When I stopped self-harming, I still felt urges to do it in tough situations. The friend I stopped for would tell me, “one step at a time,” and “one day at a time.” With this advice, it all became easier, and eventually, it was months since I last hurt myself.

Lately, I’ve had a lot on my plate with a full-time job, full-time school, writing for the Odyssey and MCXV, keeping up with my travel blog, and enjoying other things in my life. With all of this going on, I can feel overwhelmed at times.

Thinking about taking everything “one day at a time” has helped a lot though. Obviously, things have due dates like my homework and articles, but even taking those one “project” at a time is helpful instead of thinking about everything I need to do in one week. Then, once I finish one thing, checking them off my list is relieving.

Going by this motto can take off a lot of stress. You don’t procrastinate as much because you’re not thinking about every single thing you need to get done, and then saying, “Oh well, I’ll wait until tomorrow.” You actually get more done by taking it one step at a time. If things don’t need to be done in a certain amount of time, then why worry about them days or weeks in advance? There’s no reason, and it doesn’t help anything.

Take it all one day at a time.