Politics, a polarizing word in whatever context it appears in, but one that must be discussed and shared no matter what. With the upcoming election, I thought it was a relevant time to share some personal experiences that highlighted the importance of why I vote in not only presidential elections but also local ones wherever one resides. I used to identify myself as a non-political but that slowly changed after facing a variety of experiences living in Ukraine, the U.S., and Denmark. I came to the realization that I do have a duty because at the end of the day it’s not only a vote, it’s a voice.

As Mental Health Awareness Month wraps up, it is noteworthy to state that this subject doesn’t end here, but is a daily battle for anyone and everyone. Even for the ones that seem like they’re holding up well, we all have weight that without any attendance can become toxic over time. It can be anything from heartbreak, to work related stress, or simply the weight of the world hitting you hard on a gloomy day. I believe for many, the stimulation of the creative side of your personality allows for us to free ourselves of this accumulated weight while acknowledging it at the same time.

Coffee has been a morning routine for most of us since sometime around early adulthood. Perhaps it was a way to survive your 8 a.m. classes in college after a night out with friends, or it was available in the break room of your first office job, or you had just made a habit out of stopping at the gas station on your way to work each day and it has stuck with you ever since. Within the past two months of living in COVID-19 times, my coffee routine has become more than just a monotonous practice I mindlessly move through each morning, but a ritual to start my day, socially distancing and all.

The first true cup of coffee I had was shared with my grandfather in a rickety Costa Rican treehouse tucked away in the cloud forests of Monteverde. I was 18, my grandfather 70, and this trip was when I fell in love with not only the jungle, but coffee as well.