Your Healing Space:Welcome Back

Wellness @ Columbia

Your Healing Space is embracing a new, longer-form format to share more detailed information with the Columbia community. This month's edition is focused on jumping back into things while the world feels turbulent.

W@CSubmissions
We want to hear from you! Send us your thoughts on wellness in word or visual form. Select submissions will be shared in future W@C communications. Email Richard your submissions - rchin@colum.edu 

You've braved the cold and made it back; we hope you had a chance to relax over the break. As we start the new semester, there's a lot going on that can make it hard to manage getting back into the groove of classes. This month's W@C brings you thoughts to consider from Lauren Targ, our Academic Life Coach, and some tips on how to manage stress and overwhelm. 

If you want to learn more about Lauren or schedule an appointment with her, visit the Academic Life Coaching website here: https://students.colum.edu/academic-services/coaching/

To meet with a staff at the Center for Student Wellbeing, visit the Decompression Space or check out our site here: https://students.colum.edu/studentwellbeing/

Notes for a New Year, A New Semester

Notes from the Life Coach

At the beginning of every semester, I share a few thoughts about how to navigate the months ahead — with the hope that something here offers you steadiness, encouragement, or simply a moment to breathe.

At Columbia College Chicago, one of our greatest resources is our creativity. What we imagine. What we question. What we make. Our work reflects how we see the world — and right now, the world feels heavy. It’s impossible not to notice what’s happening in our streets, in our communities, and across the globe.

So the question becomes: What is the role of the artist in shaping the future?

What stories need to be told right now?
Whose voices need to be heard?
How do we support one another in expressing truth, identity, and hope in a time that can feel uncertain — even dystopian?

Art has always helped humanity make sense of chaos. It challenges. It comforts. It connects. It moves people forward.

I’ll be honest — I feel distress, heartbreak, and concern too. I sometimes wonder what more I can do to help right this ship. Anger is often the fastest response. But kindness — intentional, courageous kindness — is what I want to practice and see more of in the world.

I grew up in a culture of peaceful protest. One of my earliest memories is attending an anti–Vietnam War protest as a small child. I learned early that showing up matters. Using your voice matters. Doing so peacefully, creatively, and persistently matters.

I believe deeply that our art tells the story of who we are and who we want to become. We cannot let our voices be silenced. Through fine art, film, television, poetry, dance, music, theater, design, and every creative discipline — we participate in shaping culture. That is one of the bravest and kindest ways we can influence change.

So here is my challenge to you this semester:

Step out of the scrolling.
Step into the creating.

Use your voice.
Tell the story only you can tell.
Make something honest. Make something bold. Make something that reaches for the world you want to live in.

Start now.

Let this cold, icy season be the ground where new ideas take root. Spring always comes — and what you plant creatively today can help bring about something more just, more compassionate, and more connected tomorrow.

I’m here to support you as you do that work.

Lauren Targ, Assistant Director: Student Success; Academic Life Coach; Adjunct Faculty


 

Highlighted Events This Month

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