Taking Breaks

Let me just say, thank god this semester is almost over. Don’t get me wrong, I love my classes and really enjoy the clubs I am a part of, but I feel so burnt out. I feel like this feeling is still one that we feel like we need to keep hidden, but it is so normal. Just because this feeling isn’t an ‘actual sickness’ like the flu, doesn’t make it any less important. I made the mistake of not taking a mental health day for myself this semester, which is an old habit I’m really trying not to slip back into. Because of that, it’s now finals season and I feel like the end of a matchstick. 

So, I am making a promise to myself that next semester I will be better with this. Because it’s okay to take a mental health day. Sometimes you just need to sit outside, or even just stay in to relax. I didn’t do that for myself, but I am going to make that adjustment and recommend anyone else reading this do the same. Because this little thing can make yourself feel so much better in the long run. 

But before we get to next semester, we have the long awaited winter break coming up in two weeks. I am so ready for this time off. It’s always nice for some of that academic stress to wash away for a while as you sip some hot chocolate and enjoy the winter peace. I definitely take advantage of it and use it as a time to recharge so by the time I’m back on campus I am all ready to start again. It’s also just such an amazing opportunity to really check back in and see my friends back home, and as the mom friend of the group I’m always checking on their wellness too. But moments like those are what make me happy. 

Every day, I wake up with my goal being to make someone smile. I know, super cheesy, but that’s how I am. It started off with my family and my friend group back home, but now as I go about BU I have started trying to apply it to just random students I see. Seeing others smile just always makes me feel better, and I feel like this always gives me a small purpose every day. Sometimes it really keeps me going, especially on days when I’m feeling so burnt out. 

So, here’s your reminder to take care of yourself; take a day off, drink some hot cocoa, make someone smile. It’s the small things like that which really end up making the greatest differences in our lives.