XSTSY MEDIA’s Gratitude #thankful

Like everything in this world, an idea that leaves a positive impact can be radicalized. The ‘woke’ culture’s toxic positivity, that stems from taking into consideration people's feelings, can be pushed too far where you do not take into consideration your own. On the other hand, one cannot undermine how Gen Z accomplished progressive movements and participated in uncomfortable conversations in order for the underrepresented to be seen and heard.

Our interconnection with what others are saying or doing can also distract oneself from what they are doing and saying. This is where we lose gratitude and think that the world is a crumbling, evil place.

The holidays are a perfect time to remember what you accomplished this year and what you are grateful for even though there may have been ups and downs. Self reflection is important in staying grounded and removing anxieties from your life. If you are content with what you have there is no need to be upset for not having something else.

The XSTSY MEDIA Editors got together to compile an introspective list of what we are grateful for.

My mom!

TBH, not sure how I would be navigating my adulthood without my mom. Everytime I think I know how to handle a situation, my mom always ends up having a better option. After almost 5 years of not living with her, all the help and love was overlooked when I was younger. I encourage those who still live with their parents to practice gratitude towards them because they seriously make it look easy. I am thankful to have a parent that strives to make her child’s life worth living. I am also thankful to have a parent that I have an awesome relationship with and can talk to about almost anything. Shout out to my ma!

DAIZY!

My sweet darling kitty is 14 years old. I never owned a cat as long as I have owned Daizy. She is the offspring of my other childhood cat, Sunshine. But Daizy was around for all of it and is still very with it. She witnessed me throughout middle school, high school and my first year of college on Zoom. She loved to sit on top of my laptop in the middle of meetings. Even though we do not live with each other anymore, every time I visit, I forget how much she emotionally supported me. #Daizy’sbiggestfan

My job!

Several days of the week I am not thrilled to be serving people Italian food or refilling their Diet Coke, however this job keeps a roof over my head, gas in my car and food on my table. AND! I work with some of my bestest friends so how can I really complain? As dreadful as it can be as a working class citizen, I still make enough money to go out with my friends or buy myself something nice here and there. Just because it is not my ideal career position at the moment, I still have a job I can find the good in.

Dancing!

This may sound like an odd thing to be grateful for however it has layers to it. Yes, of course I love to dance but ultimately it's the ability of freedom and escape when I am dancing. The younger generations are the first to have this much freedom, so I take advantage of it as much as I can by expressing my gratitude to the DJs, the lighting people and the security at the door. Between the heartfelt moments of my friends and I to the wholesome interactions with strangers, gratitude can be found in so many combinations when on the dancefloor.

XSTSY MEDIA!

I am SUPER grateful for this forum and space to create what goes on in my head. Even though it is a (free) labor of love and the instant gratification is non-exsistent, I enjoy every moment on my own time and schedule, writing the stories I want to share. The creative freedom I own in regards to the aesthetic and graphics of our outlet, is a feeling I soak up every chance I get. Because I know the day will come when the corporate ladder will find its way into my life and I will have to abide by those rules. My freelance liberty is so valuable to me and I appreciate those who support and provide feedback to our independently-run organization.

BRADLEY!

I’m always grateful for Bradley, my longterm boyfriend, but I become extra thankful around this time of year. The holidays get pretty busy for us; Our anniversary, both my mom’s and dad’s birthdays all fall in early December, so it can feel pretty overwhelming financially and schedule-wise. But Bradley, ever the calm and level-headed man that he is, always grounds me during this chaotic season. I’m also so grateful that he has remained so supportive of me as I try to navigate life. SHOUT OUT BRADLEY, ILY!

My parents!

You want to talk about support? These two have blown me away this year. After I graduated college, I felt like I was thrown to the wolves. I had no idea what to do now that I wasn’t in school. They have continued to motivate me to never lose sight of what I want to do in life, which is to continue my career in journalism and even further my passion for music. Through every breakdown, anxiety attack and late-night-vents, they have listened and offered their continuous support. I couldn’t ask for better parents.

SAM!

My beautiful best friend turned 24 recently, everyone wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! But I am so thankful for this girl. I can’t imagine trying to get through life without her. All the laughs, tears, hour-long-phone calls and countless memories, I actually can’t imagine her not by my side. If you can find one, solid friendship in this life, you’re set. And I found mine, so I’m just a little extra grateful for that right now. ILY SAMALAMA. Okay, I’m out of my feels now.

Social Media

I know, I know… you’re looking at me like I’m crazy, but hear me out, okay? I used to always think it was a waste of time and drew nothing but negativity out of everyone. But recently, I’ve been looking at it differently. It’s my creative outlet. I’ve been using TikTok to grow my online presence, but I also started to take it less seriously and make videos for fun. I haven’t done that since I was a kid with Musical.ly (R.I.P). I make these fun little videos where I try coffees from different places. Life is too short to take yourself seriously. I even plan to start posting covers on Youtube again, or maybe my original songs. I became an ambassador for Comfrt Clothing through TikTok and even got my job as a digital journalist for Biohack Yourself Media through LinkedIn, another social media website. I never thought I could be grateful for something as trivial as social media, but I am because it actually has given me a lot of opportunities thus far. Social media, don’t make me take this back…

XSTSY MEDIA & Sarah

I know Sarah already brushed on this, and I’m not trying to be repetitive, but how can I not be thankful for XSTSY MEDIA? I was looking for an outlet for my journalistic skills after spending a year straight doing nothing but job hunting, and here comes my friend with an idea to start-up her magazine. I’m so glad she trusts me to be the News and Life Editor for XSTSY, and so glad I get to work under the best Editor-in-Chief ever, who just so happens to be a best friend of mine. We get to have creative liberties with XSTSY MEDIA in a time where so many journalists lose their own. I will always be thankful for our independently-run magazine, and for the girl who brought me on her editorial staff.

We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving!

XOXO, S & T