Welcome or welcome back to another week of “In the key of E.” This is the last story before spring break, so let’s make it a good one. 

Weekly recap

This week was simultaneously busy and not. I spent a lot of my time in class or stressing about homework for every given class. The first couple of weeks of each semester are usually pretty bearable. This semester, though, it feels like the due dates for bigger class projects came out of nowhere. 

I have spent a lot of time in interviews the past week. You may be thinking, “Wow, Elyse, it’s so great that you’re getting interviews for jobs already.” Nope. I’m the one doing the interviewing. Between covering stories for The Spectator and my journalism capstone, I’m more social than I’ve ever been. 

Speaking of The Spectator, we had layout night last week. I got to leave at a record-breaking 10:30 p.m. I actually have yet to pick up a print copy, like the terrible news editor I am, so I need to do that ASAP. 

Blugold Radio is finally back. I know I’m not allowed to use exclamation points, but just know I’m really excited about it. I forgot how therapeutic sitting in the studio with Cora for one hour a week can be. 

This past weekend I did schoolwork pretty much nonstop. My breaks, interestingly enough, consisted of watching bits and pieces of movies. I’m not really a movie girl while I’m in school. It’s not really something I have time for. However, I got through three out of four “Hunger Games” films. I fear I’m re-entering my dystopian-lover era once again. 

From me to you

With the seemingly uncountable number of people I’ve interviewed in the past week, I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of human connection. I often joke about how hypocritical it is that, despite being an introvert myself, I chose to pursue a career in journalism. 

Similarly, I’m not really a “joiner,” even among close friends. I decided to do a little bit of research to organize my thoughts. Lack of social connection, according to a study published by Stanford Medicine, is a greater detriment to our overall health than we may think. 

People who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Additionally, studies show they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative and, as a consequence, others are more open to trusting and cooperating with them. 

The thing about the study from Stanford Medicine that really got me thinking is the point it made that “social connection has more to do with your subjective feeling of connection than your number of friends. You could have 1,000 friends and still feel low in connection, but you could also have no close friends or relatives but still feel very connected from within.”

Loneliness does not equate to the number of connections you have but rather the quality of them. I think about this when I reflect on times when I thought I “didn’t have enough friends.” I question now whether it ever really mattered. Was it that I didn’t have enough friends or that I was failing to nurture pre-existing relationships? I see now that it was the latter. 

So I take the time, when I can, to show I care. I’m still working on being there. I’m known in my friend group as the one that shows up every once in a while. My presence sometimes feels like a rarity or a surprise among people I care about. And I don’t want it to be like that anymore.

It’s not that I don’t care back. I really do. Trust me, if I didn’t want someone or something in my life, it wouldn’t be. I just don’t know how to go about being there. And I am starting to understand now that it takes time.

Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.

Reading: For class, I’m reading “Tomboyland” by Melissa Faliveno and “Body Work” by Melissa Febos. For fun, “Twisted Lies” by Ana Huang, “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes and “My Life With Words” by Barbara F. Luebke.

I’m going to have so much time to read over spring break and it makes me so excited. Stay posted to see how many books I finish. 

Eating: Whatever is left in my food cabinet.

With spring break approaching, I don’t really have the time to finish brand new groceries. So this week, I’m spending time digging in my pantry and getting creative with my meals. 

Playing: So many random songs.

I have a “songs for today” playlist that I update occasionally. I updated it with new songs yesterday and have had it on repeat ever since.

Obsessing: Homework.

I have so much to do and it’s a little intimidating, but I know if I space it out efficiently I’ll get through it. Hopefully. 

Recommending: Watch movies. 

Like I said, I watched almost the entirety of the “Hunger Games” series this weekend. It was the first time I had watched a movie in a while, and it made me remember how effective they can be when taking breaks from homework. 

Treating: Movies?

It feels like a pathetic excuse to, yet again, say that I treated myself by taking breaks from homework, but this is what I did in 20-minute increments between said homework.

Thank you so much for joining me. Take care of yourselves. Sending love. 

-E.

Braun can be reached at [email protected].