen to. It’s easy to sing along to and the chorus stays in your mind. The visuals for her music video and song cover are also aesthetically pleasing. 

      #4 Nice Guy – Cardi B (feat. Tyla)

      The mix of Tyla’s vocals and Cardi B’s rap played so well together in Nice Guy. I love Tyla’s verse and chorus. Hearing her rap as a singer showed her duality as an artist. Cardi made her verses relatable and her voice matched the beat perfectly. The beat also makes me sway—I love a beat that can make me sway.

      #5 CHANEL – Tyla

      I have been loving Tyla since her song “Water”. CHANEL had mixed reactions when it first came out but I was attracted to it from its release. It sounds different from Tyla’s other songs but it still stays connected to her brand and roots. The theme for this song is completely different from her previous albums and I love it. It’s exciting, expensive, and bold. It makes you feel confident just listening to it. The song is perfect for dancing, it makes you want to get up and start moving. Regardless if you know how to dance or not. 

      #6 Gorgeous – Doja Cat

      I’ve always been a fan of Doja Cat’s music. I find her to be an interesting rapper because she’s also a vocalist and dancer. None of her songs sound the same and she holds an abundance of versatility. Gorgeous shows confidence in a subtle way. It doesn’t showcase conceit but establishes that she’s stable. She also uplifts the listener as much as she’s uplifting herself. The beat is different from the average rap that I hear. There’s jazz accents as well as pop. Add that with rap and it’s a beautiful piece that’s unique and showcases the creative aspects of Doja Cat. 

      #7 Folded – Kehlani

      Folded was my most played song this year on Spotify. The melody and chorus is what truly got me. I love Kehlani’s voice and tone. It’s mesmerizing without being overbearing. The chorus leaves room for dancing while being slow enough to relax too. It’s no surprise why this song plays so often on the radio. 

      #8 LOVER GIRL – Megan Thee Stallion

      Being a girl in a relationship, I love Lover Girl. Yes, some lyrics are a bit vulgar but that’s Megan. While still being herself and keeping her tone, she created a song that illustrates how she feels currently. You can tell by the song that she’s going through the best right now. The chorus is addictive and can stay in your head all day.

      #9 Thootie – Ice Spice (feat. Tokischa)

      Though a lot of people aren’t a fan of Thootie, I find it super catchy. Ice added accents of her Latina culture with Tokischa while keeping her New York flare. Tokischa mended her Spanish and English verses so well. Her voice is extremely satisfying to listen to. Hearing Ice Spice rap in Spanish was nice to hear. I love that she’s tapping into herself more in her music. 

      #10 4 Raws – EsDeeKid

      EsDeeKid is a new up-and-coming rapper. He was once underground but from his TikTok exposure and his identity curiosity, his music has been trending everywhere. His supposed connection to Timothee Chalamet has also helped boost his career even more. I was just recently introduced to 4 Raws through TikTok. It’s different from the average UK rap due to how strong EsDeeKid’s scouse accent is. His voice goes so well with the beat and it tickles my brain just listening to him.

      2025 has been a great year, especially for many artists in the music industry. I’m excited to see the Grammy’s and the rise of more new artists in 2026. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    • Art Is Losing Its Vitality

      Photo taken from @drika_2004 on Pinterest

      People who enjoy art have often imagined themselves making a living from it. The ultimate question, “Can I make this my career?” creeps into consciousness.

      The love for art is so large that the desire to live off of it ignites. After working towards getting your creation seen, it starts to become draining. Eyes are either not looking, or they are looking, and now more profound creations need to be made.

      Trying to make something that is better than your last is difficult. It becomes frustrating when it doesn’t work, and that frustration later leads to burnout. Then an artist will find themselves letting go of their passion. The same thing occurs when we start to squeeze revenue out of our creativity. Leading to an endless climb up the financial ladder.

      Our ideas no longer come from the eyes of creativity but instead from the minds of a profitable enterprise. Art is lifeless when its origin isn’t from the soul.

      Artists easily get trapped in the idea that what’s created needs to be appealing. So, art is often edited to be understood by those who don’t seek to understand. This takes away from the natural aspects of creation, the original thoughts and feelings of the artist.

      What makes art so unique is the versatility within the art pool. There are so many artists, each with their own quirks and specialties. To blend them all together and create a single concept of art takes away from their meaning.

      There would be no point in museums or galleries because everything would look the same. Music becomes repetitive, and literature lacks substance.

      Art is becoming obsolete due to a lack of ideation and vulnerability. Ideas are being mimicked instead of created. The artist’s voice is hidden—hidden so that the art can be appealing, appealing so that it can be profitable.

      Living off passions is difficult in a society that worships revenue. Flames die due to the constant chase of success overpowering the love for innovation. We’re in an artistic recession that won’t cease until we become comfortable with ourselves.

