Being busy is incredible. I love being involved with school, internships, working out, writing, and my sorority. Each and every thing I do I try and pour my heart out into it. When my days aren't packed full of classes, meetings, and hitting the hot yoga studio, I begin to feel uncomfortable rather than relieved. I feel empty without my schedule being completely full.
Why is it that when I am overwhelmed by responsibility I wish for some free time, but once I have it, I feel incomplete? In high school, I loved doing nothing. I'd sit in bed and watch Netflix for hours on end and was bored by the thought of social outings. Yet ever since I came to college, my outlook on my schedule has completely changed.
In college, your days start out incredibly busy -- new friends invite you out, you get involved with clubs and Greek life, and have challenging course loads that involve going to office hours and the library. Many college students work a great deal to support themselves or try to build up their resumes with internships and lab work. College is fun, in addition to a time when the future is in full focus.
At first, I loved being in class for a few hours and having the day free. Then I went through recruitment and joined a sorority. I tried to avoid any sisterhoods or involvement outside the bare minimum -- until I realized that I wasn't very close with many of my sisters. Something compelled me to run for a director position, and by the time second semester came around, I felt guilty missing a single event for my sorority and loved every involvement opportunity.
The same thing happened with my classes, as I saw what a positive impact office hours and extra credit learning meetings and TA tutoring held sessions had on my GPA. I hated missing class and loved it when my TAs knew my face and name when handing back papers. I was doing so much better and felt like I had genuine connections to professors and faculty members.
Two weekends ago -- due to Greek Week, midterms, and feeling under the weather -- I stayed in bed all day on a Friday and hated myself for it. Whether its FOMO (fear of missing out) or fear of letting someone down, I always have to be doing the maximum. Why do I all of a sudden need to go to all my classes, a sorority function, do 2 hours of homework, and work out like crazy to feel the slightest bit of a accomplishment in my day?
So from here on out, I am challenging myself and others to take time for themselves. As finals approach and the school year begins to wrap up, we all need to step back and realize how much we accomplish each day, week, semester, and year. All the little efforts do add up, and we all deserve a little recognition and relaxation. Do nothing for an hour a day, or do nothing for a day a week. It can be done, I promise.
