A Labor Day Blog

Don’t Wear White After Labor Day! Why?

Have you ever heard the saying, “don’t wear white after Labor Day?” Have you ever wondered what it meant? This fashion rule was established back in the 1980s. Not wearing white after this holiday was meant to signify that summer fashion was then out of style by September. However, wearing white after Labor Day is now more sociably acceptable. Fashion and culture have changed since the 1980s as well as the way we celebrate Labor Day. In fact, even the meaning of the holiday is different for some people.

What Is Labor Day Anyway?

Labor Day was started by a man named Peter J. McGuire, who was working as a carpenter and a labor union leader. McGuire thought American workers should have a day where they were honored for all of their hard work. McGuire took his plans about Labor Day to the New York Central Labor Union in 1892, and Labor Day became a national holiday in September 1894 to celebrate American workers.

How Do I Celebrate?

In most American households that I know, Labor Day is celebrated the way many other American holidays are celebrated: with food! A barbeque is the perfect way to gather friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate each other’s hard work. A few other good ways to celebrate Labor Day are attending a Labor Day Parade, hosting a theme party, or having a self-care day.

How Do I Celebrate in Quarantine?

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our Labor Day plans may not allow us to be near our loved ones this year; however, I have other plans you can try. In order to keep this tradition alive, I think you should still decorate your home, and if you have a backyard, you could even set up some cool games for you and your family to play while social distancing and wearing a mask! Cooking is a major part of this occasion, so I would suggest getting some steak filets, or if you are looking to eat on a smaller budget, hot dogs are a win! If you are celebrating this holiday alone, I have an idea for you too. If you aren’t cooking, ordering in some wings and watching a movie are great ways to celebrate!

Written by Princess

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A Letter to the Pessimistic Writer

Dear fellow pessimist,

I hope this letter find you well. Odds are it didn’t, hence the reason I am writing to you. I need not remind you that writing is hard. Clearly you already know this because I heard the faint mumbles through your open window. I would tell you in person, however, quarantine reminds us that face-to-face conversation is now risky to say the least. Even for the most skilled writers, it is sometimes more appealing to vomit all over your brand new shoes in the public square than to produce a thought cohesive enough to be written down or even read over. Believe me, I know. The struggle is real.

As a fellow pessimist, here are some tips I find useful when attempting to overcome crippling negativity.

1. Don’t procrastinate. I know this may seem like a horrifying suggestion, but before you throw this letter away, hear me out. Procrastinating is the most appealing option sometimes. We’ve all been there; however, stressing about an assignment before starting it is counterproductive. Sometimes when a task is too daunting, we don’t know where to begin, but the longer we wait, the longer we suffer through the stress the project brings. Starting an assignment earlier can help reduce the stress and pessimism that comes with trying to write a ten-page paper 3 hours before it’s due.
2. Set realistic goals. There is no reason to force yourself to sit down and write an entire paper in one sitting. Dividing an assignment into phases (such as collecting research, then writing an outline, then coming up with a rough draft, followed by a couple rounds of editing) can be really helpful because it allows you to deal with the assignment in smaller segments. Breaking it down this way can reduce stress by making the task seem less overwhelming. Don’t feel the need to tackle an essay in one sitting, my friend!
3. Visualize success rather than failure. Often, we are so paralyzed by the fear of failure that we can only imagine the worst possible outcome. For example, if you believe that you are a terrible writer, you may imagine that the essay you need to have turned in by midnight tonight is going to be an absolute disaster. Your professor might hate it. If he hates it, he might give you a zero. You aren’t doing well enough in the class to afford a zero; you’ll fail the class! Suddenly your thoughts are spiraling out of control before you have touched the assignment. With this mindset, you are failing the assignment before you start. Instead, imagine what it looks like to succeed. Envision yourself achieving the results you hope for. Focus on that and make success your reality. Rather than criticizing yourself and spinning into worry, become well acquainted with your topic. Consider coming up with a goal that surpasses the simplicity of completing the assignment for a letter grade. Write with a purpose, and write with confidence. The grade will follow.
4. Do not write with your editing hat on. You can’t get much done if you are editing every sentence as it flows from your brain to the page. Consider writing with your creativity cap on. If you are not criticizing everything you write as it forms on the page, ideas will flow much faster. Once you are done with the draft, you may remove the creativity cap and put on your editing hat. Now you can look at the errors that may have occurred after having a draft. Worst case scenario, you delete what you don’t like and move on.
5. Find a way to motivate yourself. Although this assignment may be the last thing you would like to do, try to find something that makes the completion of the assignment rewarding. Whether the reward is the simple joy of being stress-free or having a bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup, be sure to congratulate yourself for a job well done!

