Growing up with a mindset of always prioritizing academics over everything else in life, I have consistently associated my self-worth with my academic performance. This belief has not only been harmful to my mental health but has also kept me from practicing self-care to de-stress. Like many of you, I get stressed out easily, whether it’s from schoolwork, my jobs, or even menial things like turning on my Zoom video. This stress has only intensified during the pandemic, as I try to balance my academic and work-life with a social media presence to remind people that I exist and to feel like I have friends. Too often this stress has built up to the point of burnout because I had no outlet to de-stress myself. 

Living under a lockdown for the entirety of summer 2020, when I had no looming academic or extracurricular deadlines, I discovered that I enjoyed being outdoors. From running alongside the lake near my house to skateboarding with my friends, I finally felt like there was more to life than school or my accomplishments. These things not only served as self-care for me during periods of stress, but they also made me feel less stagnant and more connected to my emotions. Decompressing from all my pent-up stress has made academics and extracurriculars more enjoyable for me, because everything is more fun when there is no sense of doom over your life. 

Running, being in nature, and spending time with my friends and family serve as self-care for me. However, it doesn’t have to be the same thing for you. Self-care doesn’t have to be something grand or elaborate; it can be anything that you enjoy doing, no matter how small or insignificant it is. My recommendation to you is to think about things that you can enjoy and stick to for extended periods. It’s also completely fine to be a little stressed; life happens, but don’t wait to incorporate self-care into your schedule until you are about to explode from stress.