Entry #6: Unhealthy Eating Habit

 Lately, I’ve been struggling with forgetting to eat, which, I know, sounds almost blasphemous—food is amazing, and I can’t blame anyone for thinking I’ve lost my mind! The main culprit, I believe, is that my partner is now across the world, and we used to indulge in some of the most delicious, meaty tacos together, paired with a tangy lemon and a large glass of icy, bubbly Coke. It wasn’t just a once-in-a-while treat—it was a frequent ritual that I enjoyed like a true food enthusiast. My appetite was like that of a small, famished Victorian child, but now, I’ve turned into someone who forgets to eat entirely.

The reason behind this forgetfulness is simple: I’ve been incredibly busy. The days fly by in a whirlwind, and I end up forgetting that food is the fuel my body needs to function properly. It’s like I’ve become so absorbed in everything else that I forget the basic truth—without food, I’ll literally wither away. It’s been tough to figure out how to remind myself to eat, as it feels easier to ignore my growling stomach than it does to acknowledge an alarm. But I finally came across an article titled “ 22 Mar Signs You Are Undereating + How To Fix,” which revealed some pretty eye-opening things about the consequences of not eating enough.

A few points really stood out to me: fatigue—since food equals fuel, without it, my body can’t run properly, and I’ve found myself feeling sluggish and exhausted, even when I haven’t done anything particularly draining; anxiety—because without glucose, my body is essentially running on empty, causing cortisol (the stress hormone) to rise, which then triggers anxiety and makes everything feel more overwhelming; and brain fog/sleep disturbances—since my blood sugar is erratic, my brain is constantly trying to adjust, leading to difficulty concentrating and even waking up at odd hours during the night, making it hard to get a restful night’s sleep.

So, what’s the solution to all of this? One simple fix is tracking my intake to ensure hitting all the essential food groups, like protein, healthy fats, and carbs. This will help with staying on top of my nutrition and make sure there is no chance on missing out on any important nutrients. Another approach to try is setting regular timers on a phone as reminders to stop whatever happening or doing and take a proper break to eat. By making food a priority again and treating it like a scheduled event. Food is essential and even though under eating isn’t well spoken on, that doesn’t mean to not try to look for articles on what to do.

Entry #5: Educational Divide

As a college student, I can’t help but be a little biased about the importance of education. So, when I read both Governor Doug Ducey’s article, “Ducey: Why Arizona needs more college grads”, and the “Earnings potential goes up a lot for Arizonans with college degrees. Here’s how much” article, I couldn’t help but have an opinion.

Ducey’s article features his Achieve60AZ initiative, which is a step in the right direction, aiming to increase the percentage of adults in Arizona with a college degree or career training to 60% by the year 2030. This long-term goal focuses on collaboration with educators, parents, and leaders to work toward improving education in the state. It makes logical sense that having a more educated population in Arizona could drive economic growth—more businesses, new ideas, and most importantly, progress. However, I can’t help but wonder how accessible this would truly be for all students, especially those from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds.

The second article shines a spotlight on the hard reality that higher education directly impacts earnings. It shows that Arizonans with bachelor’s degrees earn 67% more than high school graduates. The numbers are drastic and suggest that higher education equals financial success. As someone navigating how much I have to pay just for school—not including books or supplies—I constantly feel torn between the promise of future financial gain and the pressure of affording education now. It feels like a privilege, not a right. While the future may seem brighter with a degree, the cost of climbing that ladder can be steep. This growing economic divide between those who have financial support and those who don’t is something we don’t talk about enough.

In my opinion, while Ducey’s goal of improving education is admirable, we can’t have tunnel vision. We really need to examine how many students can’t even access higher education in the first place. Many students take out loans, and some continue paying them off for YEARS—it’s terrifying. We need to ask ourselves: Should education only be for those who can afford it, or should it be a universal opportunity? I believe if Arizona wants to see long-term benefits from a more educated population, we have to create opportunities for EVERYONE. We can’t ignore the real human impact of the educational divide. Families and individuals work hard just to give themselves or their children a shot at a successful future.

