Tag Archives: self-care

Productive Procrastination — How to Keep Momentum During Break

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The end is near, dear readers. We are in the final sprint of this fall semester! Within the past week alone, I am not quite sure how I was humanly capable of completing all that I completed (caffeine and more than a few late nights were necessary). While I welcome Thanksgiving break with more than open arms, I know that there is an amount of work that I do need to accomplish during that time. Carving out time (and turkey and prime rib) to rest, pamper myself, and spend time with family will be a fun and easy thing to plan. But how will I keep momentum during break?

1. Make a List

Simple enough, right? This is huge for how I get things done, but I know that I can be guilty for writing the most vague, unhelpful items. “See syllabus” and “start paper” aren’t exactly the most engaging phrases and they are too vague. See syllabus for what? For a description on the final paper? To check what material will potentially be on the final exam? Instead of general, overboard to-do list items, I try to make them a little more specific so I know exactly what I am trying to accomplish. For instance, a portion of Thanksgiving break’s to-do list looks like this:

  • create outline of thesis material to go on Psychology Poster (Due Dec. 1 at noon)
  • Compile presentation notes from program notes for Mamlok, Haydn Diveritimento, and Bach Prelude from Suite No. 3 (presentation day Dec. 4)
  • practice first movement of Haydn Divertimento with metronome

Even if you aren’t familiar with the specifics of my list, each bullet has a clear objective. There’s an important difference between “start Psychology Senior Thesis Poster” and “create outline of thesis material to go on Psychology Poster”. Above, there is a preliminary step and what to use for it, an outline from my thesis material. In addition, the above clearly states a deadline. For me, it helps to put in specific details that help me actually break down the larger assignment and want to complete it (cross items off a list is so gratifying). Sometimes I sprinkle smaller tasks throughout my list so when I cross them off, I feel like I am getting things done (I am all about little victories). A smaller list in addition to above includes:

  • schedule a dentist appointment
  • make lunch plans with [insert high school friend here] for Friday

These items are much easier to accomplish and can take as much as 5 minutes. The fun things on my list are what I want to do first. After I complete them, I do feel like I am getting things done, which then propels me into wanting to get the rest crossed off.

2. Feel Free to Search Without Limits

During Thanksgiving break, I will more formally begin my job search. This process will also include a list. But I have also realized that this process, for me, will include a the ability to search without limits. Through some self-reflection, I have realized that planning for what comes next is an immense opportunity. Instead of searching for a job like a chore, I have been having some fun just imagining what could be. Right now, I believe I am very flexible and very willing to apply for so many varied positions. That is leading me to have a positive attitude towards the process. For instance, I am widening my options beyond arts and orchestral management. I find myself asking questions, what would the mission statement of a company that I would want to work for be? How would I want to contribute to the office culture? These questions are also important to address along with my relevant career interests. By feeling free to search without limits, my list (refer back to item number 1) of positions I plan on applying for is at a comfortable number.

3. Know when to say yes and no

This semester, I have been learning this lesson the hard way. For a lot of us, I think it is easy to overexert ourselves and simultaneously believe that we are not doing all that we can all the time to put ourselves in a position for success. Discovering how I draw boundaries for myself in academics, extracurricular activities, and interpersonal relationships is so incredibly important. Along these lines, self-care is immensely important. I believe that I cannot be fully present or produce my best work if it is going to be at the expense of seriously compromising my emotional or mental health. I am learning how to take care of myself and how I can actively incorporate that into a daily lifestyle (shout out to my friends who have inspired me to keep track of my steps everyday, the included iPhone “Health” app has a pedometer).

What are your plans for the break? I hope they include some rest and relaxation and some productive procrastination that will keep your momentum going at your own pace!

Enjoy Little Victories

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These first three weeks of school have felt more like 3 months for me. My work is ramping up (mmm, double theses), scheduling remains a juggling game (how many “when2meet” links have you submitted thus far?), and just when one big task gets completed, the list grows. I tend to neglect or compromise some aspect of my life depending on the priority or timeline of something else. And unfortunately  some of the most basic things are the ones that get compromised: sleeping, eating, being active (and I don’t mean “active” as in 15+ hour days of meetings and class with few breaks after getting four hours of sleep and then repeating this cycle).

As of this past week, I have successfully turned in the Watson proposal and Peace Corps application! Right now, I kind of feel something like this about pursuing international opportunities after graduating. It’s been a huge relief (I’ll be celebrating on September 25th for my 22nd birthday), but there’s always something else that stresses me out. I’ve been remembering how I manage my stress and how important it is to give myself alone time.

