Hey you. If you’re like me, right now it’s the end of another week and you’re stressed out. Maybe life (life being a professor that you hate, for example) wiped you out like a major wave you never saw coming. Between classes, extracurriculars, and professional stuff, it can feel like there’s not much time left for anything but Netflix and passing out. There are tons of articles out there with advice on how to de-stress — I’m willing to bet that The “De-stressing” Industry is at least a multi-million dollar one.
If you’ve found what works for you and keeps you sane, that’s awesome, but by this point in the term, maybe you need something a little different. So, here’s where I suggest doing That Thing ™! You know, that ridiculous thing that pops into your head and you’re like “Wtf, I would never do that.” If you’re a Dartmouth student reading this, it could be something like the Polar Bear Plunge, where people willingly throw themselves into a freezing lake. Or maybe a party at a beach themed, sand-filled house that shall not be named. Whatever it is, do it! Take the chance, be impulsive.
If it’s too cold to go outside, like in Hanover, you don’t even have to leave your dorm room! I, for example, got the ridiculously embarrassing possibly genius idea to write a rap song, record it, and have my roommate to listen to it (she’s a certified saint). Who knows, maybe when I’m feeling extra risky I’ll put it on SoundCloud and it’ll go viral. Well, nah, probably not. The point though, is not that I’m the next Cardi B. The point is that I felt invigorated by doing something that wasn’t part of the daily grind. I allowed myself to take some time to be incredibly unproductive and not feel guilty about it. I felt joyous and alive and creative and challenged — the way we should try to be feeling all the time. Because, let’s face it, life is too damn short to not feel that fire at least once every day.
I know that we’re in college and working hard to get our degrees and have it all together, but I think sometimes we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. When you’re in your head, overwhelmed, or stuck in a rut, do that thing — stand on a table and yell, dive in a pool, write a bad rap song and RECORD it, go to that party, take that trip.
Don’t forget to laugh, dance, sing, and love. Don’t forget that you can make a change if things aren’t working right now.
Here’s to our one life. Here’s to doing That Thing ™. Cheers.