A Self Care Guide

I am one of those people that absolutely loves to stay busy. I love to fill up my planner with to do lists and plans with friends. Having a busy schedule has always made me feel productive, and creates such a huge feeling of accomplishment after I complete all my tasks of the day. After spending six months in quarantine, the thought of coming back to college excited me way more than it should have. I was so excited to get back into a routine that kept me occupied throughout the day.

Spending so much time at home really helped me understand the importance of taking time to myself. Without having many responsibilities besides work, I was able to spend more quality time with myself. I was able to get back into staying active and hobbies that I did not have time for, such as reading for fun and crafting! I spent more time doing fun activities with my family, and talked a lot more than usual with my friends. All of these little things that I rarely was able to do before quarantine became daily occurrences for me, which ultimately made me a much happier person.

Coming back to college with high expectations, I was almost immediately knocked off my feet once school kicked into full swing. I automatically assumed that with most of my classes being online, my course load this semester would be lighter than ever before. I believed that I would have more time than ever to spend with my friends, and have an abundance of free time. But boy, was I wrong. I seemed to always be one online lecture behind, and rushing to finish an assignment before the midnight deadline. It seemed like I never saw my friends unless it was a special occasion, or in passing at Walmart.

Catching up with all my schoolwork was such a struggle for me, and to be 100% honest, I still am not where I should be. There are some days where I spend all my time studying in my room, and only see my roommates. Some days, I have so much to do that I skip meals, and do other things that are not good for me.

The first few weeks getting back into a routine was so rough. I spent so much time focused on my schoolwork that I was not able to take time for myself. Not being able to take a break from school for days was so bad for my mental health. I did not have as much time to spend doing the things that made me happy, which really took a toll on me. Finding the right balance between my classes and my personal time was such an important turning point for me in this semester so far.

While there are limits to my self care these days, I have found a lot of simple easy things that I can do to still take care of myself, both physically and mentally! I do little things to unwind at night, such as listen to peaceful music or turn on one of my comfort shows. I love face and hair masks, and those are usually my go to for feeling more refreshed! Going for walks and eating healthy snacks such as granola bars and yogurt help me feel more energized as well.

I still attempt to make time to read, and while it does not always get done, I enjoy the few nights where I can sit down with my book and read a few chapters. I love to call my parents or a friend after a long night of homework to destress. Even the littlest outings, such as sitting outside for a few minutes or going on late night drives makes me feel so much better.

Even though my self care looks a lot different than it did when I was living at home this spring, I still try as hard as I can to prioritize taking care of myself. Self care is so important, and in times such as these, it is even more so. Doing little things like these and more have helped me so much, and I truly think they could help anyone else!

Remember to stay safe and take care of yourself!