The Difficulty of Starting Something New

The Difficulty of Starting Something New

Photo by Willow Greene

Change is a complicated and daunting process. It can take a lifetime to finally reach the goal you have been pursuing, whether that is in relationships, a job, traveling, or figuring out who you are. Fear of disappointing people who care about you and fear of the future are road blocks that make arriving to your destination extra difficult.

I see Change as three steps: risk, perspective and control. When you take a risk, there is bound to be a change either in your character or in your life. After you take a risk, your perspective is what determines the change to be beneficial or detrimental. Once you decide the character of the change, you can take control of the change, and ultimately, your life. 

This summer I have learned that life is too short to not be picky. We have limited time here on earth, so why spend it in a constant gloom? I have had friends complain to me about their job, their dissatisfaction with their significant other, and their unhappiness with their college program. I think people often forget that they have control of their life. We become so comfortable in the position we are in that the thought of stepping out of our comfort zone seems menacing.

So, why is change so hard? Before I cracked through my timid shell and started embracing what the world has to offer, I stuck to what was familiar. Throughout high school I was afraid that, by changing who I was, I would disappoint the expectations of my family and friends, or, if I took a risk to chase after something new, I would fail and lose what I had before. But now, I do not understand how I lived a systematic life of doubt for so many years. If you are settling because you are afraid that nothing better will come along, that is just as unsatisfactory. 

Our generation has adopted a mindset where being selfish is not necessarily considered a terrible quality. We are learning that looking out for ourselves and treating ourselves is rewarding and addresses our needs that no other person can fulfill. In my first year of university I realized that if I wanted something done, I had to do it myself. In the real world people do not wait for you; they move on to somebody who is ready for a challenge. You have to chase opportunities because they will not idle by, anticipating your decision. 

By resisting change, you are preventing the growth of your mind. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was an American judge who said, “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” I hold these words close to mind because they speak the truth. When I moved from a small farming community to the “big” city, I realized there is so much more to life than following tradition. The problem with us is that we are addicted to predictability. If we can see it coming, we can plan for it, which makes life easier for us. But when did easier become better?

Matt & Nat: F/W 16 Accessory Review

Matt & Nat: F/W 16 Accessory Review

All photos courtesy of Matt & Nat's online lookbook

Finding chic, comfortable and fashion-foward accessories can be complicated if you are looking for a high quality, eco-friendly brand that boasts elegance. MAT(T)erial & NATure is a Canadian brand that prides itself with its trendy vegan products. “Live beautifully” is their mantra, as they believe that appreciating the humanity, creativity and positivity found in all of us is essential to moving forward in this world.

These accessories, such as hand bags, wallets, shoes, briefcases (and so many others) carry a sophisticated and impressive style, while still acting versatile and can be worn and used for any outing. The colors range in all shades of neutrals, nudes and tones you would find in nature. While the hand bags and backpacks are built to address the comfort of the wearer, they also come in various sizes to accommodate different needs for space and lifestyles. 

What makes Matt & Nat’s clever products even more irresistible is the process of their creation. Like mentioned earlier, the brand is gratifyingly considerate of the environment. All of Matt & Nat’s accessories are created without animal resources, and are constructed with sustainable materials like rubber, cork and nylons. Even the inside lining of the handbags is manufactured out of one hundred per cent recycled plastic bottles. Although the price can vary in expensive ranges, it is worth investing in Matt & Nat products because not only do they deliver a high quality product that will last you a long time, you are helping the environment and encouraging others to do so also (all while looking up-to-date with fashion). 

Just like it is important to treat the environment kindly, Matt & Nat says building relationships with workers within the company is something they focus diligently on. The factories host exceptional work conditions for all, and they say they intend to strengthen the conditions in the future. Matt & Nat encourages its employees and consumers to upcycle, volunteer for greater matters, and overall, “live beautifully”.

Years ago I bought a wallet from their Dwell collection, and I am still happily using it. More recently, I purchased a sandy colored handbag that can be worn crossbody or simply held by the handle. It adapts to all my work, school and social needs, while fitting my disaster of personal belongings. Personally, I do not think you can go wrong with choosing any of Matt & Nat’s endless products. However, if you are in need of more convincing, check out their sleek website and read a bit more of their story on http://mattandnat.com/. 

Living With No Apologies

Living With No Apologies

Photo by Jack Maffucci. Featuring Sam Weir.  Mad Sounds Magazine "Issue 16: Youth & Lust"

Even if they aren’t together anymore and can no longer claim the “couple goals” title, I still follow both Alexis Ren and Jay Alvarez on social media.  They’re gorgeous people.  Anyways, something Alexis tweeted a couple days ago caught my attention: “It’s intoxicating when someone is so unapologetically who they are”.  I had heard that concept before, but, for whatever reason, it really stuck out to me at that moment.  I contemplated it and realized that every person I have ever admired lived their life in such a way where they had no shame in who they were.  Such a rare quality.