Finding what works for you is very personal and depends on many different factors. Here are some general suggestions that I hope help in managing stress and incorporating self-care into a busy schedule.

  1. Enjoy little victories.

Did you participate and really enjoy class discussion? Did you figure out a homework problem that had been stumping you? Did a meeting get cancelled or did class get out just a bit earlier giving you some breathing time you thought you wouldn’t have? Was there no line in the dining hall when you went to get a meal?

It is easy to get overwhelmed with the big picture and big questions, but taking in small moments throughout the day can help manage those thoughts.

  1. Pick your battles and set your limits.

We all want to be engaged and successful with what we are involved with on campus, but sometimes I know I need to realize that I should not commit to everything, especially if I am not doing it for the right reasons. Investment in activities should be growing experiences and the work put towards them should hopefully manifest in some way! While Scripps students do it all, sometimes we need to recognize that we don’t have to do it all.

  1. Make time for things you look forward to.

This is kind of like enjoying little victories. These things can be really small, because hopefully they shouldn’t be another source of planning induced stress. I personally LOVE breakfast. So when I can, I start weekdays with solo breakfast, preferably seated somewhere nice outside like Seal Court. Whether it’s literally stopping to smell the roses by the Garden or listening to a favorite podcast between classes, Tea on Wednesdays, it usually helps when there are things to look forward to sprinkled throughout the day.

  1. Treat yourself.

Popularized by Parks and Rec, this suggestion works wonders in moderation. After turning the Watson in, I treated myself to a caramel latte from the Motley. After my junior recital this past April, I spent at least 30 minutes at the pool every day for the following week.  Even after a long, productive, completed day, lying on to your bed can be a great treat yourself.

What have you found helpful for managing your stress? Do you like more alone time or do you feel reenergized are quality time with friends? Whatever it is, I hope it makes you feel like this and ready for what’s next!

Super Women and NO Burnout!

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I fancy myself a Super Woman. I want to be able to do everything and have people wonder how I do it. I know it’s possible because I’ve been surrounded by Super Women my whole life. My mom is an osteoporosis internist with her own clinic and she travels around the US and, sometimes around the world, lecturing about osteoporosis. She’s also a Dean for the medical students at Washington University and does everything she can to get them into top tier residencies. Then she comes home to make a ridiculously delicious dinner. Oh, and did I mention she’s up at 5:15am every morning so she can work out for an hour before preparing breakfast for my brother and I?!?!? SUPER WOMAN. And she’s working to live up to the example set by her mother – my grandmother. She worked as a Navy nurse in California, raised 5 girls while continuing to work, volunteered at the St. Louis Zoo for more than 30 years, and, at 90 years old, still walks a mile a day, makes the MOST delicious mashed potatoes, and is the best shopping companion.

SUPER WOMEN.

Grandma and Mom

I have so much to live up to. I’ve spent years trying to figure out how they do it. I constantly ask for their advice, but there’s a certain amount I’ve needed to figure out through my own experience. (And I’m not going to pretend like I’ve got it all worked out yet…)

I know it takes hard work, and that part I can do. I know how to kick it into gear 3 weeks before exams and GET IT DONE. However, once I finish, I usually end up sick and in need of 3 days in bed with Netflix. So I needed to figure out how my Super Women role models do it without the burnout.

After 21 years, I’ve discovered a few of their secrets. First, they take downtime, and they escape everything. My mom goes horseback riding three times a week and she’ll get lost in a book every night after dinner. Second, they’ve surrounded themselves with supportive friends and family. My grandma’s neighbors are always coming by her house to talk, to bring food, or to shovel her walkway! Also, she and I worked at the St. Louis Zoo together one summer, and she had way more friends there than I did. I was lucky if they let me steal her away for lunch one day! Lastly, these Super Women love what they do. My mom loves her job, and that’s one of many reasons she’s so good at it. It is definitely because of her that I’m determined to do something I love. She doesn’t dread having to get up early to go to work or working late some days because she really loves what she does.

It’s taken me some time to observe all these things, and I anticipate that it will take even longer to apply them to my life. However, I know it’s important. I’m going to be a Super Woman like my mom and my grandma, and I’m going to do it without the burnout. My goal for the rest of the semester is to follow their example and become a Super Woman. I’m going to take more time for myself (especially when I start to feel the burnout-pressure building), ask friends and family for help and support when I need it, and remember why I’m here and why I want to work hard. Hopefully, if I get in the habit now, I can keep it up and enter the “Real World” as a Super Woman.