I remember thinking I was busy in high school. To be honest, I was busy in high school. Between sports, school, and a social life, my schedule was booked. But at this point in my life, it was booked in a good way. This level of busy-ness was manageable and even enjoyable for the most part. If I needed some downtime, I pulled the whole "My mom said no" thing and took the time I needed to recharge because Lord known I am an insanely introverted human being.

When college hit, no one cares if "mom said no". It is fully up to you to manage your schedule and keep things in check and my friends, as a now junior, living on campus at a University, I have hit a wall. I have failed miserably at so much this school year because of my lack of time management skills.

In the last 6 months I have watched some friendships drown, my sanity diminish, and my grades take a dive every now and then. I'll admit that I haven't been my best self and to be really honest, there are days that I haven't wanted to be around myself because I know how irritable I am.

I know that my anxiety levels are through the roof and that I am NOT handling that well, but rather taking it out on every soul I come in contact with. That is not who I want to be. I am willing to bet someone out there relates.

I've hurt those around me.

I've felt lost.

I've caught myself drowning in assignments, deadlines, a lack of sleep, and yet the second someone asks me to take on another task, my answer is "yes".

My friends, if this is you. Take the break that you need.

Believe it or not, you are a human being and you have limits.

I am not sharing this out of the desire for pity, but I guess you could say it is more of a warning and a little advice that it IS OK to say the word "no" every now and then.

It is more than alright to turn the phone off and to crack open your journal or a good book.

I'm sure you're aware of the whole, "You can't pour into others without being poured into" thing. And yes, this is true (though sometimes taken too far).

Yes, you need to be poured into. However, just like everything else, there is a healthy balance.

I don't think you need to take an 8-month break from life or that you need to go pamper yourself. Yet, maybe a couple of hours a week of downtime wouldn't be the worst idea.

There will be people who make you feel guilty for saying no, but if you know that you are going to be sitting in anxiety because you said yes, then don't say yes.

In Shauna Niequist's book, Present over Perfect, she mentions this idea that everytime you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else.

If you are already drained and then say yes to another task, you could be saying no to your own sanity.

There is no need to show up already in a terrible mood and there is no need to let yourself drain that last ounce of energy you had.

So here is the point... From the girl who has failed miserably at time management, don't make the same mistakes I did.

I can guarantee you'll be left feeling like you failed and wore yourself thin.

Say no. Be mindful of how much you have on your plate. Respect those around you and invest in the relationships you know are valuable. Friendships are insanely important and your true friends are going to be willing to walk through this season with you.