Rather than making ethical fashion a trend, let’s make it a permanent practice. | Khalid Al-Alawi/The Cougar

Whether you’re into fashion or just throw on the first thing in sight, most of us have heard the terms “ethical fashion” and “fast fashion.” As the new waves of minimalism and sustainability are moving from fads to note-worthy trends, the word “ethical” is popping up more and more. But what exactly does buying ethically mean?

When someone refers to ethical fashion, they are most likely referring to a brand or business that oversees the design, production, retail and purchasing in a way to make sure each step of their process is moral.

To be considered an ethical brand, one must address some of the largest issues with the fashion industry such as working conditions for employees, exploitation, fair trade, sustainable production, the effect on the environment and testing on animals.

As people are becoming more and more aware of the deterioration of our Mother Earth, environmental awareness has become a staple in the buying process. One of the first notable steps for ethical fashion was the switch from desirable textiles, such as leather and fur, to a vegan alternative known as faux.

History of sustainable clothing

“(The fur you wear) will reveal to everyone the kind of woman you are and the kind of life you lead,” according to Vogue’s 1929 feature “The Fur Story of 1929,” as reported by the Smithsonian. It wasn’t until almost five decades later that faux was really accepted into the realm of high-fashion brands.

In New York Magazine in 1971, American actress and activist Doris Day made one of the most profound statements of the time on the issue of using fur for clothing.

“Killing an animal to make a coat is a sin,” Day said. “A woman gains status when she refuses to see anything killed to be put on her back. Then she’s truly beautiful.”

After Day, organizations such as PETA started using models and other women of high standing, such as Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, as ammunition against the harming of animals for strictly aesthetic purposes.

Currently, the strive for ethical fashion is still on its way. Slow but steady wins the race, right?

As of March 2018, designer, business indie and activist Stella McCartney became one of the loudest voices in fashion for her bold move to become entirely independent. McCartney has been tackling the abusive relationship between the fashion industry and our environment for over two decades and officially became an outlier when she made her brand completely cruelty-free.

“One percent of clothing is recycled! Only one percent,” McCartney said. “I mean, what are we doing?”

Many do not realize how much waste we really are making.

“On average, a piece of clothing is worn just seven times before being thrown away,” according to a 2017 survey by Barnardo’s.

The few number of times clothing is worn isn’t what is most concerning to me—it’s that it gets thrown away. I understand the feeling of getting bored with wearing the same thing, but there is better use for this fabric than to sit in a landfill for 30 to 40 years before the fibers start to break down.

How to make it work

As the ethical fashion movement makes its way to the top of consumers’ concerns, more and more are becoming educated about the fast fashion issue at hand. It is similar to the resolutions that everyone tries to adhere to at the start of a new year, but let me suggest we keep this resolution for a little more than a month.

The main concern I always hear about moving toward anything that is more conscious or ethical is that it’s expensive or inconvenient.

“The fashion and garment industry needs to offer ethically sourced clothing to the marketplace at a reasonable price, and the producers and retailers have to be able to make money investing in ethical fashion,” according to the Fashion Revolution, an organization that —. To keep up with our current consumption climate of expected immediate gratification, industries need to alter their products to fit a larger target market.

From my experience in the retail industry, a lot of fast fashion brands such as Forever 21, Zara, H&M and Topshop— all of which are in the top 10 fast fashion brands in the United States— experience an extraordinarily high amount of employee turnover.

Retail turnover tends to be based on low wages, lack of training, lack of development for the position and other personal issues that can lead to employees feeling unsatisfied.

The solution to unethical fashion practices and retail employee dissatisfaction is for fashion companies to change “their thinking and (moving) away from the race to the bottom and begin to see the economic, as well as the humanitarian, advantages of investing in human capital,” according to Fashion Revolution. “If you make sure your workers can make a living and provide food, education and healthcare you can create a consistent turnover because your workers are happy and satisfied.”

It’s like the saying “happy wife, happy life,” but in this case “happy workers, higher efficiency.” The sad yet realistic thing about this, however, is that many consumers only care about the price tag in front of them, and this is why fast fashion brands are so successful. With their affordable prices, consumers can get more bang for their buck.

We all love leaving the store or website and feeling like we got the best deal ever, but you know what the best deal ever would be? To refine our consumption habits in a way we can stop killing people and our planet.

