Mount Hood

Red flag, red flag

April 22, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

We as humans are very social creatures; having a significant other can provide a lot of benefits. Being in a committed relationship, according to Northwestern Medicine, can lower the production of the stress-inducing hormone called cortisol. There have also been reports of living a longer life and having a greater sense of purpose when being with someone who can be described as a “better half.” As someone who is happily married, I can confirm that being in a healthy relationship is pretty awesome. 

However, not every relationship is meant to last, especially if the person isn’t a good partner. A lot of the time, we end up stuck in relationships that we think are healthy, but in reality can be extremely toxic. No one wants to be in a relationship with someone who isn’t going to treat them properly, so I thought I would provide the biggest red flags I’ve seen in many relationships, both my own and those of some close friends of mine, that eventually went sour. 

As a preface, I’m not a relationship guru. These are just some things that I think people should be aware of if they are unhappy with their partners. 

Overly controlling behavior — Possession over someone isn’t inherently a bad thing. After all, I am a little possessive of my husband and vice versa. Jealousy is one thing — control is another. Relationships should be a place where one feels free with the other, not feel chained to them. 

Controlling behavior from a partner can be a red flag, as it shows that they not only feel the need to be in control, but also want to control those who are closest to them. Some examples of overly controlling behavior would be forcing a partner to wear certain clothes, always being the center of attention, never accepting blame for situations they caused and consistently lying to their partner. I think a situation where this trait comes out a lot is whenever someone wants to go out, whether it be to a party or some sort of function, the partner gets jealous and tries to prevent the other from going. 

There is nothing wrong with going out with friends, but if one finds themselves wanting to avoid going out to “keep the peace,” that’s a big red flag, especially if they go out as much as they want. Now, if a partner wants to be controlling to the point where they want full control of the bank accounts and credit cards, that isn’t even a red flag — it’s a blaring alarm. Not only is it stripping someone’s ability to manage their finances, but it’s also a trap meant to keep the person tied to their partner. No one should ever feel trapped in a relationship. 

Narcissistic habits — Someone who is a narcissist or has the behavior of one has an extensive interest and admiration for themselves, likely believing that the world revolves around them. This often means they’re not able to recognize the needs and opinions of others. They may dismiss them or even overlook them, as they view their own interests or issues as more important. 

A good example is a lack of empathy, tied to invalidating their partner’s concerns and issues. At times, they may even make fun of their significant other when they’re visibly upset. It’s also important to be aware of gaslighting and manipulation. The narcissist can make their partner feel like everything is their fault, twisting their words to make them feel guilty over things that aren’t an issue. They’re also very egotistical, wanting constant compliments and what feels like worship from their partners. 

Narcissistic behavior can appear very differently. Oftentimes, those who are in relationships with people who have this sort of behavior don’t remember their partners being like this at the start. They were attentive, sweet, considerate and all the things that made someone want to be with them. That can lead to another red flag: love bombing. 

Love bombing — At the beginning of a relationship, there is something that most people refer to as the honeymoon phase. It’s when the relationship is exciting and new, people are getting to know each other and they learn about each other’s pet peeves and interests. 

However, love bombing is different. Love bombing is done with the intent of luring someone into a false sense of security. It could look similar to the honeymoon phase as it involves one person showering the other with attention, praise and even gifts in order to get their partner to be interested in them. They’ll say things like “we’re meant to be” and “no one else could be my partner other than you.”

However, instead of actually being in love with someone, narcissistic people love the idea of having control over someone. They try to make their partner dependent on them so that they are less likely to leave. Love bombing is done as a method of manipulation, not an act of love. 

Lack of communication — One of the most important parts of maintaining a healthy relationship with someone is to speak up whenever something is wrong. As the honeymoon phase ends and disagreements happen, in order to move forward with the relationship, there has to be clear communication between the two. This involves being honest and open with each other, which may not come easily for people depending on their backgrounds. What’s worse is when someone is finally able to tell their partner what the problem is and they react poorly or brush it off. 

It’s one thing if putting off an issue happens a few times, but if a significant other is unwilling to change and learn how to communicate with their partner better, that’s a major red flag. Not only is it showing poor emotional intelligence to not be able to recognize that a person’s feelings are hurt, but it’s a lack of respect for the person to not want to be better for them. 

My biggest advice for anyone who is in a relationship and is not sure if they’re happy is this: don’t tolerate mistreatment. Don’t make excuses for people who continue to hurt the person that they are supposed to spend the rest of their life with. As American poet Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

Cat in a box

April 15, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

As a proud mother of two cats, Freddy and Khalessi, I’ve noticed that my babies have enjoyed boxes more than the very expensive toys that my husband and I have bought. In particular, since we’re moving, they have loved throwing themselves into giant cardboard boxes. The bigger it is, the better and harder it is to get them out of it. 

As someone who has had cats throughout her life, I know that my babies aren’t unique. All of the cats that I’ve had in my life have enjoyed being in a box, whether it be to hide from us or take a very long nap inside of it. Recently, though, I’ve found myself wondering what it is exactly that makes the perfect killing machine so weak to enclosed cardboard pieces.

One of the reasons that cats enjoy being inside boxes is the safety that it provides them. Alison Gerken, a veterinary behaviorist at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, explains that in the wild, with predators lurking around, cats naturally have an instinct to find a “safe den.” They often choose an enclosed environment that doesn’t allow anything to sneak up on them from behind. It gives the cats a sense of safety and stress relief to let them be in a place where they can be hidden. Cats sadly don’t have a conflict resolution ability as we humans do, so when they’re upset, they like to hide from their problems — very relatable, honestly. 

Cats love to be in warmer environments. According to a study conducted by the National Research Council, cats prefer to be in temperatures of 86-97 degrees Fahrenheit. Most homes aren’t kept that warm, so our feline friends find small, enclosed spaces that will trap their body heat. Cardboard, in particular, is great at trapping heat, like a little mini insulator. The small space can force a cat to curl up into a ball, which in turn also helps preserve heat for them. I have noticed that cats love to huddle underneath the blankets on my bed or curl up next to the heater, especially during the colder months. 

As most know, cats are incredibly curious creatures. So, whenever something new appears in front of them, their instinct is to scope it out. They want to investigate what it is that has been brought, as well as the purpose of the new item in question. I remember the day I bought my cat one of those big cat trees that have scratchers and little cubbies they can hide in. He was more excited about the box than the darn cat tree, though he does use it a lot more than he used to. 

The texture of cardboard boxes is also perfect for cats to scratch and bite, which makes them great toys. Fun fact: cats love to scent-mark boxes by chewing on the sides or flaps of it. When marking it, cats use pheromones to mark it as their own little palace. 

Overall, my babies have every right to find their way into the many boxes that I currently have overloaded within my apartment. If they are able to find joy, warmth and safety in something so simple, I can only view cats as an admirable companion that doesn’t need much to be satisfied. I suppose it saves me money on having to buy them toys and pet beds. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Red Bull drink review

A photo showing a stack of redbull cans of various flavors | Photo from @jcsswansea on
Instagram

April 15, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Despite the article I’ve written in the past talking about the dangers of caffeine, I have enjoyed various forms of caffeinated drinks throughout my life. Particularly in the last few months, I have tried a good amount of the various flavored Red Bulls. I have since formed an opinion, or more accurately, an obsession with the flavor that these canned drinks contain. So, here is a ranked list of my favorite Red Bull flavors. 

Fifth place — Up first is the orange can with the flavor of strawberry apricot. It’s the first of the flavored Red Bulls that I tried back when I was a teenager, so there’s a bit of a nostalgic flair that I get when I drink it. The flavor itself starts out as a sweet strawberry with the hint of apricot being mostly an aftertaste. It’s not a bad combination at all, but out of the six flavors, it’s at the bottom. 

Fourth place — I had no idea what to expect for the spring edition flavor Red Bull was coming out with. The name on it is cherry sakura and as a lover of that specific tree type, yetI had no idea what it was going to taste like. As someone who loves cherries, I don’t think that this drink necessarily tastes like the fruit it’s based on. However, I do enjoy the drink. It kind of reminds me of what tea tastes like, except it’s carbonated. It’s a fruit-flavored drink with hints of strong tea-like accents. 

Third place — The Winter Edition Red Bull that came out roughly in late October last year was one that had me in a chokehold for the entire season. The flavoring is fuji apple with ginger. To me, the ginger wasn’t really that strong, but even so, it was a good combination in my opinion. I thought the drink mostly tasted like apples, so I would call it “apple juice” to my coworkers. However, my lovely husband thought that the ginger was way stronger than I thought it was and scoffed at me when drinking it in his presence. Everyone’s taste buds are different, so drink whatever tastes good.  

