Welcome to “Out with the Old” – Editor’s Note
All throughout our unique, individual journeys, we seek ever-lasting familiarity—a special person, a long-lived passion, weekly Sunday brunches with the family. But in reality, the only constant is change. The only feature that will always be part of our existence is nature’s need to alter its course—often when we least want it.
Change can be a beautiful element of history, and it can leave us longing for what once was. We cry over our ex-partners for the tender love they gave us, we yearn for the childhood innocence we once had, we crave the awe and compassion felt in a simpler time—sentiments embedded throughout Aidan and Aia’s pieces. We spend somber hours reminiscing about the secret devotion and care our grandparents blessed us with—their ethereal stories immortalized in writing with Julia, Liz, and Juliana’s heartfelt entries. We grow to forget objects—once loved and used every day, as seen in Manjot’s imaginative piece. We miss what we no longer have, and we miss the people we can no longer touch or hear.
At the same time, we may be excited to accept change—purging ourselves of toxicity, unhappiness, and fear. The ability to shed our old skin and become new, prouder versions of ourselves is an example of welcoming change, as written in Kareena and Maneka’s pieces. Innovative progression within the workplace encourages new perspectives and healthier lifestyles, as seen in Belicia’s article. And the beauty behind architectural and institutional development is evident in Samira’s photo essay.
Welcome to “Out with the Old,” a magazine that can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, and one that pairs with our next Medium Magazine iteration coming in the spring. Many aspects of life are fleeting. By preserving our experiences and history in print, we freeze time. Encouraging and accepting change can be an inner battle, filled with the fear of losing touch with the old and enjoying the new. The possibility of forgetting the people and experiences we leave behind can be anxiety-inducing, but today, we try to remember. And there will always be a yearning for crumbs of the past, while embracing the new, but there’s excitement in the unexpected, and we can’t wait to experience it with you.
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.
Changing Leaves Columnist (Volume 49); Managing Editor (May–November, Volume 49) — Aia is a fourth-year student studying Psychology and completing a double minor in French and Philosophy. She became a Staff Writer for The Medium in the 2021-2022 publishing year and was determined the team couldn’t get rid of her so soon. In her spare time, she can be found café hopping in the hopes to find the best iced chai in the GTA, writing her weirdly complex thoughts down in her notes app, or taking a million pictures a day of her friends. Aia hopes that students find The Medium and feel the sense of belonging she has felt. You can connect with Aia on Linkedin.