The holidays are full of twinkling lights, music, traditions, and moments we love. In this reflection, JOMO Student Intern, Katie, shares how Advent invites us to slow down and make space for God in simple, imperfect ways. Sometimes, it’s not about doing more—it’s about pausing long enough to notice He’s already there.

In this holiday reflection, Sarah explores why the rush for a “perfect season” often steals our joy—and how celebration, connection, and reflection can bring it back.

Katie reflects on how Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory reshaped the way she thinks about online culture. She explores how digital empathy, boundary-setting, and choosing peace can transform the way we show up online—and why it matters for our digital wellness.

Sarah shares how a simple act of kindness at a drive-thru opened her eyes to the joy we often overlook—especially online. She reflects on why kindness matters in digital spaces and offers three quick ways we can make our online worlds more joyful.

Senior year shouldn’t end in autopilot mode. This article offers six doable strategies to combat senioritis—boost motivation, manage screens, stay connected, and make your final months count.

October always feels full. When our phones buzz and assignments pile up, it’s easy to forget how we’re actually feeling. Slowing down a little — noticing your body, your people, your needs — helps reduce stress and opens the door to more joy. Here are three simple practices to bring balance back: mindfulness, connection, and movement.

Inside the JOMO curriculum, practices like habit-stacking, purposeful pauses, and playful transitions are woven into everyday lessons. By linking micro-shifts—such as a two-minute stretch before class or a quick brain-break game—to existing routines, students move from distraction to presence and build attention one small step at a time.

Feeling present but not quite accepted. In this honest reflection, Katie revisits her high-school journey through social imposter syndrome — letting go of the picture-perfect mold, embracing her unique interests, and discovering belonging in unexpected places. Redefining belonging began with leaning into who she is, not who she thought she should be.

You don’t have to wait to be picked to belong — belonging begins with your next move. At school, every new group, every kind word, every phone left in the bag gives the invitation to someone else. Start small: join a club, ask a question, show up. And you’ll soon see that belonging isn’t about fitting in; it’s about showing up for others.

Device policies aren’t just about removing distractions — they build the space for presence, connection and joy to flourish. As the school year begins, setting boundaries around our devices becomes an invitation to deeper focus, richer relationships and freedom from constant screen pull.

Whether it’s your last year at school or you’re stepping into unknown territory as a new senior, you’ve got one of the busiest — and most meaningful — chapters ahead. From grad trips to part-time jobs, from capturing everyday moments to embracing leadership roles, this is your moment. Don’t just survive senior-year chaos: lean in intentionally, say yes, try new things, and preserve the memories. Senior Season? Optimized.

Starting something new can feel overwhelming—new routines, new people, all the new unknowns. Instead of isolating, lean into it: be present in the early days, build supportive routines, set clear goals, and let the journey show who you are. You’re not alone in how you feel, and you don’t need to have it all figured out on day one

Instead of letting screens steal our days, this summer invites us back to game nights, backyard baking, and campfire s’mores. A bucket list of real-life memories gives us new goals—not just scrolling habits. Let’s unplug from algorithms, rediscover boredom as creative fuel, and leave the season with joy, connection and stories worth telling.”

Instead of letting screens take our summer days, we made one simple rule: try things we’ve never done and switch off the notifications. We rediscovered our communities, embraced new adventures and proved that our city (and our summer) had far more to offer when we were fully present.

Senior year shouldn’t end in autopilot mode. This article offers six doable strategies to combat senioritis—boost motivation, manage screens, stay connected, and make your final months count.

With youth well-being in steep decline, phone-free school policies are quietly shifting from fringe idea to foundational strategy. Across schools in New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the U.S., communities are reclaiming real-life presence and connection—letting young people talk, laugh and simply be without screens. The tides are turning.

Parents want to support their kids in developing healthy tech habits—and schools can step in as trusted partners. Together they can build shared strategies, open conversations and routines that extend beyond the classroom into the home.

In a world where screens dominate, what looks like connection can often feel isolating. Studies show that spending more than two hours a day on social media or gaming increases anxiety and depression among youth. Real-life relationships, on the other hand, build empathy, confidence, and resilience—reminding us that true connection happens face-to-face.

From burner phones to banned-devices pouches, students are finding creative ways around school smartphone bans. The issue isn’t just the device—it’s the deeper question of why young people feel compelled to stay connected. A shift in approach is needed: one that doesn’t merely restrict phones, but teaches students how and why they use them.

Young people aren’t just the recipients of digital-wellness programs — they’re the architects. When students step into leadership, they shape the culture, set the pace, and create real change. The future of digital wellness begins with empowering them to lead.