Second place — I love the color pink, and I love it even more when drinks associated with it taste good. The white peach-flavored Red Bull tastes so good, it single-handedly caused me to drink multiple times a day — which I’ve stopped doing because it’s super bad for a person’s health. Similar to the fuji apple one, it’s an energy drink that reminds me of juice. I think that if someone wants a sweet drink with caffeine, this is an amazing choice. 

First place — My top Red Bull flavor that I’ve been obsessed with since even before I moved to Monmouth for school is the juneberry flavor. This mystical drink in blue is the perfect combination of sweet and sour flavor in a drink that I’ve ever tasted. No juice or soda has come close to the harmony of this amazing drink. Full disclosure, I have never had juneberries before. Even without the prerequisite of trying the fruit that this flavor is based on, this Red Bull is my favorite by a landslide. 

While developing an obsession for energy drinks isn’t good for a person, if anyone ever wants to try one of the flavored Red Bulls seen in a gas station case, I recommend any of the ones on this list. In particular, I recommend the juneberry one. It is the best. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

New bar livens up Main Street

Dry Town Tap Station now serving food, drinks and entertainment

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor 

The Dry Town Tap Station is now open to serve the not so dry town of Monmouth. What used to be a gas station has transformed into a destination for good drinks and great company in the IndyMo area.

Co-owners and sisters Ashley Dornhecker and Abigayle Tilby held a soft opening on April 30. Even without publicly advertising the event, Dornhecker described the night as more successful than they thought it would be.

“Everybody just wanted to be there,” Dornhecker said. “We were turning people away because we were at capacity.”

Their soft opening was accompanied by local band, Way Walkers, on Dry Town’s very own stage; Dornhecker said they knew how to draw a crowd. Already, Dry Town has hosted two other artists — David Brinker and Nathan Myers as well as Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys — and the restaurant is looking to continue working with more local artists. Upcoming performers include Zach Abee and Jessie Leigh; more information about these shows can be found on their Facebook page, @Dry Town Tap Station.

Not only does Dry Town know how to entertain, they also know how to serve up a good meal. Chef Aaron Henderson serves a rotating menu of delicious entrees from their food truck.

“He’s creating an amazing menu,” Dornhecker said. “Street food from around the world I guess is a way to put it.”

My friends and I can personally recommend their fish and chips, birria tacos and Wellington burger. Be on the lookout for two new food carts that will also be coming to the lot soon to serve the community an even greater variety of dishes.

Of course, who could forget about their alcohol menu? With 20 taps that serve a wide array of local ciders and beers, patrons will be sure to find something to love. Not to mention, their mixed drinks ⏤ like the Ruby Hound and 76 Lemonade ⏤ are also splendid. Belly up to the bar indoors, or take the refreshing drink to the outdoor seating area.

The Dry Town owners know how to serve up a mean drink. One of the sisters’ other businesses, Craft Bar West, has been making and perfecting drinks since 2019. They expanded their restaurant reaches when what was once a 76 gas station became available for leasing.

“I’ve always loved the building where Dry Town is,” said Dornhecker. “When the opportunity came up to do something with it, we jumped on it.”

Though COVID-19 caused some delays in opening, Dornhecker was grateful for the opportunity the extra time presented. They were able to make the venue that much more refined, focusing on details such as wood work, refurbishing the entire floor and creating murals. On top of that, Dornhecker enjoyed having a more laid back process and getting to spend more time with family throughout.

In the upcoming months and years, Dry Town hopes to be a place to host festivals and more year-round performances. The Monmouth community can also look forward to themed nights, such as a college night and an industry night for late night workers.

“Our goal with Dry Town Tap Station is to make Monmouth, Oregon a destination,” Dornhecker said. “There’s no reason why people shouldn’t be taking a detour down here to visit all the local shops in Monmouth and Independence. It’s just too cool of an area not to share with others.”

Anyone and everyone can enjoy Dry Town Tap Station at 180 Main St. E in Monmouth. Their current hours are Wednesday through Saturday 12 to 10 p.m. and Sundays 12 to 9 p.m. Keep up to date by following their social media: on Facebook @Dry Town Tap Station and on Instagram @drytowntapstation.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Take the hassle out of moving with these hacks

Simplify the moving process with these seven handy tips

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

For many college students, summertime means moving season — which can be a highly stressful time, especially if moving during finals week. Though moving certainly takes a lot of effort, there are plenty of tips and tricks to make the process that much easier. Follow these packing, unpacking and moving hacks that will keep moving day running smoothly. 

 

Before moving, get rid of stuff: From clothes, to furniture, to unused food, getting rid of unneeded items means less stuff to pack. Donate or throw out unwanted things before starting to pack, or hold a garage sale. 

Pack an essentials bag or box: Group items needed from day one — things like medication, chargers, trash bags, box knives, toilet paper, hand soap and paper towels — altogether in one container so that day one at the new place is easier. Keep this separate and easy to access so that it doesn’t get lost among all the other boxes. 

Color code boxes: Use stickers or colored tape to label which room each box belongs in. This is especially useful if using plastic containers that cannot be written on like cardboard can. Hang up cheat sheets with each color and room name all over the house so that movers know where to take the containers. 

Keep boxes light but full: Use up every inch of boxes and totes for less total boxes, but be sure they’re not so heavy that someone can’t carry them. Pack heavy items like books, large dishes and tools in smaller boxes, or utilize a suitcase with wheels so that the items don’t have to be carried. 

Pack clothes with trash bags: Keep clothes on their hangers and simply slide a plastic trash bag over about a dozen clothing items at a time to make transportation quick and simple. 

Use items around the house as packing material: Save money on packing material by being resourceful; use soft items such as newspapers, towels, wash cloths, linens and clothes to protect breakable items. 

Prioritize what to unpack first: Many people will find bedding, bathroom items and kitchenware to be the most imperative things to unpack, though everyone is different. Determine what needs to be unpacked first, make a to do list and stick to it. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Fight off finals stress with yoga

Give yourself a fifteen minute yoga break to relax

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Take some time away from the stress of life to relax with a simple yoga sequence. These gentle poses help relieve tension while allowing practitioners to take a break during any time of their day. 

Begin by sitting comfortably and focusing on breathing, letting worries float away and getting into the mindset to relax during the practice. Perform each pose in this set for two to five minutes based on comfort level, and remember to modify if necessary.

Cat-cow: Start on hands and knees. Breathe in, arch the back and look upwards to come to cow pose. Then, while exhaling, slowly look down to the mat and round the back into cat pose. Repeat.

Thread the needle: Still on hands and knees, raise the right arm towards the sky while breathing in; on the exhale, scoop the arm into the space between the left arm and left leg. Let the left arm extend and head relax to the side as the right shoulder touches the ground. Repeat on the other side.

Child’s pose: Sit back onto the heels and spread knees to the edges of the mat. Bring the forehead to touch the mat, and either stretch arms out in front or let them rest at the sides of the legs. 

Reclining pigeon: Lay face up with knees bent and feet flat on the mat. Cross the right ankle over the left knee. Grab behind the left knee with both hands, reaching the right arm through the triangle created by the right leg, and gently pull the legs towards the chest. Repeat on the other side. 

Supine twist: Lay flat on the back, and bring the right knee to the chest while keeping the left leg straight. Put the left hand on the outside of the right knee and begin to pull the knee across the body towards the left side. Stretch out the right arm perpendicular to the body and turn the head to face the right hand. Repeat on the other side. 

Legs up the wall: Lying face up, lift the feet straight up to create an L-shape with the body. Let the arms rest wherever comfortable. Use a wall for support if desired, or place a folded blanket under the hips for more comfort.

Savasana: End the practice by lying comfortably face up on the mat for several minutes. Focus on the breath and take in the positive feelings that the sequence brought to the mind and body. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Dance to death at The Coffin Club

The Coffin Club: Portland’s own horror-themed nightclub

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Looking for a Halloween themed establishment that brings frights year round? The Coffin Club is a goth-themed nightclub and bar in Portland that is a hit for Halloween lovers. The Coffin Club brings in visitors from around the world for its tributes to the “world of the weird.” With decor such as skeletons, horrific framed photos, iron gates, eerie black light paintings and their infamous coffin used as a photo prop for many, the club is a must see. The ambiance is based on  “Lovecraftian Horror,” a macabre style named for the American author Howard Phillips Lovecraft who wrote science, fantasy and horror stories.

Not only has The Coffin Club been voted multiple times as one of the top 10 themed bars in the world, but Portland has also voted it in its top 10 best dance clubs for its inclusion and variety of groups it caters to, like queer, punk, alternative and “dark electro” to name a few.

