Articles

Finding a Balance Between Work and Personal Life

The demands of work and personal life can very often conflict. Growing up, becoming independent, and starting a “real job” can be intimidating, especially when you have other priorities in your life that are unrelated to your professional career. At times, it feels like there are not nearly enough hours in the day to do what you want to do which can be quite overwhelming. In recent years, a large emphasis has been placed on the so-called “work-life balance,” and that importance has been rightfully earned. Although everyone’s idea of this balance is subjective, it’s still necessary to know how to carry it out.

Working excessively long hours daily can lead to burnout, which can have various negative mental effects. Burnout can then decrease motivation and focus, cause confusion, increase the risk of making job errors, and reduce your total productivity. Unfortunately, the burnout phenomenon is not uncommon. According to research conducted by Westfield Health, almost half (46%) of UK workers are close to burnout. Here are ways in which you can maintain this balance to sustain a fulfilling life–both professionally and socially–that will keep you sane throughout the week and avoid burnout.

There’s nothing quite like being able to look forward to something exciting, especially after working hard all day. Personally, something that has helped me find a balance between the conflicting pressures of professional life and personal life has been scheduling things to look forward to at the end of a workday. This can entail anything you find enjoyable. From making a reservation for dinner with a friend, to getting tickets to see a movie you’ve been wanting to see, to ordering in your favorite meal and playing board games with your family. It doesn’t have to be extravagant: you can do whatever makes you happy. But what’s important is the planning that goes into it. It’s easy to let things you want to do slip through the cracks, especially when you’re busy with work. Thinking ahead and cementing a specific plan is the key to making sure you’re taking time for yourself outside of the workplace.

Another thing found to be quite helpful in finding a work-life balance is setting boundaries and having open communication with your employer or supervisor. It’s incredibly important to set and communicate working hours with the person that delegates tasks to you. Many times, work life can bleed into personal life because there is no solid conversation to indicate when the employee will be working or not. Making sure there are clear boundaries will help you separate work time from personal time. It’s also important to have open and honest communication with your supervisor. Being able to express that you have too heavy of a workload will help your supervisor know that the amount of work they’re giving you is too overwhelming and, hopefully, will cut back on it.

Health is integral to feeling good, working well, and getting to experience life outside of the workplace: it is at the epicenter of what makes a good work-life balance. Because of this, it’s important to carve out times to prioritize your health and do things that make you feel good. There are many fun ways to do this, even during the workday. One thing I love to do for this takes place during my lunch break. I often go on a walk with a fellow intern outside. The fresh air is great to recharge your mind and helps break up the monotony of a workday.

As an intern in London taking classes simultaneously, I’ve come to learn how necessary a work-life balance is to avoid burnout and be able to have fulfilling social and professional lives.

By: Maddy Adler

Reflecting on the United States Mass Shootings as an American Intern Living Abroad

There have been many charming cultural differences that I’ve encountered since getting to London and living here as an American abroad student. However, there have been larger differences that have changed the way I look at the world and, more specifically, look at America on a global scale. One of those prominent differences is my home nation’s stance on guns compared to England’s and the rest of Europe’s.

In recent events, there was a devastating school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. A former 28-year-old student of Covenant School returned and killed six people, including 3 children and 3 adults on Monday, the 27th of March. The shooter was armed with three guns, including a semi-automatic rifle. All of these were obtained legally per the gun laws within the state. Despite having been treated for a mental health disorder, this was no hindrance to acquiring these weapons. Someone actively struggling mentally was able to go out and purchase guns that could take precious, undeserving lives in just seconds. How senseless are we to legally protect the rights of inanimate objects over our own citizens? It’s time to wake up.

When you grow up in a nation whose gun culture is instilled in the very words of the document it was built on, there is a shocking normalization towards objects that can be used to end a person’s life. It is unfathomable that America places so much importance on the right to purchase and own guns, especially given that this right was formed in a reality almost three hundred years ago that could not look more different than the modern day.