I hope you found some encouragement in this letter, my friend. Pessimism is a common emotion when dealing with difficult tasks, but I know you are up for it. You have all the tools necessary to be successful, so get out there and write those papers with confidence!

Your neighbor,

Karina

Written by Karina

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Letter to the Optimistic Writer

Dearest Optimistic Writer, 

I write this letter with the intention of highlighting the positive attributes of your approach to writing while also offering feedback on ways to remedy the potential harms that come as a result of your point of view. My objective is never to discourage a fellow writer, especially one as positive and hopeful as you; in fact, I would say my aim is quite the opposite. Your writing perspective is worthy of encouragement, as you perhaps belong to a very small minority of individuals who hold a more favorable outlook on the process of writing. With such encouragement, I hope to provide some insight on methods of improvement that can help strengthen your writing and display your optimism for all the world to see.

Channel Your Optimism Into Energy

Writing is exhausting. The process of crafting original commentary, finding the correct words and phrases to use, and organizing your thoughts in an order that makes sense is a balancing act that takes an incredible amount of mental energy. Even searching for the motivation to write in the first place can drain a writer before they pen a single word. But, you have an edge. Where most people have to muster up the energy to find some grander purpose for their writing to keep them motivated, you instinctively have that. Use it to your advantage! Let your optimism fuel your writing process and give you the physical, mental, and emotional energy you need to get your ideas onto paper more efficiently. 

Keep Your Optimism Grounded and Reasonable

Okay, I don’t want to be one of those guys who tells optimistic people to “be more realistic” or “think more practically” any time they have a positive outlook on life. It is not naive or unreasonable to be an optimist. But, guarding your optimism is important to ensure that it stays intact when things inevitably become difficult, and trust me, writing has been, is, and will always be a very difficult thing. When your levels of optimism are set extraordinarily high, it is easier to get discouraged when the smallest obstacles appear.

Be reasonable in your expectations, and don’t allow your optimism to be damaged by unavoidable inconveniences. It’s okay if things go wrong; just keep moving and let your optimism push you to the next goal.

Keep the Ideas Coming

One of the worst places for a writer to be is stuck in the midst of his/her own perfectionism. In this place, the writer may have a steady flow of ideas, but any flaws result in the writer throwing away or not even considering the ideas. This is so dangerous because you want to have as much momentum as possible in the writing process, and this cuts off any momentum you might have, leading to that dreadful state of stagnation. To avoid this place, use your optimism to get your ideas on paper. Sometimes, the best method of creating energy during the writing process is getting ideas out without worrying about how good or bad they are. You have the ability to see good in things that others might miss; use this when brainstorming ideas!

Don’t Let Your Optimistic Eye Overrule Your Critical Eye

Because writing can be so time-consuming and mentally exhausting, it’s very easy to fall into the mindset of “Yeah, that’s probably good enough.” An optimistic writer like you is particularly prone to this thinking because of your tendency to highlight the positive aspects of your writing. Being aware of your strengths is not inherently bad, but be careful that this awareness doesn’t blind you to your errors. There’s a chance your optimism leads you to complacency, but growing as a writer involves fixing mistakes and learning from them. You want to have a solid balance between highlighting your successes and correcting your errors. Be confident, not complacent. If you’re having trouble balancing your optimism with criticism, the Writing Center would love to help you! 

Stay Hopeful!

As I mentioned earlier, it is very rare to find an optimistic writer like you. You are a very special artist, one who approaches his/her work with a kind of hope that not many creators have. Hold on to that hope! For many writers, it is so hard to find yet so easy to lose. Don’t let anyone take that hope away from you. 

Best regards, 

Ryan

Written by Ryan

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A Not-So-Imaginative Letter to the Imaginative Writer

Dear Imaginative Writer,

I am speaking from a perspective of admiration. Writing creatively is not easy, yet you conquer the task with flying colors. To be a visionary is a gift. I believe everyone is capable of reaching their imaginative potential but being able to pull the more extraordinary thoughts from your mind and structure them into a writing piece is a skill that not everyone possesses. Though I think the beauty of imaginative writing lies in the freedom of creativity, I want to offer some tips on how to use your imaginative mind to write in both creative and academic settings. 

Brainstorming: Let Your Mind Run Wild

In the brainstorming stage, coming up with ideas can be a difficult task. This is a prime time for imaginative thinking. Study the topic and allow your mind to roam freely, jotting down any ideas your vibrant imagination produces. These ideas may seem completely bizarre, but this thought process can provide a source of inspiration and a strong foundation for your paper. Brainstorming is a key tool in planning out both creative and academic writing; imaginative thinking can be applied in either situation. This type of thinking can lead to outside-of-the-box ideas, which are perfect for formulating unique approaches to writing topics. Imaginative writers, use your creative minds to your advantage, and let your imaginative spirit guide your writing journey.