Recently renovated, The Coffin Club’s newest editions feature a basement, and outside at the Patio is the Coffin Cart which serves vegan food. Don’t miss out on a delicious themed cocktail updated each night on the specials menu at the bar.

The Coffin Club is open Thursday – Saturday from 8 p.m. – 2:15 a.m. It is located in the Industrial District of Portland at 421 SE Grand Ave. The Coffin Club holds events every weekend, announcing themes and featured DJs on their website, thecoffinclubpdx.com, and social media pages, @coffinclubpdx on Facebook and Instagram. Thursday nights are free but the cover charge for entrance on Fridays and Saturdays varies, so be sure to check their social media for information and plan ahead. Masks, a temperature check at the door and a valid ID showing one is at least 21 years of age are required for entry.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Caught between awake and a soft place

April 8, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Going to sleep sounds both like a blessing and a curse when the clock is roughly pointing past 1 a.m. On one hand, lying down in bed with a soft, cozy blanket and a pillow with the cold side sounds so enticing. Deep down, though, it’s known that the amount of sleep about to be had is going to be insufficient, getting out of bed is going to be harder and caffeinated drinks will be bought in the morning. 

According to the Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, only 11% of college students in America report sleeping sufficiently, while 40% of students only feel well rested two days of the week. As a student at Western since 2025, I have noticed a lot of students saying how tired they are regularly, a significant amount more than when I was in high school. I have experienced being sleep deprived for an extended period of time when first balancing two jobs and being a full-time student. I have recovered from that time, but I wanted to explore the effects sleep deprivation has on a university student in particular. 

The relationship between sleep and health has always been well-known, but I don’t think it’s been properly explained. According to Mark Wu, a neurologist and sleep expert, “Sleep is a period during which the brain is engaged in a number of activities necessary to life, which are closely linked to quality of life.” 

A healthy amount of sleep is needed for a lot of different body functions. One of them is brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt to any stimuli. The more tired a person is, the harder it is for them to process what they have learned during the day, as well as their ability to concentrate on what it is they are studying. 

According to UChicago Medicine, sleep is believed to be the time during which the body recovers from the fatigue and strains it takes throughout the day. It allows the body to grow and rejuvenate. Rest also allows the body to heal itself when dealing with a sickness or an injury. There is evidence that sleep allows the brain to clear up cellular and protein debris that can build up over time. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of disease while also lowering the immune system’s ability to fight back against it. 

Yet, something that is more concerning is how lack of sleep affects a person’s memory. While it’s still unclear as to how exactly sleep contributes to memory consolidation, there have been a lot of studies that show that when a person doesn’t have a sufficient amount of sleep, the brain has trouble recalling information that a person may have encountered recently, both factual and procedural. Factual memories are facts, like what a person had for dinner last night or what the capital of Nebraska is. Procedural memories are the mind’s ability to remind the body how to do physical activities. Think of typing on a laptop or playing an instrument. 

Sources like Harvard Medical School have reported that the most crucial period of sleep for memory retention is the night following a new lesson. If this isn’t done, like if a person were to pull an all-nighter, it is almost certain that they will not be able to recall what they learned that day, even if the student sleeps more in the following days. 

There are two main processes that regulate our sleep patterns: circadian rhythms and sleep drives. Circadian rhythms are the brain’s biological clock. There is a reason we sleep at night, and it’s because our rhythms respond to a lack of light. It ramps up production of the hormone melatonin, which makes us sleepy, in order to help us fall asleep. Meanwhile, sleep drive is the brain’s sleep stomach. We as humans also crave sleep in a similar sense as we crave food. However, sleepiness is quite different from hunger. The body can’t force someone to eat when their stomach’s growling. When exhausted, though, the body can shut down no matter where anyone is. This is particularly dangerous if someone is doing physical tasks such as driving, cooking or anything that involves heavy machinery. If someone is particularly tired, the body can microsleep for one or two seconds while the eyes are open. 

Our lack of sleep may not be entirely our fault, though. According to the American Brain Foundation, it’s estimated that roughly 50 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder of some kind. Examples of disorders could be insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy or a type of parasomnia like sleepwalking or night terrors. Treatment of these disorders often involves changes to lifestyle, and various therapies are often recommended depending on which disorder a person has. 

While some medications could help induce sleep, many people have reported feeling almost “hungover” when waking up, despite the amount of sleep they got. I personally used to take melatonin gummies to help me go to sleep and while I was able to fall asleep, there were times I wouldn’t stay asleep. When I did, I woke up usually not feeling rested or “charged.” So, unless prescribed by a doctor, avoid taking high doses of melatonin gummies. 

Here are some lifestyle tips that could help anyone get better, more consistent and restful sleep. 

Sleep schedule — The top recommendation I found from Mayo Clinic and the Center for Disease Control is to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Having a consistent sleep schedule reinforces the circadian rhythm, which will naturally make someone tired roughly around the same time. A healthy adult should get roughly 7 to 8 hours of sleep in order to be fully rested. 

No electronics — It is recommended to turn off any electronic devices roughly 30 minutes before actually going to bed. Electronics like phones, laptops and tablets emit a short-wavelength light known commonly as blue light. Blue light has been found to disrupt the production of melatonin, which then causes a person to not feel tired. I recommend getting off the game at least two hours before bed. 

Peaceful environment — Keep the room quiet. Try to avoid looking at any bright lights in the evening, as it might trick the brain into thinking it’s daytime, and try to turn off melatonin production. Instead of using a phone for noise, consider turning on a fan in the background. 

A quarter or even a third of our lives is dedicated to sleep. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that we give ourselves the best sleep possible to do all the things we want to do while we’re awake. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Go big or go home alone

Feb. 18, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle EditorThose in relationships are often trying to find ways to make their partners feel appreciated. Ranging from pricey gifts to dates to even traveling together, everyone tries to find a way to make their significant other feel special. However, due to everything constantly changing and getting more expensive, I thought it would be a good idea to list some romantic gestures that any partner would enjoy receiving. 

Cleaning/Organizing — Something I think is highly appreciated in a relationship, especially when the couple lives together, is keeping the home a bit more organized. Tidying up the living space is nice and makes one less thing for a partner to worry about. If wanting to be more specific, try to do something that has been actively avoided for a while. Maybe there’s a junk drawer that needs to be cleaned out. The closet might need to be reorganized, or the car could use some vacuuming. 

Meaningful — If wanting to up the romance and exercise the brain a bit more, writing something meaningful for a partner is always a good idea. Whether it be a poem, a love letter or a small note, something handwritten can mean much more than a cheap card bought at the store. If more of a visual kind of person, creating a painting or a sketch for a partner would be incredibly sweet. A kind gesture to do for someone would be to create a photo album for them. Go down memory lane and fill it with photos, tickets to concerts, movie posters, handwritten notes or anything that has meaning. Similarly, a person can create a memory box and fill it with all the same items. 

Audio-related — If both are music lovers, making a custom playlist for each other would be a thoughtful gift, especially if it’s songs that remind the person of their partner. It can also be a bunch of songs that they would like to play in the car. If wanting to be more playful, recording voice memos for a significant other can be both more meaningful and potentially funny, whether it be telling them how much they mean to the other or saying that they saw a weirdly shaped tree. 

Activities — There are several things couples can do. Cooking dinner together or as a surprise for a partner when they come home from work is always fun and appreciated. Something my husband and I love doing together are couple’s quizzes. They are popular on Instagram and TikTok, but don’t necessarily have to be couple-related. There are some quizzes that can be done on YouTube about various subjects, whether it be Disney movies or who knows the most Bad Bunny songs. There are also many two-player games that couples like to play. Some that come to mind are It Takes Two, Overcooked!, A Way Out and Split Fiction. 

Expensive gifts don’t need to be the only way to show affection. It doesn’t always have to be about the hundred-dollar clothes or the sparkliest jewelry. I would be happy with a swept-up floor or a vacuumed room. So when my husband recently gave me a handwritten note expressing how proud he is of what I have accomplished, it has been all I have been thinking about lately. Not the expensive shoes that he bought me, not the hoodie collection that’s slowly growing in my closet and not even the insane amount of plushies in the apartment. A simple note on my desk made me happy. So — make a significant other happy, too. Or go home. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

Love and war

Graphic by Addison Watts

Feb. 11, 2026 | Belen Ponce-Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Writing is a skill that many reading this have been lucky enough to have been taught early on in our childhoods. It is one of the strongest tools we as people have at our disposal. Many people were made famous throughout history for their talent in creating compelling works. Individuals like Suzanne Collins and Rick Riordan were able to make book series that became so popular and loved that they were adapted for the screen. There’s also Martin Luther King Jr., who became famous for his “I Have a Dream” speech. Even memoir works, such as Jennette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” have caused so many to discuss and buy copies. I thought it would be interesting to not only see what different types of writing there are, but also what kinds of benefits could come from them. 

