college stories | JNewellness

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I Choose my dream. Not yours.

I wanted to prove that I could. For all the people who wanted to be in my position, but never saw themselves. I hated being the only black person in class. I hated forcing myself to learn material that I couldn't care less about. I hated dealing with the pressure of having to repay my parents. Why is that my problem? I never liked ____. I never liked a lot of things. I just wanted to be good enough to get the opportunity. Wanted to prove to all the white and asian people here

Why We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve

Janelle Newell | 9/3/2026 The relationships you see in life set an example for how you navigate your own relationships. We learn how to love before we ever experience it ourselves. We watch it. We absorb it. We normalize it. Seeing healthy relationships means you're more likely to have positive dynamics. But seeing toxic, abusive relationships, or being neglected by your parents and friends can lead you to stay in toxic relationships longer and go back to someone who hurts yo

Surviving the “Nice Guy”

Janelle Newell | August 22, 2026 The invalidated child becomes the adult who stays even when they've been hurt. When you don't know any better, you never think you can find it. This was the case for the young girl. Ugly, destested little brown-noser, committed to being the best because it was the only way people would recognize her value. He was well-liked and naive, but they both sought control in ways that would hurt her. She wanted a connection to make her feel like she co

Reflections on Love Island USA: A Deep Dive into Relationships and Self-Worth

Janelle Newell | July 14, 2026 Disclaimer: This post includes discussions of bullying, abuse, racism, and suicide. Proceed with caution. There's a reason I don't watch Love Island UK. The men chosen often seem racist, showing little interest in the black women contestants. Dark-skinned women, in particular, are often kept on the show as friends until a white girl comes along who they actually want. It’s disheartening. Plus, the lack of natural hair representation is glaring.

The Self-Care Girlies Are Reprogramming Their Brains—Should You?

A Deep Dive into Subliminals, Manifestation, and the Modern Obsession With Self-Improvement By Janelle Newell | 8/6/25 | Last edited: 8/6/25 “New Year. New Look. New Paige!” This iconic declaration from Degrassi’s Paige Michalchuk isn’t just teen drama gold—it reflects something fundamentally human: our longing for transformation. Whether our external circumstances change or not, the internal desire to evolve never truly fades. While Paige’s makeover was a personal reset,