This month, amongst new challenges, lessons and responsibilities, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be nice.

We all know the famous phrase, “in a world where you can be anything, be nice”, but I think I’ve come to hate it.

I wasn’t sure why for a long time – it’s one of those things that you always hear parents telling their children; or see in cursive writing with a sunset background on Pinterest.

But I think I’ve realised that it’s what it implies. It suggests that kindness is an exclusivity – an either or to other feelings. I don’t think it should be.

For the past four weeks, I’ve worked alongside Fiona and Sofia under what I’m sure we can all agree have been some of the most challenging circumstances a student newspaper could undergo. As a team of three women – which, may I add, has been a priviledge to be a part of during International Women’s Month – we’ve risen above any injustices we’ve faced.

And that’s exactly why we must be everything, and nice.

Through moments of anger, we offer each other coffee and treats. During disagreements, we pause to check in how one another are feeling. When we are at our worst, we still make sure each other can be at their best.

We have not just survived, but blossomed as a trio by allowing ourselves to feel so deeply while still considering the feelings of those around us.

So, if there’s one thing I can feed forward to those of you that will read this editorial, it’s this:

In a world where you can be anything, be, anything. Even in pain, you can still choose kindness.