As consumers, you have a few options: invest in ethical brands for a little more money, thrift or buy vintage so you are not actively supporting brands that may be using unethical tactics or reuse fabrics and make your own fun, unique clothing.

Thanks to the rise of the internet, retailers no longer have to rely on brick-and-mortar stores to house their merchandise. Because of this, a ton of ethical retailers have been able to pry into the market.

There are so many options now for men, women, kids, babies, you name it to stunt sustainability. With options for people of all sizes and body types to participate in sustainable fashion practices, there is no excuse. So the next time you’re thinking of doing some retail therapy, think ethically! Mother Earth will thank you.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“The transparent truth behind what you’re wearing” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Vincent van Gogh: His Life in Art will be on display at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston from March 10 to June 27. | Fiona Legesse-Sinha/The Cougar

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most notable artist in history, leaving a permanent mark on the art world. He is most well-known for his more popular works such as “The Starry Night” or his two-part series “Sunflowers.” If you’re not already a huge fan of Gogh’s works, you soon will be.

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston will pay tribute to the Dutch artist in its new exhibition, Vincent van Gogh: His Life in Art, on display March 10 through June 27.

In addition to the screening of the documentary “Vincent van Gogh: A New Way of Seeing” directed by David Bickerstaff, the event will feature various works spanning from Gogh’s early life to his untimely end.

Gogh was born March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands. During his young adult years, he worked various jobs, such as serving as an intern at an art firm and as a lay preacher, before deciding to pursue art as a career. 

Although he didn’t start painting until the age of 27, Gogh created other work throughout his life. From sketches to finished drawings, there were multiple instances where his inner artist manifested itself.

Gogh dedicated the last 10 years of his life to art, creating around 1,300 pieces in total, 850 of which were oil paintings.

Throughout his life, Gogh struggled with mental illnesses now assumed to be depression, paralyzing anxiety and signs of bipolar disorder. In a letter from his brother, Gogh is described as expressing madness. 

Gogh admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum for 10 weeks in the spring of 1890, during which time he produced many of his most acclaimed works. This includes “The Starry Night”, which was a depiction of his view from the asylum window.

Even after his self-release, Gogh openly expressed his isolation and feeling of loneliness. He also expressed hope for his mental recovery and artistic success.

On July 27, 1890, the then 37-year-old Gogh shot himself and died two days later.

While most of his works never reached critical acclaim in his lifetime, Gogh’s brother’s widow, Johanna, worked to promote Gogh’s works after his death. In part due to this promotion, Gogh is now known as one of the most famous painters in history.

Regardless of how much one knows about the artist himself or his works, Gogh’s pieces not only teach one about the art itself, but about what is behind it.

The exhibit costs only $20 with the student discount. To immerse yourself into the mind of this amazing artist, visit the Museum of Fine Arts website and pre-order your tickets here.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“A walk through life with Vincent van Gogh at MFAH” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Michael Arceneaux serves as the face for Black Like Us, a conversation about the LGBTQ experience in the Black community held by the Graduate College of Social Work. l Courtesy of Graduate College of Social Work

Author Michael Arceneaux will be visiting the Student Center Theater on Feb. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Black Like Us, an event put on by the Graduate College of Social Work addressing the Black LGBTQ+ experience with religion and church.

Black Like Us began in 2017 when then co-chair of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s LGBTQ Advisory Board Harrison Guy “approached the GCSW about partnering on an event with the goal of creating a space for a community-wide conversation on the LGBTQ experience within the Black community,” said Graduate College of Social Work Director of Communications Connease Warren.

The GCSW wants to put on the event to keep with their vision of achieving social, racial, economic and political justice, Warren said.

Following the positive response to their first event in February 2018, the GCSW decided to host the Black Like Us event annually during Black History Month. This year is special not only because the event is focused on Black Like Us but also because it is a part of the GCSW 50th anniversary. The theme of this anniversary is “moving social justice FORWARD.”

Since the publication of his New York Times bestseller “I Can’t Date Jesus” in July of 2018, Houston native Arceneaux has created buzz within the LGBTQ community. The book is a collection of essays discussing what it’s like to grow up in a world that is constantly trying to diminish LGBTQ individuals’ humanity.  