After having lived abroad for over two months, I’ve come to realize that I now walk onto public transportation or through a crowded shopping center significantly less on edge. I no longer think about the fastest way to escape an enclosed area in case of an emergency. Although there is no shortage of crime in Europe, it doesn’t feel like any place I go can be turned into a shooting range at any moment. It’s made me realise how abnormal and heightened my fear of guns is, simply because of the political climate in the States and the failure of legislators to meet citizens’ needs.

Headline after headline lights up my phone. “3 dead”… “6 killed in mass shooting”… “leaves 8 children dead”. What has begun to haunt me is the sense of normalcy that is felt when I read these things. My heart, of course, still drops when I read a new headline detailing a mass shooting. However, there have been so many instances of this happening, that it feels like a miserable routine. As an American, I have become desensitised to events that are considered tragic–and relatively rare compared to the rest of the world. There is a sense of normalcy to occurrences that are nowhere near remotely normal.

I have begun to realize how unique this is to America, which makes the issue even more frustrating. The United States is gridlocked and polarised on the issue. Very little progress can be made given the current political landscape. Living in the United Kingdom, where some of the world’s strictest gun-ownership laws are implemented, has shown me that there is a whole other world without living in constant fear of gun violence.

In 1996, the Dunblane massacre occurred in Scotland when 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton used legally owned handguns to kill 17 people: 16 students aged 5-6 and one teacher. After that, there was widespread revulsion against guns. The Conservative government banned all handguns except for .22 caliber single-shot weapons. The Labour government following banned all handguns as well as .22 caliber single-shot weapons. After these regulations were tightened, there has only been one mass shooting that took place in 2010 in Whitehaven, a part of northern England. In comparison, the Gun Violence Archive has counted 130 mass shootings in 2023 in the United States alone.

I am an American and I have been conditioned to fear for my life when I walk on the streets. I fear for myself, my family, my friends, and the generations that follow me. Yes, the Brits do tea and scones very well. But, they also know how to prioritize and keep their people safe: an area that America severely lacks in.

By: Maddy Adler

Paddington Art Exhibition Recap

The Paddington Arts Photo Walk Exhibition opened this past Wednesday, the 23rd of March, at Paddington Central. The exhibition featured a selection of photographs and collages that children from three local primary schools created in 2021 and 2022. Photographer Steve Shaw and artist Gail Astbury encouraged the children to shoot interesting and unique photographs with their cameras. 

Throughout the exhibition, the whimsical, carefree feeling of childhood stood out in the artwork. Pictures of the children doing silly faces, making funny poses, and just being themselves lined the walls of the exhibit. There were also photographs, taken by the children as well, of colorful objects and designs that made the exhibit very eye-catching. The photographs were integrated into a collage-style layout with each one complimenting the next and fitting cohesively together.

Apart from the children, there was another starstudded guest attending the exhibition. This guest was Hamza Taouzzale, The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster. Taouzzle gazed at and took in the artwork for a while, admiring the creativity of the young children. He also addressed the children, praising them for their drive and enthusiasm for the arts. Despite his busy schedule, he stayed after for the slew of questions that the children had for him and gladly answered whatever he could.

Being able to witness the joy that these children experienced when seeing their artwork displayed in the exhibit was a very fulfilling experience. Feeling like your art matters is so important, and only continues to make us realize how important the work we do at You Press is. It was a wonderful experience being able to attend this event and was an honor to be able to celebrate the next generation of artists.

By: Maddy Adler

A Review of The Unfriend

Growing up in New York, I was raised on some of the most iconic Broadway shows performed by some very incredible actors. I was privileged to be able to live by and experience the epicenter of the theater industry, and have always been fascinated with live theater as an art. A large part of why I chose to study abroad in London is because of the amazing West End theatre and what it has to offer. 

After taking a class on media in Britain and learning about the intricacies of British humor, I grew interested in comparing the American media I am used to and the British media that I am immersed in as a study abroad student. However, much of the British media I’ve seen has been in the form of movies or television shows. I figured that it would be interesting to see how this form of entertainment, rather than pre-recorded movies or TV, would compare.

