I went to a float tank with my mom and she would always tell me how relaxing it was and how much of a destresser it was to float. I have been looking for something that I can do to help with my amount of stress and anxiety. And because college applications are done I decided to relax. I figured that floating would be a good experience and could maybe be something that could help me with shutting off my mind for about 30 minutes so I could chill. 

Once I got the float place I undressed and took a shower to get all of the natural oils off of my body so it didn’t affect my float experience. There was one rule which was to turn off all electronics. I like this idea because I think a lot of our stress as humans comes from phones and also stops us from mentally relaxing. I got into the float tank, I decided to keep the light and music on because I’m scared of being alone and I also hate silence because that is when I think too much and think bad things which are not good nor healthy for me. 

I was very skeptical at first about being able to float and I also had a hard time trusting the water. I think that learning to trust the water is a normal thing for someone’s first float but I think it was worst for me because I have trust issues because of some personal things that have happened to me in my life. Once I was able to relax and trust the water, I was able to just float and shut off my mind. 

I meditated for about 10-15 minutes, and it felt amazing. I was able to have my mind shut off and be in the moment. I didn’t find my mind drift and I didn’t think about things that I had to get done or any worries that I had. It felt like an out of body experience, like I wasn’t even there which was a crazy but cool feeling. I think it was a good change from always being worried about stuff I have to get done or overthinking everything. 

After those amazing 10-15 minutes my ADHD kicked in and I couldn’t stay still and I also got really bored. I kept trying to be still and relax but I just couldn’t. At this point when I was bored but kept trying to meditate again, I floated up to the light and my hair covered the light. So when I opened my eyes because of how restless I was and it was pitch black I almost screamed, then I sat up and laughed at myself. 

All I could think about was how I was done with this and I just wanted to get out. I kept asking myself “when will the music change so I can get out”. I started moving around in the water a lot and I was pushing myself from wall to wall while I was floating. Basically, I started swimming in 10 inches of water and playing with the light to see how dark I could get the room. 

Along with me swimming in the water, my skin started to feel very dry and itchy because of all the salt in the tank. My scalp also started to burn and itch also because of the dryness of my skin due to the salt. At this point, I was very ready to get out of the tank but I wanted to suck it up and stay in to get the full experience and to finish my float time. 

The music finally changed and it was time to get out my first thought was “Thank god” but then I thought “I’m so dumb why did I let myself swim in 10 inches of water”. I got out of the float tank and right into the shower. I had a HUGE knot in my hair and it looked like a rats nest. I washed my hair and body really good because I wanted to make sure all the salt was gone. After washing my hair the knot got worse and a good 10 minutes of my shower was me getting rid of the knot with at least a pound of conditioner. Then when I was done in the shower I got dried off and put my clothes back on. 

I personally don’t think I would ever do a float tank again because of how badly my skin felt and how bored I got. I think maybe I would do it again if there was a float time for 30 minutes because the might work better if I only really meditated and relaxed for 10-15 minutes. The one thing I will remember the most is the fact that I actually and stupidly started swimming in 10 inches of water because I feel like that is something only I would do. 

I will never forget how amazing it felt for me to relax and meditate which I really enjoyed. The one thing I did learn is that I think for me to have a break from my mind, maybe I don’t have to sit and meditate, instead, I can do something more physical so I don’t get bored but also get a break from my mind too. I need to find a happy medium, and for 11 years riding horses had been my break for me. I have been looking for new things to try. But nothing will beat the feeling riding gives me.

I just got accepted into my first college and it’s making this whole college thing so much more realistic. I’m so excited but absolutely terrified to leave my family. My mom, brother and I are so close and we have such an unbreakable bond. I know things won’t change between us but I don’t want to not be around them. But I know I have to leave them to figure out who I am deep down.

It sucks to say but I need to be independent because after college that is what my life will be, full of independence. That means in the real world, I will have to kill bugs and actually make my bed. I can’t even describe how much I will miss my family but I know when I come home and surprise my family they will be so excited to see me.

I’m really nervous about making more friends in college because I’m not the best at picking them. The amount of people who have screwed me over and the number of toxic relationships I have is really sad. I am excited and nervous to meet new people because then maybe I will socialize with more mature people who don’t annoy me. I am terrified that I’ll be all alone though because I get a lot of anxiety around people I don’t know. I just feel like they are all staring at me and judging me. 

