This semester has been my most stressful semester by far. Between managing an extensive course load to working at my internship or my paid retail job, I often struggle to find a moment to catch my breath. I don’t always get a good night’s sleep and I feel like I have a never-ending to-do list. I spend most of my days staring at the computer, typing essays or reading an assortment of PDFs. However, admits struggling to manage this crazy semester, I have made an important realization: in order to preserve my mental health, I need to appreciate the little things.
I know it sounds cheesy, but I have found joy in appreciating the small, mundane things in my everyday life. I am a huge fan of the autumn season, so recently I have been taking a slight detour on my walk to campus. Every morning, I walk through a residential neighborhood, on a street lined with quaint homes and orange trees. I have discovered that there is a woman who writes a poem on a chalkboard easel every day, placing it at the end of her driveway as a message to those who walk past. I have acquired quite a few photos of various haikus and other poems, many of which put a smile on my face. On this same street, I have also become friendly with a brown cat, who spends his days on his owner’s front porch. I have learned that he enjoys being outside and that the neighbors call him ‘the mayor’ of the street.
Although it is not the most cost-effective, I have been finding joy in getting a drink from Starbucks on campus. Maybe it’s due to my love for holiday beverages that has influenced me into trying the entire Starbucks holiday menu. Nevertheless, I have become quite friendly with the ladies who work at my campus Starbucks. I always look forward to the sweet message that they write on the side of my cup. Somehow, a delicious Christmas drink makes studying a little less miserable.
Recently, I have rediscovered my love for reading. While I would be lying if I said that I have a physical book on me at all times, I have become a huge fan on e-books. When I get a moment of free time, I love sitting on the porch of the Humanities building on campus and reading my book, absorbing the last sunny days before winter. I also have switched from scrolling on social media before bed to reading a book, which has made the time that I call my “unwind time” my favorite time of the day.
Some days are harder than others, and there are a lot of days that I want nothing more than to stay at home in my pajamas and bake cookies. However, I cannot avoid my responsibilities forever. That being said, I have found that appreciating the little, mundane things in my everyday life have made my days a bit brighter.