Lifestyle – The Orbital

The Art of Growing Up: How to Progress Mentally in a Society that Stunts Our Growth

16Nov

By Lia DoyleNo Comments

Lifestyle

The Art of Growing Up: How to Progress Mentally in a Society that Stunts Our Growth

By Lia Doyle In the last four years, the world has been turned on its head. The unpredictable nature of the future and the notion of growing up have become gloomy subjects to talk about amongst younger generations. What must our generation do in order to feel like we are not falling behind? What must we do to not be mentally affected by the world around us? There is a subtle art to growing up, to growing older and wiser, that people seem to keep a secret. We can endlessly ask our grandparents for their advice on what to do in this all-consuming world, but any piece of wisdom can seem overwhelming. A look back on my childhood and teenage life reflects to me that there is a certain “je ne sais quoi” to growing up. Here is my advice about how to grow up and to feel okay about it....

A Reflection of Love in the Purest Forms

16Nov

By Beth McCowenNo Comments

Lifestyle

A Reflection of Love in the Purest Forms

By Tia Martello As the year draws to a close in these final months, I find myself contemplating the relationships that have left a profound impact on me and how they resonate universally. These connections, be they romantic, platonic, or familial, have shaped my academic pursuits, life choices, and overall worldview. In this article, I aim to delve into my personal experiences of love in its purest manifestations, with the hope that these narratives may strike a chord within you. In a world that often races forward, perhaps we could all benefit from taking a moment to reflect on how our relationships mould our day-to-day existence. Captivating Romance: Ah, romantic love - a sensation I trust we've all encountered in the course of this tumultuous year. Yet, I'm not just alluding to ...

16Nov

By Katherina HoiNo Comments

Lifestyle

Teen Body: [Your Ad Here]

By Katherina Hoi When I was 16, I had 80,000 followers on Instagram. When I was 16, I learned that my body was a commodity, an ad space, a place to project a hashtag and a brand name. Without an agency or clear direction of how to manage the online sphere, I was on my own, tens of thousands eyes watching my teenage self morph and change and twist to please. In a Pavlovian sense, I connected my neutral stance with the social platform to the positive stimulus that was free clothes, makeup, and attention. It all hinged on the maintenance of my online persona. I could pretend that my cyber self was an accurate reflection of who I was, not just a representation of everything I was not. I could pretend as if my cyber self was a true reflection, not a representation of everythi...

How do you answer a question without questioning your answer?

16Nov

By Anna DiedrichsenNo Comments

Creative Writing, Lifestyle, Literature

How do you answer a question without questioning your answer?

By Anna Diedrichsen How do you write a love poem without confessing too much? Do you only write down half of what you think? Do you write like instead of love hoping they’ll understand either way? Do you dial down on the pink and instead use a dark grey? How do you speak without sharing too much? Do you ask questions, trying not to care? Do you let your sight wander, avoiding their eyes? Do you wait until someone asks you to share and then only tell them quiet white lies? How do you live without wanting to move on up? Do you stare out the same window every day waiting for the view to change? Do you long for salt but wish your...

Some Things Never Change: Body Positivity or Toxicity?

10Oct

By Beth McCowenNo Comments

Lifestyle, Opinion

Some Things Never Change: Body Positivity or Toxicity?

By Beth McCowen As the weather gets hotter, and the events that have been in our diaries for months are finally rolling around, it’s time to switch up our wardrobes to include some summer attire after months and months of cosy jumpers and trendy scarves. As joyful as the sunshine, floral dresses, and holidays can feel, this transition in season, and therefore style, is easier for some than it is for others. Throughout the autumn, winter and even spring months, we often grow used to hiding away our bodies, our insecurities, under clothes in which we feel comfortable, usually on the basis that they show less of our skin than the alternatives that are more practical for the summer. For those who have struggled with eating disorders, other health problems, or difficult relatio...

Seasonal depression – starting fresh in times of great change

9Jan

By Emilie WilliamsNo Comments

Lifestyle

Seasonal depression – starting fresh in times of great change

As the trees start to thin and the days get shorter, the changing of seasons initiates a shift within me that is expected with this time of year. As someone who suffers with seasonal depression, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this time of year has come to symbolise a negative change instead of a fresh start. My optimism hibernates and low moods kick in with the lack of sunshine. This change is in some ways universal, as many people may notice a shift in motivation and perspective once the autumn and winter months arrive. Seasonal depression, however, is much more than just being bummed out by colder days. Indicated by the name, the disorder is classed as a form of depression caused by the changing of seasons that lasts a long time and affects daily life. My...

21Nov

By Charlotte TownNo Comments

Lifestyle

Romanticising University Life

Romanticising simple tasks, such as a trip to the shops, walking to a lecture, or going into Egham for a coffee is something we are all guilty of. There is a feeling of comfort which arises by putting on a big coat and your favourite playlist and idly making your way around campus. The extravagant Founders building and the warm colours of Autumn which currently adorn Royal Holloway are the perfect complement to romanticising your university life. Romanticising your life can play a crucial part in cheering yourself up on gloomy days of Autumn and Winter. As busy students, we should allow ourselves to occasionally follow the beckoning lights of a local cafe or the friendly call of a day exploring charity shops (it is self-care really). Even revision can be made enjoyable when it is...

Ginger Ale, Germans, and ‘Good Girls’: An Advocacy Against Speed Dating

17Nov

By Olivia TaylorNo Comments

Lifestyle

Ginger Ale, Germans, and ‘Good Girls’: An Advocacy Against Speed Dating

All names mentioned in this article could be real or I may have made them up, I honestly just can’t remember who said yes or no to name dropping… Congratulations to me! I have reached my 20s, a decade dedicated to making decisions that will go on to shape the rest of my life, whether that surrounds my career, social life or even - dare I say it - love life. In hindsight, would it be better to scrap the congratulations? I must preface this article by saying it definitely is not about love, because if it was, I would be both deeply embarrassed and entirely let down, however, it is about my first time experiencing speed dating. Reasons for doing this include 1. I am an excellent wingwoman, 2. This article, 3. It sounded hilarious. Notice how none of my reasons include finding the love of ...

21Jun

By Jessica WattsNo Comments

Lifestyle

Because you’re worth it.

You’ve probably heard the saying, before you can love someone else, you need to learn to love yourself… Well, the same is true of connections. Before you can create meaningful and lasting connections with anyone else, you must first connect with yourself. In today’s frantic world, we may forget to take the time to check in with ourselves, and we end up neglecting the most important relationship we have. Self-connection is the process of being in touch with the worthiness and wholeness of yourself. This may sound like a scary prospect, especially if you purposefully avoid being alone with your thoughts. However, forming deeper connections with yourself can boost your mood, help you understand yourself, and can even have a positive effect on other relationships in your life. If you ...

Autistic Connections: how does technology help autistic people live their best lives?

21Jun

By Beth McCleanNo Comments

Lifestyle

Autistic Connections: how does technology help autistic people live their best lives?

If I were to ask you how many times you use technology in a day, the number would be higher than you think. The likelihood you’re reading this on a screen, or have seen a link to it on Orbital’s Instagram Stories (@orbitalmagazine, by the way), is incredibly high. In fact, from the moment you wake up, until you fall asleep, technology is everywhere. How else would we wake up on time, preserve food, or read the news as soon as it happens? Technology enables us to live a faster, easier life than previous generations. The same sentiment is true for autistic people, some of whom use technology in ways that neurotypical people do not. FYI, ‘neurotypical’ just means anyone who does not have developmental conditions such as autism or ADHD. It’s important to define autism, as it’s a c...