Words by: Lily Anna
Art by: Stephania Paul

Words by: Simone Kealy
Art by: Sarah Annett

We all have things that really get on our nerves or prevent us from taking it one step further in a relationship. Whether it be smoking, snoring, or just being plain annoying, deal-breakers can influence both platonic and romantic relationships. Here’s a list of trivial deal-breakers that I can’t stand.

Words & Art by: Caitlin Johnston

Some would say since I’m a Sagittarius I easily connect with people. This is mostly true. However, growing up bi-racial confused things when anxieties surrounding my identity tested how I connected to my family and my cultures.

Words by: Georgia Erin Cameron
Art by: Lisa Vuillings

Manifestation, Mind over Matter, The Law of Attraction… These are all buzzwords currently floating around. But what do they mean? Is it true that if you can think it you can do it?

Words by: Thiamando Pavlidis
Art by: Sally Ann Gething

The year is 2004. The month is March. It’s my sixth birthday, and you better believe I want to have a party, and invite all the new friends I’d made in my first ever term at primary school. Here’s how it might’ve gone down.

Words by: Natasha Schapova
Art by: Gabrielle Poh

In an increasingly connected world, it’s ironic that so many of us find ourselves feeling lonely and misunderstood.

Collage by: Ying Xuan 

Words by: Coby Renkin
Art by: Jessie Liu

An open letter to anyone overwhelmed by the need they feel to be constantly accessible.

Words by: Malena Frey
Art by: Lily Li

It started with arguments between my parents, and soon a divorce followed. At 14, the nightmare of living with an alcohol dependent mother culminated in finally moving in with my dad for what I thought would be a new, stable beginning.

Words by: Alice Wright
Art by: Jackie Liu

It was just last year when I was searching through a bookstore, an unlikely place for me to usually be, where I came across a small red covered novel, Normal People.

Words by: Dena Tissera
Art by: Sophie McKenzie-Stripp

During the course of my young life, I have met so many different people with whom I think I have nothing in common. In a time of social distancing, radical social change and political upheaval, it’s easy to feel like we have no connection to the other 7.8 billion people we share this planet with.

Words by: Zayan Ismail
Art by: Emma Lucas

For Gautama Buddha Manushya is Sanskrit for an animal with a mind or those who can reach enlightenment. For Gods and Goddesses they are mere mortal beings. For Aristotle, it is to have telos or an ultimate aim or an objective in life.

Words & Collage by: Marissa Hor

Growing up, I never really had a solid idea of what I wanted to do, and to be perfectly honest, I still don’t.

Words by: Emma Anvari
Art by: Ruth Ong

As someone who has never been in a long- term relationship before, I pounced at the thought of simply asking 36 curated and personal questions for a chance at falling in love. It was a no-brainer. Everyone wants to be loved.

Words by: Xenia Sanut
Art by: Mikhail Volkov

I breathe the world of meet-cutes, dramatic confessions of love, and kisses in the rain.

Words by: Amy Jenkin
Art by: Beth Philpotts

At the beginning of this year, I started talking to a boy who broke my heart. We never dated, never hooked up, never even liked each other. We were just friends.

Words by: Stephanie Booth
Art by: Lillian Busby

Would you walk into a restroom sober and compliment someone on their outfit? Recommend they leave their partner and insist that you have brunch the next day? I personally err on the side of: over-my-stone-cold-Steve- Austin-body on that one.

Words by: Tricia Rivera
Art by: Ying Xuan

It was Christmas when I told someone I loved them; I was 15 and had these horrifying red and green coloured braces on.

Art by: Charlotte Elwell

Words by: Vivian Tang
Art by: Madison Marshall

Social media. We’re akin to it because it’s entrenched in a way that feels true to us, a part of us. But I’m concerned about how it affects us.

Words by: Ella McEwan
Art by: Carla J. Romano

Last month, as I was lying in bed a couple wines deep, I decided to jump back on Tinder. Seeking validation I couldn’t get while in lockdown, I updated my photos, rejigged my old bio, and got swiping.