#thestrangeisbeautiful

“You Can be Broke and Self-Care” Exhibit Sept 21-26

Posted by on
"You Can be Broke and Self-Care" Exhibit Sept 21-26
[button href=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/you-can-be-broke-and-self-care-tickets-64449710820″ title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” block=”true” circle=”true” icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if you have decided to show a popover.”]RSVP Here! [/button]

About

“You Can Be Broke and Self-Care” is The Strange is Beautiful’s photo and interview project featuring 13 people in LA with mind obstacles (that’s what we call mental illnesses) practicing alternative self-care in their home or space. 

Expect to see polaroids, digital prints, 1-4 quotes of each of the 13 people interviewed, 3-5 journal prompts for each one, and self-care community events.

Visit it between September 21 and September 26 at Nous Tous Community Gallery for $5-$30 sliding scale donations (donate only if you’re able). Donations go to The Strange is Beautiful.

Latina-American Teens With Depression Don’t Need DNA Testing, They Need Cultural Connection: “Some Girls” Documentary Review

Posted by on
Latina-American Teens With Depression Don’t Need DNA Testing, They Need Cultural Connection: “Some Girls” Documentary Review

While scrolling through Instagram, I came across “Some Girls” documentary. I was excited to finally find a film that focused on depression in teen Latina-Americans, something I wished existed when I was in high school with depression. That day I texted Kelly Duarte, The Strange is Beautiful’s media and pop culture contributor, and we met up to watch it together for free on Kanopy, a video streaming service for public libraries. Though the documentary has a lot of great things about it, such as bringing awareness to this under represented and under researched issue, we were disappointed because it ignored many root reasons of why Latina-American teens are more likely to get depression, and disagreed with the creator’s choice to use DNA testing as a means of healing – especially because they claim it helped them, yet they never had depression.

Sadcore Sundays: “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence

Posted by on
Sadcore Sundays: "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence

I’m surprised I haven’t featured Evanescence before today because Amy Lee, their singer, was my ultimate goth girl idol in middle school. She inspired my black lace vintage dresses and combat boots style back then. The music video is sooooo 2009 it’s amazing haha. If you’re going through a breakup and feel empty and unable to function without them, “Bring Me to Life” will be there for you.

Lyrics to “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence:

Sadcore Sundays: “The One” by Jorja Smith

Posted by on
Sadcore Sundays: "The One" by Jorja Smith

It’s a weird balance to love someone and ask for their help, and conversely, to not run to them each time. Even though it is human to need company when we’re feeling sad, it can be scary to be vulnerable. If you’re struggling with this balance, Jorja Smith’s R&B pop song “The One” will soothe you when you choose to take care of yourself, and understand when you have trouble being okay with having a loved one be there for you. The choice is yours, and any choice you make is the right one.

Lyrics to “The One” by Jorja Smith:

Sadcore Sundays: Bryan Santizo of “How Scandinavian” Discusses Developing as an Artist and Finding Your Place

Posted by on
Sadcore Sundays: Bryan Santizo of "How Scandinavian" Discusses Developing as an Artist and Finding Your Place

Bryan Santizo is a musician in “How Scandinavian” based in the Antelope Valley and was one of the first people I met after moving from the L.A. area to Lancaster. In the short time I’ve gotten to know him, I’ve been witness to part of his growth as an artist and have become a genuine fan of his music and songwriting.

“Belong Here” is my favorite song of his because it almost works as a time machine for me, as it’s able to take me back to a time in my life when I was young and unsure of myself. As I listen to it, I can relate to my past self and almost feel as though teenage me has been a friend of mine all along. Not living in the past like I’ve imagined, but standing by my side this entire time as the voice letting me know that it’s okay to be scared and that I’ll get through the changes that are to come just like I have before.

I’m excited that Bryan has let me ask him some questions to gain insight on this song and explain where he was coming from as a young kid finding himself through music.

1. I notice “Belong Here” was released in 2011, what was the inspiration for the song back then, and in what ways do you find it relatable now?