Over the course of the last year or so, I've scrolled through my Facebook timeline and seen articles addressing the topic of "self-care." Sounds simple, right?
Wrong.
The idea behind self-care is exactly how it sounds: to take care of yourself. However, for me, a non-stop, fast-paced, anxious as all hell, run-like-the-wind-to-get-things-done individual, self-care is harder than it sounds. In fact, self-care is something I am just flat out bad at. And I know a lot of people similar to me, especially my peers or those in college.
Self-care is not easy for college students. Between classes, assignments, exams, presentations, internships, jobs, extracurriculars, and just life, self-care gets put on the back burner... it goes behind the exam next week that you will spend hours studying for. It goes behind the internship, the tutoring sessions, the failed attempts at making a solid grade in a course you worked so hard in. It goes behind all of that. College students are more stressed than ever, and with good reason. It's a lot to wake up every day and perform the incredible balancing act that many of us do; it's really, really hard. And we're aware it may not ever get easier, but I guess that's what is so terrifying.
If we can't take the time out of our days now to take care of ourselves, will we ever? Will we continue to be a stressed generation that thrives off of unhealthy amounts of espresso? Does it ever just... slow... down?
I ask myself these questions frequently. And I know I'm not alone in doing so. But what I have begun to realize now, more than ever, is that self-care isn't optional -- it is vital to our existence. Setting aside time each and every day to practice some form of self-care is essential. I know this because upon starting to do this, I noticed on the days I would "forget," or simply not schedule out my day to allow for self-care, I quickly realized not only did I feel worse, but I was actively self-loathing.
Self-care is not a selfish act; self-care is surviving. Self-care is imperative. Self-care is needed. Self-care is essential. When we are content in our relationship with ourselves, we will find contentment and far more satisfaction out of our relationships with others... and with life. So take a break from social media for a couple hours, binge watch a feel-good movie or show, take a bubble bath, buy your favorite candle and light it, read a funny book, go for a walk, indulge in your favorite meal, write everything you're thinking down, and don't be a "yes man" for at least one day a week. I assure you, once you take the time for yourself, you're bound to feel full — to feel like you can give more to your classes, or your friends or significant other or whatever you want to give to.
Being kind to yourself is not an action of greed — being kind to yourself is the most loving action of all.
