REFINE Issue 2: Letter from the Editor

Photo by HANNAH PITTEL for REFINE Magazine

Dear Readers,

Am I the only one who feels like this semester flew by? Maybe it’s because I’m graduating in less than three weeks, but I’ve found myself wishing for more time more than usual. More time to finish my assignments, more time to devote to REFINE, more time to sleep, more time to catch up with loved ones, and more time to be able to sit down and actually take care of myself. After having an eating disorder and being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in high school, my prescription was to spend time focusing on my lifestyle choices to keep symptoms at bay, but in college, that can be tough.

This semester especially I noticed myself and hoards of my peers completely forgoing their self-care and sleep routines in exchange for an extra hour at the Tech, one more Red Bull than usual, and quick cleansing-wipe “showers” after oversleeping. I thought to myself, man, Temple needs a self-care intervention. The “self-made” culture that pulses through the veins of this university are rooted in our history (remember the OG Night Owls that studied here way back when?). And while it’s admirable to be self-motivated, determined, and ready to hustle, it can leave us feeling burnt out. Enter: REFINE. The Self-Care Issue is here to prove that you can still tackle Temple’s grind culture with ferocity, but you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to do it.

This issue is jam-packed with exceptional reporting. In these next pages, you’ll find everything you’ll ever need to know about the gyno, a 101-guide to meditating––straight from one of Temple’s meditation instructors, a DIY self-care round-up, and a profile of Adjua Fisher, a Klein alumna that’s killing the wellness game. But of course that’s just the beginning––there is so much more to be found in this issue, and I can’t wait for you to read it and learn something new.

As I prepare to move on from Temple, I feel like my time creating and leading REFINE has just begun, but I know that I’m placing it in the hands of an incredible #NewEra of leaders. I can only hope that the REFINE legacy lives on––that our mission of empowering Temple’s women to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness continues to thrive long after I walk across that stage next month. To me, to you, and to this publication: This is just the beginning.

XO,

Sarah

P.S. (REFINE’s Spring/Summer 2019 issue is HERE! It takes a village to create such an incredible publication, and I am blown away by the talent and devotion of the REFINE staff. I encourage you to take an hour out of your crazy finals studying schedule and give this issue a read.)