I really love the book review section because it gives me the chance to look forward to reading something new...
Appreciation
Hi Ed!!
I hope you are in sound health. As always, I enjoyed reading this week’s magazine (1 May). I really love the book review section because it gives me the chance to look forward to reading something new. This week, ‘Things they never mention about adulthood’ by Zahra Zafar made me so emotional. I recently lost my grandmother, and I still cannot comprehend this reality. Zahra’s writing made me think about how a writer says things we all feel but cannot put into words. She has such a gift with words. Moreover, ‘The illusion of belonging’ by Lucky Sartaj Gichk was an interesting read too.
Hania Ahmad, Karachi
Embracing wabi-sabi
Dear Ed,
I am writing about a Japanese idea called wabi-sabi. It means finding beauty in simple and imperfect things. It teaches us that nothing is perfect, and that is okay. Old, worn or slightly broken things can still be beautiful in their own way. Wabi-sabi helps us see value in what we have, and also tells us that nothing lasts forever. Change is a natural part of life. In a world where we – especially the youth – are chasing perfection, wabi-sabi helps us accept ourselves as we are and enjoy the small, simple things in life. By embracing it, we can find peace and be happy with what is real, not perfect.
Zara Zahoor, Turbat
Comparison culture
Dear Editor,
Comparison culture is escalating among the youth. While we often view social media as a tool for connection, recent data reveals a much darker reality regarding our mental well-being. Adolescents who spend hours a day on social media face greater risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is largely due to what psychologists call ‘upward comparison’ – the habit of comparing our daily struggles with the filtered, “perfect” highlight reels of others. For many young people this creates a distorted standard of living that leads to a deep sense of inadequacy and FOMO (fear of missing out).
We are living in an era where our self-worth is increasingly dictated by algorithms and likes rather than character and efforts. We must encourage our youth to understand that what they see on a screen is often a curated product, not a reality. I urge educators and parents to initiate honest conversation with our younger generation and help them prioritize their mental peace over a digital mirage.
Mahwash Alijan, Turbat
Editor:
Lubna Khalid
Sub-editor:
Sameen Amer
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