I would like to introduce the world to my life motto: You can only do so much.

Think of it as a pick-me-up for when you get stressed. Coping with stress is one of the biggest struggles we, as humans, face on a daily basis, whether it be through work, school, or relationships. When life has got you down, just think to yourself, “I can only do so much.”

This isn’t an excuse to pass off working hard. The first few times I told this to some stressed out friends of mine, they retaliated sharply, telling me in response, “But I know I can do so much more!”

Then do more. Duh. This isn’t a cop out. It’s more of a way to handle what you’ve got in front of you and turn them into more manageable, bite-sized pieces. Skittles instead of gum. Chicken wings instead of the whole breast. Other analogies.

Do as much as you possibly can. The idea is this: if you put all you had into a task, then you did all you could, whether it turns out good or bad. If it goes wrong, then at least you tried your hardest. If you do well, then you freakin’ rock and you should feel all the more accomplished.

This motto is a way for me to cope with the world around me, much like how I write poetry or binge-watch Bob’s Burgers for weeks on end to get me through the day. Though the mantra started from humble beginnings, the meaning has stayed with me to this day. A few years ago, back when I was struggling with a math class back in my junior year of high school, I slammed down my failed math test onto the table and cried. I studied hard for that test but for some mysterious reason, pre-calculus eluded me. I tried my best, don’t get me wrong: I stayed after class, had one-on-one meetings with the teacher, did homework with friends. Nothing was enough to get me a passing grade on that test. I needed more time - and more help - to comprehend what was going on in that class that I simply didn’t have. I finally realized that I can only do so much.

It was one of the first times that I realized that some things are out of my control. It was a thick, serrated, pill to swallow, as I was a student that enjoyed academics and took pride in my grades. When I finally realized this mantra, however, my life started to take a turn for the better.

I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety far before I realized I even had it. With this mantra in my head, my worries over schoolwork and exceeding the expectations I’ve set for myself somehow began to seem more manageable. My excessive worries began to mediate themselves, whether it came to my schoolwork, having two jobs to juggle, or managing my time to see friends. Relationships (be them romantic, familial, or friendly) are a give and take and you have to recognize that you can only give so much. Though I was still stressed out, I knew that it would all be okay in the end. I took more pride in my work after realizing that I did as well as I could possibly do on them.