Have you ever been to the doctor or to the gym or to get a haircut? Has the person leading you in that journey ever said the words, "Just breath." to you? All my life I've heard this phrase over and over again. People would tell me that it was okay and I should take a breather, whether it was figurative or literal. I always needed it but rarely took it.

I have just recently finished my first semester of college where I completed 17 credit hours, a 19 hour work week, and 4 productions. (I don't want to toot my own horn but it was a lot.) I've always been one to stay busy with work or school or family so this level of stress was relatively normal but nevertheless hard. Learning how to balance all of these areas of my life has been altogether interesting and haunting. Being an extrovert I also didn't want to miss out on time with friends and parties that would take place. But being a student I also wanted to do well in my classes. Being pulled all these different directions is scary and stressful and you have to know what you want to be able to make the decision that is best for you. I know that I need time with friends to do well in school but I also know I need good grades to be able to relax and have a good time. So basically balancing my life all at once seemed impossible.

Before going to college I was told that you will have loads of free time and that you won't know what to do with this time. Well I was lied to. It depends on what your major is, the hours it requires from you, and the total credit hours you take on. (Tip: don't take more than 16 credit hours your first semester of college and you might actually have some of this fictional free time I was told about.)

When I decided to join the Odyssey team at first I was reluctant because I knew that I would be going to college soon and I didn't think I would have time to write. (Spoiler alert: that's exactly what happened.) But these lies of free time had me thinking that I could do it. I don't regret becoming a member of the Odyssey team, in fact it has been absolutely amazing being able to write and share parts of my life and the lessons I have learned.

And moving to college was an amazing experience and I enjoyed writing about the new experiences I was having. However, when school began to pick up and my free time began to shrink I noticed the lack of writing and it hurt. It made so sad to think about an article I needed to write and wanted to write so bad but having classes 8am-6pm and rehearsals 6pm-11pm. I barley had time to eat I was so busy. Again, I'm not sharing this with you for sympathy because I chose this lifestyle and I even enjoy it.

Even though I enjoyed my lifestyle and the busy schedule I had, I began to lose sleep and stability because the time commitment began to stretch my human ability to just exist. I cannot be two places at once, nor can I do two things at once. And that is so okay! I used to become so stressed because I couldn't help everyone that approached me or I couldn't do everything that I wanted to do. But this last semester I became very sick, both mentally and physically, because I was pushing myself past the natural limit.

It is so okay to take a break and nap. It is so okay to say no I can't help you today I'm sorry. It is so okay to stay in and watch a movie instead if going to a party. It is so okay to put aside some homework and relax until need be. It is so okay to not sign up for everything thing you possibly can. It is so okay.

Just breathe.

Learning this lesson the hard way is't what I wanted but I am so grateful I have because now I know it is so okay to take a breath and write an article that I'm passionate about.