Logically, the data shows that higher education increases earning potential, which absolutely benefits the economy. However, if the goal is to push for more education, it must be attainable for all students—not just those who already have the financial means. Make education more affordable, and make it easily accessible.

Entry#4: Death

    Death is an experience that everyone eventually faces, yet it remains one of the most taboo subjects. The fear of the unknown often accompanies death, leading to discomfort and anxiety. So, how can one come to terms with the idea of death and feel at ease with the inevitability of losing loved ones? 

    Recently, my cat passed away, and I was overcome with grief. I have two other cats, and this loss made me anxious about their lives and how I will handle their eventual passing. I began to reflect on how I could ease my anxiety and become more comfortable with the idea that it’s okay for both animals and people to die. In my search for answers, I came across an article titled How to get more comfortable with death  by Racheal Menzies, a clinical psychologist, which I found particularly helpful. 

                Here are some key points from the article:

                            • You’re not alone.

                            • Understand why you feel this way:

                            • What is bad about death?

                            • What types of death are you worried about?

                            • If you (or someone you love) were to die, what would be bad about it?

                            • Don’t feed into the anxiety; try not to surround yourself with negative thoughts about death.

     Menzies emphasizes that it’s okay to feel fear and discomfort around death, and acknowledging these feelings can help reduce anxiety. Recognizing that death is a natural part of life can make it easier to cope with both our own mortality and the passing of others. 

    Being able to accept death as a part of life can be very hard, but understanding the underlying reason for our fear and addressing them can help manage anxiety. It is important to recognize that we are not alone in our feelings, and it is ok to be fearful. With time, reflection and understanding of one’s self can help navigate the discomfort/anxiety that comes with death and find peace in the face of loss.

Entry#3: The Art of Not Telling

I can truly say that I have consumed media—whether it be social media or articles—and there have been times when I’ve encountered something called slanted reporting. Slanted reporting happens when the news reports a story but adds or removes important information in subtle ways that introduce bias, without clearly stating an opinion. This is done to sway the reader’s or viewer’s perspective, nudging them to align with the article’s implied viewpoint, even if it isn’t directly stated. You may not notice it at first, but it’s there, influencing the way you think, feel, or perceive things.

A good example of this can be found in the coverage of the Israel and Hamas conflict by the BBC. In the New York Post article, “BBC accused of breaching its editorial guidelines 1,553 times in Israel-Hamas coverage” it was pointed out that the coverage seemed to place more blame on Israel than on Hamas, using very unfavorable terms like “genocide.” At the same time, the BBC didn’t use harsh language toward Hamas or refer to them as terrorists, despite the fact that government officials do. This is a clear example of slanted reporting—it’s not necessarily “fake news,” but it’s news that leaves out critical details or uses specific language to push you toward supporting one side over the other.

As people, we need to recognize this kind of reporting. So, how do we come to terms with it? I’d suggest asking three important questions: 1.) Who is providing this information? 2.) What is the evidence trying to persuade you to believe? and 3.) Is it trying to tell you how to think? To spot slanted reporting, we must ask ourselves these questions and form our own opinions. That’s why it’s essential to QUESTION EVERYTHING YOU READ! Look up multiple sources, try to see the full picture, and always remain aware and educated. Awareness helps keep us informed and prevents us from being misled.

Entry #2: Rituals and Routines

We, as humans, often stick to familiarity. But why is that? People tend to fall into familiar patterns because of the comfort they provide. I recently read an article titled Familiarity Breeds Enjoyment, which discusses how doing things in a familiar environment creates a sense of "knowing what to expect." We, or more likely most of us, are not always eager to face the unknown. For example, at a party, you're likely to stay near your friends because it feels comfortable and familiar.

The article also touches on trying new foods, drinks, and music. For me, my pattern has always been food. Since kindergarten, I've always loved Mac and Cheese. Every time I see it on a menu, I can't resist ordering it. I also tend to ask for a Shirley Temple when I'm out, even though I know it's something I've ordered countless times. I realize now that I do this because I'm playing it safe. I fear that I might dislike something unfamiliar, or I might find the name of a new dish off-putting.

