Welcome to my blog!

     My name is Hayley Lowden and I am 19 years old and in my second year of university. I attend Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I am currently studying criminology with the hopes of going to law school to study criminal law. I am originally from a small town just north of Toronto, Ontario but moved to Halifax for university, adventure and to experience a different part of Canada. Since I've been here I have fallen in love with the east coast and the lifestyle that comes along with it. Regardless of what my future holds, it is important to me that I thoroughly enjoy the work I am doing (whether in school or in the workforce) and ultimately strive to make a difference in some way. My aspiration to do good and make a difference are a result of one of my biggest inspirations: my mother. My mother always taught me that to be truly happy you first need to be happy with yourself and who you are as a person. With that, she taught me that the best way to achieve this was to strive to make the world a better place and do it in the way that you enjoy. This lesson that she repeatedly taught me has shaped my goals for the future and initially is what sparked my passion for law and social justice. 

During a time where the world has changed and society feels unfamiliar, we have all been forced to view life from a different perspective and think in innovative and creative ways. While the current pandemic has shaken up the entire world, it has quickly brought very relevant and current issues into the spotlight. I have always had a strong passion for writing and believe putting my thoughts into written words is a convenient and productive way to process my feelings and experiences while sharing them with others. Therefore, I have started this blog to express my personal opinions on a variety of important topics relevant today. If you will, consider this blog to be a glimpse into the mind of a 19 year old girl who is actively in the process of trying to ‘figure it all out’. While that which I will express through this blog are primarily thoughts and opinions based on my own observations and  experiences, I will confess that much of this is likely to emanate from the lessons I learned from my mother along the way. My mother is the person I lean on, seek advice from and look up to. Much of how I view and interact with the world are a result of the lessons she has taught me and the impact she has on my life.  

My mom is a ‘do gooder’. She has a PhD in neuropsychology and has spent the majority of her professional life supporting seniors. Since she was a little girl she has been passionate about seniors and connects with them in a way I’ve never seen before.  Almost daily my brothers and I see her ‘in action’ bringing joy and pleasure to seniors, whether they are ones she formally supports or randomly encounters at stores and in the streets.  It is heart-warming to watch the interaction. While I believe she may be genetically wired to act this way, it does help that she has spent a lot of time studying, working with  and supporting those experiencing cognitive aging, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Her goal is to ensure that all seniors, especially those facing cognitive challenges, continue to live full, engaging and meaningful lives. 

So there you have it - who I am, why I am writing this blog and some of the inspiration that has brought me here. The first topic that I will focus on in this series is about isolation and loneliness. So be sure to check back in because loneliness can affect anyone yet the solutions are often very simple. And each of you can have a huge, positive impact on those who are struggling. As you wait for my next blog on this topic, check out The Genwell Project - a human connection movement that is exactly what the world needs right now. #GenWellProject #ShowUsYourBubble 

For more information on The GenWell Project visit their website using the link below: 

https://genwellproject.org/

Here’s to staying positive and testing negative! 

Until next time, 

Hayley