Creative writing — This is a type of writing that breaks the rules and expectations of academic papers or articles about caffeine. It’s one of the most expressive forms of writing that anyone can use. It is what has formed stories that have captivated readers for decades. However, it does involve a lot of trial and error. Being good at creative writing means that when others read the work by the author, the ideas that the author intended can be interpreted by the readers. This, like most forms of writing, forces the writer to come up with and form an idea into words. It leads to growth for the writer by helping them make better judgment calls and putting things into perspective. Creative writing also makes the writer more aware of their own ideas and the emotions associated with them. Creative writing can also be a way of self-care in that it allows the writer to become more expressive. By becoming conscious of our ideas, writing them out allows for a sort of release that some of us might find freeing. It can become an outlet for emotions that someone doesn’t realize they carry until they write it out, whether it be through a character in a story or the symbolism of an object. Writing creatively can also improve one’s attention span, as it involves multitasking. When creating a story, we not only write. We craft a concept, write it out, read it and edit it. This forces the writer’s attention to be only on what they are creating. 

Note-taking — Taking notes is something that all college students are encouraged to do and can often be required by some teachers. For some, this can be a boring chore. However, there are benefits to writing things down. When taking notes, the mind is focused on the content being said or read. It forces the person to engage with the material, and writing it down encourages retention. It has been proven by multiple studies that the more we write down to repeat an idea, the more likely it is that a person will be able to remember that information. It can also help someone become better at organizing information, whether through highlighting the most important ideas of the readings or being able to identify the supporting points around the main topic. This also helps someone be able to condense a large amount of information into something smaller and easier to remember, which is helpful for when we have to fit a lot of information into a notecard for a test. Well, that, and writing incredibly small. 

Journaling — Journaling is a form of writing in which someone can basically write anything they want. They can write goals they have, thoughts they think, track events that happen throughout the day and a lot more. Benefits to journaling involve a lot of personal growth, especially about events that happen in someone’s life. Writing out what happened can help one process the event as well as figure out how they feel about it. It not only improves writing and communication skills, but it also provides a sort of release of built-up emotions, just like creative writing does. It can also increase self-awareness of someone’s actions. Writing about setbacks experienced in life could help someone figure out how not to repeat what they went through. Similar to note-taking, journaling helps boost the memory of what happened in the mind. Repetition often helps us recall memories about various things, whether it be the party we went to where we met our partner or remembering that time Travis got his head stuck in the gutter. 

Reporting — Reporting is described as giving information that one has seen or observed in a formal written form. A lot of businesses have a reporting system to inform employees and other people in the organization. Reports can vary from reporting sales to explaining events that occurred throughout the day. It’s a form of writing that teaches those who use it to organize events clearly and to use simple language to describe events. This type of writing can enhance credibility between customers and the company, strengthen relationships and improve operations. Writing good reports also means that those writing them need to be good at observing things and remembering them. Therefore, it makes employees more accountable for observing what goes around them and including them in the report. Clarifying purposes can also be a benefit for those who write reports. After all, reporting is done specifically to inform others about something. 

Writing has been the outlet that I use to express myself. I primarily do creative writing, but will also occasionally journal in order to collect the thoughts wandering through my brain. The characters that come from the drafts I write have a piece of me in them. That alone is the greatest benefit that I personally get from writing. Whatever benefit that someone else gets from writing, I hope that it’s as important to them as it is to me. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Not a fraud

Graphic by Addison Watts

Feb. 25, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Since attending Western, I have been experiencing a lot of feelings. Stress has admittedly been the primary one. Yet, it isn’t the feeling I want to discuss at this moment. 

A lot of my family members and friends often speak about what I do at university. They talk about how impressive it is that I’ve gotten this far in life. I’m married, independent from my parents and have been managing to live my life without starving. The compliments are always really hard to listen to, though not because they aren’t genuine. It’s because I feel really undeserving of them. 

There are so many things I feel like I’m doing wrong in life, and I feel like they think I’m someone else. Sometimes, it is like I am playing a part instead of being who I am. 

Imposter phenomenon, known more popularly as imposter syndrome, is a condition that can cause the person identifying with it to feel like a fraud. According to Stanford University, it was originally documented by psychologists Pauline Rode Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978. It was described by them as “the internal experience of doubting your abilities.” They credit external reasons for their success in life instead of their own abilities and work. 

There is a cycle of sorts that happens to those who have imposter syndrome. It usually starts when they are given a task or assignment. It could be anything from writing an essay to organizing a messy closet. The thought of the task causes feelings of anxiety, which could then lead to being overly prepared for the task or procrastinating on it. Once it’s been done, there is a brief moment where the person will feel achievement and like they did a good job. However, it then turns into a spiral of all sorts of negative ideas as to why they were successful. They could think it was luck, that the professor felt bad for them, they fooled those around them into believing they were capable of doing this, etc. 

The impact of this condition is great. Individuals, especially students, who struggle with imposter syndrome can have trouble succeeding in life. Burnout is highly likely to happen more often for people who struggle with this. There’s also a fear of bringing attention to oneself, as the thought of being wrong while already believing that someone doesn’t belong is a mortifying experience. Students could be less likely to speak up in class or avoid attending events that could benefit them. 

Those who are most susceptible to imposter syndrome are people who struggle with perfectionism or self-efficacy, particularly if they are in competitive environments. It also makes those who come from stricter backgrounds, where the fear of being judged or failing in life was ingrained in them from a young age, are also quite susceptible to experience it. 

While men experience this condition, it is very likely that women will experience it much more in their lives, especially very accomplished women. Despite the progress being made in many different careers to achieve equality, no matter what gender a person is, we still live in a society that is primarily dominated by men and where women tend to struggle to be taken seriously. 

According to Dr. Suzanne Feigofsky, there are a few different subtypes of imposter syndrome that can be explained depending on the person and their personality. 

The first type is the “perfectionist.” They believe that they have to do everything correctly and anything less than perfect is considered to be a failure in their eyes. They beat themselves up, hyperfocusing on what they could have done better instead of seeing the good things they managed to do. 

The second type is what Feigofsky refers to is the “natural genius.” These individuals measure their worth and performance based on how quickly or easily they can accomplish their goals in an activity. They think that working hard is shameful, that it should be done right the first time and if they fail to understand the subject, they are stupid. 

Then, there are “superhumans.” They see success as being able to juggle many different things at once and being able to thrive in all of them. As someone who has to manage a lot of different things at once, it is a miracle to be successful in all of the things I’m supposed to be doing at once. If they struggle or fall behind in one little thing, they view it as a total failure. 

“Experts” are those who suffer with imposter syndrome that view their competence based on their knowledge or ability in the task. The less they know about something they are supposed to do, the more anxious they get, so they try to overcompensate in the subject by absorbing as much information as possible. 

Lastly, there’s the “soloist.” They view themselves as being the only ones who can do their task. Asking for help and admitting that they don’t understand something is basically their worst nightmare. They want to be able to do it alone, viewing a necessity of help as failure. 

Singer Billie Eilish spoke about her struggles with imposter syndrome when she was in an interview with Vanity Fair. She describes a time when she did a radio show performance: “I felt like I was pretending to be Billie Eilish … I completely wasn’t looking at myself as myself … Happened multiple times at like award shows and whatever. I just felt like a parody of myself.” 

Living with this condition can be really difficult. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that there are ways to manage and make it a bit easier to navigate. The first thing someone suffering from this condition should do is acknowledge their feelings — don’t write them off just because it looks like everyone else is ahead and it’s time to catch up. Then, focus on what has been accomplished instead of comparing what has been done to others. It is also important to recognize physical and emotional fatigue. Realize that all this effort that has been poured into whatever it is being done requires a lot of work. Not luck or pity, it is work. Therefore, if an individual is in the room, it is likely that they deserve to be there of their own accord. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

 

Living in the shadows

A photo of a child standing alone while a crowd of soldiers stare at them. | Photo from @35awards on Instagram

Jan. 21 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

The topic of mental health has been a controversial topic for some. Despite the progress that has been made with the depiction of it in movies and shows, there are many who have negative thoughts about those who have mental illnesses. There are a lot of negative stereotypes or beliefs about these disorders in the public eye. Whether it be certain cultures’ view on it or the spread of inaccurate information about various mental conditions, our health in the mind has always had a stigma surrounding it. 

