I feel like I’m drowning, buried deep under the waves of my own anxiety and fears.
Far Too Frequent
So often, within the confines of Higher Education, students are over-involved. They will fill their days with meetings and clubs and classes. One involvement leads to another, one position encourages a next. This cycle is ever so present within the driven student leader of today’s college campus. Whether you’re dedicated to your research or your student organization, it is easy to become overwhelmed in all that is student leadership.
I know this because I’m guilty of the same.
My Challenge
I’ve had to take a small step back from Swift Kick this week as I’ve immersed myself in RA training gearing up for the new semester. Outside of those challenges alone, I have a lot going on. I have two on-campus jobs, several different clubs I’m a part of, a position in my fraternity to worry about, my impending classes this semester, GRE testing, grad school research…..the list goes on. There are many times I just don’t feel capable of doing it all. I torture myself and say the meanest things I’ll ever hear, just within the brain inside my skull. I work so unfortunately hard to convince myself I’m inadequate. Telling myself over and over that someone else is more deserving, they could do a better job, I’m not enough. In this, I know I’m not alone.
The more we get involved, the more we feel like imposters.
Speak True and Kind
“Speak it into your existence”, my friend Stenie tells me.
I looked at her, simultaneously confused and intrigued. Stenie explains to me that if something is to be accomplished then we must first believe it ourselves. Instead of the negative and degrading self talk that usually fills my head, she encouraged me to challenge that.
There is a vaccuum of self confidence that prevents students from realizing their potential. Thankfully, I have people around me that encourage me to always be my best self. Whether it is through small acts of kindess, or major moments of support, I don’t feel like these waves crashing on top of me can stop me from breathing.
Whether it be positive self talk, going for walks, or journaling about your day, what are some ways you support your mental health? Do you find yourself to be your own worst critic? How can we stop this cycle?