“The themes he explores in his work serve as a timely and insightful way to engage the community for the discussion,” Warren said.

In addition to hearing from Arceneaux, the event will be opened up for audience participation and questions.

“I want people to have a safe place to reconcile their past triumphs and disappointments with the church as Black LGBTQ people,” Guy said. “It is my hope that speaking truth will lead us back to hope as it relates to faith.”

Black Like Us is open to the public, and admission is free. You are able to get tickets here or at uh.edu/socialwork. 

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Black Like Us: A conversation on the Black LGBTQ experience” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Full moons can effect people physically, emotionally and spiritually. l Illustration by Fiona Legesse/ The Cougar

The lunar eclipse of 2019, now known as the Super Wolf Blood Moon, was a great way to start the new year. From both a scientific and social perspective, this event left the public speechless as it lit up the night.

During December of last year, it was reported that North America, South America and Western Europe would get to see the lunar eclipse in the new year. It gained a lot of attention from both astronomy and astrology fans alike and was extensively covered by media and blog sites as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

This isn’t necessarily true, however, as NASA released a list of the next blood moons to be visible within the next 10 years. For North America, South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, May 26, 2021 will be the next time one will occur. Still, the moon looked beautiful Jan. 20, and many people believe it had a significant influence on their lives. 

While the blood moon is one of the more powerful full moons, full moons in general can have great effects on our lives. During the full and new moon periods, the whole moon’s gravitational pull is pulling on Earth, creating heightened pressure. As many of us know, water is attracted by the moon, but during the phase of a full moon, the gaseous elements of water, or water vapor, enter the high-pressure belt. 

It is said that negative energies are found in these gaseous states, so when the pressure is heightened within these gaseous elements, the energies associated with them are also heightened. For some, it can have an effect on both a physical and mental level, but it depends on the person.

The blood moon fell on the Leo-Aquarius axis, which is thought to be the perfect axis to make your creative energies flow, according to astrology. These two signs compliment each other in areas of creativity within yourself, and they work together to increase your confidence, allowing you to become more open about your work.

The full moon is known to have great influence on the soul, giving you courage and helping you with whatever conflict you may be experiencing, said astrologer Victor Oddo in an interview with Sunday Express.

In addition to having an effect on your soul, the moon can also have a great effect on your thoughts. In astrology, the moon is thought to emit frequencies that can have an effect on the subconscious mind.

Usually, since the moon is not in its full position, it doesn’t draw out many thoughts that would come from your subconscious mind. The full moon, however, emits stronger frequencies, drawing out more subconscious thoughts that can make you emotional.

Socially, a full moon can cause you to be more forthcoming about your emotions, and that can cause you to tell others about how you are feeling. This can cause conflicts, as many secrets and feelings that you may have hidden emerge during this time.

Just like you are more prone to telling others about how you’re feeling, their feelings are also heightened by the moon. During full moons, be prepared for people to come forth about how they feel about you or a conflict involving you.

Although it may seem as if you are not yourself during the full moon, none of the feelings you experience are fabricated. They are your own thoughts, just the ones you would usually push to the back of your mind or just not admit to yourself.

Astrology aside, the blood moon was an amazing event to witness. If you missed it, make sure to mark your calendars for May 2021.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Can full moons really affect me?” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

CoogSlam member, who goes by Deo, shared his works at an open mic night last Tuesday with the open audience. l Photo by Billion Tekleab/The Cougar

The rise of social media has changed the way we communicate and consume content, shaking up the foundations of an age-old literary art form. Social media has revitalized the lifeblood of the poetry genre, as Instapoets with thousands of followers are romanticizing the art.

Poetry — usually seen as an art form created specifically for an elite group with rigid rules — is flourishing under the democratic nature of social media. Just about anyone can make an Instagram account or a Twitter account and post their work for free.

Co-captain for CoogSlam and political science junior Jazzib Akhtar finds that having a poet perform his work has a deeper effect on the intended audience, something that is not shown through the online medium.

“The proper way, I would say, to enjoy poetry is hearing the poet in person, through actual performance. Having a poet post his work online leads to a disconnect,” Akhtar said. “You don’t know what the poet looks like or how he would perform it — that all has an effect on the audience.” 

