We are about halfway through the Fall 2019 semester. If you haven’t collapsed in on yourself like a dying star yet, I’m proud of you. Seriously. We made it through midterm week, and now we just grind until our next break—Thanksgiving. However, it’s difficult to get that bread while also taking care of yourself. As someone who has presently been sick for a month, been on two rounds of antibiotics so far, and hasn’t exercised in weeks, I can verify that a minimal amount of bread has been obtained. This is why I’m going to give you advice that I haven’t been following, so that you can keep on grinding this semester.
- Self-care
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Take a 30 minute hot shower! Eat that vegan Ben and Jerry’s! Take your time having your morning coffee and scrolling through Instagram! Go pet that dog! You need to take those small moments for yourself to remind you that you are human—you need to feel, breathe, meditate, and relax to recharge to deal with whatever curveball the day or week is about to throw at you.
- Take care of your mental health as though it is a small kitten, begging for nourishment.
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You are a kitten. You are sensitive, emotional, and beautiful. Take your medication, dammit! Go speak to some of the on-campus therapists in the Counseling Center if you are struggling—they are so incredibly helpful and understanding. Prioritize your mental health over all else if you are not feeling 100%.
- Sleep!
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If you are a night owl, like myself, you would know that it’s difficult to break the cycle of staying up until 2 a.m. on the nights before you have to get up for your 8 a.m. However, breaking that cycle when you need it the most will be the best decision you’ve ever made. Also, naps are delicious.
- Glam the f*ck up!
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Sometimes, doing your makeup and maybe ~ wearing jeans ~ is all you need to feel like you can crush the day.
- Lastly, practice self-love
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This is obviously easier said than done. Saying kind things to yourself to override invasive, anxious thoughts makes a world of a difference on bad days. I like to keep myself in check by reminding myself that I would never say the negative things I say to myself to another person. This is a good way to remind yourself that you are worthy of practicing and receiving love and care, so try to be kind to yourself when things get rough.
I’m completely aware that this article is awfully cheesy, but sometimes you need to be reminded that you deserve to feel relaxed, loved, cared for, and healthy. Go get that bread, you bad b*tch.