Update!

It’s time for an update! I figured I would take a break from my normal posts and update you all. So much has been happening and I have been slammed with work. Some days I love to be busy and other days I get super overwhelmed. Although it may seem like a smile is permanently plastered on my face, it isn’t. And… that’s ok! It is ok to not be ok. It is ok to be stressed and overwhelmed. The important thing is that we notice how we are feeling and take the steps to calm ourselves down. Let’s get in to the update.

We are finally in the last quarter of school. I am so excited and I can’t believe my sophomore year is almost over. However, the end of the year means finals and AP exams. I am currently taking AP World history and AP European history which means I will be taking two exams. I have been studying profusely for hours a day which has been taxing. My mind feels like it is spilling over with history information. If anyone wants to know about World War I, I got you. Luckily, once I take my exams on May 7 and May 10, I am pretty much done with my AP classes!

I have been feeling like there are so many different aspects of my life pulling me in all different directions. It can be hard to prioritize what I need to do first and what things I can put off until a little bit later. It has always been hard for me to put things off. I want to get everything done right as it is assigned, but that isn’t humanly possible. I try to think of this as a challenge I will conquer instead of a weakness that can’t be fixed.

The most important thing for me and everyone is to make sure we keep our mental health at the very top of our priority list. Do whatever you need to keep yourself from getting too overwhelmed. Whether that be a break, a workout, watching TV, taking a bath, etc. Find the root of your stress and see what you can do to fix it. For example, I have been getting overwhelmed with all of my school work. So, I take a look at the things I need to do, write a to-do list, and make sure the things on my list actually need to be done. I have also made sure I make myself pause studying and watch some hockey because I know that if no one stops me I would study forever.

Something that has helped start my days off on the right foot is to do a 30 minute peloton class before school. If any of you guys have a peloton, Cody Rigsby’s classes are sure to make you energized and happy about your day. Somedays though, a peloton ride isn’t in the cards for me in the morning. My alarm will go off, and I will immediately know that that day is not going to be a peloton day. Usually it is because I need an extra 20-30 minutes of sleep (which seem to go by way to fast). On Friday I decided to skip my cycling ride because I was exhausted, but I ended up not having a good day. Sometimes I think that if I workout in the morning I will be able to handle more and be more ready for the obstacles that come flying at me.

I also just got a job at The Overton. I absolutely love working there. It is so much fun and super fast paced which I like, because I don’t want to be bored. I am currently only working weekends because I don’t have time during the week. We have been so so busy and there really isn’t a moment to rest. With all of the studying I have had to do lately, I go straight from work to the books. Yesterday, I finished work at two and then stayed to eat lunch and get some work done. I felt super productive and it was a beautiful day so it felt nice to get out in the fresh air.

My second job at the moment is working out with middle school girls and motivating them. This honestly doesn’t even feel like a job because I love working out with people and I love to uplift others. I am doing this 2-3 times a week and it is a blast.

My sister came home from college yesterday so hopefully I will get more time to hang with her! hanging out with my family is a great way to reduce my stress. I know this isn’t for everyone, but family dinner is something that helps me get through my nights of homework. Being able to laugh and discuss whatever I want or need with my family and take a break from my stress of school is a great feeling.

I am thrilled to announce that I am halfway done with my online precalculus class! I just took my midterm and did super well so now I am moving forward to the next semester.

Remember it is ok to have a bad day, but move past it. You don’t need to contemplate how things could have gone better, just move forward with a positive attitude. When times are especially stressful we all need to try to make things seem as good as they can be. Embrace the challenge.

You are capable of so much. Just keep pushing, you are almost through the hard part. You can do this! I believe in you.