Amy Xia, Author at Youth Are Awesome https://youthareawesome.com/author/amyxia/ Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:11:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 What Gratitude Does to Your Brain: The Science Behind Appreciation https://youthareawesome.com/what-gratitude-does-to-your-brain-the-science-behind-appreciation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-gratitude-does-to-your-brain-the-science-behind-appreciation Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:11:12 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=115978 Throughout our school lives, we have always been taught to show gratitude and to be grateful for things and individuals around us. We all know that gratitude is a powerful tool for improving interpersonal relationships and improving mental and emotional well-being. Besides gratitude being a fundamental value found in various cultures and philosophies, modern neuroscience […]

The post What Gratitude Does to Your Brain: The Science Behind Appreciation appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Advocacy Against Bullying: Real Stories and the Fight for Change https://youthareawesome.com/advocacy-against-bullying-real-stories-and-the-fight-for-change/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=advocacy-against-bullying-real-stories-and-the-fight-for-change Wed, 26 Feb 2025 01:24:17 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=115634 Bullying is a widespread issue that affects millions of individuals—youth, teenagers, and even adults. It can take various forms—physical, verbal, emotional, and, with the rise of the internet, cyberbullying—each equally powerful in creating lasting harm to victims. Advocacy against bullying is crucial in raising awareness, shaping policies, and encouraging respect and empathy.  Perhaps one of […]

The post Advocacy Against Bullying: Real Stories and the Fight for Change appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Curiosity: The Secret to Lifelong Growth and Success https://youthareawesome.com/curiosity-the-secret-to-lifelong-growth-and-success/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=curiosity-the-secret-to-lifelong-growth-and-success Sun, 16 Feb 2025 06:04:50 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=115424 Curiosity is one of the most underrated and powerful traits a person can have. It fuels creativity, drives personal growth, and fosters opportunities that would otherwise remain unseen. In our current world, which is becoming increasingly competitive and fast-paced, staying curious is not just an asset—it is a necessity. Curiosity matters. The most successful people […]

The post Curiosity: The Secret to Lifelong Growth and Success appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> The Evolution of Streaming Platforms https://youthareawesome.com/the-evolution-of-streaming-platforms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-evolution-of-streaming-platforms Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:56:13 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=115129 Over the past decade, the entertainment industry has been revolutionized by various streaming platforms and entertainment companies. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Hulu have grown into global superpowers, competing with not only each other but with other traditional television networks and cinemas as well. But where did we all begin? More importantly, what […]

The post The Evolution of Streaming Platforms appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Defending Love: Reflections on LGBTQ+ Rights Protests in Russia https://youthareawesome.com/defending-love-reflections-on-lgbtq-rights-protests-in-russia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=defending-love-reflections-on-lgbtq-rights-protests-in-russia Thu, 23 Jan 2025 22:45:52 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=114961 In past years of Russia’s history, LGBTQ+ rights and the protests advocating for them have become an excellent example of how advocacy is able to shape and influence social change and empower marginalized minority communities.  Under the illiberal regime of the Russian government, interest groups and social movements have relatively limited freedom to initiate impactful […]

The post Defending Love: Reflections on LGBTQ+ Rights Protests in Russia appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> A History of Vaccination https://youthareawesome.com/a-history-of-vaccination/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-history-of-vaccination Wed, 01 Jan 2025 07:27:58 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=114578 A History of Vaccination It seems not long ago that COVID-19 was still around, forcefully interfering with almost every aspect of our lives, from visiting friends to even attending in-person classes. In 2020, not long after the initial outbreak of this pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination became available in Canada. Vaccines help us defend ourselves against the […]

The post A History of Vaccination appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> What does it mean to be “effective” to stop bullying? https://youthareawesome.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-effective-to-stop-bullying/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-does-it-mean-to-be-effective-to-stop-bullying Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:18:14 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=113352 What does it mean to be “effective” to stop bullying? Bullying is a serious social issue especially among children and teenagers, often involving verbal, social, and physical abuse, causing severe damage to both the mental and physical wellbeing of victims. There have been numerous studies targeting the root causes behind bullying; government and school authorities […]

The post What does it mean to be “effective” to stop bullying? appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> The Substance (Movie Review): A Violent, Romantic, and Artistic Tale of Beauty https://youthareawesome.com/the-substance-movie-review-a-violent-romantic-and-artistic-tale-of-beauty/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-substance-movie-review-a-violent-romantic-and-artistic-tale-of-beauty Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:15:38 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=113361 The Substance (Movie Review): A Violent, Romantic, and Artistic Tale of Beauty The Substance is a horror and science fiction movie brought up on screen just recently in September-October of 2024. As said in the official trailer, the entire movie can be summarized in a few sentences: “Have you ever dreamt of a better version […]