Stigma is defined by Oxford Languages as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” Stigma originates from a lack of understanding or fear of a subject. In the case of mental health, a lot of people do not understand it, leading to many misconceptions being spread about it. According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than half of people with a mental illness are not receiving help for their disorder. People actively avoid seeking treatment for their mental health due to stigma surrounding the subject that could make people around them treat them differently. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against those with mental health issues could be subtle or obvious. An example would be having a get-together with friends, but excluding one of the friends who has told them that they suffer from a mental illness; another would be using derogatory labels on them, such as “psycho” or saying that they’re “crazy.”

There are three types of stigma that should be understood. First is public stigma — these are the negative attitudes that the public has about mental health, which leads to discriminatory thoughts for individuals who have them. Second, self-stigma is the destructive thoughts that someone who has a mental condition will have. This can lead to shame or suppression of their problems, which is self-destructive in both ways and will not aid the person in their situation. Finally, there is structural stigma, which is a systemic type of bias that involves policies in the government or other organizations that either intentionally or unintentionally place limits on people with mental illness on what they can and cannot do. An example of this would be unequal insurance coverage. Some insurance companies are more likely to cover physical injuries than treatments for mental health, like therapy or prescription medication. 

Recently, I was beginning to wonder why mental health is seen so terribly in the first place. I knew why, from a Hispanic background, as in many Latin American cultures, it is viewed as a sign of weakness. Many people who are part of this culture take pride in their ability to manage themselves and work for everything they have. So when someone admits to having an issue, they can be shamed for being unable to take care of themselves. In other cultures, it is viewed similarly. 

In Asian societies, mental illness is viewed as a sign of personal weakness or failure of maintaining self control. Saving face is significant in this culture, as honor is an incredibly valuable social aspect to have. Being associated with a mental illness in this culture could be seen as bringing shame to the family name. 

In Arab cultures, mental illnesses are viewed as a form of divine punishment. They are attributed to the person who suffers from the condition doing something to displease the higher power, which will not only bring them potential accusations of wrongdoing, but also stigmatization from their community. Those who struggle with this may also seek out religious or spiritual interventions to treat their illnesses. While it could work for some, it will not work for everyone. 

In African cultures, they ascribe spiritual or supernatural causes, such as possession by evil spirits, as the cause for mental conditions. There is also a historical context when considering that many African Americans were denied freedom on the basis of false mental illness diagnoses.

According to Mental Health America, a physician named Samuel Cartwright created racist and false mental diagnoses. The purpose of this was to create a reason not to let enslaved people be free, as they were seen as unable to take care of themselves. “Even in the early 1900s, leading psychiatrists thought Black and African American people to be ‘psychologically unfit’ for freedom.” Their trauma from being enslaved was used against them to keep them oppressed. 

Poor depictions of those who have mental illnesses have also spread harmful messages that people who suffer from various disorders are likely to have random bursts of violence or to be labeled as crazy. In reality, someone who has a condition is more likely to be victimized instead of being the cause of other people’s suffering. Mental illness has become overgeneralized, with many media portrayals showing the same kinds of things. A lot of the time, it is depicted as being an incurable condition that no one can recover from. Yet, according to the Centennial Mental Health Center, “as many as 80 percent of people suffering from mental illnesses can effectively return to normal, productive lives if they receive proper treatment.” 

On a more personal note, my family had never acknowledged mental health. It was never spoken about, never discussed. It was a completely foreign concept in my very old-school, very Hispanic household. So, when I began having issues with my psychological well-being, I was told that it was all in my head and that I needed to stop feeling sad. I wish it were that easy. Naturally, I was starting to act out as a preteen and my mother decided to send me to counseling. She wanted to know why I was such an angry kid. Eventually, I was diagnosed with depression. I then became the topic of my aunt’s gossip. 

A lot of the time, the stigma itself is worse than the actual illness. I certainly feel that way. Those who suffer from mental health issues only want to be seen as a person, not a nutcase or a weak individual. Struggling with the condition itself is difficult and the stigma only makes people feel more isolated. So, when meeting or becoming friends with someone who has a condition — don’t be quick to judge.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

The great divide

Jan. 14 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

I am not a very tech-savvy person. Granted, I know my way around most types of phones and computers. Yet that is mostly due to growing up with this kind of technology around. However, as someone who also works for a cell phone service provider, I have had to interact with, set up and attempt to fix a lot of issues with various devices. If there is anything that I have learned during this time, it is that there are stark differences between iPhone and Android phones. 

Growing up, Android phones were what was given to me by my predominantly Apple device-loving family. So here’s what I noticed. 

Strengths — Android phones have a much simpler operating system that is easy to use and convenient. It typically has three buttons on the home screen: one to go to the home screen, another to see all apps that are open and the last to go back to the previous screen. Android smartphones also come in many different versions. Samsung alone has three different series of phones, each very starkly different from each other. One is fast, one is foldable and the last is cost-effective while still being a decent phone. Another popular Android phone is Google Pixel, which is well known for its camera quality and sturdy design. Motorola phones are known for being budget-friendly, but are reliable and simple. 

Weaknesses — A lot of people with Android phones come into the store to tell me that their phone is full of pop-ups. The most common cause of those is “bad apps” being downloaded. Essentially, any kind of “phone cleaner” app is not actually cleaning the phone. Instead, it is slowing down its performance, and some can cause ads to pop up at random times. The battery life is also a major issue I’ve seen, with many getting new phones due to faulty batteries. There are also the constant updates that are done to the system that some may find annoying.

I recently became an iPhone user. After having the phone for a while now, here’s what I’ve observed. 

Strengths — Apple’s phones are incredibly fast, with their chip processors able to have many apps open at once without slowing down the smartphone. For newer models, the iPhone battery life is often incredibly good, being able to last an entire day. They also switched their charger from the Lightning cable to a USB-C to become more compatible for Android users who want to switch to iPhone. Furthermore, iPhone’s have their own Apple ecosystem of apps that allows for a much stronger privacy shield compared to Android. iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Cash, etc., are all iPhone-exclusive applications for these types of phones. The Apple App Store is also much more strict with what apps are allowed to be downloaded from it, making it much less likely for any bad apps to affect iPhone users. 

Weaknesses — I believe that iPhone’s main weakness is the lack of variety in their phones. While over time the screen size has gotten bigger and the camera positioning has changed, there isn’t a difference between the models. Obviously, if someone compares the first iPhone to the newest one, they look very different. However, there isn’t a huge change between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17. Another issue with Apple is that, due to the strictness of the App Store, many apps are not available to download. There isn’t a variety of different types of apps to get, while Android app stores allow for more options. There is also the fact that iPhones are not as customizable as Android phones. While their display options are sleek and clean looking, I’ve seen much more be able to be done with Androids, whether it be their shortcuts or widget flexibility. 

In my opinion, the other differences are minuscule. The keyboards between the two phones look and feel different from each other. Android phones still have “buttons” to control the screen, while iPhone users need to swipe up to navigate the phone. 

However, these smaller things are like comparing different fonts. If one is a person who likes consistency, I recommend an iPhone. If variety is preferred, there is an array of different Android phones from many companies that may be the better choice. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Work for fun

A sketched comic of a woman complimenting a girl’s sweater. | Photo from @juliehang.art on Instagram

Jan. 14 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

According to the Oxford dictionary, a hobby is an activity that is done by a person for the sole purpose of enjoyment or relaxation. Hobbies can range from hiking in the mountains to playing video games at home. I personally don’t have a lot of hobbies. The main hobby I have, writing, has become something I do for school and work. While I still love it with a passion, I have been wanting to take up a new one that doesn’t involve me trying to spell things correctly. 

I haven’t had the opportunity to really explore activities to do in my free time. Yet during 

break, when I had all the time in the world, I came to the realization that I had no idea how to get a new hobby.  I’ve usually just stuck to the ones I had growing up. I can only imagine that a lot of other students feel the same way. Therefore, I have created some tips on how to discover a hobby. 

Something simple that anyone can do is create a list of things they like. The list doesn’t have to be concrete. It could range from things done as a child that were fun, like playing tag or building things with LEGOs. Some things to consider would be topics that are engaging and that aren’t tiresome for oneself. 

There’s also scheduling that should be considered when taking up a new hobby. As someone with a busy schedule, I would want a hobby that is easy to do anywhere and can be done wherever I go. For someone who would prefer to do something with their hands, crafting and sculpting would be good ideas. 

Something that discourages a lot of people from starting new hobbies is the lack of perfection at first. Obviously, no one is going to be good at something from the start, and if they are, they are not human. 

