It’s a new year, and while I’m not a huge believer in New Year’s Resolutions, I do like to set goals for myself at the beginning of something new. One goal that I make for myself at the beginning of almost every semester, summer, year and what not is to take better care of my mental state. With moderate generalized anxiety, complete with obsessive compulsive tendencies, I have found that taking care of my own sanity is very difficult. However as time has passed, as I’ve grown and started realizing my own boundaries, I find that each semester it becomes a little easier to say “no” to an all nighter because I know it will just stress me out more staying up to make a perfect project than resting and handing in an-okay project.

So with the new year, I decided to take a few days for myself. This began with a quick trip up to Niagara Falls with some great friends. Some carefree time well spent with great people is definitely one of the best ways to relax and release some mental stress, especially with four hour long car drives to rant about everything in your life. Also what’s better than being super nervous talking to the officer working the border and making him totally suspicious of you when you forget the name of your hotel? Lots of good laughs and a trip well spent. But what happens when you return home, a bit exhausted from staying up late talking with friends and waking up early to see more of the city?

After returning home, I spent a day or so without my phone. Upon returning home I was catching up with some friends over texts, and all of a sudden just felt socially exhausted. Once those conversations finished, I decided to basically put my phone in a corner and not really use it (except I had to keep updated on Ed Sheeran’s new music). While trips are refreshing, there is nothing more refreshing than not answering your phone. Not feeling obligated to have it by your side in case “so and so” texts you back. There are plenty of articles out there that discuss the benefits of disconnecting from your phone, but what about the benefits of just not talking to anyone? I didn’t completely discard my phone, I simply didn’t respond to any snapchats, messages, texts, etc. I still used it, I still browsed social media, I just flat out ignored people. Why? Well after ignoring everyone for a day I felt refreshed, ready to go out and see everyone, and overall way more refreshed than after my trip.

I think one issue with phones is the need to respond back instantly. The feeling of, “I don’t really have time to respond but if I don’t answer right now I will forget because I already opened the message.” With these last few days of break (or maybe your break has already ended who knows), I encourage you to take a day to yourself. Don’t respond, instead lay in bed or go out with your mom or do whatever, but let it be a day for you and only you! Next time I’m on an adventure, I want to follow my own advice and ignore the rest of the world while I’m out.