Crazed and Confused

Our generation’s preoccupation with “being crazy” and the stigma around seeking help that goes along with it are two things our society could do without.

This mad preoccupation is not defined by our oddities, but rather our obsession with them.  Until recently, I never put much thought into just how common the fear of being truly diagnosed or seen as “crazy” really is.  Crazy is of course defined as anything less than  the standard for “normal” that has been set by others.

Jon Ronson’s The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry, highlights the ordinary fear of insanity one might have, and the not so ordinary members of society.  The truth is society devours dysfunction and failure because it can laugh or gasp at it.  No one wants to read or watch anything that is completely commonplace (whether they are watching reality show stars or reading about political leaders). The access to so many more stories about disorders, as well as stories of those mentally unstable that manage to splash across the news gives people all kinds of new things to fear.

Ronson emphasizes the media is constantly exploiting the madness in our society, it therefore controls conformity as well.  By showing us what we should not be, it is consequently telling us what we should be. What is most insane of all in today’s society is that recent generations are so caught up in fitting in that the fear of being anything but normal is making them feel insane.

Society so often negatively defines individuals by their flaws. It should be no surprise therefore that now one must hide anything that could be viewed as a flaw, turning normal experiences, human emotions, into something unhealthy.  A 2007 survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on non-institutionalized civilians in US population across 35 states, showed that 40% of persons in those states were experiencing serious psychological distress, and of those 53.4% were not receiving any treatment.  Whether the need to conform is creating or exacerbating issues in mental health is unclear. 

Anyone who has every taken an introductory psychology course has most likely heard a warning: not to self-diagnose or diagnose others. It is easy to draw connections from classroom knowledge to their own personality characteristic and of those around them.  It would be nearly impossible to not have at least some of the qualities from the extensive Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), but just one overwhelming case of anxiety during finals week does not make an   anxiety disorder.  These self-diagnostics are exactly what cause the distress, more so than any actual condition. 

Darling everything's on fire

Sometimes I just need to hear someone say "Just close your eyes, you'll be alright."

P.S. So excited for The Hunger Games.

Give 'em a hand

Current Obession: Nails. Top two are images from nylon, and the bottom ones are my own cotton candy themed nails.  Needless to say I spend more time picking out glitter than reading the lab reports I need to.

-M

Lunch & Love

One of the best parts about being home for the holidays is not having to fight over a poorly stocked dorm kitchen.  Cooking is a passion, a complete sensory experience.  Unfortunately, I am largely deprived of it while at school making my vegetarian diet boring. Needless to say, my winter break has been filled with many new dishes. My new year included something entirely unexpected however- a newly single me. That means focusing on all the things (like cooking) that make me happy if I want to get through a less than ideal situation.  Cheers to a new year and new recipes <3

My cookbook recommendation: The Healthy College Cookbook, expanded edition with Rachel Holcomb. 

Movie/Book for my mood: Como Agua Para Chocolate

A New Year

 A favorite inspiration of mine is Tom Ford on his New Years resolution, he said "I don't have one. I believe in living life the way that you want to live it every day, and if you do that you don't really need to have a New Year's resolutions."  Therefore, it is best not to expect some long laundry list of promises from me, instead I have daily goals.  I believe in constantly improving.  The unrealistic idea of a butterfly rebirth appeals to me as much as the next girl, however years of never being quite thin enough have taught me that it is hard work being the version of myself that I am happiest with.  Progress happens over night, every time a change is made.  Results take time,  do not be discouraged in whatever your goals are.  That said, I always appreciate a good party.  Have some champagne, share a midnight kiss, and never miss the magic of today by focusing on the promises of tomorrow. 

Run away with me?

All images property of Ana Cabaleiro.  Finals week... Sometimes I just need to escape.  Highly recommend her website.  (On homepage: Make sure to click on the post to see the rest of the images!) 

Inspired: Dianna Argon

I tend to hate things that generate a certain level of obsession  like Team Edward/Team Jacob and the entire werewolf vampire phenomenon.  Do I like Twilight? Duh, guilty pleasure.  Do I hate people who automatically fawn over anything involving a werewolf? Yes.  They ruin it for everyone else.  I felt the same way towards Glee for a long time, but its impossible to ignore for very long. The cast alone is pretty stunning.  The images above are from a Nylon interview with Dianna Agron.  The Princess Dianna angle is endearing, which can be seen from the images (they speak for themselves).  The thing is Dianna is stunning.  Yes, she pulls off retro clothes, but its more than that.  Check out her tumblr to see what I mean.  I'll be floored if you do not pick up on elements of whimsy, kindness or playfulness that all come off entirely heartfelt. <3 This post is not just about a recent inspiration, but me sharing someone with you who I feel is truly inspired.  Click on this post for more!