In 401, we’ve been reflecting quite a bit on mental health and what burnout looks like. I appreciate that we’re discussing these topics on a more personal level, as we all know each other pretty well by now, as well as in a more traditional literature-driven context.
Recently, we walked around our classroom in Althouse, writing messages for each other that included stories, affirming messages, and qualities we admire about a fellow PLA-er. The overarching theme was to remember that friends are there for you when times get tough, and that there are individuals out there who see you with respect and love.
I think this activity fell at a critical point of the semester because it allowed us to be reassured by the people around us, when everything can seem rather busy and bleak. Beyond that, the gesture of writing on someone else’s paper reminded us to check up on our friends. A small message composed in a couple minutes can make a difference in someone’s day, or at least remind them that they’re not alone.
Based on this activity, and based on some self-reflection during a particularly difficult week, I’ve made goals for myself between now and Thanksgiving break.
Here are some of the goals that I wrote down:
- Take care of your body. Eat at least one quality, healthy meal a day. Go to the gym for your mental and physical health. If your schedule gets too busy for the gym one day, focus on drinking water instead of feeling guilty.
- Find time for yourself to start the day. Listen to The Daily or Up First (my favorite news podcasts), make a cup of coffee, remember to grab a packed lunch to conserve money and avoid stress.
- Set intentional time with friends, and tell people that you appreciate them. Intentional time can be a coffee date, fitness class, study session, or a text conversation with someone you can’t see in person.
- Find new things to look forward to. On Wednesday, there’s an electronic music showcase at Webster’s that sounds pretty neat. Show up to your friends’ birthday parties and celebrate them. Support your friends in their theatre production. Go someplace new.
- Be creative. Play piano or other music and use the right side of your brain. Singing in the shower counts if it’s all the time you have. Don’t lose what you love doing.
- Be present.
- Understand that you won’t achieve these goals every day. Be forgiving with yourself.
Some of these goals seem very simple, but it’s the basic stuff that gets left behind. Reach out to me for a coffee date, or let me know what you’re doing to combat burnout and exercise self-care, whatever that means to you.
Bailey,
Thanks for sharing your goals with us! I appreciate, as does Eli above, your goal to “be present”, as well as “understand that you won’t achieve these goals every day”, the most, as I would venture to suggest that it’s these which I have struggled with the most.
Being present was always a big theme we would push during my days as an Acting major, since so much of our performance on stage depended on what was happening on the here and now. Although practices help you remember your lines and blocking, if you do it right, there’s always something new during each delivery and performance. Over the last few years, I admit that I’ve gotten out of touch with this goal, mostly due to my consistent planning ahead. Sometimes, I need to remind myself that a walk around outside or a quick moment in silent reflection (or both!) is incredibly healthy and will nearly always lead to more productivity in the long run.
The second deals primarily with self-forgiveness—an idea which I’m sure many of us, myself included, forget to prioritize in today’s busy world. There’s a lot going on, so to miss something, or get something wrong, or do poorly on something, isn’t the end of the world, so long as we understand where we went wrong, develop a plan to do better, and execute it. It all starts with self-forgiveness.
Again, thanks for sharing these, and I hope you have a great start to your week! Would love to grab coffee sometime!
Hey Bailey,
I actually think your shortest goal of “be present” is the most interesting one. I feel like there can be multiple interpretations of this goal, from putting your all into everything you do to being aware of yourself and your current situation. Whatever interpretation you meant with that goal, I think it’s a great one to have. There are too many times that I find myself putting in minimal effort into things that could provide me with valuable experiences. If I am more present, then I might have a better sense of the effort that it takes to accomplish tasks in order to get the most out of them.