It seems poetry is adapting to the changing world of media. It is twisting the rope of the lyrical art form into two distinct strings: the high-brow artists and academics along with the growing brands of Instapoets. 

Usually, the internet isn’t seen as a welcoming place to foster new intelligent art forms. With the new wave of Instagrammable poetry, however, it is now challenging this perception at first glance.

Canadian poet Rupi Kaur‘s meteoric rise is a case study of the increasing popularity of poetry in the online world. With more than 3.4 million followers on Instagram, Kaur has created a strong following, publishing the two poetry collections “milk & honey” and “the sun and her flowers.”

Kaur started her career by posting her work to Tumblr before gradually switching to Instagram, where she has amassed an aesthetically pleasing collection of powerful and all-reaching stanzas. Her work most often focuses on heartbreak, loss and the challenges of finding strength in one’s self to reach one’s dreams.

Her work appeals to such a wide range of audiences that even the most poetry-adverse person can eagerly consume her work, translating to thousands of likes.

The rise of Kaur in the mainstream media has introduced many other struggling poets to posting their work on Instagram, using it as an outlet to share their poetry with the world or hoping to gain commercial success with publishing deals.

“Now, poetry is more accessible to a younger generation that’s really entertainment driven. For most of recent history, poetry was never mainstream, but with the rise of Instapoetry it’s starting to be,” said Keney Young-Odor, a CoogSlam member and Instapoet @kendryk_youngblood.

The rise of Instapoets like Kaur has led to a sort of romanticizing in poetry that attracts the so-called Generation Z, which grew up with social media and finds the definition of art to be flexible.

The lines between what is or isn’t art have been blurred. For some, the wave of Instapoetry isn’t welcomed. To others, however, this is the uprising of their careers as poets. 

In a harsh essay criticizing popular Instapoet Hollie McNish, poet Rebecca Watts described Instagram poetry as amateurish and craft-less commercial fodder that anyone can breezily snack on.

“Artless poetry sells,” she wrote. “The reader is dead: long live consumer-driven content and the ‘instant gratification’ this affords.”

As Instapoetry reaches new heights of popularity with a younger generation of consumers, traditional poets question, “How much of it is becoming a business-driven opportunity instead of writing for art’s sake?”

Many, like Watts, think that it waters down the art at the expense of making money and building a brand that has led to many positive opportunities for poets.

“This is something very controversial: I am both a traditional poet and an Instapoet. I’ve seen (Instagram) both help poetry and ruin poetry. People between the ages of 18-24 are now into poetry,” Young-Odor said. “The downside though is that a lot of Instapoetry that is well known tends to be very obvious, in my eyes. I feel like it’s had its good effects as well as bad.”

Despite its criticism, Instapoetry is changing poetry from a dying genre to a flourishing industry. It is allowing the image of the starving artist — specifically the starving poet — to become a cliche of the past.

To young poets like Akhtar and Young-Odor, social media has become a way to get support and redemption for an artist’s work, something that poets lacked compared to artists of other well-known mediums.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Instagram poets catapult dying art to one of today’s hottest trends” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Rienzi at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. l Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/user Magnus Manske

It seems it won’t be getting warmer in Houston or the surrounding areas any time soon, and as the cold front continues to settle, you might be looking for some winter activities that you’ve never done before.

Luckily for us, the Museum of Fine Arts is hosting a drop-in event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of February and every month after, in which you can try your hand at the fine arts. Studio Saturday is an all-ages and all-levels welcome event hosted by the Rienzi Gallery and its educational programs, with a focus in sketching and photography.

February’s theme is about the “Detail Studies in the Porcelain Hallway & Ballroom,” where the fundamentals of composition in the fine arts are emphasized. The event offers an experience for everyone, whether you’re a practicing artist or a novice. It will be led by a host in small groups and can come to be a very personal experience.

The Rienzi exhibition is an intimate one because of the smaller space. The learning will be in depth, however, and you will have the freedom of exercising your skills and learning new techniques.

If you’re in search of learning something new or practicing what you know and a Studio Saturday doesn’t sound as appealing, MFAH’s educational events offer many more personal exhibition visits and events. Either way, immersing yourself in the arts this winter might be exactly what you need to decompress.

