Final exams, missing assignments, and any other problems you may be going through can feel like a huge burden at this point in the semester. Many times, we get carried away by the pressure of always needing to be productive, and when we can’t keep up, we may start to feel useless.
But remember: you can handle everything, just not all at once.
Sometimes it’s important to give yourself the time you need to meditate or talk with a friend or therapist about the things that are weighing on you the most. We tend to worry too much about failing, and because of that, we also become more sensitive to other people’s comments and opinions. But remember that there is always a way to handle things.
Someone once told me, “There’s a solution for everything except death,” and also, “Somewhere in the world, someone is having a harder time than you.” Even if it sounds harsh, I think internalizing those kinds of thoughts can help when we feel like there’s no way out of our problems. Most of the time, there is a solution , stress just keeps us from seeing it objectively.
I also think we are often better at giving advice to our friends than to ourselves. Sometimes we should ask ourselves: if we were that friend, what advice would we give ourselves? Looking at things more objectively can help us understand our problems in a simpler and less overwhelming way.
During difficult times, we can also become very sensitive to our surroundings and to other people’s opinions. If you’ve had a problem with a family member, classmate, or friend, try to understand them. Many people are fighting their own internal battles, and we can learn from that too.
Someone very important to me once said, “Every person around you can be a teacher to you.”
Learn from people. If you’ve had problems with someone, learn to be empathetic and forgiving. Many times, holding grudges or staying in conflict with another person simply is not worth it. Even if you can’t fully discuss the issue, it can still be a good moment to start over and genuinely show that things can be okay again.
To the person you’re having problems with, say hello to them. Ask them how they’re doing. That person may be just as stressed as you are , or even more. Sometimes, simply trying to make peace with others can make you feel better too.
As Bad Bunny once said during a concert:
“Enjoy every second that life gives you. Don’t waste your time on negativity. Don’t waste your time holding grudges over things that already happened. Take advantage of every second that God and life give us. As long as we are alive, we should love as much as we can.”
Last but not least, pay attention to the little things that bring you peace: the first coffee of the day, the feeling of being clean after a shower, talking with a friend, beautiful sunsets, or playing with your dog. When you walk down the street, give a smile to the person in front of you; you’ll see how both of your days become a little brighter.
Many times, we focus so much on the negative things that we forget to pause and appreciate the small details that make life a little easier to get through. If you’re going through something difficult right now, I want you to know that hard times do not last forever. Keep pushing forward, try to become the best version of yourself, and stay focused on your goals. You have to believe in yourself.
