Espresso, Thunderclouds, and Yoga

Frozen, Disney’s latest musical masterpiece, has been a tremendous international hit; just Google box office or DVD sales for the wintery windfall for Disney producers! But everyday Americans, me included, have come to dread the three words Idina Menzel has unleashed into every living soul’s musical vocabulary. But “let it go” was a phrase well known to me before the snowy musical. “Let it go,” said my mother, my professors, my roommates, and my boyfriend. I’m a double major, double minor, so I am very busy and I have a hard time allowing myself to release from stress, even during breaks.

Alpha Sigma Pi Induction Ceremony

Fall 2013: I was taking 21 hours, participating in three internships, held a job within my university’s Student Government Association, and was the founding president of a brand new honors organization which held over 300 members.
 

“Burned-Out” is a common term used by every procrastinating student who has spent a grand total of 30 minute studying during an eight hour “all nighter” filled with energy drinks, Candy Crush Saga, Tumblr, and lots of social media posts  that complain about how hard it is to study. But real burn out looks a little different than an instagramed picture of dubbio espressos. According to Forbes Magazine’s Article, “10 Signs You’re Burning Out and What to Do About it,[i]” you may be burned out if you are experiencing:

         1.       “Exhaustion

         2.       Lack of Motivation

         3.       Frustration, Cynicism and Other Negative Emotions

         4.       Cognitive Problems

         5.       Slipping Job Performance

         6.       Interpersonal Problems at Home and at Work

         7.       Not Taking Care of Your Self

         8.       Being Preoccupied With work… When you’re Not at Work

         9.       Generally Decreased Satisfaction

         10.       Health Problems”

         
In retrospect, it’s easy to see how burned out I was. At the time, it was a struggle to admit to myself that I was burned out. I felt like a failure, which is what I’d been working so hard to avoid becoming; I’d allowed myself to become swept into a competitive struggle against myself – how long could I push myself before I couldn’t take it anymore? As I became mentally and physically exhausted, my shining academics became the only thing that I could or wanted to focus on; friendships and life outside of my to-do list did not exist. I suffered from anxiety attacks and found even small assignments to be stressful endeavors. My boyfriend and friends were extremely encouraging, but I wouldn't let myself be encouraged! My trips home turned into cramming sessions, last ditch efforts to rescue my life outside of academia. 

        

My Mom - The Heroine of Everything!

I realized I could graduate a semester early if I took 18 hours a semester for the next two semesters. I knew I could do it; after all I had taken 18 hours every semester up to that point and gotten A’s in all but one course. (Biology is not for me!) But the very idea of the 18 hour coursework felt like a thundercloud floating over my head, throwing down 100 pound sacks of flour on my shoulders.  When I finally told my mom, my personal hero, how I felt, she offered some pretty simple (and catchy) advice: Let it go!

     

Instead of graduating early, I decided to take advantage of my time at college, spread out my coursework, and smell the roses. Work and academia should be pursued diligently, but in moderation. Pushing on a wall until you fall down won’t help anyone, least of all yourself.  I'm still trying to balance between being a workaholic and being a hard worker, but now I know what lies on the extreme side of the spectrum and I don't want to go back. I'm learning to embrace my support system rather than leaning on more work to satisfy my anxiety. My faith and my family are the only truly reliable pillars of support in this world, since I know I can't rely on myself to always be strong; no one is perfect. So this semester, in addition to my regular coursework, I’m enrolled in Yoga and Aerobics classes. I’m taking time for myself and my friendships. I’m embracing Carpe Diem, and focusing on life’s positives. In the end, I have an amazing support system, and the only holding me back from enjoying this beautiful life is myself.

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[i] This is a great article and I highly encourage you to read it: http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/04/01/10-signs-youre-burning-out-and-what-to-do-about-it/)