Stuart Brown once said, “Life without play is a grinding, mechanical existence organized around doing the things necessary for survival. Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively.” I’ve thought about trying to start crocheting because the thought of creating my own things sounds awesome. However, I’ve been hesitant to do so because I know for a fact that the first thing I make will look horrifying. Still, that shouldn’t dissuade me or anyone else searching for something new to do in their spare time. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Creating chore charts

Written  by: Mikayla Coleman

Whether one is a college student with multiple roommates trying to maintain a clean apartment, a spouse sharing the load with their partner or a lone ranger holding down a studio, most can agree that completing chores is a universal struggle. To organize and conquer one’s chores, use the tips listed below to create a customized chore chart tailored to one’s personal living situation and needs. 

Consider one’s space. What chores one needs to complete will differ based upon the space in which one lives. Some questions to consider include:

  • Does one live in a dorm, apartment or house? 
  • Does one have multiple roommates, a spouse or family members? If one shares a space, it is a good rule of thumb to split chores evenly among each individual. 
  • Does one or any of the space’s inhabitants have pets or service animals? Animals that live indoors come with their own set of cleaning responsibilities that need to be completed each day. 
  • Does the space have carpet or hardwood flooring? Depending on the floor type, one may need different tools in order to keep the space clean, such as a broom, vacuum or mop. 

Consider how much time one has. Look at how one’s schedule fluctuates. Some time commitments to consider include: 

  • When does one have class? 
  • When does one have appointments? 
  • When does one have shifts or time set aside to work? 
  • When does one plan to go to the gym? 
  • When does one plan to rest? 
  • When does one need to set time aside for self-care? 

Consider how often a chore needs to be completed. It is very likely that one does not have the time to deep clean their space every single day. To ensure chores are completed and repeated as much as one desires, consider: 

  • What chores need to be completed daily? Some examples include making one’s bed, washing dishes, picking up one’s mail, wiping down kitchen or bathroom counters or taking out the trash. 
  • What chores need to be completed weekly? Some examples include doing one’s laundry, vacuuming and sweeping all floors, throwing out old food from the refrigerator and thoroughly cleaning one’s toilet and shower.
  • What chores need to be completed monthly? Some examples include wiping down baseboards, wiping down windows and mirrors or cleaning out one’s dishwasher or garbage disposal. 
  • What chores need to be completed seasonally? Some examples include cleaning out closets and dressers, organizing one’s hygiene or cosmetic products and cleaning under bigger furniture. 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu







Seeking fear-giveness


A photo of an artwork depicting a woman caressing her cheek in the mirror. | Photo from @alev.neto on Instagram

Jan 7. 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Special thanks to copy editor Kiera Roedel for being the inspiration to write this article. 

I have a habit of saying “sorry” a lot. Like, a lot. While apologizing is an important behavior that everyone has hopefully done throughout their lives when needed, I usually do it to the point where it isn’t. It isn’t something that I thought would be such a big problem. After all, I don’t want to be seen as someone who doesn’t take accountability for their actions. 

Yet, I can recognize that a lot of the time, I don’t need to say sorry as much as I do. I am an overapologizer. Overapologizing is the act of apologizing so much that it becomes more of a defense mechanism rather than an actual apology. It is not something that a person will wake up with one day and begin doing. It is usually a learned behavior. It is something that has been developed throughout someone’s life without realizing it. Another term for overapologizing is “the anxious sorry.” 

Definition — The anxious sorry is a type of safety behavior. A safety behavior, according to Psychology Today, is a type of “short-acting relief technique” that people use to calm their fears or anxiety. They can involve both avoidance and escapism responses, such as procrastination, reassurance-seeking or even stonewalling. Safety behaviors aren’t necessarily a problem for those who do them, but they can become an issue when they have become the only coping mechanism that someone’s used their entire life. Healthy coping mechanisms like learning from mistakes, problem-solving and learning to accept things are all good ways of coping with issues or dramatic changes. Yet, when the automatic response someone has when facing an issue is “sorry,” it can be a clue into a much deeper problem developing in the mind of the apologizer. 

What sorry means to an overapologizer — Overapologizers don’t usually say sorry all the time to be polite. It’s often because they fear something. Fear usually ties into all sorts of things, such as being scared of conflict, anxiety, low self-esteem and people-pleasing tendencies. The word “sorry” then becomes a replacement for feelings that a person may not have the capability of confronting or skills to cope with. Constantly apologizing can cause overapologizers a momentary feeling of relief from whatever bad feeling was giving them the need to apologize, whether it be fear of rejection or anxiety. It is that relaxing feeling that can make a person use the word as a strategy in maintaining relationships. 

Potential problems — While saying sorry a lot may not seem like such a big deal, it can become harmful. It is incredibly diminishing to the apologizer’s self worth. It reinforces the thought that they’re wrong, that they are “too much” and that the person is responsible for the emotions of others. Apologizing a lot can also be confusing for those who are around you. Saying sorry often can make the word lose its sincerity, and then the person who you are apologizing to doesn’t understand what it is that is actually needed from the apologizer. There is an irrational fear of upsetting others or being uncomfortable when others around them are upset. Despite knowing that the problem didn’t come from them, overapologizers have this compulsive need to try to diffuse the situation before being able to feel comfortable again. 

The signs — One overapologetic behavior would be apologizing for things that the person themselves didn’t do. Situations such as schedule conflicts, apologizing for someone else’s behavior, not carrying cash when it’s needed, etc. Oftentimes, it’s things that the person had no control over or prior knowledge of needing to do that they end up taking responsibility for. Another sign would be saying sorry instead of expressing a need. A good example of this that I personally have lived through would be saying sorry to a partner instead of telling them what it is that I want from them. There was a time that my spouse and their family wanted to go eat at a sushi restaurant. I was the only one who didn’t want to go, but I lied and said I wanted to because I didn’t want to be the reason they didn’t get the food they wanted. I tried to prevent a conflict between them and compromised my own wants to do so. 

Likely Causes — Some causes for saying sorry frequently could involve the background of the overapologizer. If they were surrounded by people who were caring and understanding one minute and furious the next, they often have to learn early on how to anticipate the needs of others by minor things such as expressions, tone, hand movement and body language. That could explain the need to want to “diffuse the bomb,” despite not being the cause of it. Trauma is another major factor in apologizing often. A lot of people who experience traumatic events will often blame themselves for it in an attempt to feel in control of the situation. Yet, it can often make the trauma worse and make them perform people-pleasing behavior to feel safe. For people who think less of themselves or have low self-image, feelings of self-resentment can cause them to say sorry for things that often don’t need it. Having low self esteem can also make a person much more likely to be in codependent relationships. Being in a codependent relationship means that the person’s value is tied to their ability to keep the other person in the relationship happy. Taking the blame for whatever conflicts may arise between the two can often be a way to keep the peace to satisfy the other. 

Like most problems that we as humans face, the first thing overapologizers need to do is be aware of the issue and try to combat it more. It’s important to become self-aware of how often they say sorry and what situations it tends to come up in more. Try to recognize the feelings that are being felt in that moment and replace the word “sorry” with healthier language. Something I did when coming into work late due to a car issue was apologize for not being on time, despite the fact that I provided a warning and had no control of the situation. Something else I could have said was “thank you for waiting.” Small changes like this can make a big impact on breaking the cycle. Therapy can also be a very good way to combat the action and try to work through what it is that the word “sorry” is replacing. It can be difficult to do, even uncomfortable. 

However, I want to remind anyone who reads this that it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to exist and take up space. No one is inconvenient. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

‘Fake news’

A photo of a book wall. | Photo from @northportbooks on Instagram

Nov. 19 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

In February of 1998, a research paper was released linking autism to vaccinations. This paper has long been proven to be false, with multiple factors in the experiment being questionable at best. Unethical decisions and “callous disregard” for the children that participated in the study are just a few reasons why people questioned these findings. Then, 12 years after the paper was released, one of the doctors who worked on this study admitted that several elements of the paper were incorrect. Despite this, there are still a small number of people who wholeheartedly believe these vaccines are harmful. 

The definition of a fact, according to Oxford Languages, is “a thing that is known or proved to be true.” Yet, we live in a world where it is getting harder to distinguish what is true and what is partially true. Even with the accessibility of information at our fingertips, there are many who will believe a video they watched on social media to be fact, despite the very real possibility that it may not be true. Or it may have been misconstrued — it may be factually correct, but lacking context. However, after researching this subject, I’ve come to the realization that facts by themselves don’t usually convince people to change the way they think. It’s often tied to emotion and community.

We as humans are a species that needs a semi-accurate understanding of the world in order to live in it comfortably. We are also very social creatures. Since the dawn of the species, humans have traveled in tribes, working together to survive. Accuracy and truth aren’t the only things that are important to the human mind. We also have a desire to belong. Humans have always had the desire to bond and have relationships with others. We want to be people who fit in and have the approval of others. It is difficult to think of a feeling worse than rejection or disapproval by the person you want it from the most.