Your Imagination is a Tool, Not a Distraction

One of the main characteristics of imaginative writing is the ability to think beyond the stars. This is a wonderful attribute, and I encourage you to continue to break those creative boundaries. Imaginative ideas can be used as tools to promote innovation and stimulate critical thinking that leads to inventive solutions. However, be cautious of letting your thoughts act as distractions. Similar to how daydreaming can divert the attention of a bored student in class, getting lost in imagination can interfere with a writer’s ability to stay on topic. Now, don’t get me wrong, sometimes daydreams hold the key to inspiration. But, in some cases, these thoughts just lead you off task. A free imagination is beautiful, but it is easy to get lost in it. If you want to stick to a main idea, relevancy is important, and straying too far from your desired focus can lead to problems connecting points in the future. It’s difficult to communicate a message if the main points are scattered. Regardless if you are writing creatively or academically, an unorganized paper can confuse a reader. Writing is a disciplined process, and there is a balance between channeling creative expression and maintaining structure. Imaginative thinking is best utilized during the brainstorming process, as there is more freedom to dive into the vibrant depths of the imagination.

When forming a thesis, constructing body paragraphs, and finalizing a conclusion, creative expression can be incorporated but with the organization of the writing process as the overriding framework. Exercise your ability to think imaginatively, but let it serve as an enhancement to your writing rather than a hindrance. 

Stay Encouraged and Inspired

Not all of your ideas are going to be out-of-the-box or groundbreaking beams of artistry, but do not be discouraged! No writer is solely made up of good ideas. Learn from the ideas that are not your most creative, and build off them. You have seen the potential of your imaginative writing, so use the more average ideas as foundations to grow. The most important thing is to keep writing. Your natural creativity is bound to formulate something majestic, but it can only happen if you persevere. With an active imagination, anything in your surroundings can act as your muse. An imaginative writer can be inspired by places and things that others don’t consider. Think about the journeys you can take your reader on. Where you find inspiration can immensely influence your writing, and with your imaginative spirit, you can engage your reader using wherever you are with whatever you have.

Using Your Imagination Academically

Academic writing encompasses many guidelines such as formatting, specific prompts, and extensive research. However, your imaginative mind still has room to blossom! Use your blooming creativity to approach a prompt in an extraordinary way. Writing can be formal and creative. Ultimately, it is of utmost importance to follow the structure and guidelines of the professor, but your writing is still your own. Imaginative writing leads to innovative thinking. Maybe you can approach an argument from a unique perspective or display your creativity in your research project. Your imaginative nature can seep into the analysis of literature and other academic subjects, and your ability to think beyond the ordinary can add to the exceptionality of your writing.

The most important tip I can give you is to continue to utilize your imaginative mind. Your vibrant creativity is a gift, a gift that can be shared with the world through beautiful writing. Writing can become mundane, but your imaginative spirit invokes inspiration. Let your imagination run wild, and keep kindling innovation!

Stay creative,

Deneen

Written by Deneen

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Caption This: Animal Edition

Warning: if you continue reading this, and hopefully you do, be prepared for a bunch of ridiculousness. If you are looking for something more serious, please check out the assortment of other wonderful blogs. However, if you have a minute, I encourage you to enjoy this blog, and use it as a mental break. Also please participate; I can guarantee your experience will be delightful! One more thing, you will not hurt my feelings one tiny bit if the following images give you captions that I did not even think of. In fact, just for you creative people, imagine an extra fill in the blank option! Be encouraged to add your captions in the comments below.

 

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A) The first celebration of everything you missed, once you can see your friends again.

B) Honey, I shrunk the party animals?

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A) They said to keep it business professional.

B) I guess this is what they mean by “work like a dog.”

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A) This is not how I envisioned today going.

B) We make the absolute purrrrfect pair.

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A) Woah…you saw the humans doing what?

B) Stay back! Do not look for my acorn collection, and no one gets hurt.

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A) Pack it up Steve, they are on to us.

B) The last melon.

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A) I woke up like this.

B) Today is the day I fly!

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A) Another busy day at the office.

B) Working hard or hardly working? You decide.

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A) Surely just one small taste wouldn’t hurt anyone.

B) The ultimate test of restraint, and I am about to lose.

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A) …and one big step for…

B) Me? I am not suspicious.

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A) Don’t test me, my body is a weapon.

B) Pay no mind, I am just doing my morning stretches.

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A) Don’t worry, I saw this on TV once.

B) Burrito, anyone?

Written by Jordan

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