Whether we admit it or not, change is hard and it comes despite our own desires. After enduring a global pandemic for the last year and a half, we have returned to what is now the “new normal.”
We’re four weeks into college and I’d be lying if I said it has not been a hard adjustment. Leaving home was a long-awaited moment, and I was eager to move into my dorm and get my real, true to life college experience started; but what I failed to realize was that I was going to have to readjust to attending in-person courses.
Classes are now starting to get busy. Work is starting to pile up, and while this is happening my motivation is dwindling and with it goes my self-confidence. I recently have been feeling unaccomplished and aggravated because learning the curriculum is just not coming as easy as it used to. Lately, I have not been trusting in my abilities; I know what I can do, but for some reason I don’t believe in my capabilities to deliver.
To keep me sane and grounded, I have come up with five solutions to help me decompress my mind when I’m overwhelmed and five ways to keep me motivated. I share these today with the hope that maybe they’ll work for you too:
Mind stimulation
- Meditation: Even if it is just for 10 minutes, sit and do breathing exercises. Meditation calms the nerves and relaxes the mind. I try to do this three times a week and the difference it makes is undeniable.
- Breaks: Take time for yourself, whether it be a self care date, or going for a walk. Personally, I enjoy taking dance or singing breaks; I jam out to music until I’ve relieved all my pent up emotions.
- Naps: I am a big nap person. I love taking naps because they allow you to shut your thoughts off and you can wake up with a clear head. A clear mind aids you in being more conscious of how you want to proceed with your work or day.
- Journaling: This one I have found to be the most beneficial because it is like a ginormous brain dump; you write down everything consuming your brain regardless of if it makes sense or not. Journaling can be done by hand or typed which makes it a suitable way to release for almost anyone.
- Creative Outlet: Lastly, do something you love. Doing something you want to do not, and because you have to, is essential for your mind stimulation. While your thing could be drawing, mine is fashion. I love taking time to style clothes either online or in my closet; fashion is something that I genuinely enjoy and it allows me to decompress mentally.
Affirmations
- Goals: Create daily goals for yourself. I’d recommend starting with small goals that are easy to accomplish; even though they may seem trivial, these small goals are good at evoking feelings of productivity and therefore enforcing positive feelings and emotions.
- Quotes: Implement a nightly routine where you get sticky notes, a chalkboard, or a white board and write uplifting quotes on it. This way, you wake up to something positive every morning and start the day feeling uplifted.
- Self Love: This may sound played out, but when done continuously, it’s effective. Tell yourself things you believe to be true. Looking in a mirror, tell yourself five things you love about yourself. Like Miss Aibileen Clark said, “you is kind, you is smart, you is important,” and you need to be reminded.
- Take three deep breaths: When you wake up, take three deep breaths and say positive things before starting your day, walking out the door.
- Talk to the people closest to you: If you ever need motivation, the people closest to you are where it’s at. They care about you and better yet, they (and I) believe in you. ;)
It might seem hard right now, but trust that life always works itself out. Stay strong. xoxo