Class, clubs, leadership positions, social life, grad school applications, jobs: the list is seemingly endless. As soon as you cross one thing off, another appears. It's a never ending cycle of trying to accomplish everything, of trying to be the best you can be, and trying to balance everything as it comes.
This is what I say to the student who's trying to do it all: slow down.
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It's alright if you don't start your paper this week, or if you don't go out with your friends on a Friday night because you had a long day. It's okay to request for a shift off, to sit down and just breathe for a moment. I know what it's like, spreading yourself thin, trying to delegate time and effort between the tick marks on a never ending list. The shadow it casts over you can be daunting, and at times, it feels like you're not getting anywhere; You're just stuck in a routine, getting things done, going through the motions, but not enjoying it or feeling rewarded for all you've accomplished thus far.
There might have been a time when you enjoyed being a club leader. Now, it may feel like it's an obligation. Things change, and that's alright, but this change is usually an indicator, suggesting that you need to take time for yourself. By trying to tackle too many things at once, we become stressed. Worried. Anxious. Society has taught us that we need to be on top of our game, constantly, and if we fail at one thing, then we fail at life.
I'm here to reassure you that it's alright to take time off. It's alright to relax. It's even alright to fail.
You are your first priority. That means making sure you get enough sleep at night, that you eat three times a day, and that your mental health isn't suffering at the cost of other activities. Take care of yourself, and the rest will follow. I promise that how you're feeling reflects your work.
So put yourself first. Reward yourself with an episode of Netflix when you've been studying for three straight hours. Go to bed early. Take a nice, long shower. Treat yourself to a milkshake or go for a walk. Do what you need to do to ensure that you are in the best state to preform well. Because if you're not, it can easily fall apart.
By making sure that you have a strong structure, a firm framework, you ensure that the weight of everything else will be held up. And never forget: you can do it. Take it step by step, and even if it feels like you're not moving, know that you are. Sometimes we just don't realize it until we look back.
Keep it up. You've got this. And always, always, take care of yourself first.