I want to go to a college that has an equestrian team because I know that riding will keep me sane. I have been riding since I was 5 and I don’t remember a time when my life wasn’t surrounded by horses and competing. It’s my therapy, I can lose myself in the sport and just ride. It has always helped me cope and I know it will help with my transition into college. It might get a little stressful but I know in the end it will be beneficiary. 

I know I should be more worried about what colleges I get accepted into, but how will I know which one to pick? My mom has always told me that it is a vibe you get when you walk on campus. My dad is more about the financial aspect of college but he’s a financial planner so there is no surprise there. 

I almost feel like my dad doesn’t want me to leave. As much as we struggle in our relationship, I don’t think he wants me to go. Maybe because he is thinking “oh wow she’s growing up” or it’s because some wounds have not healed yet and he knows it. Maybe college will be good for us. We will be separated and it will make our relationship a good one. I want him in my future and that can only happen if our relationship heals. 

First semester has gone by so fast, and I know second semester will go by even faster. I have a nervous excitement in the pit of my stomach, but in the end, I know everyone will be okay. My mom and my brother will be supportive, I will have riding, and I can get lost in my school work and love for marketing. I know it might feel weird making friends but I think it will be easier than I’m making it sound. I’m excited for college and the rest of my life to start because this is where the fun begins. 

Graffiti is a form of art, not vandalism. Graffiti takes the same amount of creativity and speaks to people just as much as any other art form. Graffiti has encouraged social changes and pointed out issues in our world that need to be solved. Many artists are shamed for making Graffiti when it is very important to our world. 

Graffiti adds something new to every city. The kind of street art that is within a city defines the vibe of the community. People will always remember street art because of the effect it had on them. Just like any other art form, people feel what the artist is feeling or they interpret the art differently that speaks to them. Either way, Graffiti has a big impact on the people who come across it. 

Life always throws surprises and sometimes the best things in life can be a surprise. You never know when you turn a corner in a city if there will be a giant wall of street art. Graffiti can offer closure and answers to someone going through internal struggles of their own. It doesn’t matter whether Graffiti is on a canvas or a wall, it still has a great impact on the viewer. 

This type of art can also point out issues in our world which pushes change in our society. Banksy is a famous Graffiti artist that is known for creating dark humor pieces with some about issues in our world. Below is a piece of a child holding a gun ready for war, but the amolition for the gun is crayons. The child is standing around many colorful flowers but the child does not seem happy.

Banksy Art

Because of this piece of artwork, people have been protesting and pushing for social change. Children should not be serving in the military, they should be being children, running, playing, coloring, and going to school. Many people didn’t know that in other countries children are serving in militaries. This piece of art has opened the eyes of thousands and has sparked change in our world. 

Another artist named Bikismo created this piece of artwork below. It can be interpreted in many different ways depending on a person’s background and what they have been through during their lifetime. Street art speaks to everyone in many different ways. Because of this, the piece of artwork below has had a great impact on people all around the world. 

“Handshake”

Because of the impact Graffiti has had around the world, it should not be considered vandalism. Graffiti is raw, creating an uncensored message for the viewer. Vandalism is destruction, not artwork exposing social changes that need to happen. Abby Steinour from The Temple News says, “The world is a canvas, and strokes and sprays of paint make any city more stimulating and colorful”. The world is our place to express ourselves as humans and we have a right to do that. The world would be extremely boring if no one expressed who they were. 

If everyone was the same and never showed their true colors figuratively and literally, we would all be the same. If it weren’t for art and expression there would be nothing that makes us unique. The things we have today might not be here. We would not have the evolution of music, TV, agriculture, and fashion if the idea of people being themselves never existed. 

This is still a problem in our society today. People are scared to show who they really are. What people need to do more often is be themselves. Act as if you are a Graffiti artist showing off your life as art. Your life is not vandalism. Being yourself is the most important, so be who you want to be and don’t be ashamed, because there is not one Street artist that is ashamed of their artwork. 

Vandalism is destruction. In no way is Graffiti destroying a wall or hurting anyone. It is simply bringing new light to an issue and letting people be themselves. If we didn’t have Graffiti, how would artists be different from others and what would make them stand out? Graffiti is art, not vandalism because it allows people to express themselves while pointing out social changes that need to happen.

The Temple News