I’m fully aware that there is “nothing new under the sun”.  I mean, there’s 7 billion people in the world.  Originality is fairly impossible, so it’s inevitable that, to an extent, everyone is going to be a mixture of those whom they are influenced by.  I actually think that’s a good thing.  It’s great to notice the good in others and apply that to your own life.  However, when observing how easily we are influenced by others, I’ve noticed some potential for harm.  Oftentimes, we don’t do what we want, say what we want, or think what we want.  We simply do what is either acceptable, glorified, or beneficial. 

That truth is absolutely terrifying and unfulfilling.  When observing the last 20 years of my life I noticed I’ve hardly done anything simply because I wanted to. Similarly, I’ve noticed my words and actions have not always lined up with who I am inwardly because of fear and a desire to be accepted.  It’s scary to imagine living an entire life that way.

I have to tell myself every day that it’s okay to do things simply because it makes me happy.

I have to tell myself every day that it’s okay to wear something simply because I like it.

I have to tell myself every day that it’s okay to say something simply because I want to. 

I have to tell myself every day it’s okay to feel something simply because I do. 

I have to tell myself every day it’s okay to say no simply because I don’t want to. 

& I’m going to keep telling myself these things. 

It’s my life and it’s not fair to conduct it in any other way than how I want.  I’ve rarely done anything for the sole purpose of it making me happy.  I’ve realized that’s reason enough to do anything, so long as it doesn't harm anyone.  Don’t get me wrong, that’s not an excuse to be lazy and waste my life away.  It’s simply a license to do things solely for myself and to do them well.  I’m going to be unapologetically who I am and see where it takes me.   

Breaking Creative Boundaries

Breaking Creative Boundaries

All photos in article taken by Evan Sheehan | @evantsheehan

Art should push boundaries and break down walls. So it is no doubt that the hardest part about revealing personal creative work is perhaps the fear of stepping out of our comfort zone and exposing ourselves to the world’s critics. By doing so we allow viewers to take a peak into the mechanisms that rule our mind and heart. Defying norms is a wary undertaking. Nowadays everyone is cautious not to step on toes in a debate about feminism, race, or humanity itself. As a people we are more “woke” than ever, but also perhaps more stubborn. 

In the midst of writing editorials for Mad Sounds, I found myself writing bossy tirades about a variety of pressing world issues. I was worried that by posting these articles I would be crossing the line. When having a close friend examine my previous article, the only feedback she gave me was, “This article is much more lighthearted than your other ones; I like it!” Although I was thrilled she enjoyed the article, I was also taken back by her comment. Are all my articles supposed to be cheerful and passive? I wondered. I started to doubt all my ideas as they were about serious and well-past lighthearted subjects. I struggled to come up with things to write about because most of the lighthearted topics did not interest me the way critical matters do. What I learned is that we need to shed light on the darkest social matters, because otherwise they will sit there, growing larger and more ominous every day. If we don’t tackle those issues now, it’s going to become harder to do so when we finally decide we are “ready”.

If we furnish our minds with simple thinking, rather than trying to conquer colossal concepts, we will make no progress. Where would we be if we did not push the limits? As creative artists, stepping out of our comfort zones is essential because it leads us to breaking boundaries, discovering new territory and gaining self awareness. We need to have confidence in our work even if our work does not yield the response we are looking for; that is how we will strengthen our art. 

Vulnerability and passion are two traits an artist needs to have in order to create. Being afraid of what other people will think of your work is what will kill your creativity. In order to produce something you are proud of, you cannot be afraid. You have to remember that your creation gives you purpose and that it means something to you. The main reason a piece of art attracts someone’s attention is because it relates to them on some level. Unfortunately, not everyone will find meaning in your art, which is exactly why you have to focus on the meaning it does give to some. 

If we generate all our energy in to being safe and sensitive while creating, our art will become dull and unstimulating. So, make art for yourself and see who follows.

Surviving Your First Year of Living Abroad

Surviving Your First Year of Living Abroad

All photos in article taken by Derrick Freske | @dfreske

Moving abroad is intimidating and unpredictable. You don’t know what to expect when it comes to exploring, meeting people, finding a job, going to school, and everything in between. But once you pass the daunting and unexpected, entering a new chapter of life by travelling to a new town, city, state, or even country can be well-worth the nerves that fall apart during the moving process. 

Last September I moved from a small farm in the Canadian prairies to a city approximately 1,300 miles away from my home to attend university. Even though my mom and step-dad were there to accompany me during the transition, I was worried and couldn’t help but think, What if I don’t make friends? or What if I get lost on a bus and never find my way back to campus? (which actually almost happened once). Thankfully I made it through my first year of living abroad with triumphs under my belt like passing all my classes and making more than enough friends. I figured it was a more than successful year, so here are some tips on how to make the best of your first year living/studying abroad, and how to always return home by the time the sun sets.