Admission to the learning experience comes free with a ticket to the Rienzi exhibition: $8 for adults, $4 for MFAH members, $5 for seniors (65+ with ID), students (with ID) and youth (13–18) and free for children 12 and younger. Lone Star Card Participants are eligible for free admission up to six people when you bring your Lone Star Card and photo ID. 

It is recommended to call 713-639-7800 in advance to reserve a seat because the Rienzi exhibit has limited slots available each Saturday. Information can also be found here on the MFAH website. 

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Spend this Saturday with MFAH: Sketching and Photography” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Locals gather at a Houston house show thrown by Derek Rathbun. I Courtesy of Dalton Randall

The DIY music scene is picking at my brain. As many of you know, DIY stands for do-it-yourself, which is just what these musicians and artists are doing. For some reason, there are certain stigmas around the scene. Whether it is based on the type of music you like or how you do or don’t fit in “aesthetically,” the scene appears to be imbued with a haughty air.

It is intriguing and concerning to hear statements such as “I just don’t look like I would belong there,” “they are all so much cooler than me,” or “everyone there is so intimidating.” This is not at all what the scene is about.

“I know what events I can and cannot go to based on my appearance,” said retailing and consumer science junior Hina Hasan. “It sucks because I feel like I have to look a certain way to be taken seriously or feel like a part of the community. That shouldn’t be what music is about.”

DIY has been around for decades within the music scene. The notorious house show has existed for some time now, whether it started off just as a group of friends playing around or because of a lack of funds for venues. While this may seem like a new trend to some, the people involved know this is anything but true.

For a lot of members, the scene is their family. It is a community where they identify themselves through making music and gaining friendships along the way.

My early days in the scene are hazy. I remember I discovered the scene through a guy I was dating at the time. Through this, I dived into the world of underground venues, BYOB, covers and show etiquette.

Bands commonly perform at a member’s house or a friend’s place volunteered for the night. With no venue fee, bands on the set list make as much money as they can. DIY has become so popular for up and coming artists because they are able to manage themselves.

“(There’s) a passion to create and work for what you want, rather than to wait around for someone else to present the opportunities to you” said Dalton Randall, member of local bands Saint Rosa and HAHA!. “Every band was a local band at some point. DIY scenes give a genuine platform for anyone trying to pursue their art, and people attending shows are what truly keep the scene alive.”

Before the time of Facebook events or Instagram stories, word of mouth would function as the main means of promotion. Because of word of mouth, only friends of friends would have access to the show info. Thanks to social media, however, DIY artists now have more outreach.

“Making an effort to support up and coming bands and sharing events/artists with others impacts the musicians and scene more than many people realize,” Randall said.

Even though these shows can vary in audience size, they tend to bring in around 50 to 100 people if the show’s hyped up enough. Even though this sounds like a large amount of people to be fitting into a house or small venue, it is nowhere close to the amount you would find at a traditional venue.

If you have ever been to a DIY show, you know the feeling of sharing sweat with the other attendees. People push through cramped kitchens to break free to the back yard just to get a breath of fresh air. Maybe it sounds gross, but it is exhilarating.

The idea of sharing this space with your friends, friends of friends and even future friends is exciting. After attending a few shows, unfamiliar faces in the crowd become familiar, accompanied by a name. People make friends, laughs and memories at these shows.

While all this is great, there are some things that people need to understand about the scene. Because everything and everyone is self-made, respect of others and spaces is a must. Fliers carry precautionary statements such as “respect the house” or “abusers not welcome” to avoid conflicts.

“At parties people steal, break things, start fights, get too drunk, harass women, the list goes on. House shows aren’t exempt from that. It definitely can be reduced if you’re careful about who you invite and if you have people around to be bodies,” said Victoria Acuña, member of 16 Psyche. “I think that one thing to remember though is that house shows aren’t suppose to be run by one person, you need a group of people with assigned roles.”

The DIY scene is a place where musicians, creatives and other outcasts of society flock to find acceptance and community. The scene “needs support because we need inclusive and safe creative spaces. Women, POC, LGBTQ+, disabled, etc. We need this. DIY gives us the opportunity to create these spaces,” Acuña said.

When bringing groups of people together, there is always the risk of conflict. Spaces are so much more enjoyable without it, so respect the house, support local artists, BYOB and DIY or die!

