I’m not too sure about the rest of you all but I can definitely speak for myself. If someone asks me how I’m doing I am managing. That is it that is all, I’m doing the best I can at this point, with school, work, and organizations there is a lot to manage. I honestly have no time to take to myself and do what I love. It’s like whenever I start school and the middle of the semester rolls around I’m so flustered with everything I have to do, I lose myself. In turn, this takes a major blow to my mental state. More than anything tackling adulthood is mentally draining in itself. Now think about everything else. Stressful right? Either way, it goes, the first step is admitting that you’re undergoing a lot of stress at the moment. The sooner you realize you’re going through a lot the easier it is to catch yourself from going on a downward spiral. People can become so consumed with their lives and all of their responsibilities it can feel like they are operating as a machine instead of a human being. Typically I’ll brush it off and attempt to keep going but I find myself so stressed and burned out that I rather do nothing at all. So I’m going to give a guided way to be okay with managing without absolutely losing your sanity.
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Breathe
Okay just breathe, if you’re an overthinker like me this is easier said than done. After thinking about everything that you have to do it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Just stop, breathe, and do. Whatever it is that you have to do, just do it, don’t think about it. I promise if you think about it you’re going to be overwhelmed.
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Don’t Overexert Yourself
If you know you’re close to breaking, take that break immediately. It doesn’t matter what obligations you have, your mental health is more important than all of that. If you’re not feeling good then anything you produce guaranteed will not be your best work. Don’t do too much, don’t be afraid to call out of work, don’t be afraid to email your professor and ask for an extension. This year especially professors are more lenient and understanding explain your situation and see if they can work with you. The moral of the story, your mental health is far more important than anything else. Your mental health will take a toll on you physically, emotionally, and educationally and you’re going to get that degree period.
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Seek Companionship
If you feel like you have no one to talk to, the counseling center offers 15 free sessions. If you just want to vent because you feel like no one listens to you before you shut down please try to talk to someone. The counselors at Georgia Southern care they work with you and your schedule and talk you through your thought process. The number one misconception is that you are alone and you are not. If you’re not comfortable with talking to a stranger, try to talk to a friend, or even write it down. Something or someone is always going to be there for you to talk about how you feel. So what if you don’t want to talk? It’s always good to have someone who will just sit in silence with you.