Me while I'm stressed vs. me while I'm not stressed are two completely different people (not literally - you get what I mean). Stress can make you feel so many different emotions while you are thinking about a million different things. This combination is terrible and in the moment, it feels neverending.
I get stressed when I have too many things going on at once; this can include homework, tests, work, sorority obligations, etc. While stressing over what feels like a million different things, I will contemplate everything in my life, which obviously makes me stress even worse (even when I have no reason to contemplate anything).
Once I accept that I am overwhelmed, I write a list of what I must do. For a second, I feel like "Okay, I got this, I just have to get these things done and I will be free." Let me tell you, this is so much easier said than done. The real stress doesn't go away until I'm on the other side.
While stressing, it might consume you and make you do or want to do these things:
1. Quit your job
Now I was very close to this point, I contemplated the job that provides me extra spending money and really isn't stressful to go to. I like my job, and I don't stress about actually going to work. I stress about the fact that I have so many things going on and that when I go to work, I have homework or tests to study for that I can't always get done at work.
A couple weeks ago I was at this point of contemplating quitting my job, so I decided to talk to my boss. My boss is very understanding and gave me the opportunity to take an LOA for two weeks while I sort out everything else.
Don't quit your job unless it is an actual problem!!
2. Neglect your friends
Your friends are important people in your life and pushing them away while you are stressed is something that we can't control sometimes, but is definitely the wrong move. Your friends are most likely stressed like you sometimes, so be sure to keep them close, because they are your comfort and will be there for you!
3. Bottle every possible thing inside of your head
Stress will also make you want to suffer in silence, which makes me go insane when I am stressed. Talking about it DOES help, because it feels amazing when you get these things off your shoulders. My parents, my boyfriend, and my best friend are my automatic go-to's when I need to talk everything out.
4. Procrastinate
Procrastinating is never good, whether I am stressed or not. It makes it a heck of a lot worse when you are stressed, though, and usually, when you procrastinate, it results in more stress. This is a major problem for us college students, so the best way to not procrastinate is to not procrastinate!
I know that stress doesnt last forever, that fuels my motivation to get through it. However, you can't let yourself make rash decisions on your journey through stress. Take a deep breath and take one day at a time.
