Let me translate that for you, “Relax, Please.” Sorry, commands just sound better in another language, am I right? Whether you’re the most go with the flow individual or a total stickler for the rules, generation Y (myself included) tends to put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves to succeed. Being passionate about something, having a goal, and working to make that goal a reality are honorable and noble pursuits. However, we must remember to live in the present, because one day (sooner than we think) this very moment in time will simply be a memory of the past.
5 signs you’re being too hard on yourself:
1. When a B+ angers you.
Yes, a B+ can be annoying, especially when the professor decides that an 89.99% shouldn’t be rounded. However, you should be proud of the time and effort you put in to make that grade. Imagine what you would’ve received if you hadn’t studied so hard.
2. When you spend time alone.
Doing things alone can be a weird concept for young adults. Eating by yourself in a restaurant, browsing your favorite store, and running errands around town are fun things to do with a friend, but are also perfect activities to do alone. There’s no one around to encourage you to order dessert, no one to tell you to buy that shirt even though it’s not in your budget, and no one to distract you when you’re trying to decide between Crest and Colgate in the toothpaste isle of the drugstore (obviously, whatever’s cheaper will always win).
3. When you compare yourself to your peers.
Seriously, we all need to stop this right now. You may feel like the only one who doesn’t have an internship for the summer, or a clear idea of what your life looks like after graduation, but that doesn’t mean you’re bound to become a cat lady living in your parents basement. If you put in the effort, things will come in due time.
4. When you stress about not being stressed.
All your midterms, group presentations and projects are over but you’re still worried about school. Enjoy this (short) down time while it lasts. I’m not suggesting you blow off your homework and begin procrastinating, but take a weekend to recuperate. Go out, watch movies, take a hike. Just do all the things you couldn’t while you were studying.
5. Feeling guilty about what you ate.
I’m all for eating healthy (seriously, broccoli is one of my favorite foods), but haven’t you seen that ever so funny and relevant meme from Parks and Rec…”Treat Yo Self.” If not, go look it up…you won’t regret it. A weekend full of pasta, gelato and endless midnight snacks is good for your soul. They say your metabolism will never be this fast again. So go ahead and eat those chocolatey Oreo balls, lays and Fro Yo, but please, don’t even think about counting the calories.