In a lot of people’s minds, social connection is more helpful to us in our daily lives than it is for us to understand the truth of a certain idea or fact. We sometimes compromise the truth to make ourselves look better to certain people or a certain community. False beliefs might not be useful in a factual sense, but they are in a social one. James Clear, who wrote an article called “Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds,” calls this way of thinking “factually false, but socially accurate.” When it comes to choosing being right over friends and family, the latter usually wins. This is why we, as people, tolerate things that might offend us. It is why a person will bite their lip and turn away if a family member says something that offends them. 

Another thing to consider is motivated reasoning. This is when people go to great lengths to try and persuade others that the facts are incorrect or that sources are unreliable. Humans are hard-wired to have an emotional response faster than our conscious thought. Information that supports a person’s preexisting view on the world or thoughts on a subject will be accepted a lot faster than something that completely contradicts it. A lot of the time, people do this to make themselves feel better about new information that contradicts their beliefs. 

That also ties into the misinterpretation of facts. A lot of facts are taken completely out of context to be used to support an argument that the fact wasn’t intended to be used for. Some usually do this, not necessarily to tell the truth, but to “prove” their point of view or attack another. 

So, if facts can’t change a person’s worldview, there has to be another way to do it. After all, we are all constantly evolving and changing our beliefs. The best way to change someone’s mind is by giving them a new view of what a community looks like. If someone were to completely abandon their beliefs, they would lose their family and their ties to the community that embraced them. James Clear put it best: “No one wants their worldview torn apart if loneliness is the outcome.”

However, like the vaccine belief, these ideas can hang around for a while. A reason that they do is because people continue to discuss them. Ideas are remembered when repeated — that’s also the only way they can be believed. A person is more likely to believe a crazy concept if it comes from someone they know. The train of thought is usually something along the lines of “I know this person. I like them, I share some beliefs with them, why should I not consider this one too?” 

One way to combat this is to let the ideas rest; let them die out and be forgotten. This isn’t to say not to speak up for people who are attacked. However, maybe we as people need to change our strategy in dealing with these situations. Being ignorant is a lot harder to do when the person has friends who think differently than they do. Befriending them and being kind to them is the best way to give someone the opportunity to change their beliefs. As Selena Gomez said, “kill ‘em with kindness.”

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

 

Grounds for dismissal

A photo of coffee grounds, beans and in liquid form. | Photo from @harshasipani on Instagram

Nov. 19 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

There is a legend involving the discovery of coffee and goats. Yes, there is. According to this legend, Kaldi was once a goat herder who noticed that after his goats ate the cherries of a specific tree in the ancient forests of the Ethiopian plateau, they became so hyper that they couldn’t sleep through the night. When Kaldi told the priest of the local monastery about the behavior, they decided to do a makeshift experiment where they turned the berries into a drink. After a few sips, they were saying the prayers with a boost of energy. The reason those cherries made everyone so jumpy was that they contained a lovely little drug most college students are utterly familiar with — caffeine. 

Most adults are no strangers to caffeine. On average, 4 out of 5 adults consume it daily, myself included. This drug can be found in a lot of different things naturally, but the most common way people consume it is through drinks. The most popular caffeinated beverages are coffee, tea and energy drinks. While most people know what it is and what it does, most aren’t aware of what is a normal side effect of caffeine and what isn’t. Most view it as a harmless drug, because, for the most part, it is, as long as it is used responsibly. So, let’s dig into what makes the bitter taste so powerful. 

The definition — According to WebMD, “caffeine is a natural chemical with stimulant effects.” It increases the activity of the brain and nervous system. Caffeine is closely associated with coffee, as it was isolated from the coffee bean by Ferdinand Runge in 1819. It is also a long-lasting drug, taking 5 to 30 minutes to kick in and staying in the body for up to 12 hours, depending on the person. 

Purpose — The main reason everyone consumes caffeine is to increase alertness, enhance athletic performance and improve focus. Some also use it for other purposes like ADHD, asthma, low blood pressure and depression, though WebMD does state that there isn’t a lot of good scientific evidence to support the latter four uses. 

Side effects — The effects of the drug can involve increased breathing, elevated heart rate and increased mental alertness as well as a boost in physical energy. It also has some side effects involving digestion and urination. Sometimes, people say that coffee can give them heartburn. A possible reason for that is that caffeine can increase the amount of acid in a person’s stomach. Some scientists theorize that because of the bitter taste that can come with the drug, it could lead to a buildup of acid-forming in the stomach. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means that the body will want to urinate more when consumed. 

Concerning side effects — For the most part, caffeine is safe for the heart for those who don’t have any preexisting heart conditions. It is possible, though, to have had an inordinate amount. Signs that a person has had too much caffeine could be shakiness, agitation, trouble sleeping, a racing heart and dizziness. It’s also possible for headaches, chest pain and severe anxiety to happen. WebMD notes that a 32-ounce energy drink has a much higher ability to give a person abnormally high heart rhythms and blood pressure. 

Amount to have — If a person does not have any sort of underlying conditions, the maximum amount of caffeine someone can consume in a day is about 400 milligrams, which is the amount found in four cups of coffee. However, it is notable that energy drinks can contain a lot more caffeine. According to the Food and Drug Administration, energy drinks typically have 41 to 246 milligrams per can. My energy drink of choice is typically Red Bull. Lately, though, I have been drinking Monster since most people I know have them regularly. I haven’t really liked the taste of it, but I noticed that the drink caused me to feel off. My heart rate increased a lot, my hands were twitching and my chest would occasionally hurt. I found out that there is quite a difference between the two. A 16-ounce Red Bull, on average, contains 136 milligrams of caffeine while a 16-ounce Monster Energy drink has 160 milligrams. Granted, the difference is only 24 milligrams, but it was enough to affect me. 

Who shouldn’t have it — Anyone who has any preexisting health conditions or is under the age of 18 could suffer serious health conditions or even death from having too much caffeine. Pregnant women are able to drink it as long as they don’t go over 300 milligrams. Caffeine can pass into breast milk, so limitations while breastfeeding are recommended. 

Extreme cases — In 2023, Matthew Patrick, known more commonly as MatPat, made a video called “This Lemonade Could Kill You (Panera),” where he discussed a viral TikTok posted by user @sarachebaus. In her video, she discusses being unaware of how much caffeine is in a now-discontinued product served by Panera known as the “charged lemonade.” 

The 20-ounce drink had 260 milligrams of caffeine in it, while the large size had 390 milligrams, which is only 10 milligrams away from being the recommended limit of a person’s daily caffeine intake. She also noted that she drank 4 or 5 of them a day, which would have been the equivalent of 11 Red Bulls, according to MatPat. Both he and @sarachebaus criticized Panera for the lack of any disclaimers of how much caffeine these drinks contained. Despite these drinks having way more of this drug than a typical energy drink, they were not labeled as such. They were only called “charged lemonades” and had in tiny lettering underneath the sign the amount of caffeine in a 20-ounce and a 30-ounce. MatPat then spoke about how potentially dangerous these drinks could be to those with preexisting heart conditions. As it turned out, he was right. 

In September of 2022, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student named Sarah Katz went into cardiac arrest shortly after having one of these drinks and passed away. According to USA Today, her family had sued Panera, explaining that she had a heart condition and would explicitly avoid any drinks that had caffeine in them. They accused Panera of being misleading in the marketing, as well as failure to provide labeling that better warned that these drinks were dangerous to those who had underlying health conditions. Another person, 46-year-old Dennis Brown, died from cardiac arrest in October of 2023 after drinking three charged lemonades. His family also sued Panera, explaining that he had high blood pressure and never consumed energy drinks. 

