Valentine’s Day falls near the end of midterms for DePaul students, but there are some people who may still be taking exams and writing papers through the next week. In more recent years, college students have really embraced Valentine’s Day as a holiday for loving yourself, whether or not they have partners. But it’s hard to love yourself while you’re feeling stressed and sleep-deprived.
I am someone who takes academics pretty seriously. I’ve noticed myself slipping recently, procrastinating more and not putting in as much effort into my schoolwork. I’ve tried my hardest to get out of this funk, because as I said, it’s midterm season, and I need to be as focused and motivated as possible. The truth is, I’ve had a low few weeks and haven’t gotten myself together.
(Image source: Pixabay)
For Valentine’s Day, I am showing myself love by forgiving myself. It’s not easy. I go back and forth between thinking I deserve grace and thinking that I’ve given myself too many passes.
So many times I’ve asked myself: how can I justify forgiving myself for what I swear is my 5thmental burnout this quarter? Maybe I’m not really burnt-out, just lazy and not focusing hard enough.
But then I think about everything that I’m doing right now, in addition to trying to stay on top of my academics, and I realize that I’m working really hard. I’m balancing a lot and trying to give my all to each of these things. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But that also means that it’s okay if I’m worn out at the end of the week. It really is.
I will get through midterms because I have faith that I will come out on the other side. I will get out of this slump because I have before. It’s really all about loving and trusting who you are as a person.
(Image source: Pixabay)