Imagine this: You are beginning a new semester, working a full-time job, trying to pay all of your bills, and dealing with drama on top of it. It seems like nothing is working out for you. Then, you notice you have more bills such as books to pile on top of it. You start not sleeping enough and being more irritable. You start breaking down more and you start thinking things you shouldn’t. The world keeps breaking and you do not know what to do.

Then, your parents give you the choice to come home — come home and reset yourself from all of the hell that you have succumbed to. When I first was told this, I looked at my parents as if they were crazy. I only had a few semesters of college left and I was settled in my apartment. I had a steady job for the last two years. I did not want to move back home. I felt like I was a failure.

However, I had to believe I was not. I had to believe that it was okay to want to take a break from the world.

So, to anyone who wants to go home after some turmoil, it is OK. Everyone has issues within their life and break down. Thankfully my parents allowed me to come home and I have never felt more healthy and alive than I have in a while.

I was depressed and in a terrible state of mind at the beginning of the semester. At first, I was excited about all of my classes. I stated, “Wow I am so ready to kick ass for this semester!” Then, reality set in and I saw all of the homework assignments, the deadlines at midnight on days I was not off work until 11 o’clock at night. Then, the stress started to settle in. Duties started to pile up and I felt like I was turning into a mindless zombie, wandering from class to class and barely existing at work.

Instead of dealing with all the stress, I packed my bags, resigned from my job, withdrew from school, and headed home. I decided to do what I needed to do for myself and that was OK. It is OK for anyone to want to take a break.

We are told daily that we need to finish college in four years, have a degree by the time we are 21 or 22, and then a steady paying job. You are looked down upon if you take longer unless you are studying for a master’s or even a Ph.D. People look down on others that decide to not graduate from college at all.

College is NOT for everyone. However, do not question it, I will be finishing my degree but I am taking a mental health break.

For anyone that is considering taking a mental leave of absence, I fully agree for anyone to do it!

When I returned home, the first thing that I did was take the longest nap and I did not have to worry about waking up to finish an assignment online or to start getting ready for work. The first few days took a lot of adjusting to not being constantly on the go. I feel everyone needs a time to mentally wind down. Take a bath, read a book, watch a movie, or do whatever you feel like! It is “you” time and you should enjoy it!

To my parents that decided to let me come home and relax, I thank you with all of my heart. You have let me find myself again and I plan on using this time to nourish myself and if anyone decides to do this as well, be happy! Everything does get better and it is okay to break sometimes. We can be put back together again through time and healing.