Caffeine is a drug. Like any drug, people can become dependent on it. Withdrawal symptoms typically include crankiness, headaches, sweating, anxiety, fatigue and in some cases, muscle pain. Withdrawal can begin within 12 to 14 hours from the last sip taken and can last up to a week. It’s possible to break the dependence by steadily reducing the amount of caffeine being consumed. This gives the body time to adjust to being able to function without depending so much on the drug. So, be mindful of how much is consumed. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

 

The strength of diversity

A photo of a vase of stargazer lilies. | Photo from @wildflowersparkland on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

The United States is known for its diverse communities. Despite the problems and deep-rooted racism that encompass the history of this country, the U.S. is full of people from different cultures and backgrounds. According to an article from the National Library of Medicine, over 50% of the population is part of minority ethnic groups. Immigrants move here to provide better lives for their families and bring with them their own cultures. Their values, beliefs and ways of life are all varied. As human beings, we tend to fear what we don’t understand, thus many from versatile styles of living often feel out of place in their new communities. However, fitting in is honestly overrated and I thought it would be interesting to delve deeper into the benefits of diversity.
The environments we come from have a major influence on the way we view the world. Some cultures view loyalty as the most important virtue someone can have. Others think that the truth is the most valuable. Neither way of thinking is wrong — it is merely a difference in a person’s beliefs. However, these differences in a person’s way of life can provide new ideas that others would not have thought of. If everyone had the exact same way of thinking, humanity would not advance.
This is why companies are often on the lookout for people who are not from the average population. People who stand out are those who think differently and experience unique ways of reasoning. Without coming up with new ideas, everything would stay the same. Technology wouldn’t exist, companies wouldn’t succeed and if there is anything that is true about our world, it is that it is constantly evolving. Based on an article published by the Hult International Business School, the uncertainty and constant change in the global business environment make it important to be adaptable. If there is anything true about people who come from different places in the world, chances are that they are willing to withstand how drastic the changes can be.
It is because of the difference in values and beliefs that oftentimes those who come from different backgrounds can find success in using that knowledge to their advantage. For instance, bilingual people often make more money as they are able to reach out to more people who may not speak the same language. Not only does it benefit them, it benefits other people who might not know how to speak English and need assistance for doctor’s appointments, driving tests, important news announcements and much more. This way of thinking does not only apply to translators, though. Different cultures with different priorities will want to create products aimed at distinct people, such as restaurants that offer culture-specific food, whether it be soul food, Mexican food, Chinese food, Filipino food or another cuisine. Some could think of it like having a spy on the inside, someone who understands who the target audience is and can offer advice as to what appeals to them.
Being diverse can also promote personal growth. According to the Steps4Change organization, having new experiences gives us the opportunity to explore outside our comfort zone, which can enhance our learning and develop a sense of personal growth. Everyone has different ideas of what “normal” is. Some can view being different as a weakness, yet in reality, it’s an irreplaceable strength that can provide more empathy with people who think differently than them. Those with more variety in their lives are more likely to be empathetic and resilient in the way they conduct themselves.
According to Sean DallasKidd, a Forbes Councils member, “Research is the gateway to imagination.” It improves the likelihood of more imaginative and impactful storytelling in works, whether it be at work or in school. Being a diverse individual can mean much more than simply coming from a different place or being a different gender.
There’s also something known as cognitive diversity. The definition for this topic involves the way we think. Some approach an assignment with the thought of getting it done immediately after the lecture, as they want the information to be as fresh as possible. Others prefer to do it later, not just because of procrastination reasons, but because they want time to process the information they learned.
It’s why some can have very different interpretations of stories. Some may think that Meredith and Derek, the couple from “Grey’s Anatomy,” are a good representation of true love and can pose a good argument for their reasoning. Others believe that they were terrible for each other and give several examples of their toxicity. Neither interpretation is wrong per se, but each has a strong argument for their way of thinking.
Being a diverse person is an exciting thing. It makes someone much more relatable and more unique. Creativity is higher and diversity is being more sought out in the modern day, as uncertainty in businesses means needing more unique ways to come up with ideas to stay in the market. Some of the biggest problems in the world have been solved by tackling a problem in an unusual way. Vaccines were created by using the sickness that was killing people as a way to immunize themselves from it. The most unbelievable circumstances can end up being the solution to a major problem.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Nintendo’s star princess

A photo of Rosalina’s original design from Super Mario Galaxy. | Photo from @nintenbingo on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers for “Super Mario Galaxy”

“Super Mario Galaxy” was a game that came out in 2007 on the Nintendo Wii. It introduced several new mechanics that were different from previous Mario games, such as the ability to stun enemies with the spin move and the introduction of 3D graphic manipulation as the game is set in various worlds with different physics. However, the biggest addition that this game brought to the forefront was the introduction of a new character, one who comes from the stars.
Introduction — Known as the “mother of the Lumas,” Rosalina debuted as a woman who possesses great cosmic power. She travels throughout space in her observatory, keeping an eye out for any threats. She has been called “an interstellar protector” by Nintendo. She is known as the adoptive mother of the Lumas, star-shaped creatures that are baby stars. They have the capability to transform into stars, comets, planets and even “Power Stars,” which are the main source of power in the world of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The plot — The game opens up with a few pages of a storybook, explaining that once every hundred years a comet passes by the Mushroom Kingdom. On this occasion, the people host an event called the “Star Festival,” meant to celebrate the comet’s return. Then, the game becomes similar to most Mario games where Bowser attacks the Mushroom Kingdom to kidnap Princess Peach. While Mario is attempting to save her, he gets knocked into space.
When he wakes up, it’s in the company of the Lumas. After a brief chase with them, they explain that their “Mama” needs his help. It is then that Rosalina makes her first appearance. She tells Mario that she is the guardian of the cosmos. She then entrusts Mario to take care of a Luma that will give him the power to travel through space to save Peach. This is what gives Mario his shake ability, which allows him to not only stun enemies, but to use “Launch Stars,” which help him travel through the cosmos throughout the game.
Mario is then taken to the Comet Observatory. Rosalina explains that they travel through the area once every hundred years, but were stopped by Bowser this time. He had attacked their home, taking the Power Stars, which give the observatory the power it needs to travel through space. Rosalina asks Mario if he would continue to collect the Power Stars from other galaxies around them. Once enough are collected and power is restored to the ship entirely, Rosalina agrees to help Mario save Princess Peach and defeat Bowser.
The ending —Another reason that Super Mario Galaxy is different from other Mario games is the ending. Most of the games end with Peach being saved, Bowser falling into lava and everyone going back home. However, when Mario manages to defeat Bowser, the universe that he was trying to create collapses on itself and creates a black hole. The Luma that was with Mario the entire game, along with all the others in the Observatory, sacrificed themselves by jumping into the black hole. An animation appears showing what’s implied to be a cyclone mixing up stardust. Mario then appears in some sort of limbo with Rosalina, where she explains how the cycle of life works for stars: “When stars die, they turn to stardust and scatter across the cosmos.” She explains that after a time, the stardust turns into a star and the cycle of life continues. Rosalina does say, though, that the cycle of life is never the same. When Mario awakens, everyone he encountered in the game who lived on different galaxies now share one planet. Rosalina’s voice is heard to say that all life carries the essence of stars, including all of them. Mario welcomes the new galaxy and a new cycle of life begins.
Origins — Rosalina’s backstory is told to the player throughout the game through a storybook. As Mario collects Power Stars, parts of the observatory unlock. One of the areas is a library, and when walking inside, Rosalina is sitting in a chair holding a storybook. She reads to a group of Lumas, and the story told is implied to be her own.
The story is about a young girl who encounters a lost Luma that crashed his spaceship near her home. The Luma says he’s waiting for his mama to come back for him on a comet, so the girl agrees to wait with him. A lot of time passes and they decide to go into space to try to find her. They eventually encounter a comet that they decide to stay on while the girl chooses to adopt the Luma as her child. They construct the Comet Observatory and have a large group of Luma children who live with them. The girl decides to check on her home planet and reminisce about her family. When the thought of her own mother comes to mind, she bursts out in tears as she tells her children that she can’t see her anymore, as she is “sleeping under the tree in the hill,” implying that she has passed away. Luma, the original star child that Rosalina encountered, tries to comfort her and, in the process, turns into a comet. The girl is shocked and the other Lumas explain to her that they all will grow up to become either stars, planets, comets and much more. They all surround the girl, hugging her and asking her not to cry anymore and from that day forward, “star bits no longer fell from the girl’s eyes.”
Utilization — Unfortunately, Rosalina hasn’t had a major role in a Mario game since her debut, with most of her appearances coming from spin-off games like “Super Smash Bros,” “Mario Kart” and “Super Mario 3D World.” However, fans still hold her dear in their hearts for several reasons. Unlike most of the Mario characters, who are tailored in a way that kids will enjoy them, Rosalina has a mature personality that is very much motherlike. Unlike Peach, who depends on Mario a lot in the games, Rosalina is an independent woman who not only takes care of herself, but takes care of all the Lumas under her care. Her backstory is compelling, even tragic, which is unique for a Nintendo character, as we don’t know a whole lot about the backstories of the characters in these games.
While Nintendo hasn’t taken advantage of how much love the fans have for this character in a while, there is good news for those who have been waiting. Not only are “Super Mario Galaxy” and its sequel available for the Nintendo Switch, but Nov. 25, her storybook will be available for physical release. It has also been announced that the next Mario movie will be based on Super Mario Galaxy. Considering how big a role she plays in the games, there is no doubt that Rosalina will make an appearance in this upcoming film. As a huge fan of Rosalina, I am definitely looking forward to seeing her in the next movie.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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