After spending every piece of myself to complete matric (well…), I promised that I would allow myself to have time to breathe in first-year.
In first-year I was staying at res and tried to stay out of extra-curricular activities to give myself a chance to do well. As a result, res food got to me. Granted, the stress of matric left me very underweight and low in energy. So, gaining weight put me at a normal weight. I decided that for second-year I’d be stricter with what I was eating (as opposed to how much), and realized that there was more I could change about my habits.
What I really wanted was a change in lifestyle, as opposed to making drastic changes that I wouldn’t be able to keep up. Here’s how I managed to turn my life around:
- Adjusting to my mornings
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I’ve always been someone to wake up early, even if I didn’t have school or a commitment. Still, waking up at 7:30am on a weekend isn’t worth it if you aren’t productive. This doesn’t mean sit and do homework. It means paying attention to your well-being. Here are some habits I started developing to make my mornings more empowering:
Lying in bed for 5 minutes to say 5 things I am grateful for and 5 things I wake up to achieve
I always used to wake up and check my phone (I bet you do too), and that always made me sleepy or late. Sometimes social media is too much so early in the morning, especially if you’re chasing an 8am lecture. So, I started saying (out loud and with a smile) 5 things I am grateful for and 5 things that I wake up for. Here’s an example:
“Morning Vuyo, you’ve made it to another day. I’m grateful for my health, my family, my ability to go to school, my friends and my safety. I want to help people, make money and enjoy the sunset. That is why I woke up today and that is why I will give today my best.”
Listening to a pick-me-up song
After my daily affirmations, I listen to a pick-me-up song when I get dressed. This might not always appeal to everyone, but when it’s 6am in winter and it’s dark outside you will need something to physically make you feel better.
A healthy breakfast
For me, a healthy breakfast is All-Bran and granola, or 2 cups of yoghurt and a cup of coffee. Whatever it is, it shouldn’t be corn flakes with sugar, or something bulky but not nutritious (if you have the means to choose). I promise a solid and healthy breakfast keeps you going for longer.
- Less of this, more of that
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At home, I eat a lot of food. Still, whenever I’m at school eating res food, I gain weight much faster (regardless of how much I eat). I decided to change my meal plan from 3 meals to 2. Now I make my own breakfast (a cold one, always) and use a lunch voucher to get a decent brown bread sandwich from campus. Then for dinner at residence, I opt for water and fruits.
This change worked so much better for me because I found that I didn’t have to eat less food, I just had to change what I was eating. The fruits and water keep me going between classes the next days and since I have a late lunch every day, I’m hardly *hungry* in the evenings.
As someone who has tried all kinds of diets, I can say that making changes that are too drastic/expensive/difficult will lead to you breaking your goals. It’s important to be realistic with what you can do and maintain. Listen to your body’s hunger calls and meet your daily nutritional needs.
- Forgiving my anxiety
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Another habit I formed was forgiving my anxiety and using it to make me productive. While anxiety is usually general and ambiguous, the stress that comes with worry can be directed in some cases. In my case, I can direct some of my anxiety into helping me get myself together and my work done.
For example, if I’m having anxiety about what will happen with this academic year during this lockdown, I try to calmly direct that worry onto the things that I can help with my studies, like submissions. I’ve spent this lockdown doing readings and getting some practising done and doing assignments because while I work, the anxiety is quieter.
This habit should NOT replace therapy and counselling (if you can afford it), but it really helps me better focus on things I can control instead of spending time not sleeping because of underlying anxiety.
Side note: I recommend contacting ICAS for counselling services (email uct@icas.co.za). They are free and usually offer 2 sessions. If you’re worried about not being able to see your assigned counsellor, they do video call consultations. Please get help or recommend help if you need it.
- Shorter more often
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As I’m a musician, the more I have to do the more I have to practice. Even though I *love* playing my instrument, sometimes practising for long periods can be tough. I’ve found that forcing myself to do things for longer than I can concentrate for isn’t helpful, so I decided to do shorter practices more often.
The same applies to my exercise. I don’t have the time or the stamina to work out for longer than an hour, so I opted for working out for 35 minutes a day intensely instead of for an hour every second day. The consistency of my new habits allows me to enjoy what I do – even if it’s work – and still get the job done.
- Allowing rest
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As a type-A personality with anxiety issues, I have the hardest time letting go of things I can’t control. When it comes to what I can, I don’t give myself breaks until everything is done, even if I still have months to submit.
My new habit is forcing myself to rest once a week for every task that I wanted to complete, whether it be practising, exercising, doing readings or working. After someone reminded me that all the things I do need me to be energized, I started with my weekly rest days. Granted this is tough during submission weeks, but a rest once in a while is a great habit.
- Doing something mindless
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Now that I have all of this time at home and I am lucky enough to be able to use the internet as I need, I’ve started indulging myself in doing something mindless once in a while. Although this isn’t exactly a habit, delving into something arbitrary like watercolour painting or watching a how-to on YouTube can relieve some of the seriousness that surrounds us and holds us hostage. Here are some mindless things I do that you might want to try:
– Trying line art
– Scrolling through conspiracy theories
– Watching a make-up tutorial
– Baking a cake as if I’m on Chopped
– Doing a dance tutorial (not just any dance, definitely Beyoncé)
– Recording or listening to a podcast
– Writing poems
– Singing covers
– Learning how to use a sewing machine
– Reading about something you have no knowledge of
– Sitting outside
If you’re planning on starting a new habit, write it down, how you want to do it, and keep at it for at least 21 days. Quarantine or not, trying something new to better your lifestyle is an underrated win. Do your best and be honest about your wins and fails.