The biggest thing to remember is to always keep an open mind. Even if your whole being is against an idea, keep in mind that your opinion is not the only opinion. I had a hard time processing this because I was raised in a town where just about every person had the same perspective on religion, traditions, lifestyle, culture, etc. Eventually you will understand that having different ideas is acceptable, regardless of whether you agree or disagree. 

Believe it or not, public transit was one of the scariest challenges I learned to conquer (more or less). A good idea is to grab a friend, ride the bus for hours on end until you’ve grasped the basic routes of the city. And if you feel inadequate about riding the bus, remember this: once, I pressed the “STOP” button on the bus to get off, but I didn’t actually know how to open the doors of the bus. I stood by the door while everyone on the bus stared at me, anticipating my exit. Instead, I waited cluelessly until the next stop when someone else got off. 

After you’ve mastered public transit, start exploring the new land that surrounds you! I only began to discover the new city I now call ‘home’ in the final stretch of school, and I regret not investigating the city sooner. Research cafés, book stores, concert venues, donut shops, museums, etc. and write them in a log. It’s a great way to meet new people, establish self-awareness, and create unforgettable memories. I’m surprised by how many cheap concerts - some of which were performed by many of my now favourite artists - I found out about by walking around, reading window signs, and checking Facebook.

The last thing I suggest is to get involved. I resent my decision not to join any clubs or teams my first year. Rather, I hung out with my friends on campus for the majority of time (which was nice, but getting involved would’ve added more content to my day-to-day schedule.) Another key point I learned was that you need to go out to find what you’re looking for because it will not come to you. Whether that means going out to discover the best burger in the city or publishing an article in the school paper, you need to chase your desire.

So, while you’re flying thousands of miles away from home this fall or driving to the town over to start a new chapter in life, consider these pieces of advice and hopefully you will find what you’re looking for.

One Final Click to Save a Life

One Final Click to Save a Life

Photo by Emily Tebbetts

Humans have made it a habit to sell anything and everything they possibly can, so there is no wonder how we’ve managed to sell sex as perhaps one of the biggest commodities out there. Sex is something humans crave, so of course it is easily sold. Whether it’s the magazine with a cover photo featuring a woman in a skimpy bikini or if it’s an adult film propped up on the highest shelf at the movie store; sex sells. Now more than ever, pornography is easily obtained no matter your age or where you live. The “You must be 18 or older to access this content” button can be clicked by anyone. 

Pornography is, without a doubt, one of the leading ways sex sells. There are websites, magazines, movies, even novels available to meet sexual desires. When you think about it, it may seem as just another way humans seek thrill and pleasure, but when you take a look behind the scenes, it’s more than just an after-school special. 

Not only has pornography been proven to damage relationships and diminish intimacy between partners, it promotes violence and objectification, is linked to the abuse of drugs and alcohol, and is connected to sex trafficking. Pornography turns sexuality into a business, and it distorts the reality of sex, which only fuels the demand for more sex. 

Like any other drug, once you try it, it takes more and more to surpass your previous high. In Deconstructing the Demand for Prostitution: Preliminary Insights from Interviews with Chicago Men Who Purchase Sex, 83% of men explored prostitution services to satisfy their pornography addiction that could no longer be fulfilled by pornographic media, 60% of which are married or in a serious relationship. 

It is not only women who are burdened by the impacts of pornography and sex trafficking; men experience the effects as well. Women, however, make up 80% of sex trafficked victims, 50% of those are minors. “If it’s so bad, why don’t they quit?” is a question I hear often. The reality is, pornography and financial assistance are used as blackmail to keep trafficked victims from leaving the industry. In an interview with Fight the New Drug, an organization against the development of pornography, a former porn actor said, “The only thing different from rape and that moment was the money,” when discussing a specific instance while filming.

What you may find pleasurable and harmless, is life-threatening to others. Every level of pornographic consumption fuels the demand for sex trafficking. Each time you click the link to a pornography site, a victim is being filmed one more time. Help to make your last click be the final click.

Big Star: The Most Underrated Band in America

Big Star: The Most Underrated Band in America

photo credits

Think of the music scene in 1972.  ‘Exile On Main Street’ by the Rolling Stones probably comes to mind, as well as David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust phase. But what about ‘#1 Record’? The first record by the band Big Star, members Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Jody Stephens, and Andy Hummel ironically was not the #1 record of it’s time. It didn’t come anywhere near the success of their contemporaries like Clapton, Deep Purple, or either of the previously mentioned bands.  

