Editorial: #286

Welcome back! After that dreadfully long winter break, we hope you’ve settled in, navigated your timetable, and left all your Martinmas dramas at the Candlemas doorstep. Though you may not realise it, we’re rather lucky to have two semesters: one to settle and another to thrive. In the time that has passed from last semester, The Saint has gone from strength to strength. We were dubbed the Best Publication, Best Digital (yes, those TikToks were worth it), and our Photo Editor Alden was awarded Best Photographer. So yes, perhaps last semester was Riley and I’s  period to settle and now is our time to thrive. Issue 286 contains stellar pieces such as our front-page article on Storm Éowyn, the science behind hugs, and a surprisingly interesting feature on absent academic fathers. 

And as week three begins to take hold, the event all singletons dread appears. Tomorrow is, of course, Valentines Day — queue resounding “eurghs”. And if you’re like me, you’ll be celebrating its sister event ‘Galentines’ — queue shrill “yasses” and “slays”. Let’s be honest, it’s not the same and that’s not to say I dislike my friends (the single ones of course) but Valentine’s day is one day of the year centred on everything I’m not. Happily in love. And yes, I’m sure the time will come as my friends (the ones in love) will tell me and yes ‘Galentines’ is arguably more fun and you can watch Bridget Jones amidst a new level of relatability. But if anything, take immense joy in the fact that Valentine's Day is a mere 24 hours and you can continue jibes at your coupled friends on the 15th. 

All joking aside, “love is all around” and yes that was an attempt at Hugh-Grant-inspired wisdom. But it is true. It’s in a cup of tea made by your flatmate. It's a compliment from your mother. It’s even a simple “how are you?” from a friend you’ve not spoken to in a while. Love is threaded through every aspect of life. And loving someone in a relationship is born out of these shared experiences with others. You’ll never be able to love another if you can’t find love in the little things, and most importantly, yourself. 

Yes, it sounds a lot like a t-shirt from George at Asda but you simply must find love in yourself and admittedly it can be the hardest medium of love to find. And don’t take it from me, take it from everyone’s favourite situationship-drawn-gal: Carrie Bradshaw, whose parting words in the final episode of Sex And The City are as relevant in 2025 as they were eleven years ago.

“The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” 

Enjoy Issue 286, it’s loverly.