When my parents came to visit me the other week, we decided to go see The Unfriend, a dark comedy written by highly-accredited Steven Moffat. The play focuses on Peter and Debbie, a British couple who are parents to Alex and Rosie. It begins on a cruise, with Peter and Debbie meeting Elsa, a flamboyant and hilarious American. Sporting her velour tracksuit and oversized sunglasses, Elsa’s personality and presence had the audience laughing from the moment she came on stage. 

What makes Elsa’s character even funnier, is that Peter and Debbie end up finding out she is a serial killer after having invited her to their family’s home. Upon a quick Google search, it was found that she was tied to a string of 6 murders, one murder having been her own husband. To their dismay, Elsa arrived days before she was supposed to. The couple was no longer able to send a quick email letting her know she would no longer be able to come. Instead, they were forced to confront her in person, making for a very uncomfortable yet humorous rest of the show.

The typical “British politeness” is something I’ve noticed a lot in British media. It very evidently comes into play during the performance as manners often get in the way of Peter and Debbie’s desires. This internal conflict between wanting to be polite in true British nature, versus the motivations they have for themselves as parents calls for a very cringe yet funny dynamic between the cast of characters. Much of the comedy within the performance was built from awkward situations, which I found very charming and unique as an American.

One thing I did notice was that the sets and costumes were very mundane. The majority of the play took place on the set of a typical family home. This normally would be slightly off-putting for me in media as I often admire elaborate costumes or set designs. The comedy and plot itself were also simplistic, but in reality, added much to the show. There was no trying too hard that made it cheesy. It felt real and more so an imitation of life, rather than a dramatization like I often find to be the case in American media. This is what I particularly loved about the play: unlike American media, British media leans more into simplicity and relies on good writing and acting to make it a successful piece of art rather than material grandeur. 

Overall, I had a great time watching The Unfriend and highly recommended it to anyone looking for a laugh. It has undoubtedly been one of my favorite shows I’ve seen in a while and has proven to be widely popular across the board.

By: Maddy Adler

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

When I started in the FIE study abroad program, they provided a list of events we could do. One that stood out to me was the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. I am a big fan of Harry Potter. I began watching the movies when I was a pre-teen. And a couple of years ago, I read all of the books. I read all seven in three weeks. As I said, I am a huge fan. In addition, one of the abroad courses I enrolled in was Harry Potter: Magic, Myth, and Meaning. Therefore, it was a no-brainer to do the studio tour. 

I 100% recommend doing the studio tour if you are a fan of Harry Potter. The tour cost approximately 51 pounds. It is kid-friendly, adult-friendly, and a great experience whether you are a huge fan or just interested in the series. When we arrived, we had approximately two hours before our ride would pick us up. The beginning of the tour was what I expected. We walked through rooms with pictures and items from the series on display. Then we all huddled together to watch a video detailing the tour. Next, they ushered us into a space that resembled a movie theatre. When the video ended, the screen rose to the ceiling, and the famous doors leading to the Great Hall from the series appeared. My jaw dropped. We walked through the great hall and got to experience what it would be like to be in one of the scenes with special effects.

We then walked through a big room with countless original and famous things from the movies. It was crazy to walk through the different sets where they filmed. Once we made our way through the Forbidden Forest, we arrived at one of my favorite parts of the tour. We walked through platform 9 ¾. We were able to walk through the Hogwarts Express. After the train, we realized the bus would arrive to pick us up in 20 minutes, and we were only halfway through the tour. But my friends and I agreed we weren’t leaving without seeing the rest. So, we decided to pay for our own transportation home. It was the best decision. We ended up staying for another hour. Halfway through, we stopped in the cafeteria to eat food and the famous Harry Potter butterbeer. The butterbeer was the best part of the tour. We then were able to walk through more famous sets from the movie. We walked through Harry’s house, Gringotts bank, and more. We got to see some of the special effects from the movie and take lots of pictures. It was worth the money I had to pay for an uber home. 