‘#1 Record’ was raved over by critics, with Rolling Stone saying, “it’s just exceptionally good” and, “No. 1 Record is one of the sleepers of 1972”.  Yet, because of a lack of distribution and advertisement, the record failed to climb the charts and capture the ears and hearts of the public like it did critics.

            

Today, most kids can name at least one Zeppelin song, or at least can recognize some Rolling Stones songs when they’re played for them. Countless bands since have imitated their high-powered rock sounds, with only a very few matching the icons in skill and talent. Yet, despite the fact that almost no one can recognize the song “Thirteen” when it comes up on a Pandora playlist, Big Star’s influence is everywhere in modern alternative and indie rock. Their song ‘In the Street’ was covered by Cheap Trick and became the theme for ‘That 70s Show”, and the mesmerizing guitar riff in ‘Thirteen’ can be seen in hundreds of acoustic love songs like ‘The Girl’ by City and Color. Bands like Nada Surf, Wilco, and R.E.M. would not have even existed had Big Star not paved the way 20 years beforehand. The Replacements even have a song named ‘Alex Chilton’ that pays homage to the frontman. Big Star predicted the rise of indie-rock and power-pop decades before the genres hit the mainstream; had their albums come out in 1992 instead of 1972, everyone would still be singing along to their music.

            

photo credits

Big Star captured how easily the teenage mental state can go from “Get me out of here/ I hate it here” (‘Nighttime’) to “Wish we had a joint so bad” (‘In the Street’) to “I’m in love with a girl/Finest girl in the world/Didn’t know I could feel this way” (‘I’m in Love With a Girl’).  Whether Chilton intended to so purely capture the mind of an 18 year old or not, he succeeded with such class that no other band has come close to doing the same thing. Big Star sings about first love, first lost love, and small town boredom among other things. They acknowledge all of the normal clichés that surround such themes, yet take it a step further and bring a depth and complexity to it that set the stage for songwriters today.

            

I don’t enjoy being the person that gasps when someone says they haven’t heard of an album or an artist. Yet I do enjoy making people listen to an album that so easily could’ve come out of 2016 yet was made when most of our parents were in middle school or high school. It is soft and timeless and takes me to a familiar, safe space. Listening to it has changed the minds of so many of the people around me and I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who even remotely enjoys music.

The Characteristics of a Problematic Community

The Characteristics of a Problematic Community

Words by Brindy Francis

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As you already know, the world has been veering off track for a good while. A dangerous man may become our president, mass murders are occurring left and right and lives are being taken for no apparent reason. I, of course, can not state that I am a victim of these events, but I can state that I am here to point out the good and evil and to stand with those victims.

So, the question is: ‘Why are all of these terrible things happening?’ There is no simple answer, but there is an audience. Your community is what contributes to these disasters. Human beings are the ones making these decision. Nothing is an accident. Your opposing side is good in another being’s eyes. In order to make a change, do not only question why it is happening. Protest it. Get involved and make a difference. You have a voice, so please use it.

Yes, I’ve been there as well. Your family members find it annoying how much politics show up on your Facebook feed. You have the right to stand up and fight, even if that is through a little share button. Ignore that aunt who had a bit too much wine because she will eventually find something else to nag at you about.

Although I encourage everyone to fight for what is right, violence is the most problematic solution. One can have an opinion without spreading it with brutality. It is great to bicker about one’s beliefs, but the problem is, nobody is listening to the other side. Instead of working on educating others, people are throwing it in each other’s faces and sparking up a riot. The world is struggling to understand that violence, savagery and force will not get the word out. It will create hatred and calamities.

My good friend, Lilly Glennon, and I had a conversation about this topic. She brought up the idea of fighting fire with fire. She said, “The one thing we are lacking is love, and using violence to ‘preach’ this love is like bombing for peace.” This can be applied to almost any situation. Whether that be real bombs or simple debates, you must understand what you are doing before doing it.

Something that always causes friction is when certain people make statements without being educated on the topic. I encourage everyone to become educated. Set up the New York Times notifications, subscribe to newsletters via email, make a deal with yourself to read one article a day, etc. Understand what is going on in the community and attack it with all you’ve got (with an open mind).

A great way to be involved is attending community events: protests, rallies and petitions. Many couldn’t care less about politics. This is understandable, but I believe it is because they are unaware. This would be titled innocent ignorance. It is extremely important to know what is going on in the world around you. Everyone must be updated on issues and create real, personal opinions. We need opinions. We need debates. This world does not need any more followers. Everyone has the power to be a leader if they stepped out of their comfort zone.

There are many characteristics to a problematic community, but you, personally, are strong enough to alter this disarranged planet. Attack these topics head on, but with no intention of hurting anyone else. We are a community and we must act like one. It does not matter what you qualify as in this populace. Your religion, race, job qualification, and class does not define you and it does not define the people around you. We must join together and stand strong in order to make any difference.