At the beginning of each school year, many students are thrilled to be back on campus, taking classes, and getting involved. This excitement typically starts to slowly dwindle as the semester continues to grow more chaotic and challenging. In these moments, it can be hard to prioritize yourself when you have an overwhelming amount on your plate.
In my counseling psychology class, we recently learned how self-care goes deeper than bubble baths and retail therapy. One of my classmates shared a powerful description of what self-care actually is — it’s not one action, it’s the continual practice of prioritizing yourself. This pushed me to reflect on my semester and check in with my own mental well-being. It also inspired me to share with others how I’m showing up for myself to fill my own cup.
Shift your mindset
Shifting your mindset is easier said than done, and it doesn’t happen simply overnight. Something that I prioritize daily is taking a moment to practice gratitude. It’s a simple task, but it makes a huge difference in your day-to-day life. Being grateful for everything that I get to do, even if it’s challenging. I remind myself that it is a privilege to receive an education and to attend such an amazing school. Through this gratitude, I have found strength and resilience in my day-to-day life because it is a privilege to have the ability to be busy. This doesn’t mean that you need to diminish your feelings and that you can never feel upset about your situation. Take time to feel your emotions and reflect on your reactions. It’s important to understand the duality of life and recognize that the most challenging times allow us to appreciate the good moments.
Prioritize yourself
This time of year can be challenging. It feels like the world is moving at full speed while you’re struggling to hang on. With classes, student organizations, work, social obligations, holidays, and more, life can feel unmanageable. This is the point where knowing yourself comes into play. You know yourself best, so you have to figure out what you can personally handle. To know what you need in each stage of your life, it is important to prioritize self-reflection. Try not to compare yourself to others in this situation. “Comparison is the thief of joy” is often looked at as cliché, but it is true. Each situation is different, and each person is different. Take into account your capabilities and be realistic with yourself.
Slow down
At times, it can feel like your mind is moving a mile a minute. When you’re being pulled in a million directions with different commitments and expectations, there often isn’t room left for self-care. Slowing down to mindfully breathe and focus on yourself can be really impactful. This time to yourself can look like multiple different things, but the important part is that you continuously take time to prioritize yourself. There are a lot of different guided meditations and breathing exercises to help you regulate your stress during these fast-paced moments.
Here are some of my favorites:
Celebrate the Small Wins
When you fall into a negative mindset, it can be challenging to look at the positives happening around you. To help myself celebrate milestones, big and small, I remind myself how far I have come and everything that I have accomplished. Each day, I set goals for myself, but I make sure to acknowledge how I’m feeling and what I have on my plate. This has taught me to find a balance between discipline and grace. Be realistic with your goals and accomplishments, and most importantly, be kind to yourself! This is a rough time of year for so many people, so please remember, you’re not alone.
There isn’t one simple answer when prioritizing your mental health. As you grow, so will your coping strategies and mindset. This past year, I have learned a lot of valuable lessons about my own mental health and how I can prioritize myself to be the best version of me. It’s challenging and takes a lot of reflection, but when you learn to fill your own cup, you rediscover parts of yourself that you were too tired to notice.
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