Everybody has gone through moments where we feel drained and have no motivation whatsoever. But sometimes we can be full of energy, but with no inspiration.

Has that happened to you? It happens to me all the time.

After a long day of classes and assignments I just want to crash in my bed not caring the least about my homework for the next day. And there are other times where I am very energized and I have all the motivation in this world to do homework and be productive, but as soon as I open my computer to start my essay, nothing comes to my mind. Both are very frustrating.

I used to be very strict with myself—not letting myself do something else until I finished what I was doing, which can be a good thing, but not taking it to an extreme. As an organized person, I have everything I have to do every single day written down on my planner. I do not take a break until I think it’s necessary. But I accidentally learned that sometimes it’s good to break the schedule a little bit and have a short break.

I came to this realization when I was really frustrated on one of my papers and got so overwhelmed with all the sources that the assignment required to use. I got so mad with myself that I closed the computer with the intention of giving up. I walked out of my room and went to the kitchen. I looked around and spontaneously decided to make myself some hot chocolate, then I opened the fridge and saw some whipped cream. A couple minutes later, I had a delicious hot chocolate in a cute mug with whipped cream on top. I forgot about school for a moment and walked back to my room with my hot chocolate and sat on the little couch in the corner of my room. I picked up the Harry Potter book that was already there and I threw a blanket over me. I opened the book from where I had left off last time and started to read.

Forty minutes later I realized it was getting dark and that I had run out of hot chocolate, so I decided to turn on my desk lamp and open the computer...and there it was—my unfinished paper. But now I was more refreshed and no longer frustrated. My mind had taken a break from thinking really hard and now I was ready to start writing again and finish it.

One hour later, I submitted my paper and I was relaxed and full of creativity to start doing other stuff.

There is a balance that we must find between being diligent and relaxed. Don’t push yourself too hard that you might explode. Take a break! Watch an episode of your favorite series! Go for ice cream! Talk to your friends on the phone! Do something else that doesn’t have to do with school for a moment! I guarantee you’ll most likely be more productive!

Of course, self-control takes place when you have to decide to stop watching Netflix and go back to finish your homework. Just like I said—it’s a balance. You know what are the things that can distract you temporaily and you also know the things that can be very difficult to get out of. So be smart and cautious! Choose something that you like, but also something that you’ll know you can stop doing to get back to your homework.

Taking a break in the middle of my busy schedule has been effective in my life. Doing this has also reflected positively on my grades.

You should try it! You’ll see results right away!