Emphasize yourself on to-do lists

I am honestly not a big fan of the end of the year. It gets colder, busier and I get much more exhausted. 

I feel like this is a common thread amongst many students this time of year. Teachers and students tend to procrastinate objectives, senior undergrads are looking at graduate schools while juggling all their side duties. The list is endless. 

In the midst of the crazy end-of-the-year-storm it becomes easy to not take care of yourself. Being overwhelmed by everything is commonly expected during this time of year. 

As the holidays approach, school will get tough and you will become exhausted, but remember to take some time and do something for yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but don’t put yourself at the bottom of the list just because there are other things to do. 

There is nothing wrong with making sure you are taking time for yourself. 

Too often I see people bending over backwards to try and accomplish tasks. Day in and day out, there is always going to be an obligation you need to attend to. Life never stops and it definitely won’t give us sympathy for being tired and busy. But just because there is always something to do doesn’t mean that you are less important than the things on your to-do list. 

If you are anything like me, you might have a long list of what you have to get done everyday throughout the week. Trying to mark every box and get every single thing done can be taxing and can leave you feeling drained. Again, that doesn’t make it right.  

With all that said, I am going to encourage you to put yourself on the top of the to-do list. Make sure you are leaving time for yourself to take care of yourself. You don’t need to take a bubble-bath, go shopping or take yourself out to dinner.

You just need to take some time for yourself. That could be doing those things, there’s nothing wrong with that. But at a minimum, set aside 30 minutes to just sit and make a cup of tea or coffee. Just sit down and relax. You don’t have to spend money to take time for yourself. 

I know that sounds so simple and possibly even stupid, but there is merit to giving yourself some time. Take time to unwind and give your body and mind a break. So often we act invincible and don’t stop for even just a few minutes to breathe. 

Even though we physically may look fine, internally can be a much different story. Working at 100 percent every day to get your to-do list done takes a toll on you. Sometimes it’s hard to admit that, so take 30 minutes for yourself. 

Take some time out of your day for your brain to reset and relax. Take time to let you body have a break. Take time for yourself. As weird as it sounds, intentionally take time for yourself. Don’t put yourself on the back burner anymore. Your work will only be as good as you feel. Even if you have to add it to your physical to-do list. 

You are important, so why wouldn’t you want to take the time to care for yourself?