"There's always someone that has it worse off than me."

That phrase has consistently been an out for me and numerous other people that I have come into contact with. Instead of focusing on our own emotions, we realize that we have a roof over our head and food in our stomachs. That is more than millions of other people in the United States alone. Yet, while the phrase helps us to remember what is good in our life, it also detracts from allowing us to have a healthy relationship with our feelings. We dismiss them in an attempt to forget or get by, but ultimately they are still there.

At GW, the students are highly motivated. We succeed in the classroom, but we also succeed at finding outside opportunities to further our service or career goals. Often times you'll hear on campus, "I don't have time to focus on this right now. I have an internship interview in the morning." or "That sucks, but I can't deal with it now." So, the logical question becomes: When are you/we going to deal with "it."

If there was one thing that I learned last academic year, it was that our own personal mental sanity is far more important than whatever task we are trying to accomplish. If we don't confront our feelings, it is very plausible that they might come out at the workplace or in a classroom when you're discussing a particular topic. Our emotional balance plays an integral role in us being able to find and keep last friendships and partnerships. These types of relationships shouldn't be built on a false notion of security.

Sadness, anger, and/or frustration are all important emotions for us to be able to recognize. Instead of putting any of these emotions on hold, feel them. Allow yourself to know what it's like to feel sad/angry/frustrated. Once you've come to terms with how you're feeling, talk with someone about it. That person could be a friend, mentor, or counselor at Mental Health Services. Having a built in network of support at a university allows for you to know that someone is there in case you stumble or need an ear to listen.

We do not have control over every outcome that happens in life. That power is given to someone way above our pay grade as human beings. Yet, we can learn about how to handle what we are given in a responsible way.

Life happens, and life happens to everyone. You are not alone in your struggles. Let your mascara run. Toss one of your pillows. Scream (preferably when your roommates are not asleep). Our emotional balance helps us to enhance our worldview and see things from new perspectives. However, you can only see clearly when you have come to terms with how you are feeling in a particular moment.