CULTURE

Recently, it has been difficult to find people who empathize with others. A large portion of this problem can be caused by our unhealed inner child. According to Oxford Languages, an inner child is “a person’s supposed original or true self, especially when regarded as damaged or concealed by negative childhood experiences.” For many people, the inner child holds onto seeking joy and finding wonder in the world around us, but this part of our subconscious can also grasp onto feelings of harm, fear, anxiety, loneliness, or insecurity in youth.

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Many college degree paths lead those pursuing them to work a 9 to 5. Personally, my degree does just that. Going down this path means there will be a lot of monotony, which will be a swift change from the diverse schedule of a college student. This realization kick-started my need for finding ways to keep my mind and body happy and creative, even when I am in an area where that is not the status quo.

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Throughout history, women have always been under the microscope of society's expectations. This has caused us to become very meticulous in how we get ready. But today, there is a bigger shift: the story of beauty and empowerment is being rewritten. Throughout past centuries, beauty standards have largely been shaped by the male gaze, imposing restrictive ideas on women and how they should look.

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It does not take much for Gen Z to feel nostalgic. Growing up in the digital age has made it so easy for Gen Z to look back on old memories. The yearning for times when things were simpler and more comforting is a part of Gen Z culture. It is hard coming to terms with the fact that we are growing up and life is only getting harder. We are constantly searching for the anchor that will ground us during the crazy moments happening around us.

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People hold value in memories and nostalgic moments. Whether written on paper or found online, recipes are a gateway to remembering and creating special moments. Despite simply being a list of ingredients and steps, they contain memories embedded in the cooking process.

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Walking into Stick It In Your Ear, a swarm of posters advertising local music events cover the shop window and customers are greeted with a wave of “hello”s from the Stick It In Your Ear staff. Music in the store accompanies guests on their vinyl journey. For over 30 years, the local record store has been welcoming customers from all walks of life, providing the Springfield community with their vinyl and music needs.

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The great Edgar Allen Poe once said, “Because I feel that, in the heavens above, the angels, whispering to one another, can find, among their burning terms of love, none so devotional as that of mother.” Our mothers will always have an impact on our lives in some way.

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George Sr. once said, “There’s always money in the banana stand.” This beloved joke comes from one of the nation’s most beloved sitcoms: “Arrested Development.” For years, people have laughed, cried and gasped with the ensemble casts typical of a multi-cam, studio audience sitcom. The audience seeing themselves on-screen through character dynamics and humor, principles typical of a sitcom, made these shows into the classics that they are.

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Who knew that the market for miniature wood chairs, plastic baby-doll heads, and kodak slide lamps would be on the rise in Springfield, Missouri? These objects, among others, are the product of donated materials that have come directly from Springfield residents.

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Whether it is moving into your dorm, apartment, or house, we all know how daunting it can be to have to furnish and decorate your space. As a college student on a tight budget, thrifting home decor has not only helped my stress, but my bank account as well. Thrifting decor can also allow you to find fun and unique pieces that bring character to your space. 

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Something that I love about Springfield is the live music scene. I am drawn to the fact that local musicians and artists can show off their passion wherever; whether it be house shows, front yards, or someone's basement, the location doesn’t matter as long as they can play. However, this year, some local Springfieldians decided to amplify the platform that musicians have had in past years and created an all day festival for bands.

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Where’s the best vintage in Springfield, MO? Most of us would reply to this question with something like Springy Jeans, Relics Antique Mall, or Red Racks. Though some of these are small businesses, I challenge you to go even smaller. Booth 63 is a 11x20 foot vintage shop located in a booth of STD Flea Market. Ten years ago, Aaron Long wrote down his phone number on a one-dollar bill for a girl at a party with a cool hat, Alina Viknyanskiy.

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At one point or another, you most likely have encountered a gallery wall. Whether you looked up “aesthetic wall decor” on Pinterest, saw a collection of framed paintings and certificates at your grandparent's house, or watched a movie where the cool older sibling character had a wall filled with posters. Gallery walls are a great way to add interest and personalization to any room.

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If you've ever needed a last-minute, one-of-a-kind gift, look no further than Relics Antique Mall, located at 2015 W Battlefield Rd in Springfield, Missouri! Relics is the largest antique mall in Missouri, sitting at 90,000 square feet. This antique mall is a personal favorite of mine and a place I recommend to everyone. With all that space, you are bound to find anything you can imagine—they truly have everything.

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We all know and love the famous Rama Thai restaurant for their delicious Thai cuisine that has been leaving customers happy and satisfied for over 8 years. What you might not know is that Rama Thai has officially opened the doors to their new sister restaurant: Thai Square. 

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There’s nothing like grabbing a warm cup of hot chocolate from your favorite coffee shop, cozying up on the couch to watch your favorite holiday movie with your favorite people, and seeing the snow lightly fall over your house, coating the street in a blanket of white. Later, you’ll don your winter coats and drive past houses gleaming in lights and holiday cheer. There’s nothing like romanticizing the winter. 

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If you have paid attention to the Rap/Hip-Hop scene in 2023, there is one artist that continuously makes headlines. Best known for his 2010s hits such as One Night, Minnesota, Oprah’s Bank Account, and features from Kyle’s iSpy and DRAM’s Broccoli, Lil Yachty isn’t new to the game. Lil Yachty created 8 full-releases in 2016, all dabbling in different niches of the rap genre, like his recognizable autotuned rap or more punchline focused Michigan rap.

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What does it mean to emulate the aesthetic of someone who is “granola?” Is it the Pinterest-perfect hiker, repping the Chacos, Columbia PFG shorts, Lululemon long-sleeve, and that one Life Is Good backpack with the camelback water bottle attached by a carabiner? Perhaps this is what it means to be granola. But, while these items are certainly great products, they don’t necessarily have to be the ones you use.

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Have you ever looked at your phone only to discover the time is exactly 11:11? Or perhaps you’ve ordered a cup of coffee that totaled to $4.44? These sets of numbers are referred to as angel numbers, and behind these sets of numbers different meanings and associations can occur. Numerology is the belief that there is a mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events.

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