Overall this was a great experience. It was an interactive and worthwhile experience for fans of the series. My advice is to plan to be at the studio for at least three hours, prepare to become addicted to the butterbeer, and have plenty of storage on your phone for the photos. I rate the experience a 10/10.

By: Chloe Franklin

Cinema in London

At home, my family and I love going to the cinema. A few weeks ago, my parents traveled to London to visit. Coincidentally, the new Creed movie, Creed III, was released in theatres days before they arrived. Although we traveled a lot, we made time to go to the theatres while they were in London. We went to the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square. It was a great experience; however, it was very different from the United States.

There were three main differences between the cinematic experiences, one of which was the prices. The standard ticket price for the theatre in London was approximately 16 pounds. Once you factor in the exchange rate, the ticket would be around 19 US dollars. In the theaters in my hometown, our tickets range from 10-13 dollars. But even though the tickets here cost more, the concessions were cheaper. Two drinks, popcorn, and candy cost around 10 pounds which translates to 13 dollars. At home, it would cost 5-10 dollars more. 

The next difference was the theatre in general. When I saw the theater, my jaw dropped. The ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London had multiple floors with an escalator, concession stands on each floor, people waiting in front of the theatre rooms to look at tickets, and more. At home, it is the complete opposite. There is only one floor to the theatre, you scan your ticket on the way in, and there is only one concession station. In addition, the screen room in the London theatre left me speechless. It was at least two to three times the size of the theatres in the United States. I estimate at least 200-300 seats. However, in the United States, the seats at many theatres recline, which makes for a more relaxing experience. The ODEON Luxe Leicester Square did not have reclining seats. The theatre lacked in this area. 

The last main difference between the theatre in the States and the one in London was the food. As stated previously, the concessions in London theatres are cheaper. But I was surprised to learn they do not butter their popcorn in London. The choices were either sweet or salty popcorn. I chose salty because I expected the saltiness to help with the lack of butter. I was wrong. It tasted like bland popcorn. In addition, they didn’t sell candy that I was familiar with. There were no sour patch kids, M&M’s, Skittles, etc. The concessions were probably the most disappointing part of the entire experience. 

Even though the concessions and lack of reclining seats were a letdown, the overall experience was great. During the movie, it felt like I was at home, sitting on my couch watching a movie. The surround sound in the theater, the screen, and the comfortable seats enhanced the experience. Creed III was also a good movie. The audience was captivated the entire time. The audience was quiet until the movie ended, and everyone started clapping. I rate the experience an 8/10. All in all, I recommend the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square.

By: Chloe Franklin

You Think You Know Me

Attending Ayaan Mohamud’s book launch for “You Think You Know Me” was truly inspiring. Waterstones bookstore in Turnham Green, London hosted this lovely event. Guests were welcomed with a cupcake display with candied book copies as toppers, finger snacks, and soft beverages. We had some time to socialise, heard moving speeches and were able to have our books signed. There were lots of smiles and happy tears. My favourite aspect of the event was witnessing Ayaan’s genuine appreciation for her loved ones. You could also see how proud they were of her. 

You Think You Know Me is Ayaan’s debut novel. The purpose of this book was to shine a light on the truth of Islam beyond the mainstream media headlines. She wants to empower the voices who feel repressed by society and help young children realize that their differences should be celebrated, rather than a reason to hate. Ayaan approaches this feat by painting a lovely picture of Hanan and her friends in the schoolyard. The novel continues to follow Hanan Ali and her journey combating Islamophobia whilst fleeing Somalia’s civil war. It is truly riveting. 

Her publisher, from Usborne Publishing, gave a very moving speech during the reception. She read the prototype, “I physically could not put it down.” Usborne is a top children’s book publishing company and receives loads of books to review and decide whether or not to publish. Lindquist said that Usborne decided to publish You Think You Know Me because of Ayaan’s outstanding writing, as well as the compelling message the book represents. Fritha said when they asked themselves what messages they want future generations to be reading, Ayaan’s novel became a no-brainer. 