      Art isn’t meant to be easily replicated. It’s difficult, it’s distinct, and it takes time. Most importantly, it’s vulnerable. It’s meant to be a visual of the human’s ability to create from imagination.

      Creating what the soul desires is frightening. Yet, continuing to create what you want, regardless, is compelling. That is art. 

    • The Desire To Know Everything

      Photo of Hedy Lamarr taken from @malintzink on Pinterest

      I yearn for knowledge. I crave it more than anything, to know all that I can. There’s something so appealing about a person who’s educated. They know of literature, they’re good at math, they understand science, and they can restate history. 

      The concept of self-learning is remarkable to me. It’s far more complex than learning from a teacher. You’re teaching yourself subjects you don’t know and that you’ve yet to understand. That alone is impressive–the dedication to education. I wish to be knowledgeable not just in the field of my study. 

      To have a brain and to not want to expand it is ludicrous. I never understood those who refuse to learn. Sure, it’s difficult, but is it not rewarding? The statement, “I’m never going to use it, so why learn it?”, is blatant ignorance. 

      Of course you’ll use it, just not in the ways you’d imagine. Opportunity will arise in conversation, even in your career. To know culture is to understand people. To know literature is to understand language. To know history is to understand the world. To know math is to understand function. To know science is to understand creation. No form of knowledge is useless.

      The most beautiful part of knowledge is that it’s infinite. You’ll never know it all, no matter how much you study. It gives the world such mystique that it’s alluring. There’s nothing more exciting than learning something I had no idea about. Second to that is sharing the information I learned. Teaching someone something I was once taught almost gives me déjà vu. The remembrance of that moment of learning. 

      The fact that we’re more than capable of learning beyond our means is a gift not celebrated. If anything, it’s rarely used. Even pushed away due to its intimidating concept. Knowledge is power—that’s why the highly educated are demonized. They’re seen as threats to the government and malicious to the world. Socrates, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Chico Mendes are all examples of individuals who were killed for their knowledge and opposing worldly beliefs. 

      Socrates was forced to drink hemlock, a poisonous flower, in 399 BCE due to his philosophical ideas “corrupting the youth”. Ken Saro-Wiwa, a Nigerian writer, was murdered in 1995 by the Nigerian government due to his activism on oil companies damaging the environment. Chico Mendes, a Brazilian environmentalist, was assassinated in 1988 due to his attempts at stopping exploitation of the Amazon jungle. 

      The danger behind knowledge and questioning, though scary, makes me seek it more. A weapon I can craft myself and house internally—why wouldn’t you want it?

      Education should be abused rather than misused. Advantages should be taken when given the opportunity. Knowledge is a weapon you die with, it can never be taken away. I aim to learn everything and never stop asking questions. My mind will continue to build until my last breath. For, that’s what it’s meant to do. 

      Wasting natural abilities is a waste of self and a lack of drive.

    • When Self-Belief Becomes Self-Destruction

      Photo of Napoleon Bonaparte from @taylormade2pt0 on Pinterest

      Kanye West, P-Diddy, Donald Trump.

      These are all individuals who have accumulated extreme amounts of fame and wealth. All of their ways of climbing to the top have their similarities. One thing they all have in common is deluded self-confidence. When they want something, they get it, regardless of what they have to do to get it. Their fortune ultimately came from their overconfidence, but so did their downfall.

      So, I came to wonder: Is overconfidence the key to ultimate success?

      When looking at the most successful people in the world, you notice something in common. They believed they can achieve their goals. John D. Rockefeller believed that confidence determines success. Warren Buffett had such confidence that he never doubted he’d be rich.

      With self-belief, it’s far easier to get out and start doing things. Achieving high aspirations doesn’t seem as difficult because you have this extreme belief that you can reach them. It’s a mindset that leaves no room for doubt. So embarrassment falls flat, and the fear of failing is nonexistent.

      Kanye, for example, is an artist who is overly confident in himself. He wholeheartedly believes that he can achieve everything and anything he wants. In an interview, someone asked Ye if there was any limit to what he believed he could achieve. His answer was “no”. He continued by saying, “If I were to quit rapping and say I wanna go to the NBA, I would be in the NBA—cause I think I could do anything.” But there’s a downside to everything. With confidence comes ego.

      With his pride, Kanye didn’t just lose billions—he lost connections; undone by the exact thing that created it. In October of 2022, Ye lost an estimated $2 billion in one day due to his antisemitic comments. Antisemitism is classified as a form of racism towards Jewish individuals. Ye’s racist behavior is a public display of how egotism can easily destroy success.

      When connecting racism to ego, many have stated that racism is a manifestation of egotism. James E Washington is part of The Race Card Project. He promptly stated in a 2022 article that “The ego thrives on identification and separation.” You can categorize an individual apart from yourself. This is particularly true when you deem that person as less. This process is exactly what egotism and racism do.

