TO OUR SCROLL READERS,

Within the last few years, we launched the advice column Ask Blair! Everything is 100% anonymous, from who sends in submissions, to my own identity. Though I go by Blair for the purpose of the column, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you know me outside of The Scroll. I’m a student at GPHS, just like all of you. My goal for the column is to reach out to you guys and do what I can to help you during your times of trouble. Please keep in mind that your submissions will all be completely anonymous and your name will not be written in any of the issues here, so don’t be afraid to send in questions for next month’s issue! I look forward to writing for you guys in the months to come. Scroll down to enter your own questions for me: Blair!

*A Note from Blair: Since I reach such a wide audience and cater to people of so many different lifestyles and beliefs, it is my goal to remain as unbiased as possible when giving advice. It is for that reason that I ask you to refrain from asking for my personal opinions on politics and the like, as I don't want that to get in the way of being able to help as many people as possible. Thank you for helping me keep Ask Blair! a safe space for everyone!

*Editor's Note: The Scroll's Ask Blair! column is to solely provide advice, care, and support to students in need. We want to hear from you, and we understand that some of the topics that will be discussed will be emotional and sometimes distressing, but this advice column is not meant to be used as an alternative to any sort of professional therapy or counseling.

Thank you 💜

Responses and Answers from the November Issue

When you're feeling down what's one of the best ways that you get yourself back up and about?

This is a really good question, and before I answer it, I do want to preface it with the fact that what I do won't always help everybody or every situation. That said, my role in this column is to try to offer the best advice I can, so here it is. Typically, I try to keep myself busy and as engaged in activities as I can. I find that having something to busy my mind with helps me keep myself from getting into mental spirals and whatnot. If I have nothing to do or I genuinely cannot bring myself to do an activity at all, then I just chill in my bed and have some alone time or I call a friend. I like making my space as comfortable as possible, putting on my favorite show or music and just letting myself feel whatever I need to feel. I take time to recuperate. I try to make time at least once a day for this and, as a night owl, I tend to let myself decompress at the end of the day. Making sure you have some regular self-care time can absolutey keep you from burning out or getting into a mental rut.