Monday: Work on the two essays you have due later this week, study for tomorrow’s exam, read an entire book for class on Friday, and do all of your regular homework on top of that.
Not bad. Not great, necessarily, but pretty manageable, at least. Right?
Thursday: Finish the two essays you have due tomorrow, meet with your professor about how you can bring your grade up since you didn’t do too hot on Tuesday’s exam, start working on all of your regular homework that you haven’t had a chance to start yet since you’ve been trying to read that book for tomorrow’s class, but you just can’t seem to read; your brain simply won’t take in any more information.
You’ve had a rough couple of days. Scratch that – you’ve had a rough couple of weeks, as this routine has become the latest trend, and the amount of homework you somehow manage to complete gets exponentially lower with each week that passes. The time slips right by and the seemingly “manageable” workload you receive at the start of each week becomes a lot scarier to tackle. Where do you even start? What’s most important? Is it time to label a certain class (or two, or three…) “Pass/Fail” so you can do poorly on assignments without worrying too much? You can feel the burnout taking over your brain, and with all that you don’t know, there’s one thing you’re sure of: you need a f***ing break. Preferably one that lasts longer than one day every six-or-so-weeks. You’re craving a week-long break from everything. A break that you can dedicate solely to improving the most important thing: not your grades, not your LinkedIn profile, but yourself.
Too often we simply don’t have enough time to truly give ourselves the proper care we need. I’m talking about sleeping in late, spending time in nature, catching up on our favorite shows, and everything in between, as long as it produces some sweet serotonin. Notice how I said “we don’t have enough time” to take care of ourselves, rather than “we forget to.” I don’t know about you, but the amount of emails I’ve received telling me to “remember to take time for myself” only fuels my frustration. I think we’re all well aware of the amount of stress we’ve been feeling lately, and we’re all desperate for even a spare hour to dedicate to our well-being. However, as many schools aren’t having spring break this year, that wish is likely not one that will ever come to fruition. But you know what? That doesn’t fly with me. I see you, and everyone around us, for that matter, suffering in silence due to extreme burnout. I can empathize with that feeling; the cycle I described at the beginning of this article has unfortunately become my weekly routine over the past month. It’s no secret that we’re all in serious need of some R&R. But how can we take time for ourselves when it seems like each day we aren’t dedicating solely to school causes us to fall behind? Let’s talk about it.
The first step to getting back on track after a particularly rough week, in my opinion, is self-reflection. Know where you stand mental-health-wise: what can you honestly handle doing today? Are you up for doing a few chores or finishing up one or two assignments? Or do you feel like you need to spend some time recharging, perhaps through a solid nap or some quiet time spent in nature? Also, where can you push yourself? If you decide to recharge by sitting out in the sun, could you read a chapter of your textbook while you’re out there? Or do you just need to step away from academics for the day? There’s no right or wrong answer to any of these questions – as long as you answer honestly, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Once you have a good sense of what your brain is able to handle for the day, my next suggestion would be to start the day off with some external self care: a long shower or bath where you exfoliate, shave (if that’s your thing), do a face mask, and just pamper yourself. However, there is one absolute non-negotiable: while you’re pampering yourself, rock out to your favorite hype playlist! Sing, dance, and throw a whole concert to your imaginary audience – your fans have been dying to see you perform! In all seriousness, feeling fresh and clean tends to be an instant mood-booster, and at the very least, it helps you feel extra ready to tackle the day ahead. Going off of that, the next step is picking out the perfect outfit. What’s your vibe for the day? Are you thinking that dressing up a bit will help pull you out of your funk? Or perhaps you’re feeling like wearing your comfiest sweats will give you the cozy vibes you’re looking for? Whatever outfit you end up choosing, own that sh**, and get ready to have an absolutely amazing day!
Okay, now that you’re squeaky clean and dressed to impress, you’re all set to start your day! Grab some food (literally anything that sounds like it could hit the spot – it’s your R&R day, so treat yourself!) and a drink (coffee, matcha, tea, or anything in between, but I’d definitely recommend bringing some water along, as well), and enjoy your day! I know, I know, that’s a bit of a vague step. “Okay Katie, you’re getting a bit overzealous here – enjoying my day is a lot easier said than done.” To that, my friend, I say “I know.” This is confusing. I’m aware. However, past simply getting ready for your day and getting food, I can’t really tell you exactly what to do. Everyone’s brain is different, and therefore everyone’s perfect R&R day would consist of completely different activities. What I can do for you, if you’re feeling a bit stuck, is give you a quick list of suggestions. If you’re interested, I’ve included a list of my personal favorite R&R activities at the very end of this article.
I know this article is a bit all over the place, but I think that speaks perfectly to how lots of our lives are feeling right now. That being said, if you’re able to heavily relate to the feelings I described in this article, know that you’re not alone. Trust me, I did cringe as I wrote that. I usually don’t find that piece of advice helpful at all – it seems sort of like a cop-out. I don’t know. However, what I do know is that if you truly internalize that sentence and allow yourself to acknowledge that you are not the only one struggling right now, it helps dissolve any feelings of isolation or loneliness. Chances are, your friends, peers, and family members are feeling more or less how you are. So talk to them about it. Create a safe space with people you trust where you can just vent about your feelings and recognize that it’s okay to be struggling. It sucks, but it’s normal. You’re not the only one, I promise. Allow yourself to acknowledge that. You’re not a machine. You cannot function without first taking care of yourself and your brain. You’ve gone through so much this past year, and you’ve managed to keep going. That is incredible. I’m so proud of you. You should be proud of yourself, too. So make time to reward yourself with some R&R as a way of celebrating all that you’ve persevered through – you deserve it!
Katie’s Super Cool List of Activities for Your R&R Day (Non-Exhaustive):
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Lay outside in the sun
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Paint something (should be messy; should NOT be something you stress about doing perfectly)
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Journal (can use the Internet to search for prompts if you’re stuck)
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Treat yourself to your favorite food and drink
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Go for a walk to nowhere in particular; meander (make sure to be safe!)
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Take (and possibly edit) photos and/or videos of literally anything – just get those creative juices flowing!
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Practice an instrument (unless this is something that will frustrate you, personally I don’t have much patience for instruments so kudos to those of you who do!)
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Spend time with a loved one (including but not limited to a friend, a family member, or a pet)
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Put on your favorite playlist, lay down, and let your thoughts wander (seriously, daydreaming never gets old even though I’m technically an adult LOL)
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Cook or bake a favorite recipe, or try out a new one
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Do a bit of online shopping (treating yourself never hurt anyone! Well maybe it’s not great for your bank account, so keep in mind that moderation to an extent is key!)
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Catch up on a new show, or maybe rewatch your favorite comfort show/movie
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Play a relaxing video game (personally, I’m a huge fan of the Animal Crossing and Sims games!)
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Write something (a story, poem, song, or anything in between!)
- Take a solid nap (I’m talking about gathering tons of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals, wearing your comfiest PJs, and listening to your favorite playlist or podcast that helps you fall asleep)