Fear often holds us back from trying new things, and I think many people feel the same way. The root cause is highly likely the unknown outcome, or the fear of feeling like we either will mess up, say the wrong thing, fail, maybe all of them. So, how does one step outside of their familiar circles?

Ok ok what I’m trying to say is that, even though we often hunker within our comfort zones, it's worth trying something new. Go try that weird menu item you can't pronounce or talk to that person at a party. People hold themselves back due to discomfort and fear, but stepping out of that familiar space can lead to unexpected surprises and personal growth.

Entry #1: Porter’s Corner

  Hello, and welcome to my corner of the internet! My name is Porter. I’m a 20-year-old college student, and I’m so excited to have you here reading my writing. This blog will explore a multitude of ideas, thoughts, and opinions—my hope is to inspire you to try new things or to expand your perspective on concepts you may not have considered before!

  A little about me: I’m someone who loves trying new things, even if it hasn’t always come naturally. I used to be pretty hesitant about walking outside my comfort zone, especially when something seemed boring or too difficult. But over time, I’ve learned to push myself to become a better, healthier person. Whether it’s running a 5K, cooking savory meals (pasta!), or journaling my thoughts, I’m always working toward personal growth.

  Currently, my absolute favorite hobby is running. It started as a simple motivator: “If I can run a mile, I can do anything!” Running has boosted my confidence in ways I never expected. Plus, the benefits of running are incredible! 10 Health Benefits of Running highlights them all in a simple understandable way. Two benefits, in particular, stand out to me:

                  •               Improved Sleep (Benefit #2): I’ve struggled with sleep for years, but since I started running five months ago, my quality of sleep has significantly improved.

                  •               Better Mood and Energy Levels (Benefit #7): Running has made me feel less anxious and more confident. I wake up with more energy and feel ready to take on the day. 

  What I love most about running is that it’s entirely up to you—you set the pace, distance, and goals. Whether you’re going slow or fast, it’s all about pushing yourself to achieve what feels right for you. For me, it’s been a HUGE game-changer in building self-confidence and improving my overall mindset.

  What I am trying to say is, you should try something you wouldn’t even consider! I laughed at the idea that running would help me and now, I wish I did it sooner. So, I dare you to try something “laughable” because who knows, you might just enjoy it.

Entry #0: The Blogging Buisness

  What are blogs and what purpose do they serve in our lives? Blogs can be as simple as a news article or a guide on how to wear a dress. These are both known as professional and personal blogs.

  My opinion about blogs is that they are very important for human expression! I think that being able to write about your own experiences, current events, and how to do things is absolutely wonderful for us as people to learn.

  Now, what is an example of a professional blog? Well, an article titled DJ UNK CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED  can show us what a professional blog is. It informs the reader about what happened to DJ Unk and keeps it straight and to the point. It doesn’t delve into anything other than his death and what happened. It is aimed at a more direct audience, like someone who likes DJ Unk, is into the music industry, or just wants to know what’s going on. I am not very into this blog because of that; it’s not aimed at me, hence I’m not interested in it! I don’t like the formatting or how simple it is.

  Next, we have a more personal blog called Packing A Punch: Statement Prints For Spring. It’s a blog all about what to wear for spring and what patterns to choose. It’s a personal blog because it is telling the reader what to wear and how to stay stylish in the springtime. It has many photos as examples and is more laid-back. It’s calm and casual! I really liked this one because it’s so cute; I like the way the clothes look and the aesthetics of the website.

  To sum up, blogs serve as an important source to spread human creativity. They provide spaces where people can connect, share knowledge, and opinions with a diverse audience. Whether it is a professional blog that delivers informative, understandable, and factual information like the DJ Unk article, or a personal blog like the one on what to wear for spring, offering creative expression and inspiration. While they are both widely different from each other, they cater to informing us and sharing their own perspectives.