“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum
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By far the best thing I’ve gained in college is the people I shared the last four years with. Since this semester started, I’ve been reminiscing with some of my closest friends and somehow the topic of self-care has continued to work its way into the conversation. It has been a wild, transformative, unbelievably amazing time in Miami that has helped us realize the true value in taking time for oneself, away from all the motion.
It’s something much of our generation doesn't do enough of because technology is constantly begging us to be in the know. We are regularly overwhelmed with a sense of FOMO that can get to be too much. Then, tack on the studying, the meetings, the job searches, the weekends, trying to weave adequate amounts of sleep and three meals a day in that equation, and we are seemingly overcome by the demands of our own lives.
With all that noise that comes from being in a busy city and college, it’s crucial to take care of your headspace. There comes a point where we need to press pause on all other aspects of our life and reset ourselves. And, it really is amazing what you discover when you focus on the importance of silence.
Over the past few days, I’ve broken down the world of Miami I know so well and took time to hit my own reset button. Whether it was playing a round of golf with the best company, walking the bridge to Key Biscayne with my roommates to watch the sunset, or staying in one night to read the book I’m currently hooked on; I cleared out my headspace and used that time to reflect and refresh.
If you’re having a hard time finding a way to reset, here are a few of mine:
-Driving around aimlessly with my top playlist on blast. Really. It’s liberating. There are also days when I drive in silence, windows down, just to hear the background noise I typically tune out.
-Running or riding a bike. Fresh air is the cure all.
-Watching a sunset or a sunrise. I’m weak when it comes to a killer sunset. There’s an overwhelming sense of calm with all those colors blasting through the sky, reminding you that today is coming to a close, but it is also just beginning.
-Rekindling old hobbies. It was a short round of twilight golf, but I swear the scenery reminded me why I missed the sport I grew up playing. Plus, I had two great friends to laugh with the whole time.
-Staying in, lighting a candle and reading a good book: Staying in sounds lame, but sometimes you really just need a moment to yourself with no distractions. Watching endless episodes on Netflix that make you laugh hysterically work just the same.
-Coffee Shops: Nothing like a Cup of Joe and some good vibes. Sure, they’re trendy and placed all over our cities, but it’s the element of surprise when you stumble upon a hidden coffeehouse.
So, whatever you need to do to find yourself, go for it. You’ll feel better and be able to give more of yourself to the people in your world. We all need a moment that’s our own sometimes.