Ayaan started the writing process in July 2020. She claims the initial draft was hardly recognisable from the final. Although the path was not linear, the aspect of writing which gave Ayaan the most joy was watching Hanan’s character blossom into someone that people could relate to and somebody who Ayaan was incredibly proud of. In tackling an issue like Islamophobia, Ayaan reports “there were a lot of roadblocks …but what made it easier was knowing that I was writing a girl named Hanan to the page.” Ayaan wanted to create a character who didn’t fit the stereotype of the current media. She wanted to extend media representation to allow more people to experience a relatable figure to help young readers truly comprehend the power of their voices. 

Ayaan’s passion for writing is clear and genuine. I am thrilled to see where it takes her. I’d rate You Think You Know Me and the book launch event five stars all around. 

The Surprising Benefits of Meditation

The greatest thing about meditation is that it provides a tool for allowing you to become more you. But, what is meditation? The definition has a lot of gray areas. According to Dr. Andrew Huberman, most scientists agree meditation occurs when someone employs certain methods to develop mindfulness, though there is no precise definition of mindfulness. Most scientists agree it is about being present and conscious of your state of mind.  Its purpose is to create a healthy gap between you, your thoughts, and your emotions.

A common misperception about meditation is that it is about clearing your mind and having no thoughts at all. That is not true. If I told you to not think about something–like a hyena devouring a hot dog–you will inevitably do so. Instead, mediation is allowing thoughts to come to you, while refraining from analyzing, judging, or assigning meaning to them. A psychology course I took taught me that an emotion only lasts for around one and a half minutes. The thoughts we attach with the emotion prolong the time we experience it. We can learn more about our emotions through meditation, including how to simply acknowledge them and let them go.

This detachment has significant practical benefits. For example, people have reported increased productivity in the workspace and a decrease in general anxiety and even ADHD symptoms. Further, meditation can be a wonderful tool for combating addiction by raising awareness of your triggers, detaching from those urges, and ultimately enhancing your self-control through refocusing your attention on a different, healthy grounding stimulus. This process breeds discipline, which cultivates self-trust.

A big reason why meditation has astounding stress-reducing benefits is the wealth of advantages that extend to the physical plane. This one blew my mind: Harvard researchers conducted a study where they analyzed brains for an eight-week period, during which their subjects were meditating regularly. To measure progress, the researchers conducted frequent MRI brain scans. The results showed meditation actually slows the cells on a genetic level, therefore slowing our biological clocks. Further, meditation significantly reduces inflammation in the brain, which is critical for minimizing damage to other bodily systems. 

Finally, one of the most important aspects of meditation is that it connects you with your higher self. The idea of the “higher self” refers to an everlasting, omnipotent, conscious, and intelligent being that is one’s true self. By getting in touch with your higher self, you can access better awareness for your gut feelings, detach from your anxieties, and develop on a pathway aligned with your highest good, or your self-actualized self. There are also techniques that allow you to rewire your subconscious to get rid of your limiting beliefs, such as repeating positive affirmations. Together, these benefits allow you to shine brightly and align yourself with the path that is intended for your highest good. 

If you are interested in meditating, it is simple to implement into daily life. I normally spend ten minutes a day using a YouTube guided meditation. Even five minutes would be a great place to start for most people. Morning is the preferred time to meditate because your mind is clear and peaceful at that time. You can set your intentions for the day and start your day with gratitude. Meditating later in the day is also beneficial, particularly before a stressful situation. The most important thing is to find an approach that works best for you.

The Power of Power Posing

In high school, I first learned about power posing from a TED talk by Amy Cuddy. She describes how implementing this simple, couple-minute-long exercise can transform the ways you think about yourself and how others perceive you. According to Cambridge Dictionary, power-posing is a confidence-improving way of standing, intended to make you look and feel more confident. The idea is to make your body as big as possible because your brain associates this with confidence. The best part: it only takes two minutes, and you can perform it in front of others while appearing entirely natural, composed and confident.

