Before I graduated, I would always tell myself that as soon as I was done with school, I would take more time to myself. I am a lover of dancing, open mic nights, spending hours at the beach by myself just thinking, reading, writing, and so much more. But when you're a full-time student, it is not exactly easy to make time for all that.

Not to mention, the UC quarter system did not make things any easier.

You have roughly ten weeks (I've had professors drag the quarter out to 12-13 weeks before) to master pretty intense subject matters and depending on the number of classes you're taking -- good luck fitting anything else into your schedule.

I wish I was exaggerating.

Luckily, I did a fair job of taking some 'me' time every day. Whether it was a hot shower or putting aside a few hours to journal, I made decompressing a priority. I'm pretty sure I would have lost my mind if I didn't.

Every time I had a couple extra hours to myself, allowing me to take a dance class or watch a sunset, I would feel dramatically happier. In those moments, I promised myself that as soon as my life would permit I'd incorporate such things into my daily schedule.

I graduated in June, it's almost September, and things have only gotten worse; what's my excuse?

Before it was a matter of having too much on my plate. Especially if I had a midterm, final, or paper to write, there was just too much studying that needed to be done. Or, in any case, I had so many books to read that I could not imagine reading something for my own leisure.

These days, it's not necessarily a matter of having too much to do; I just have a hard time justifying having fun. Even though I am no longer studying for a test, I am going to work all day, studying for the GRE, preparing for grad school, and constantly trying to get a grip on all the moving components of my life.

What happened to the yoga morning I had planned for?

Or, what about the weekends spent relaxing I was always talking about?

Why does it still feel like I am going at 100 miles per hour?

Not being in school anymore is in some ways a relief, but it's also a huge stress! These days, it's almost harder to let myself relax or let go because I'm so consumed with making sure I am on the right path to 'success'.

While graduating, I knew that I would spend the next two-years as 'gap-years' before attending graduate school. I anticipated to work a job a low-demanding job and have my weekends to myself, both of which I was able to make a reality. But for some reason, I can't get myself to actually enjoy the time I have.

I spend every free moment planning the future; thinking about graduate school and what internships are available to me. It is almost like my sense of urgency is unfounded.

Obviously, this is a personal problem.

I am tired because I am making myself tired; I could make time for the things that make me happy, I just need to re-work my priorities.

There are so many things that I would like to achieve in life. But, I need to enjoy my life as well.

I do not need to spend every day of the week planning out my next steps; sometimes I can just come home and watch Netflix.

When I'm too tired to go out with friends, I can tell them no; I can stay home and catch up on the news I genuinely enjoy reading.

I can spend my Saturdays, however, I want to; there is no 'better' or 'worst' way to spend my days off.

Sometimes, I can take breaks from studying for the GRE; there is no rush to apply to graduate school

There is no excuse for putting my happiness and sanity second. My mistake has always been making myself believe that there will be this magical time in my life where all my responsibilities dissipate and I will finally be able to do all the things I want to do. You know, like getting yourself to push through studying by thinking about a vacation you'll be taking after your test.

Except I have been doing that for what feels like my entire life, and enough is enough.

Life will always be life; it is a continuous journey, not a destination.

Even though this may sound cheesy, as of today I've decided to start taking the scenic route. I'm still going to work my absolute hardest to achieve the goals I've set for myself. I am just also going to make sure I spend time doing the things that make me happy too.

It should be just as much of a priority to make it to yoga every day as it is to make it to my GRE study-sesh. The score I get on the GRE will determine my future as far as graduate-school goes. Yet, taking the time to work on myself in yoga will determine my personal well-being, which in my opinion, is way more important.