Long time, no see! You may have been wondering what I’ve been doing with my time off, and the truth is — I was stressed and burnt out.
Because of this, I realized that everyone else was probably struggling too, so I took to writing some advice. Here’s this weeks post! Hopefully I’ll be able to start posting regularly again 🙂
The first time I truly experienced burnout was in 7th grade. The symptoms were undeniable– I was constantly tired, struggled to concentrate, procrastinated endlessly, and felt that I had fallen so far behind I couldn’t find my way back up. I glanced around the room, seeing everyone else absorbed in the lesson, and couldn’t help but wonder why I couldn’t do the same. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized something was seriously wrong. From here, my story probably differs a bit from the norm, but here’s some advice I wish someone gave me before I lost myself.
While it may seem that school work becomes more complex with each passing year, the steps we use to take care of ourself are rooted in the basics. First, use a planner! Timing tasks and scheduling events carefully ensures that you have enough time to use for yourself. Next, break down larger tasks. Creating manageable chunks is a much more effective strategy than scrambling for motivation at the last minute. The next one is absolutely crucial when stress is at an all time high: Don’t aim for perfection, aim for completion. When there is so much on your plate, it’s easy to fall into the endless cycle of obsessing over small mistakes and flaws. But the reality is, perfection isn’t attainable in a stressful moment—getting it done is what matters. You’ll have time later to improve, but right now, focus on finishing what’s in front of you. My all time favorite mantra is “The weight of stress is not the measure of your worth” This reminds me that my failures do not define me; they are simply part of the process. Everyone showcases their highlights, but the truth is we all struggle in different forms. Think about it: does everyone know the deepest, darkest parts of you? I’m guessing not. So why should you expect to find peace by finding others flaws? The truth is that everyone faces stress, some people just hide it better. The next few are pretty cliche, but are also healthy reminders: SLEEP! I cannot emphasize how much more important your health is than those assignments. Your teachers will understand, I promise. Don’t punish your body either! Make sure to eat and drink regularly, regardless of how “locked in” you may seem to be — your body may be giving you warnings your mind is trying to ignore.
I hope this message resonates with you. If you have any advice or thoughts to share, I’d love to hear them. Contact me through TikTok, email, or simply comment on some posts!
Mental Health Matters 