I just got back from one of the best breaks I have ever taken. I say that without any doubt in my mind. I think part of the reason is that before spring break, my entire body and existence was just in a constant state of stress and doubt and disappointment. It was filled with a lot of unhealthy feelings and negativity, and I just really needed a reset button to be pushed on me.
That's what Spring Break 2019 was for me.
For my spring break, I spent half of it not relaxing and half of it having the time of my life. For the weekend before, I spent it like I hope to spend every weekend. Going to bed at 3 am, waking up at 12 pm, watching movies and catching up on all of my favorite TV shows. However, during all of that relaxing time, I also spent a lot of time doubting myself and my accomplished. Prior to the break, I had a chance to pursue a couple of different services and club opportunities, but some of those ended up not working out. Like any college student, I experienced the typical "Everyone here is better than me" phase for a good week leading up to break, and during the beginning of it. It got to the point where any waking second, I was just thinking "I'm not doing enough, I could be doing more, I need to do more" and making the environment in my mind toxic.
As the week started for break, I found ways to address why I was feeling insignificant and unimportant and physically made some changes to start feeling like I was being productive. I started to work on projects for one of my clubs. I'm working on getting a donation drive into works, so I spent a lot of time making donation boxes and fliers. On Monday, I started working at a local health center that serves people in need, so that definitely boosted my confidence in my work. I also started interning in a lab, and learning new science topics got my brain juices flowing. So Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I just spent my day interning at lab and working the front desk check-in at the clinic. Lots of face-to-face interaction and self-realization accompanied those heavy work days.
On Thursday, a good friend of mine and I drove out to one of the most beautiful parts on campus and took some great pics of each other. I've always needed better photos of myself for things like profile pictures, so this was my chance to do that. Peep me. That was another MAJOR confidence booster, and we also got to treat ourselves with some bubble tea.
Suvitha Viswanathan
For the last half of break, my father was able to fly down from his job in New Jersey and spend my birthday weekend with me. We rented a car and drove to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We were all a complete family for 4 days, and my heart was so full. I tell people that when my family and I are separated, only one-third of my heart is with me. But for 4 days, my heart was thriving. The drive up to Tennessee was absolutely breathtaking and being the shotgun, I got to pick all the music and was super happy.
The rest of my birthday weekend was spent driving on a scenic road through Gatlinburg, exploring the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, hiking, riding an air tram, riding a ski lift, taking lots of photos, lots of good eats, and spending time with my parents. I guess I get why people always say "The mountains are calling and I must go." There's nothing that really clears your mind more than seeing just how beautiful of a world we live in. I mostly appreciated being with my family in that beautiful place; I always forget that as I grow older each year, so do my parents. I definitely cried a lot, but most of it was grateful and happy tears.
I could spend a lot of paragraphs trying to describe the gorgeous places we saw, but I'd rather just let you try to see yourself. Here are some pics to enjoy. Thanks for reading!
Suvitha Viswanathan
Suvitha Viswanathan
Suvitha Viswanathan
Suvitha Viswanathan