Lately, I have found myself always on the verge of a breakdown. I have been missing deadlines, sleeping through my alarms, and just in general, lacking the motivation to complete my responsibilities. I wish I could say this is just stress, but I have been stressed before and this feels different. With stress, I knew that in a certain period of time I would feel like myself again. This, however, feels never-ending. I have accepted the cycle that now consumes me, lacking any desire to pull myself out. Until now.
I do not know if this over-accumulation of stress is related to school, work, or any of the other life events that constantly take up space in my mind. However, I do know that I am mentally exhausted. I am burned out.
Burnout is defined as: “physical, emotional or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.”
Quite frankly though, summer is coming up and I know that I need to get out of my slump. Therefore, I (with some help from others) have created a to do list that should help me prioritize my well being once again.
No Phone During the First Hour After Waking Up: Eat some breakfast. Read a book. Do your skincare routine. Use your morning to prepare yourself for the day ahead of you, not bury your mind in pointless media.
Do One Thing Each Day That Makes You Happy: Not every hour of your day has to be productive. Allow yourself a moment to breathe without worrying about the numerous tasks you must complete.
Take The Day Step by Step: It is human nature to think about the future, but it is also overwhelming. Don’t worry about all the things you have to do tomorrow. Instead focus on what you have to do today.
Write it Down: Your mind is flooded with all kinds of thoughts each second. Take those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Your brain deserves a break, too.
Ask for Help: You are not Superman. You cannot do everything on your own. If things start to feel heavy, ask for help.
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