Welcome to “In With The New” – Editor’s Note
“Out With The Old,” the first Medium Magazine of Volume 49, welcomed you into the world of nostalgia. Now, with “In With The New,” we’re ready to look towards the future.
Writing about “the new” meant pondering over what is to come, what happens next, and what might be. Nothing for certain. Nothing definitive.
However, the new is not always synonymous with what has yet to be experienced. The new can be a fresh perspective, or a different understanding. It can be the exciting, the dreaded, or the unimaginable. It can be anticipated or unprecedented—something we’ve waited our whole lives for or something we wish had never surprised us.
This magazine unveils innovation, art, family, friendship, and the self in a meditative experience of change. We hope “In With The New” serves as a reminder that change is healthy, because it steers us towards our futures.
Kareena’s piece, “Dear Future You, You Are Art: A Letter in Four Parts,” ties this magazine together. Read it as a letter to your future self, and allow yourself to be transported into a world that embraces a new you.
We have divided “In With The New” into three chapters. The magazine welcomes you with observations of the world around us with Liz, Aidan, Jestina, and Radhia’s pieces. Liz and Jestina inspect their personal experiences and understandings of love while reflecting on the unexpected threads that keep relationships together. Radhia re-defines Octobers and all the beautiful changes she’s welcoming into her ever-evolving universe. In his analytical essay, Aidan investigates how the digital revolution challenged pop culture by promoting individualism and supporting niche interests.
The second chapter explores the destabilizing effects of family and loss. Juliana writes a heart-wrenching account of her encounters with Grief, while Emily shares her coming-of-age story, where she grapples with her father’s addiction. Rola gives us insight into the life of a caregiver, showcasing the importance of healing our relationships with ourselves and with those around us. In her photo essay, Samira explores how the roots of trauma that take hold in one’s childhood can still produce blossoms of hope when given the right care and attention.
In the final chapter of “In With The New,” we spotlight relationships with the self. With threads of self-love, self-understanding, and self-growth, this final portion invites you to think about your place amongst the noise of the world. River shows us how a traumatic accident can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself. Aia shares a beautiful reflection on the crippling effects of anxiety, demonstrating to readers that we can persevere, even when our own minds become our adversaries. Olga teaches us how to accept and grow into our own skin. And Erin, in her deeply personal essay, shows us that even the most hurtful and unexpected changes can lead to truth and freedom, as we mend what was broken into something beautiful.
As The Medium says farewell to Volume 49, we hope you take inspiration from each of our unique stories. We hope you take a few moments to stop and contemplate your own relationships with the world, your family, and yourself. We hope our experiences help you see that change should be welcomed, rather than feared. Remember: what happens next is up to you.
Elizabeth Provost & Juliana Stacey
Editor-in-Chief & Managing Editor, Volume 49
Editor-in-Chief (Volume 48 & 49) | editor@themedium.ca — Liz is completing a double major in Chemistry and Art History. She previously served as Features Editor for Volume 47, and Editor-in-Chief for Volume 48. Liz is extremely excited to have spent her time as an undergrad at The Medium, and can’t wait to inspire others and be inspired in her final year at UTM. When she’s not studying, working, writing, or editing countless articles, you can find her singing Motown hits at her piano, going on long walks by the lake, or listening to music. You can connect with Liz on her website, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Managing Editor (Volume 49); Senior Copy Editor (July–November, Volume 49); Copy Editor (Volume 48) — Juliana is a fourth-year student completing a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communication. She previously worked as a Copy Editor for Volume 48 and briefly as Senior Copy Editor for Volume 49. When she isn’t adding commas or splitting up run-on sentences, Juliana loves to read, play violin, sing, fangirl over multiple TV shows, and completely spoil her two dogs.
I found the article very impressive and thought-provoking.