In high pressure environments, self-loathing is normalized, even attributed to a desperate scavenge for identity. The sheer dominance of self-loathing dawned on me during a furniture bonfire, built at some Thread Magazine party in the fall of ’24. Now I’m not saying to ignore criticism or external opinions — appealing to public awareness is a key component of developing empathy. Our lives’ work constructing identity revolves around attaching those concepts, interests and categories we appreciate to the nature of our being. Kira Walter Kira Walter '26 is an opinion columnist and former lifestyle editor.

Source: Daily Sun February 19, 2026 15:41 UTC