2024: To Rot or To Ripen?

The other day, I was having a conversation with a friend about my unfortunate case of seasonal depression. Desperately eager to ditch the biting wind, drenched sidewalks, and murky skies, I’m excited to feel the warm embrace of the summer sunshine, orange creamsicles, poolside peach tea, and unending bliss again. But with the New Year still slightly fresh and our resolutions for 2024 starting to dwindle, I realized there is more to leave behind than just unfavorable weather. As my friend and I discussed the difference between this semester and last, we found ourselves on two ends of a very interesting spectrum: to rot or to ripen?

I am newly familiar with the term “rat girl,” or the act of “rotting” away in my room- watching trash TV with a pile of junk food by my side, in unwashed sheets, and in the same sweats worn all week. Sometimes, this is a well-needed break.  But other times, it evolves into a deep plunge into the abyss of scrolling and napping. 

Next, let’s explore the term “ripening.” It’s me when I’m not seasonally depressed, on my journey to being “that” girl, eating at Cava, and going on runs. It’s getting all A’s, finally folding my laundry, meeting up with friends, and discovering new music. Although “ripening” is motivating and productive, it can also be draining and chaotic. 

Now that we are a month into 2024, are you going to “rot” to “ripen”? Truthfully, most of us are going to do a bit of both. And in most cases, a bit of both is necessary. But neither, by itself, is entirely healthy. Though tempting, taking a backseat, turning off notifications, and eating a whole bag of cool ranch Doritos is not always a good idea. 

On the other hand, it is also not ideal to spread yourself so thin trying to keep up with your club meetings, academics, friend’s parties, laundry days, and more to the brink of exhaustion. The key lies in finding balance. How do we not rot but also not overripe?

I’ve been thinking a lot since this conversation, and I’ve broken it down into three things that work for me: Discipline, Enjoyment, and Reflection. Or “R.E.D.” (backward!) 

1. Discipline. First and foremost, stuff needs to get done, papers turned in, trash emptied, and closing those Applewatch rings a couple of times a week wouldn’t hurt. Personally, discipline is a necessity to keep up my GPA, my room clean, and not indulge in too many hours on Instagram and TikTok!
2. Enjoyment. Self-care is JUST as (if not more) important than productivity and is often even a main contributor! If eating that donut will make me happy, I go for it! An episode of Sex and the City? By all means! Participating in organizations that I’m passionate about and making time to grab brunch with my girls on the weekend is perfect. All the extra things that contribute to my well-being are necessary for upkeep, but only when done in moderation. 
3. Reflection. This ties discipline and enjoyment together. At times, I need to press pause and take a break to think about how things are really going. It’s when I feel compelled to crack open a journal and write an assessment of my emotional bank. I reflect on what I am grateful for in the past week and what I regret doing or not doing. Was it enjoyment or indulgence to go on that shopping spree? Do I feel fulfilled or burnt out by my social calendar? These questions are essential to fine-tune my unique balance to complete those 2024 resolutions and thrive this year. 

So, when it comes to “rotting” or “ripening,” both can be good with some added self-reflection. Then, you’ll have all you need to excel in 2024!