Stressy=Messy

As I am finishing up the horror that is the college application process, I thought I'd take the time to talk with my favorite people about something that has been consuming me recently: Stress. Ah yes, stress, what a feeling. Stress causes headaches, fatigue, and not to mention crazy high blood sugar readings! As a young adult dealing with school work, applying for colleges, taking standardized tests, making college decisions, and balancing extra circular activities, stress is definitely present. If you are a perfectionist like me and try to make everything you do the best it can be, this stress becomes almost unbearable. Through this application process alone I have had MANY mental break downs and even days where I just thought the work to get in to college would never be worth it. To solve this internal conflict I had a sit down conversation with my parents. They too had noticed a drastic change in my mood since the start of my senior school year. They explained that while they admired my independence and my grit to get everything done, that it may be time to take a day to myself. So, I took a day off of school (rebel i know) and stayed home to get every last thing on my application checklist sent in and completed. I also gave myself a much needed facial after submitting my last application. Now, I say all of this to tell you what I wish I would have known at the start of this year. Although you should work hard at all that you do, it is worth it to put yourself first. Take the day off, eat the ice cream, be late to that unimportant dinner. Whatever you need to do to make yourself relax and rebuild your mindset, DO THAT! I urge you seniors and even you young adults starting your new careers, do this for yourself before you miss out and don't enjoy the things you should in life. While I am a huge believer in higher education, I am also a bigger believer in a stable and healthy mental health and self care. In Matthew chapter 6 verse 25, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?". I know this is easier said than done, and for perfectionist like myself it seems impossible, but I promise if you try a little bit each day you will find that the stress was NEVER worth the mess. Now, go take a long bath and watch some Netflix peeps, you deserve it! <3 ttyl