As a college student, I am anything but put together.
Every morning, I stress about what lip shade I should use for the day, or what top goes with my pinstriped gray skirt. The next day, I’m struggling to update my planner. What was supposed to be a jam-packed week five on my planner was looking to be more blank than anything else. These routine acts are often seen as being “put together,” and are usually the standard for what people see as being “organized.” But I’m sure many can vouch that these habits don’t always make us feel in control of our lives — it never feels effortless or even looks that way. What is often believed as being “put together” — through maintaining appearances or a tidy planner — isn’t always true.
Many people, myself included, tend to forget the quieter and unspoken version of being put together.
At times, small habits that we practice day to day are the ones that truly build the foundation for us. The ones that don’t photograph well, or aren’t outwardly noticeable. Those small habits are the ones that quietly ground us and make us feel level-headed — even if we don’t notice it.
One quiet habit I’ve begun practicing that has helped stabilize me through tough weeks is “unplugging.” Stepping away from using my phone and allowing myself to refresh from doomscrolling is a quiet game-changer. Nowadays, this simple act isn’t always intentional; sometimes my body knows to put the phone down and take a break. It has become a standard for people to spend 10+ hours on their devices. It’s important that we learn to free ourselves from the blaring notifications and the hours spent scrolling through social media.
Personally, practicing “unplugging” has helped relieve my addiction to scrolling and taught me how to relax outside of phone usage. Use this time to motivate yourself to pick up that old hobby you have been craving to try.
I also find peace and health in quiet acts of self-care, such as opting to drink water during long study breaks instead of energy drinks and coffee. Small, yet meticulous actions to take care of your physical health truly pay off in the long run. Packing a granola bar on the go has helped me more than I ever thought. The snack break helps, but realizing that I took time to ensure I have energy and eat well is so important. Being able to admit that you want to be more put together as a person and taking baby steps toward practicing healthier habits for your body is such a motivating factor.
Piecing yourself back together is less about looking like you have everything figured out, but more about taking care of yourself in small, practical ways. You don’t have to practice a flawless routine or have consistent productivity every week. Showing up for yourself in ways that often go unnoticed speaks louder than your perfectly curated appearance sometimes.
Looking good can be fun, and keeping a journal sounds productive at the surface level, but it’s not always the foundation. Your small routine habits build the consistency and patience you need to grow as a person. Quietly being put together means refilling your water bottle every morning, reorganizing your notes even though you’re too lazy, all of which you do because you know the future you will thank you for having it all together in that moment.
Maybe the calm beneath the surface, and unspoken effort behind closed doors, is what being “put together” truly means.