Dear Susie and Jasper,
Hello! I need some advice. I’m struggling to balance, having a good year with lots of fun, and having a heavy workload. How do I help feel less stressed? How do I prevent burnout?
Thanks,
Balancing Life.
Dear Balancing Life,
Continuous task, after task, I would consider it adolescents’ biggest rivals. I’ve been in your shoes many times, and stress, burnout, and exhaustion have never fit right. I can just reflect on when I was getting home from a strenuous day of school and sitting down, only to see the unhumanly amounts of papers and tasks to be completed the next day, my stress levels took a toll on things I didn’t even know could be affected by stress!
Each attempt to decode the problem or read the words on each worksheet only becomes harder rock to push, while each neuron is just fighting to stay on task, isn’t our white flag when we’re knee deep in the trenches of progression. First, allowing yourself to have breathing room in your schedule opens the doors of your mind to re-focus and gives you time for weekly self-evaluation, a crucial tactic to re-center yourself to your personal values. What are the goals that you made? What virtues would you like to align with and live through? Never forget who you are and what you came here to accomplish. A sense of self is important for the soul of humanity; it floods us with motivation and purpose.
Secondly, I would like to recognize your ambition for the prosperity of both fun and maintaining a steady pace, keeping up with seemingly never-ending amounts of work. To make matters different, doing the bottomless pit of tasks doesn’t necessarily have to be a burden if you put your mind to it! Traditionally, coffee shops serve as a tranquil setting for anybody in search of peace, while a more collaborative approach turns cramming and note-taking into a group effort all around. Having friends who align with your goals and ambitions is comparable to being on a sports team. You are all striving for the same one goal, together to uplift each other.
Balancing Life, I wish you the best of luck, remember what you’re here for, and know your limits. Pushing yourself to capacity doesn’t define success.
Sincerely,
Susie
Hey Balancing Life,
Welcome honey to the balancing of life. Let’s get things straight: you are not a robot, you’re a human with a life, a vibe, and probably a caffeine addiction. Let’s fix this situation before your brain files for bankruptcy.
Firstly, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and right now yours is looking a little bone dry. Schedule fun like it’s an appointment. “A fun night with friends” deserves the same calendar respect as “finish that project.” You only live once and these years of your life are precious, so make sure these years are the best because your only a teenager once. Next, do the big stuff in small bites. Nobody’s asking you to conquer the world in one sitting. (And if they are, tell them to take a seat.) Break your work into bite-sized chunks so you can actually finish things. You can only do so much in 24hrs; your mind, health, and well being is just as important as school or even more so. Also don’t be afraid to say no. You do not have to attend every event or take on every task just to prove you’re thriving. You’re not a circus performer, babe. Protect your rest like a dragon guards treasure. Sleep, stretch, nap and whatever else that keeps you human. Burnout sneaks up when you treat rest like a luxury instead of a necessity. Lastly, Remember: “Having fun” isn’t procrastination, it’s preservation. You deserve joy and success. The trick is giving yourself permission for both.
Just don’t forget: you’re the boss of your schedule, not the other way around.
See you later,
Juicy Jasper