My big quarantine personality change was developing an interest in fun earrings.

Over the summer I saw a TikTok for an Etsy seller who sold different types of earrings ranging from your typical hoops to miniatures of different things.

My style has always somewhat resembled a third-grade art teacher so when I saw the opportunity to continue to exude fingerpaint day looks I knew I had to strike.

Originally, I had two pairs of small earrings that I wore on occasion, a pair of goldfish in plastic bags and a pair of Frieda Kahlo’s face. Cute, but definitely easy to hide in my mess of curly brown hair.

I was a little nervous at first to wear my new earrings out and about because there’s nothing that will draw attention to you quite like small cows dangling on your ears, however, I decided I wanted to branch out.

It was honestly one of the best things I could have done for my self-confidence. It took a little bit to get used to the weight of wearing full-sized rubber duckies on my ears and the stares that come from looking like you took a bath and forgot to leave the ducks at home, but hearing the reactions from people made it worth it.

If you have been thinking about trying out bangs, rocking some new platforms or dyeing your hair some crazy color, do it. Not only will it put a smile on your face, but it may end up being a way to connect with those around you.

And if you see someone on campus with a look you like, tell them. We can’t see each other’s smiles most of the time right now but we can still put them on one another’s faces.

I know for me this semester has been one of the worst for my mental health but when I put on a pair of Troll Dolls, dinosaurs or bright yellow whistles it puts a smile on my face and makes the day a little bit easier to manage. But it especially brightens my day when other people enjoy those earrings.

On one of my worst days this semester, several weeks ago, I was in the Union when someone told me they had seen me on campus a few times and liked my style. That’s stuck in my head and puts a smile on my face every time I wear those earrings or that sweater. Be that person for someone, you don’t know how much it will mean to them.

Corryn Brock is a junior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].