Rick'n Reality

Being a perfectionist is both a blessing and a curse. From one perspective, the tremendous effort you put into everything results in many accomplishments and personal satisfaction. However, you are also susceptible to adopting an unhealthy mindset of needing everything to be the best that it can be; making even one mistake or misstep can make you feel as if your whole world is crushed. I’m one of those people who tries to achieve perfection in almost every aspect of life, whether it’s school, sports, music, and character. I remember all those times when something didn’t go the way I intended it to, and I was left feeling immense disappointment, frustration, and emptiness. When I was younger, I was clueless about perfectionism. Instead, I thought I was just an ultra-competitive try-hard person because of my desire to be number one. I wasn’t even concerned about how this way of living negatively impacted my mental and emotional health. Luckily, age came with wisdom and I finally became c...

We finally got the answer to how the upcoming school year will start. Even though we got a feel of doing everything virtually last spring, the fact everything is going to change and be different than it ever was before is a lot to take in. It’s so hard to imagine that on the first day of “school”, we won’t be walking through those doors, seeing everyone back in the halls, and meeting new people and teachers. I’ve been so worried about what life is going to be like if we suddenly go back to the way things were before, but then I realized that being able to adapt and change is paramount in our world today. With everything that’s happened this year, the biggest and greatest truth we can take away is that we have to be ready for the unexpected because when it happens, it can change life as we know it. Ever since quarantine, we’ve been deprived of being able to do the things we love and can’t imagine living without. Whether it’s playing a sport(s), playing in an orchestra/band, or being inv...

One of the most unfortunate experiences of life is dealing with an injury. We have all undergone the process of getting an injury, dealing with it, and then recovering from it. However, sometimes the pain refuses to back down, which leaves us feeling broken, strained, and weak. Along with physical pain, an injury is detrimental to our mental state. It makes us feel frustrated, upset, anxious and subdued. Last year, I was forced to deal with pain in my left knee and upper back. I had problems bending and straightening my knee, along with overall stiffness, and a contusion that made me unable to walk for two days. My knee pain also negatively impacted my mental state. Because I had been so invested in soccer, running became something of a thrill and exhilaration for me. However, ever since my knee became a problem, the thing I once loved to do slowly turned into something I detested. With my upper back, I had a problem of sharp pain occurring whenever I contracted my back muscles, turned...

Do you find yourself feeling so overwhelmed about everything that's going on? As if the world will come crashing down on you at any second. It suffices to say that this year has been 'different' compared to any other time in our lives. Lately, I've been finding myself laying in bed awake past midnight, anxiously thinking about the upcoming school year, S.A.T preparation, college admissions, and the overall future of our world and where will go from here. Today I woke up with this horrible sense of dread and worry about the same stuff I was dwelling on last night. However, I wasn't just going to sit around let that spoil a perfectly fine day. Whenever I find myself in a state of extreme worry, I find it best to distract my mind and do stuff that makes me feel at peace. These are activities I do to free myself from a state of burden and worry: Folding Clothes - there's something about repeated folding and placing that happens to soothe agitation for me. This is a...

Everyone wonders who they are and where they came from. The journey of self-discovery is a process we are all undergoing at this very moment. Us teenagers constantly crave for identity and certain characteristics that allow us to stand out and show everyone who we are. Being a teenager myself, I am trying to forge my identity, be proud of who I am, and show people the real me . That’s why I set myself on a mission to connect with my Ukrainian heritage. I believe that by learning as much as I can about Ukraine and indulging myself in the traditions and practices, then I will renew my sense of identity and purpose. Discovering where you came from, traditions, and practices are the root of finding ourselves. Our culture influences our beliefs, behavior, principles, and morals, but it is also what brings us together as a community . Here are ideas on what you can do to connect with your cultural heritage: Learn the Language Learning a new language is hard w ork. It takes a lot of time and ...

There comes a point in our existence when we go through dark and terrible times. The pain we feel and the innate struggle we undergo to overcome these bad experiences is part of being human. The journey to rid ourselves from the darkness of the past can be difficult and feel truly impossible at times. However, the truth is that we are not alone. Every one of us has had to overcome a dark time in our life, and no matter how long it takes, it always works out in the end. It is important to realize that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes... good things fall apart so that better things can fall together. But that does not mean you should wait for the pain to subside. Here are my recommendations on what you can do in order to overcome bad experiences from the past: I. Engage in Self-Care It is of utmost importance to treat your mind, body, and soul every single day. This is not easy to do because many people are extremely busy, have stressful jobs, or are too consumed in technology ...

One hundred thirty-six days-that is how long it has been since the first day of quarantine. Now that school is finally over, it is time for everyone to make the choice between what is right and what is easy. It would be easy to keep our eyes glued to the television screen and binge Netflix without a care in the world. However, doing that will only make you feel like utter crap . Use this time to commit to your plans, fulfill your goals, and work towards your future. All you have to do is stop thinking about it, and start working and doing it. It’s as simple as that. Here are some ideas on what you can do to upgrade your life: I. Become an Avid Reader My favorite book of all-time When we read, we expose ourselves to new information, find different solutions for a specific problem, and discover ways to achieve our goals. You can find a topic that interests you; for example, mental health, physical fitness, diet/nutrition, history, science, etc. Reading allows us to experience more sensa...