Two Days in My Life at UNC Chapel Hill: Exploring Balance
OMG it is December!! I am super excited for this holiday month although I have tons of finals coming up. I think balance is always important, but especially when life gets crazy and stressful.
There is no formula to balance. There is no routine you have to follow to be balanced. Let your heart lead. Listen to you and quiet the outside noise.
Balance can help us live in the present. Instead of constantly looking for the weekend, a different week or month, can you be right here and find joy? I have been able to find joy by taking things one step at a time and working on relaxing when things get tough. Some days are going to have to be more challenging than others, but they don’t have to be unenjoyable.
I love sharing a day in the life, but as I was thinking about what day to share I realized that everyday is so different. The beginning of my week is a pretty stark contrast to the end of my week. I have found that using Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday to really grind on work and having Thursday, Friday, Saturday being a bit more chill is the perfect balance and setup for me. The beginning of my week is more planned and as the end of the week approaches, I loosen my grasp on control. Following such a strict routine can be exhausting, but I really love it and need it at the beginning of the week. Therefore, I keep the routine at the start, and use the later days to fill up my cup. While this is true, I still make sure each day has as much joy as possible regardless of how much work I may have to do.
Wednesday is my busiest day, but I use it as the end of my tough push for the week.
Wednesday:
Gooood morning! Every week day, for the most part, I wake up bright and early at around 6:30. I am definitely a morning person and I like to get my workout done first thing. To be honest, my brain also shuts down once it gets past 8:30ish (lol) so this is what I have found is best for me.
I use the time from 6:30-7 to get ready, make my bed, eat breakfast, have coffee/tea, and just start to wake up. I need time when I first wake up and I like to have a nice, quiet morning. I am also the type of person that needs food before my morning workouts, so breakfast first is a must.
At around 7 I head to the gym which is in a building just a few hundred yards away. I keep mix up my workouts and have fun with them, but typically I do around 30-45 minutes of cardio and 30-45 minutes of strength, sometimes ending with yoga. I have been loving doing peloton cycling videos as my cardio.
Once I was done, I headed back to my room to shower and get ready. I have been trying to meditate more, but I am going to be honest I have been slacking. I started on homework before I left my room to head to class at 9:50.
Sometimes I will call my parents on the way to class, sometimes I will listen to music, and sometimes I will just think. Using walks as a time for mindfulness has really helped me calm down and be in the moment. I make sure to look around and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have my Development and Inequality class from 10:10-11. I love this class and I find it so interesting to learn about the history and the future of development and what we can do to change the narrative.
I walked back to back to where I live, but I went to the dining hall. I tutored in the dining hall from 11:30-12:30 and then ate lunch after that. I left at 1:15 for my English class at 1:25-2:15. From English I began the 30 minute trek to my business class. The business school is super gorgeous and serene so I like to walk to class right after English so that I can do work outside of the business school. I worked on an English assignment and then went into class. Class is from 3:30-4:45 and I tutor from 5-6, but no one uses the lecture hall after my business class so I just stay in there. I have found that a comfortable place makes all the difference when doing work or studying. I need to feel relaxed.
After tutoring I walk back to the dining hall, another 30 minute walk, and eat dinner before I tutor from 7:30-8:30. Once I finished tutoring I did one assignment and I was done for the night. I called my dad to catch up and went to bed by around 10pm because I was absolutely exhausted.
Wednesday certainly keeps me on my toes, but I have learned to enjoy it. The end of the semester is next week and I only have one more crazy Wednesday which I cannot even believe. I used to think of Wednesdays as my worst days because they are so packed, but I no longer think that way. I love my Wednesdays because they keep me moving and they are so productive and rewarding. I have learned to enjoy life even throughout the hard times.
As I have said, I use my mornings as my time to collect myself. I think it’s also important to have time throughout the day to collect yourself so I use walks and meals to give myself time away from my work. Breaks are necessary especially because I notice when I come back to assignments or studying after a break, meal, walk, etc. my thoughts are clearer and assignments are easier.
Thursday:
Once again I wake up bright and early. On Tuesday and Thursday I get up a smidge earlier at 6:20 before I leave at about 6:50-6:55 to walk to the yoga studio where I teach. The studio is a 15 minute walk and I like to have some time to prepare for class. I teach from 7:30-8:30. I am so happy to have found a studio that I love and be back teaching, it really fuels my soul and gets me ready for the day.
After I taught, I left the studio and had to take an exam. Normally on Thursday I have Health and Happiness from 9:30-10:45, but this Thursday I had my exam for that class. Where I take my exams is about a 35 minute walk. I take my exams in a different testing area because I have extended time due to my learning disabilities. It is so pivotal that we advocate for ourselves and get the help we need and deserve. No one should ever feel ashamed of who they are and the accommodations they need. Seek support and don’t back down until you get it.
I took my exam and walked back to my dorm another 25ish minutes away. I ate a little snack, had an energy drink, and went to the gym for my workout. I came back, showered, began homework, and ate lunch in my room.
I had to grind on an essay so I sat at my desk, lit a candle, and got to work. I love my room and one of the reasons I spent so long deciding on decorations and making cozy is because your space has much to do with how you feel and perform. This is also one of the reasons I make my bed every morning. Clear room, clear mind.
After writing my essay, I began my laundry. Normally I do my laundry on Friday or Sunday, but it actually worked out perfectly to do it this Thursday. I put my laundry in the wash and started a history quiz. After my history quiz, I finished my laundry, printed an English assignment, and put my laundry away. I tried to take a nap, but I was so anxious I couldn’t fall asleep. I think it was partially due to drinking an energy drink because I have been trying to stick to mainly coffee and tea instead of energy drinks because I know they aren’t good for you.
I was supposed to tutor from 5-6, but my client canceled which ended up being perfect because I sat in bed and worked on more of my essay. I typically don’t do homework in my bed, but it felt comfortable, relaxing, and calming to be in my bed and doing my work. I am a big proponent of whatever works, works.
Then, I was done for the night. I did my hair and makeup and watched TV. I went out to dinner with my sorority big and we chatted all night long. To end the night my roomie and I watched a show and I feel asleep. Such a perfect night.
On Thursday I have a lot more free time which I love. I try to get bigger assignments done because I have more extended periods of time to work that aren’t interrupted by class or work. I also almost always go out on Thursday nights because why the heck not. It gives me something to be excited about and look forward to.
Every day is different, every week is different, but there are always things we can do to make life more enjoyable and balanced. I try to have fun with everyday and remind myself to smile. It is always a great day to have a great day.