Words by: Vivian Tang Art by: Brooke Stevens
As the year 2021 bloomed, a prevailing pandemic saw us once again recoil in our homes, clinging to any frothy distraction. Enter Big Brother, The Bachelor, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under — shows at the epicentre of Australian reality TV to cure us from our daily burnout. Yet even they no longer provide a place of security or refuge. A misguided fantasy. BIPOC evicted. Sashayed away. Given a rose, only to be punctured by a thorn.
… The Real Mirror
Words by: Coby Renkin
In a year that’s thrown Melbourne in and out of lockdown more times than I’d like to think about, I, like many others, have taken comfort in two things: food and TikTok. Without sounding too sad, both have brought me a lot of comfort… and cured a LOT of boredom. I mean, only so many hours of the day can be taken up by walks within my 5km bubble and chaotic Zoom calls with friends.
… Road Testing the Saviours of 2021: TikTok Food Trends
Words by: Tiffany Forbes Art by: Carla J. Romana
A friend once told me that the world is just one big ol’ floating rock. And in some ways, she’s right. It is just a big ol’ ball of floating nickel and granite spinning somewhere in the middle of our expansive galaxy. But on other days, it feels like so much more than that.
… Gratitude Diaries
Words by: Victoria Baikie Art by: Mei Li Tan
A lot has changed over the past two years since COVID-19 hit Australia, including my grasp on time. The pandemic has shifted us into a whole new way of living, where open borders, limitless outdoor time, and not having to do Zoom catch-ups are now distant memories that we once took for granted. So much has changed that looking back, how we used to live is almost foreign.
… Things I Miss From the Pre-Pandemic World
Words by: Petula Bowa Art by: Adrienne Aw
The years everything went dark. Went quiet. We were confined to the careful solitudes of our own homes. Of our own minds.
… 2020-2021
Words by: Zayan Ismail Art by: Monica Ouk
I remember when it all started in 2013. Black Lives Matter (BLM) was never strictly a 2020 thing. Its (grass)roots date back to nine years ago when Trayvon Martin’s murderer was acquitted. At the time, there was strong opposition to BLM, as well as the odd belief that it was simply a fringe movement, and that all lives should matter.
… Bla(c)k Lives Matter (BLM): A Year in Review, A Lifetime of Change
Words by: Amy Jenkin
We asked people what title they would give this chapter of their life. Here are their responses.
… Welcome to the Contents Page
Words by: Zayan Ismail Art by: Anita Thuon
It was not long ago that I dreamt of the life of a career diplomat. Majoring in international relations has shifted that dream, for better or worse. Studying the outdated archaic theories developed by White imperialists which perpetuate the subjugation of Indigenous communities, people of colour, women, and other minorities, has made me question everything since they created them under the guise of negotiation and peace.
… Purpose, Not Capitalism
Words by: Dilshi Perera Art by: Gabrielle Poh
Someone once asked me to list some of the greatest joys in life, and waking up and not thinking about them anymore is easily in my top 10 — aside from kissing in the rain and other main character-esque qualities. There’s no denying that breakups are one of THE MOST tumultuous journeys that a human can go through, but the process of healing and overcoming pain is monumental.
… Blocked & Deleted
Words by: Shams Ibrahim
What does it mean to be in quarantine? What is it like to be locked up indoors with only a few hours of sunshine allowed? Is it punishment? Is karma biting the human race? Is it a doorway to a mental asylum? In truth, I don’t know what it really means or how it has impacted people. It would be extremely arrogant and ignorant to assume that it has hit everyone the same way. Each experience is very unique. Some might be terrible, while others surprisingly good. This will be part of my personal journey with lockdowns, quarantine, and COVID-19.
… Quarantine: A Fictional Futuristic Idea That Has Become Our Reality
Words by: Dena Tissera Art by: Ella Porter
Dear _______,
It’s been a long time since we last spoke; I’m not sorry about that. Our friendship is better stored as a memory, a pressed flower in an old book.
… Growing up and Growing Apart
Words by: Vivian Tang Art by: Georgia Lilley
Our inner child is regarded as the truest form of self. Returning to this part of ourselves seems inherently tied to growth, as if we must practice self-reflection in order to move forward and achieve.
… Nurturing Your Inner Child
Words by: Emilio Lanera Art by: Lauren Easter
For the last four years, university has been the main source of structure in my life. I did have other things going on in my life like work, social life, internships, and other extracurricular activities, but for the most part they all had to work around my university classes and assignments. While it was nice to have someone else organise your life for you, by the time I graduated I was ready to leave the familiar structure university offered and embark on a new journey where I had more control in deciding what I do and when I would do it. However, something I would learn very early after leaving university is that no matter how well you plan things, life still tends to get in the way.
… Constantly Readjusting to Life After University 
Words by: Kiera Eardley Art by: My Tieu Ly
Hi, my name is Kiera, and I’m your perpetually single friend. Welcome to the world of singledom in 2021! There are plenty of options, not a lot of commitment, and the drinks aren’t exactly flowing (thank you, 10 months of lockdown).
… Love in the Time of Tinder: Why I Hate (but Still Use) Dating Apps
Words by: Lauren Gallina Art by: Lillian Busby
Twelve years ago, on a warm Saturday morning, I sat cross-legged in front of ABC3 while my mum combed out my loose curls and put them into two tight braids. As “Scotty and the Ninjas Too” were lighting up the screen, their voices filling the room, we were idly watching on. Both my mum and I focused on getting ready for netball before rushing out the door.
… The Art that Defines Us
Words by: Ruby Ellam
Are you a grinder? A white witch? A slacker or a functional human being?
… What 20 something Are You?
Words by: Lara Christensen Art by: Gabrielle Poh
My first heartbreak was with a boy who felt he couldn’t be my friend anymore.
We’d been friends since middle school, often waiting together as we were usually the last ones to be picked up from school. We talked about everything, talked during everything and were childishly proud that our Snapchat streak was so long.
… Which Cut Is the Deepest?
Words and Art by: Tiffany Forbes
When I was seven, I took my first ever family camping trip. If I try hard enough, it’s almost as if I can still smell the excitement in the air that day, which often comes in waves of freshly-bought camping chairs and a tent we’d found at an Aldi special buys rack at some point in 2007.
… To Exist
Words by: Dina Ivkovich Art by: Betty Gu
2nd August, 2020
8:46am
I google: how to prepare for your dog’s euthanasia l l l l l l l
The first article reads: ‘Give your dog a party or “best day” ever!’
… Memor(talit)y
Words by: Coby Renkin Art by: Ruth Ong
The last few months have seen me enter a side of TikTok I never saw coming: the crystal side. I don’t do crystals; they’re not something I’ve ever felt drawn to and if we’re being honest, not something I’ve ever believed in. But it turns out, if the algorithm hassles me enough, I’ll try anything once. After all, 2021 (and this edition) is all about growth.
… TikTok Made Me Do It: Crystal Edition
Words by: Mia Deans Art by: Jessica La… The Seven Stages of Securing a Grad Job
Esperanto Magazine 