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“A look into the DIY music scene that many call home” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Church Girls is Philly’s newest up-and-coming band that you do not want to miss out on. I Courtesy of Bobby Cleveland

Church Girls, an indie/post-punk group from Philadelphia, is making their way to Houston’s own Leon’s Lounge on Jan. 24. The group just released their single “Cycles” Jan. 11 with plans to progress into an EP.

Formed in 2014, the group consists of lead singer and guitarist Mariel Beaumont, drummer Michael Liszka, guitarist Joseph Wright and bass player Vince Vullo.

The band says they focus on tapping into their emotional side by “lyrically confessing a resistance to growing up, espousing a tendency towards self-destruction, showing the pains of communication and celebrating the ways we work together to become better humans a little at a time.”

The group marries compelling, heart-tugging lyrics with melodies that feel both old and yet coming-of-age. The upcoming EP, Cycles, touches on the responsibility one faces in setting boundaries for loved ones who grapple with substance abuse.

“As much as I’ve blamed that family member for certain failures, I have my own. I could’ve addressed the problems at hand, instead of pretending everything was fine and just receding,” Beaumont said.

Beaumont’s lyrics convey her commitment to this relative’s struggle. In “Cycles,” she writes, “I will show up when you call / You’re still my blood after all.” Beaumont wants her family to know she’ll always be there for them, no matter the situation.

“I have an addictive nature that I need to address myself, so I shouldn’t be judging this person for their issues. Whether it’s drinking or pretending everything’s fine, I’ll keep coming back,” Beaumont said. “Despite all the cycles of resentment and reconciliation, I’ll keep coming back. There’s still a way to win, and I’m still going to try and make things right.”

While being related to groups such as PUP, Interpol, Parquet Courts and Protomartyr, the group has been shaped from influences of post-punk and pop punk. According to Beaumont, the group has “shifted from an indie rock aesthetic to post-punk aggression.”

To catch Church Girls in Houston, make sure to show up to Leon’s Lounge Thursday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.

The band will be playing alongside Soft-Ware, Goodgirl and Mother Ghost. The event is 21+ and has a cover fee of $5.

Happy jamming!

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Philadelphia natives Church Girls comes to Leon’s Lounge” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Take some time this year to explore a new genre, self-help, that will keep you motivated and feeling great this 2019. I Illustration by Khalid Al-Alawi/ The Cougar

As a college student, your current habits may not align with the greatness you want to achieve in your adult life. Me? I could be great if I woke up on time, ate breakfast before noon, or read before bed every night. I could be amazing—if I was a completely different person.

Not to say that you can’t be amazing if you don’t do these things, but that’s what it seems like for me. You don’t have to reprogram yourself in order to be the better version of you, and you definitely shouldn’t try to, either.

After reading a long list of You are a Badass-type books and routinely experiencing short-lived bursts of inspiration to change, I have come to the conclusion that self-help books don’t seem to be that helpful.

I’m not helpless, I just wasn’t reading the right thing. Whether you’re craving a change in behavior or want to start off the new year on the right track, you might consider purchasing a self-help book or two.

Depending on what you want to change, you might be looking at popular titles like You Are Not Your Brain by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding, or even Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight. These are more or less the Urban Outfitters of self-help literature.

Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t bad works. They’re just not the ones you should read if you truly are searching for some kind of enlightenment.

Newly-published Insight by Tasha Eurich is what I would call a self-help book for everyone. The book not only teaches better ways to implement new habits, but offers a genuine understanding of why such tasks can be so difficult. Insight takes into account the variety of reasons an individual may pick up the book and more.

Eurich takes on the task of breaking down what it means to have self-awareness and how misunderstanding it may manifest in our work or school environments. She explains the idea of self-awareness and how it acts as a tool in becoming our better selves or just plainly understanding ourselves the way we are now.

In Insight, Eurich mentions that this process isn’t easy and can hurt, but it’s for a good cause. She asks all the right questions to reach what can feel like wrong answers. These answers might make us uncomfortable, but that means they are answers that can help.

Shockingly, there’s a right way to be self-aware. The wrong way leads to stagnant rumination, self-critical views and not being present in the moment.

As said in Insight, self-awareness is “the meta-skill of the twenty-first century”. The right way to become self-aware involves a clear understanding of knowing where we are, where we want to be and why our sense of self and others’ perception of us matters on that journey.

