Left on Read pt. 6
Left on Read pt. 6
hairdressers and therapy, subjective age, portraits, strangers, and beauty
Left on Read is a weekly collection of articles, essays, and other media consumed throughout the week that I found thought-provoking, amusing, or just moved to share. Cheers to more reading :)
Need Therapy? In West Africa, Hairdressers Can Help.
Discusses the gap in mental health care in West Africa, where therapy is barely accessible and still stigmatized. The article tells the story of an initiative that seeks to address this challenge by training hairdressers to offer basic mental health counseling to their clients.
This article just goes to show that public health is everywhere and that support can emerge from the most unexpected places; collective efforts can establish vital support networks that promote wellness and a sense of community. I’ve heard of public health initiatives within the U.S. that partner with small businesses for health promotion and found it inspiring to see parallel approaches in different global regions.
But…despite the positive strides made by the program, who takes care of the hairdressers when clients trauma dump on them? I can envision the emotional toll they must bear, constantly absorbing the weight of clients' heavy stories and emotions. I like that the article ends on the poignant reminder that those offering care also need care themselves.
Challenges the notion that portrait photography encapsulates a person’s essence at a particular moment, underscoring the crafted nature of the visual representation and that no individual can be captured in a single story.
I agree that there are technical complexities that affect the visual narratives of portrait photography and that it’s important to remember the multifaceted nature of humans. Capturing the complexity of the human experience through photography is truly an art. This might be my sign to pick my camera back up.
The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are And How Old You Think You Are
Research indicates that adults over 40 often perceive themselves about 20 percent younger than their actual age. The exploration examines the phenomenon of “subjective age” and considers influences affecting it such as personal experiences and cultural differences. While feeling younger may be associated with better health, the article questions its impact on focusing on the present.
This hit hard. Honestly, I’m not sure what age I feel. Growing up, societal norms suggested specific milestones as markers of adulthood, but I now realize that there isn’t a clear blueprint for what adulthood truly entails.
Also, I can’t help but ponder whether the widely taught concept that our cognitive brain development plateaus at 25 might also offer an explanation for why majority of people tend to feel younger than they are? Like our brains are just kind of stuck there, lol.
Solitary Daughter: #39: The Human Touch
“I simply assume that every new person I meet will have something funny, interesting, or horrible to say. Sometimes a stranger surprises me by being all three. But you have to be open to small talk and good surprises to encounter it.”
A personal reflection on a series of encounters, leading to reflections on the art of meeting new people, creative aspirations, and a brief thought on the role of AI across creative mediums.
I appreciated the sentiment from
about artists yearning to delve into different mediums and found it quite resonant. I frequently find myself saying “so much to do, so little time” as I gain interest in multiple hobbies and topics I want to learn about but to the reminder Raquel’s friend makes (“Don’t forget to just sit and enjoy it”), I’d like to add actually there’s so little to do and so much time to do it :) And for those who can relate to the gift of curiosity, versatility is a beautiful thing. I think that’s the beauty of being human— we are so multifaceted.
The Powder Room: How do we first learn if we’re pretty or ugly?
Explores how early experiences and societal standards/expectations shape perceptions of beauty.
- ’s recounting of a seemingly innocuous childhood event struck a chord within me. I just want to give a hug to every single person out there who has experienced a similar event in their life.
It also reminded me of this quote I came across on Twitter or TikTok months ago that has stuck with me ever since: “Look at your face in the mirror. What you are seeing is the combination of generations of ancestors that came before you. The only reason you are here is that, for every one of the thousands that make up your face, someone saw something in them so attractive that they found love with them.” A bit idealistic, yes…but this perspective helps me appreciate my features even more and feel more connected to those who came before me.
🫶🏼