If you're like me, as you get older, life just gets crazier. It feels like you're constantly pushing through one week with the hope that next week will be easier, only to find out the next week is equally as crazy as the last one. Trying to do well in school, have a social life, go to the gym, eat healthily, find a job or internship, figure out your future and also make sure you get a good amount of sleep.
It seems practically impossible.
This has been my life for the past year now. Sophomore year of college has been crazy. Crazy good, but still crazy. First semester, I was taking the maximum amount of credits possible, editing for Odyssey, holding a position in my sorority and just trying to get through each day. This semester, I have an awesome internship, I'm writing for my school newspaper, and still editing for Odyssey.
Everything I'm doing, I love. But, it is a lot of work and sometimes I find myself completely overwhelmed and unsure how to handle everything. And I know people say to take time for yourself but that can be hard when it feels like there is barely enough time to breathe.
But I'm here to reiterate it. Remember how important your mental state is. Remember that you may have a lot on your plate that needs to get done, but if you are mentally drained and exhausted, your work isn't going to be your best work.
Take five minutes and just breathe slowly. Listen to calming music for a half hour. Run a warm bath and just let your body relax. Little things like this that take less than an hour will help your body calm down and improve your work.
I struggle with this too. I tell myself I'll sleep when I'm dead. But a life that is full of constant stress and unhappiness is not a life worth living. Pushing yourself is important. But so is taking care of yourself.
Ultimately, you come first. Before any project, before any assignment, before anybody else, you come first.
Life is crazy, there's no doubt about that. But life is also short and precious. Don't spend it in a state of constant tension.
Work hard and push yourself, but also remember to take care of and love yourself. Because you are all that is guaranteed.
Sheetal Tadiparty
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