Dear readers,
What does comfort mean to you? Who do you go to when in need of reassurance? We asked our editors what they associated with ‘solace’ and were met with a wide spectrum of ideas that we’re very much looking forward to sharing with you.
Cover by Anushka Sabhanam
A new issue means new articles and this time around new faces! We would like to give a warm welcome to all our new editors and moreover introduce those contributing to this issue: Ayla, Nicole, Mary, Tan, Izzy, Aline, Julek and Tanvi!
For ‘Solace’, Mary covers the complexities of bilingualism and how language ties into the feeling of belonging, while Tan looks at the (often addictive) escapist nature of gaming. Ella shares a short form piece on how music can bring solace to Ukraine. Nicole and Magda tackle the question of why we particularly enjoy cuddling stuffed toys, followed by Tanvi’s piece on how animals can provide us with a source of comfort. Turning our attention to healthcare, Julek considers the difficult process of death and the ways we can make it smoother and more comforting, while Aline delves into how girl-/womanhood can act as a constraining force. Magda explains the causes and interventions that schools and parents can use to help children with anxiety and Sara invites you to an Addicts Anonymous meeting to share with you the many causes and stigmas of addiction. Ayla gives her two cents on consumerism in the digital age, while Sophie looks at the ins and outs of solitude and how it can be beneficial. Lastly, Nike gives her take on the term ‘trauma-dumping’ and the tightrope of sharing experiences, particularly heavy ones, with one another.
To start off our issue, Laura features an excerpt from the graphic novel Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi and shares what we can do to bring solace to Iran. With the temperature dropping, Laura and Isabelle explore food and the different ways it brings us comfort in The Corridor. Zhen reviews the Studio Ghibli films for Camera Obscura and considers the comfort of silence, and for Art Affairs, Anushka steps away from museums, reviewing the adorable cyberpunk video game Stray. In a brand new column, Capture, Anushka teams up with photographer Pika to explore the world of ‘Closeness Games’ and how self-disclosure influences relationships. For the Athena column, Evita questions the notion of ‘reachers’ and ‘settlers’ in relationships. Expert Jaap Lancee responds to Astrid Homan’s questions concerning insomnia and nightmares. Spiegeloog’s very own podcast, Let’s Mingle, is back with a new episode delving into the concept of Experts by Experience with Praktijkhuis Inspiration. Finally, Laura rounds off the issue with her Bacchus on the thoughts and feelings that come along when people do not empathise with your solace.
We invite you to explore the world of Solace with us over the coming weeks as we inch closer to the cosiness of the holiday season.
We hope you enjoy the issue as much as we did writing it!
Anushka & Evita
Dear readers,
What does comfort mean to you? Who do you go to when in need of reassurance? We asked our editors what they associated with ‘solace’ and were met with a wide spectrum of ideas that we’re very much looking forward to sharing with you.
Cover by Anushka Sabhanam
A new issue means new articles and this time around new faces! We would like to give a warm welcome to all our new editors and moreover introduce those contributing to this issue: Ayla, Nicole, Mary, Tan, Izzy, Aline, Julek and Tanvi!
For ‘Solace’, Mary covers the complexities of bilingualism and how language ties into the feeling of belonging, while Tan looks at the (often addictive) escapist nature of gaming. Ella shares a short form piece on how music can bring solace to Ukraine. Nicole and Magda tackle the question of why we particularly enjoy cuddling stuffed toys, followed by Tanvi’s piece on how animals can provide us with a source of comfort. Turning our attention to healthcare, Julek considers the difficult process of death and the ways we can make it smoother and more comforting, while Aline delves into how girl-/womanhood can act as a constraining force. Magda explains the causes and interventions that schools and parents can use to help children with anxiety and Sara invites you to an Addicts Anonymous meeting to share with you the many causes and stigmas of addiction. Ayla gives her two cents on consumerism in the digital age, while Sophie looks at the ins and outs of solitude and how it can be beneficial. Lastly, Nike gives her take on the term ‘trauma-dumping’ and the tightrope of sharing experiences, particularly heavy ones, with one another.
To start off our issue, Laura features an excerpt from the graphic novel Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi and shares what we can do to bring solace to Iran. With the temperature dropping, Laura and Izzy explore food and the different ways it brings us comfort in The Corridor. Zhen reviews the Studio Ghibli films for Camera Obscura and considers the comfort of silence, and for Art Affairs, Anushka steps away from museums, reviewing the adorable cyberpunk video game Stray. In a brand new column, Capture, Anushka teams up with photographer Pika to explore the world of ‘Closeness Games’ and how self-disclosure influences relationships. For the Athena column, Evita questions the notion of ‘reachers’ and ‘settlers’ in relationships. Expert Jaap Lancee responds to Astrid Homan’s questions concerning insomnia and nightmares. Spiegeloog’s very own podcast, Let’s Mingle, is back with a new episode delving into the concept of Experts by Experience with Praktijkhuis Inspiration. Finally, Laura rounds off the issue with her Bacchus on the thoughts and feelings that come along when people do not empathise with your solace.
We invite you to explore the world of Solace with us over the coming weeks as we inch closer to the cosiness of the holiday season.
We hope you enjoy the issue as much as we did writing it!
Anushka & Evita