 I ran cross country in High School. I was part of a nail-biting rivalry. Before each race, I would stand at the start line, staring down the first one hundred meters of the course with my hands on my hips and thinking confident affirmations. Power posing transformed my anxiety into the energy I utilized for the task at hand. I would enter each race with a profound sense of confidence which led me to win State Championships and compete at the national level. 

The National Library of Medicine states the power of the mind-body connection has been repeatedly demonstrated. The underlying tenet states your physiology influences your psychology. This is because various brain regions are activated during particular physical activities. Your brain interprets physical expansion as confidence. The trick: your brain cannot tell the difference between the confidence you are experiencing and the confidence you are practising. Both have the same physical results. Your testosterone levels rise and your cortisone levels fall significantly simply by expanding your body. Bonus points are awarded to those who smile as well, because your brain releases additional happy hormones.

The best time to practice power-posing is before any function or task that requires your utmost confidence. I always power pose before races, exams, or other novel, rigorous events. But really, it can be used whenever you feel you need a little confidence boost. You should hold your preferred stance for about one to two minutes, and think positive, empowering thoughts while doing so, my personal favourites being “I’ve got this, this is easy” and “I can achieve anything I want.” Before you enter your next rigorous event, give power-posing a go. Enter the arena feeling ready to show them who you are. 

Living Gluten-Free in London

About ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy. After being diagnosed, my life dramatically changed. Thankfully, I didn’t have Coeliac Disease. “Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your tissues when you eat gluten. This damages your gut (small intestine) so you are unable to take in nutrients,” (Coeliac UK). I have a gluten allergy, which is very different than Coeliac Disease. “Wheat allergies, like hay fever and other allergies, develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment – in this case, wheat – that typically causes no problem in most people,” (Wheat & Gluten allergy: Symptoms & treatment). 

As a result of my gluten allergy, my shopping habits had to change. Grocery shopping and eating out were difficult in the beginning. There were limited options. I didn’t know what I was looking for or where to look. Finding good gluten-free options in grocery stores and restaurants can be challenging in the United States. But, being in London, the possibilities seem more advanced. Overall, London is very inclusive when it comes to dietary restrictions. Certain coffee shops will not charge extra for alternative milk because of allergies or preferences. A restaurant near my apartment, Honest Burger, doesn’t charge extra for gluten-free buns. Plus, their onion rings are naturally gluten-free. Where I live in the United States, this would be rare to non-existent. Even the grocery stores are better here. The gluten-free bread looks and tastes normal. Overall, there are more options. Plus, it is way more cost-efficient. Overall I have found it easier to be gluten-free in London than in the United States.

Ever since landing in London, I noticed the city tried to be inclusive of dietary needs. Even the tube station has advertisements encouraging people to become vegan. London started a Gluten Free Accreditation Scheme 10 years ago in 2012. The goal was to create an easier and more accessible eating environment for gluten-free people. They do staff training and use a GF trademark that is unique to others. “When you see our unique GF trademark, you know a venue is committed to gluten-free food safety. Being part of the scheme and using the trademark means the venue and its staff have been through strict audits and extensive training to ensure they meet our gluten-free standard so you can relax and eat out in confidence,” (Coeliac UK). There are no gluten-free schemes like this anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Today, there are approximately 3,000 accredited establishments in the country. Some hospitals and schools have accreditation through the scheme.

Overall, London is committed to providing safe spaces for gluten-free people. The gluten-free options are better than my home state of South Carolina and other states in the US. This level of commitment helps people allergic to gluten feel more comfortable and included when shopping and eating out and has made my time here in London more enjoyable. 

Works Cited

Coeliac UK. (n.d.). Celebrating 10 years of commitment to gluten free food safety! Coeliac UK. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/living-gluten-free/the-gluten-free-diet/eating-out/

NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/Wheat & Gluten allergy: Symptoms & treatment. ACAAI Public Website. (2022, April 13). Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/wheat-gluten/.

By: Chloe Franklin