      People with high egos tend to be narcissistic, believing that they are superior to other people. Psychologists call this Illusory Superiority, which is a cognitive bias where people believe they are better than the average person. Challenges do not exist for them. They simply believe they do not have them. It’s the false sense of invincibility that leads to demise.

      Consider Napoleon Bonaparte, the French general who led the military during the French Revolution. Napoleon was an individual known for his excessive self-confidence and arrogance. His military victories fed him the belief that he was undefeatable. This later caused him to approach wars that shouldn’t have been touched with a six-foot pole. His pride led him to act irrationally. This resulted in many losses. These actions included his invasion of Russia in 1812 and the failed Continental System in 1814. With these losses came the fall of his empire and his exile to Saint Helena in 1815.

      Overconfidence makes messes that are extremely hard to clean up. It’s like trying to get an oil stain out of a T-shirt. Even though it can help build success, it can easily create a beast that’s hard to tame.

      But what about us ordinary people? Is realism better than overconfident delusions when creating success for people who aren’t in the limelight?

      Being in the limelight makes it far harder to get away from certain things. One comment and your entire career can be over. Yet, for ordinary people, it’s easier to get away with having delusional levels of confidence.

      Delusions are beliefs that fuel us to strive for what we want. It gives us self-belief that we can conquer hard things. Without belief, we are less likely to work as hard. Being realistic with everything can leave us stagnant because realism is like a protective shield. It protects us from the dangers of following our dreams, but also confines us from growing. Though realism can confine us, it can also keep us humble—especially when success has already been made.

      If you think about it, humility is a mixture of self-confidence and self-doubt. You believe in yourself, but you are also modest enough to know you may not get what you want. With humility, it’s easier to house realism in our fantasized beliefs, but it can keep a high ego at bay. It’s the mediator that stabilizes narcissism and diffidence. To be stable in one’s self to achieve success, being humble without confidence won’t work. Yet, being confident without humility will only lead to destruction.

      So I’ll leave us off with this question: Realism has the potential to hold us back. Overconfidence can destroy us. Are both confidence and humility key in order to grow and maintain success?

      Overconfidence helps build success due to the never-ending self-belief, but it feeds our egos. Humility keeps us grounded, managing our egos from overtaking our identities. So, confidence with humility is the key not only to grow but also to keep success.

    • When Clutter Becomes a Mirror

      Photo taken from @minicupcakeshop on Pinterest

      Recently, I’ve felt an urge to simplify my life. This realization struck as I walked into my dorm room. I saw how much stuff crowded my space. There were knick-knacks on my desk and a bed piled with pillows. Bookshelves were overflowing and there was barely any space to move without knocking something over.

      Every day, I find myself overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have to tidy and clean. Just waking up in the morning is stressful because of the amount of bedding I possess. Looking at my closet, I have so many clothes that I don’t even enjoy wearing. The majority of which aren’t comfortable and make me feel nice.

      Reflecting on my belongings made me see that I over-consume. I often buy things simply because they are popular, not because I truly need or enjoy them. This habit, I realize, comes from searching for identity—using objects to define myself. But instead of fulfillment, I am left with a collection of trinkets that do not bring purpose or meaning.

      Subconsciously, this clutter also removes space in my mind, leading me into a disorganized consciousness. Then, I find myself yearning for a minimalistic lifestyle, though I enjoy new things. I want fresh items that are specific to me without holding large amounts of space. Items that are unique without later becoming mundane due to trends subsiding.

      I would think the first place to start is to clear my space so that clutter can free my mind. But I tied my money to things, so it holds me back from simply throwing things away.

      It’s a waste of money to discard items that aren’t broken. Though I wasted my money to begin with when first purchasing said items. I place my worth in material possessions; a confession I have always refused to admit. It covers the engraved question of who I am.

      I feel solid when I get something new, but later dissatisfied when I realize I never wanted it. What intrigues me most is that I’m hypocritical enough to call others materialistic when I hold items in high regard. Probably far higher than others I speak to. The mind can be unconsciously judgmental.

      Having the desire to want less has brought forth a new level of consciousness that I didn’t have before. It’s self-reflective because I’m forced into an evaluation of my life. I realize that possessions aren’t the only thing I need to have less of. What is often missed in videos about minimalism is the philosophical aspects.

      The release of belongings can free one’s mind. It isn’t simply about turning your home into an all-white asylum. Minimalism leads to a form of tranquility I’m not used to. With more space, I’ll have room for exploration. To find myself and better understand my identity.

    • Hollywood is deathly afraid of aging

      Photo from Pinterest

      In Hollywood, aging is treated like a scandal instead of a natural part of life. Every few months, there’s a new product that’s supposed to get rid of wrinkles, tighten your skin, or plump your cheeks. On top of that, people get Botox too. The craziest part is that people are now injecting areas that no one talked about ten years ago. We have neck lifts, chin tweaks, nose injections — every facial feature has become ‘fixable’. 

