Often, the word "healthy" is associated with how many tireless minutes spent jogging on a treadmill and whether or not you denied your craving for that cookie you eyeballed while in the Starbucks line. It all comes back to the saying that my dietician parents enthusiastically engrained into my brain, "Everything is good - in moderation."
This is true with most aspects of life. To add to the theme of cliche sayings, "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." For instance, think back to the day your family filtered in-and-out of your dorm room stacking cardboard boxes stuffed with pictures and a few loose items that you haven't and probably will never use. The rush of excitement that stirred in your stomach during the now seemingly fast car ride is also accompanied with a tinge of sadness. You may not say it, but they feel it in your hug and the way your eyes track their departing car. Soon enough, winter break somehow sneaks up, and you are greeted with the aroma of home-cooked meals and a rush of familiarity. Though, too many questions from family and plain boredom have you wishing to be reunited with the college friends you've immediately grown close to. To explain with the earlier two quotes, "distance makes the heart grow fonder, but only in moderation." This brings up the need for creating a healthy life balance.
The longer I spend at university, the more I ease into the transition of an adult. I have got to tell you - it is not all it is cracked up to be. I should have known after watching "13 Going on 30." Still, the way I always pictured it was graduating with a Rory Gilmore-like future, taking the journalism world by storm. Rewatching "Gilmore Girls" as an almost 20-year-old as opposed to a girl about to enter junior high pitches a different reality. I see the imbalance Rory struggles with and feel it now with myself. I don't know if that assures me or makes everything even scarier.
Finding a balance between family, friends, and a professional life is puzzling. Once again, the saying "everything is good in moderation" seems important. However, what exactly is the happy medium? Though I struggle listening to myself thanks to hereditary stubbornness, I can offer advice on the subject I know all to well: how to live a balanced life. Friends, family, and a professional life somewhat go hand-in-hand. For example, spending quality time with people you adore most equals happiness. Getting that internship you spent days preparing for means a great success towards your goals and aspirations. It is the times that we let our stresses consume us that there is an imbalance.
I find myself trying to attend every friend outing, constantly checking and resurfacing in the group chat as a reminder of my presence while mentally I may not be doing the best. My tendency to shut others out when I am dealing with my own struggles ends up sending the wrong message. As Camila Cabello said, it's easier to "skip the conversations and the 'oh, I'm fine's'." It is difficult to explain to others what you are going through when you may not even understand it yourself. This is why it is crucial to find a support system to help during these downs - whether it is to give advice or just patiently listen.
Quite simply, your feelings are valid. Oftentimes, I fear that I may be a burden or maybe my problems seem bigger to me than they actually are. However, this thought must stay at the forefront of your mind: self-care is not selfish.
College is another added stress to my peers and me; in fact, it is our entire life thus far. Although it may be unavoidable, it can be made bearable. Of course, I am forever grateful for the opportunities I am lucky enough to have been sent my way. As true as this is, it can still be a lot to take on. Though, I have discovered ways to better manage my time and make the most out of it.
Rather than making the trek or stalking pedestrians for library parking, a change of scenery to do homework, study, or just get away is essential. Find the place you find most comfortable. You can spend hours here, coming with a group of friends or even better, independently. If you are like me, you spend most hours of the day with friends. As typical as it may sound, you need a place for yourself.
Picture it. It can be a snug coffee shop or a quiet corner of a bookstore. It should be separate from your everyday life; otherwise, you associate unrelated stresses with it. Go to this place to work productively. Go in the early hours of the day to settle in and enjoy the morning. Go and do as much as you can so you have the entire afternoon to yourself. Go and accomplish as much as you can during the week, spending the weekend adventuring with friends or visiting family. With this, an effective balance of family, friends, and a professional life can be achieved through self-care.