Self-help isn’t just the implementation of new habits to become a better version of yourself, but it also offers the opportunity for self-reflection and understanding. It’s not just changing what you do, but how you approach decision-making. Insight will help you do just that.

Whether you are just beginning your self-help journey or are already on a path of self-awareness, discovering new pieces of literature is fun and helpful to the mind. Reading works such as Insight will do just that.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Gaining insight into self-help with Tasha Eurich’s new book” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Whether you are going through a creative block or have experienced one, you know they can crush  an artistic flow. Take these tips to get out of the rut. I Fiona Legesse/ The Cougar

Anyone dabbling in the creative arts, whether it be writing, sketching or composing, has experienced the dreaded creative block.

A creative block can manifest in different ways for different artists, but the result is the same: the ever-consuming anxiety that freezes the creative process and eliminates any chance of meeting ever-approaching deadlines.

A creative block can have numerous causes, including a lack of confidence in one’s abilities or perceived pressure to come up with great ideas. The fields of psychology and neurology explain the causes for a creative block and strategies to overcome it.

Neuroscience studies on imagination, creativity and improvisation give us a fuller picture of what’s going on in the brain. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tends to be less activated when people are engaged in improvising or creative notions.

This portion of the brain controls one’s sense of self and serves as one’s “inner critic.” Essentially, a release of inhibition correlates with higher levels of creativity. When not suffering from a creative block, creativity can feel as natural as breathing.

The problem with creative blocks stems from when we become too self-aware. When an artist starts to fear not being able to produce worthy pieces or goes through a period of stress and trauma, a creative block can prevent them from being productive.

Some of the most common reasons for a creative stump for artists are fear of putting themselves and their ideas out there, harsh perfectionism and excessive self-criticism.

These ideas can freeze out an artist’s creative and explorative side, and they eventually lead to a fear of a blank piece of paper or canvas.

Psychologists believe that falling into a cycle of overthinking a piece can actually lead to more frustration. In effect, a creative block is all in the mind if we give it power over us.

Helpful Tips

In order to get out of an artistic slump, you need to get out of your head and slowly get in the right mindset to inspire creativity. It is essential to spend time to get in the right mood.

Strategies to combat creative blocks center around getting comfortable and mentally prepared to create after a dry spell.

For example, some writers believe having a set time to write everyday helps stimulate their creativity. A set schedule forces writers to write without worrying if it’s good or bad. An allotted time forces an artist of any medium to sit down and just do it.

For writers, staring at the blank page, unable to piece sentences together in just the right way can get painfully frustrating. This form of creative block, also known as writer’s block, is defined as “a psychological inhibition preventing a writer to proceed with a piece,” according to Merriam-Webster.

This definition can be true for any artist in any medium, like an artist frozen in frustration or a composer unable to start a composition.

To get the creative juices flowing, you need to disconnect from the busy world and allow yourself to be bored. Try spending some time away from your phone or disable notifications to social media sites to focus on writing or drawing.

Another tip is to go to areas that inspire you. If you’re a lover of design, you should look for areas that have plenty of open space and natural light. If you work best in busy environments, find a comfy coffee shop or a park if you’re a nature aficionado.

Finding new workspaces gives us a new perspective and can change our state of mind, especially if it is more tidy and less cluttered.

Cleaning and sprucing up your workspace is also incredibly important to raise inspiration. Make sure your workspace is by a window and nicely decorated. Keep it sparse, however, because you don’t want to unintentionally end up cluttering your workspace.

By changing environments and making them more comfortable, you are allowing yourself to be free of inhibitions and get into the sweet spot of creating.

The life of an artist revolves around finding inspiration, which can sometimes lead to binging through a piece, writing or drawing for hours on end while we have the power of inspiration. This can be unhealthy, as it leads to dry spells. The only way to change that is to change from the mindset of quality to quantity.

The best way to get better is by constantly creating and practicing the elements of style in writing or art. By changing our mindsets from quality to just quantity, we practice our crafts.

Creative blocks can be incredibly frustrating in just about any creative field. The science of the brain explains that we must introduce healthier habits, such as setting up a schedule and finding workspaces that allow us to find inspiration, to help get over the dreaded creative block.

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Creative blocks, be gone: The guide to overcoming artistic obstacles” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar