Life is full of stressors and unfortunately, there isn’t always enough time in a day. Whether your days are filled with classes, work, or other obligations it can be difficult to find time to take care of yourself. Making time for yourself should be a daily goal if it’s not already. Easier said than done. If you struggle like me to make time or haven’t yet found the right balance of your schedule then hopefully my advice can help you out! Of course, you’ll have to adapt these tips to fit you personally.
Where to begin? For me, beginning is always the hardest thing to do. I try not to be so hesitant when taking care of myself both mentally, emotionally, and physically. Here are some things I personally try to do:
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Rewards: try to develop daily rituals you can do during the day that will help center you. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something you schedule, just do something nice for yourself. A break from five minutes to an hour set some time aside to recuperate. Practice a hobby, read a book, take a walk, watch a movie but be mindful of yourself.
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Breath: it’s important if you’re overwhelmed to breathe and get out of your head. If you feel like everything around you has become daunting or heavy, develop a method to let that feeling go. This could be through meditation, or physical activity it depends on what works for you. If the situation calls for it even a good cry and some venting is good. To figure out why I feel a certain way sometimes I try and walk myself through my thoughts and give myself advice as if I was giving that advice to someone else. It’s one thing to think of what’s affecting you, but talking can clear things up faster. Even if you’re hearing advice from yourself.
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Acceptance: things change, they always have and I think it’s safe to bet that things always will. Whether things change for better or worse you’ll always have to handle different outcomes of that change. I’ve been told many times throughout various seminars that life is no straight shot from A to B. There are detours and avenues you’ll go down you didn’t expect but enjoy or bear nonetheless. These changes will be what you can personally make them so even if you feel like you have to hold your breath whilst you’re starting you just have to ease in.
Here are some things I personally try to avoid:
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Comparison: it is the thief of your happiness and negatively affects your self-worth. Try not to compare your capabilities to other people’s abilities, focus on what you can do. This takes practice and mental reminders to avoid. All you can give is your best, don’t be deterred from trying because to you it may appear like your best is different. Find a place where your best is welcomed and appreciated. It may be hard to find but you’ll get there.
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Hypercriticism: some criticism is good if not hard to take sometimes. Over criticism is unnecessary, try not to over criticize yourself and others. I like to say “You’re not a scab so quit pickin’ at yourself” it helps bring me back to center when I get too in my own head. You can’t let that voice control your actions I’ve found. Making decisions based on fear of repercussions isn’t helpful. When the nagging starts you have to change your mindset. The sooner you stop listening to that nagging negative unnecessary opinion the better your mental state will be.
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Idealism: who you are may not be who you want to be yet. My philosophy is that you’ll get to where you’re supposed to be. For some, it works out that where they are is where they want to be for others it varies. At the end of the day, we can only provide our best and typically that’s good enough.
People amazingly are resilient, people can fail and get back up, succeed and open the door of opportunity for others. People struggle some harder than others but still manage to stay their own course and keep moving forward. I find peace in that, my life may not be what I pictured but so many people have been where I am so I’m sure I’ll land on my feet.