The post The Substance (Movie Review): A Violent, Romantic, and Artistic Tale of Beauty appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Caravaggio: The Master of Baroque Art, Murder, and Crime https://youthareawesome.com/caravaggio-the-master-of-baroque-art-murder-and-crime/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=caravaggio-the-master-of-baroque-art-murder-and-crime Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:43:31 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=113147 Caravaggio: The Master of Baroque Art, Murder, and Crime The European art history, especially after the Renaissance, flourishes with numerous art masters and masterpieces. Specifically, in the 17th century, Baroque art took dominant control of artistic trends. It was characterized by its rich emotions and dramatic composition, developed during the Catholic Counter-Reformation in response to […]

The post Caravaggio: The Master of Baroque Art, Murder, and Crime appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Firecracker Chicken: How to Cook This Classical Chinese Cuisine? https://youthareawesome.com/firecracker-chicken-how-to-cook-this-classical-chinese-cuisine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=firecracker-chicken-how-to-cook-this-classical-chinese-cuisine Thu, 03 Oct 2024 18:56:55 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=113152 Firecracker Chicken: How to Cook This Classical Chinese Cuisine? For some spicy relief from one’s busy schedule of work or school, consider some classical Chinese Sichuanese cuisine. Just like the descriptive nature of its name, Firecracker Chicken (known as Laziji) is perfect for some sharp and satisfying hotness. Vibrant in colour and rich in taste, […]

The post Firecracker Chicken: How to Cook This Classical Chinese Cuisine? appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> The Wonders and Ponderings on the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony https://youthareawesome.com/the-wonders-and-ponderings-on-the-paris-olympics-opening-ceremony/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-wonders-and-ponderings-on-the-paris-olympics-opening-ceremony Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:50:08 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=112997 One of the most famous quadrennial events, the Olympics undoubtedly presents itself as the center of all the world’s attention. This year, 2024, the Olympics takes place in Paris, a city often remembered for its high fashion and romance. From July 24 to August 11, thousands of accomplished athletes gather, coming from more than 200 […]

The post The Wonders and Ponderings on the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> “I’m a Queen card:” Female Power in Kpop https://youthareawesome.com/im-a-queen-card-female-power-in-kpop/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=im-a-queen-card-female-power-in-kpop Tue, 28 May 2024 04:05:59 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=112590 As the awakening of female power has been on the rise, this trend of feminism can not only be seen with official feminists but also with cultural symbols such as K-pop. K-pop, which refers to Korean popular music, originated in South Korea. Usually in the form of boy and girl band groups, these K-pop music […]

The post “I’m a Queen card:” Female Power in Kpop appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> “I did nothing wrong”: Advice for bullying victims https://youthareawesome.com/i-did-nothing-wrong-advice-for-bullying-victims/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=i-did-nothing-wrong-advice-for-bullying-victims Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:04:29 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=111600 I did nothing wrong. As talked about in previous posts, bullying is a serious yet prevailing issue in schools and communities in the entire world. According to a report from the National Center for Educational Statistics in 2019, one out of every five (20.2%) students reported being bullied. Yet despite continuous efforts from educators, advocates, […]

The post “I did nothing wrong”: Advice for bullying victims appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Bullying: “He Held a Knife to My Throat” https://youthareawesome.com/bullying-he-held-a-knife-to-my-throat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bullying-he-held-a-knife-to-my-throat Sat, 27 Jan 2024 16:03:14 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=111383 He was in Grade 8 when his fellow student put a knife towards him.  “He held a knife to my throat.” Bullying in Schools According to Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2019 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, around 20% of youths between the ages of 12 to 18 experience bullying. For students […]

The post Bullying: “He Held a Knife to My Throat” appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]> Body Shaming: “With your size, you’re never getting a date.” https://youthareawesome.com/body-shaming-with-your-size-youre-never-getting-a-date/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=body-shaming-with-your-size-youre-never-getting-a-date Thu, 25 Jan 2024 20:02:36 +0000 https://youthareawesome.com/?p=111358 It seems like a societal trend, almost, for girls and boys from popular media platforms such as social media and magazines to be following some kind of invisible standards: girls slim and fit, boys muscular and strong.  Yet as most of us already notice in our everyday lives, this cannot possibly be the case for […]

The post Body Shaming: “With your size, you’re never getting a date.” appeared first on Youth Are Awesome .

]]>