      Celebrities like the Kardashians are walking advertisements for this. Look at Kris Jenner—she’s being praised all over the media for looking so good at 70. Her face has become a symbol of Hollywood’s obsession with turning back the clock. Celebrities and influencers, like the Kardashians, are promoting getting work done to keep their youth and to stay within the beauty standards. The idea of looking young forever is geared only towards women. It’s like aging naturally is treated like a failure. When women in Hollywood age publicly, the Internet treats it like breaking news.

      Hollywood is using youth to make currency, and women pay the highest price for it. Brooke Shields is an example of women hated for aging. She has spoken about the hate she’s received because of her age on numerous occasions. She even wrote a book titled “Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old”. 

      In her interview with Allure, she mentioned that people would tell her kids how beautiful she used to be. For society, the moment you age is when your beauty fades. Women are criticized, not for aging poorly, but for aging at all. Your beauty is now a memory people choose to be nostalgic over.

      Cosmetic procedures aren’t the only anti-aging process advertised. Just scroll through TikTok. There’s always a new skincare product marketed to keep women looking youthful and iridescent. I mean–ear seeding, really? We go to the extent of poking tiny needles into our skin just to look young. Look at micro-needling; everyone in Hollywood has had it done. Spending thousands on skincare products and regimens to fit the media’s image. 

      We even have anti-wrinkle straws. Literally, drinking a certain way just so that we don’t age. Retinoid advertisements are everywhere, and collagen masks are encouraged for sleep. I, at 18 years old, have fallen for some of these anti-aging products. I don’t have a wrinkle in sight. I haven’t even finished growing, and I’m slapping on anti-aging creams and sleeping with facemasks. 

      This concept led me to think. The epidemic of children flooding Sephora for skincare products stems from this anti-aging “trend”. Think about it! Kids are buying skincare products for “problems” they won’t have in decades because they’re being advertised by their idols on social media. Surprisingly so, they’re easily influenced. So, now we have 10-year-old’s plastering retinoid all over their face, irritating their skin for no reason. When influencers panic about aging, kids learn to panic too.

      Hollywood is always portraying aging in women as if it’s some disease. This idea made me wonder, where did this idea spark from–who lit the match? Women end up doing the most to look young. It isn’t because they genuinely want to for themselves, no matter how hard we portray it as self-love. It’s because there are standards that need to be upheld. In Hollywood, you must fit ideals that appease men. This is essential if you want to make it in the limelight. The first step to fitting the standards is to be young. 

      Youthfulness is glorified and placed on a pedestal. Men place it on that pedestal and women upkeep it. There used to be a time when men only ever married teenage girls in America. Then they’d leave them once fine lines started to emerge. Even today, big-time celebrities are being exposed for dealing with younger women, disturbingly younger. It’s all because men value youthfulness. Even when an older woman gets with a younger man, the hate train runs her over. People are appalled by the idea of an older woman and a younger man. Though, for a man’s case, it’s often applauded. 

      We, as women, are following the beauty norms set by society and pretending that we’re doing it for ourselves. Then many of us blame each other for being male-centered, as if we don’t know that we’ve been conditioned to be that way. We as women need to stop dusting the pedestal and help each other stand.

       We’re living in denial–that’s why there’s so much insecurity amongst us women. That’s why we’re seeing celebrities becoming thinner and their faces changing little by little each year. We even adjust ourselves to fit the man we’re currently seeing—to keep their image. Kourtney Kardashian is a prime example of this; her entire look changed when she married Travis Barker.

       Kourtney’s look changing overnight entertains the idea that a woman doesn’t have a personality without a man by her side. It’s as if women would be nothing without them. We find ourselves feeding into misogynistic views unconsciously when we follow male-centered trends.

      It will never end because trends constantly change. Standards always change, and procedures evolve with them. People will always have opinions about women. So, the chase of perceived beauty will be infinite. You’ll run after it forever until your legs break. It’s a shame that we promote feminism and still find ourselves centering our lives around appealing to the opposite sex. The pressure we put on ourselves as women is feeding into society’s sexism. Women are far more than appearance; we hold so much. We need to start embracing ourselves without the arms of men. 

      Aging is an indication that you have lived–that’s the whole point. If anything, aging is a flex. We should use women like Audrey Hepburn, Linda Hamilton, Tracee Ellis Ross, Meryl Streep, and Jamie Lee Curtis as examples. They should be our influences. We should embrace aging rather than discourage it. Nature can’t be fought—It’ll show no matter how many procedures or products you go through. As Audrey Hepburn once said: “I’ve earned every one of those wrinkles”. Aging is an award not given to many — let’s treat it as such. The power age holds does not warrant an apology.

    Ragne's Abyss