So you've gotten to the point where your plate is full. You've said yes to one too many things, you're afraid to disappoint literally everyone you know, and it seems like even if you sacrifice all of your meals, sleep, and sanity, there still won't be time do get everything done. It really feels like the point of no return. Well first, breathe sis. I am right there with you, and trust me, we are going to get through this.
When I was little, my parents would call an empty plate a happy plate. So when we would sit down for dinner we weren't supposed to leave the table until all of those nasty little steamed veggies were gone and we made a happy plate. Obviously, it was pretty easy to clear the plate when dinner was hot dogs and potato chips, but it wasn't so easy when things like lima beans were involved.
So I am sitting here with a full plate. However this time there aren't really any lima beans. This time the plate is spilling over with things that normally I would be more than happy to do. What happens when your to-do list is filled with things that regardless have to be completed for work, school, job applications, etc. and you would normally love doing those things, but there isn't time to get everything done.
The easy answer to this would be to just do what absolutely positively HAS to be finished or else.
What happens when you love helping people but you turn around one second and you realize you now have eight tasks to do on top of your existing responsibilities?
The easy thing to say to this one would be to stop being a "yes-man" and take some time to work on yourself.
What happens when yes, you do technically have time to get a project done but it's not going to turn out as good as you know it could be.
The easy reply to this one would be to just get whatever you can done.
I personally hate the easy answers. Which yes, often times these kinds of replies are from friends who are literally just comforting you because there isn't anything else they can do, so I can't truly be mad at that. However, I'm not satisfied with just drilling through tasks, prioritizing between classes, or choosing not to help a friend out.
Around here is the point where I give you some great insight on how to solve all of these problems, but the truth is, I don't have a solid solution.
I think it's okay to want things you do to live up to your personal standard, even if it means getting four hours of sleep for a few days. I think you can offer to help people without being a "yes-man", you just have a big heart. I think one of the greatest things you can do with your skills and time is to spend it making another person's day a little better.
What I can tell you is to take little moments throughout the day to breathe and check in with why you're doing whatever you're doing. You'll get to sleep and go out with your friends one day I swear. Something is going to come out of everything you ever do, so make that thing, whatever it is, awesome.