Dealing with Stress

My boyfriend loves this picture of me and I've never loved it but I feel like it is an accurate picture of where I am today. I've spent my saturday balancing a family emergency, midterms all due the same day and part of my thesis due. So I thought I would take a pause from the Japan posts to write about dealing with stress. After almost four years college, both in and out of the US, I've learned some things. 

First thing is to step back and say hey everything will be ok. Now normally when I'm stressed I can't tell myself that so I keep this on my phone. But it is true. Whatever you're stressed about will pass you just have to take a deep breath and organize yourself.

I personally like to make lists. I've tried apps and digital lists but whenever I do that I never check them so I have to make a paper list. I list all of my assignments in the order of the days they are due and I work on them from there.

This is something I like to apply to my life all the time but it does help with stress. Some days you get a lot of work done and are productive, other days you need to be in bed and rest. It's ok just try and balance it out. I've learned to start things ahead of time so that way I can take those little rest days or moments in between it all and I'm not so stressed. It has really helped. And also not putting on pants and eating a cupcake does really help. 

It is important to remember that everyday is a fresh start. Sometimes when I'm really stressed out and busy I try and make a new list everyday of what I need to get done. I also have days where I just have a mini meltdown and that's ok too. Express yourself and let out the stress in whatever way you can. But remember there is always tomorrow. 

I'm going to sign off here, I know this isn't much but ya know I have two papers due monday and a paper due tuesday plus all the normal readings I have for my classes. So I'll check in again with more Japan stuff when I'm not so stressed. またね！