WELLBEING
In this section:
I used to be the type of person who prided themselves on always being ‘busy’. In school, I was the kid who had an extracurricular activity every day before and after school. In university, I juggled full-time studies, two part-time jobs, another two side hustles, as well as saying yes to as many social events as possible. Between attending classes, studying, working and maintaining a social life, I didn't have much downtime. I was always figuring out ways to multitask and cram as much as possible into one day. If I did have a free day, I would try to pick up another shift at one of my jobs. If I had an empty gap in my calendar, I had to fill it with something productive.
The thought of having a day, or even so much as an afternoon, off terrified me. I didn't know how to relax. If I felt tired, I told myself to keep pushing. I never gave myself a chance to take a break or rest. There was always too much to do and not enough time. I only knew how to operate at 100 per cent productivity, and anything less I viewed as a failure.
In my fourth year of university, it all started unravelling. I started getting sick constantly. As soon as I recovered from one illness, I would be struck with another. My immune system was weak. I was sent to hospital twice for exhaustion and dehydration, days before my big final exams. I was burnt out and my body couldn't handle it anymore. I refused to take a break, so my body decided to take one for me. I vividly remember the doctor in the emergency room asking about my schedule and their concerned face as I listed off my daily routine. ‘Do you ever rest?’ she asked me. ‘I've never heard of that word,’ I replied, trying to laugh it off. I knew things had to change.
I'm much more intentional with my time now. I've learned how to slow down, focus on one thing at a time, take breaks, say ‘no’ more and set boundaries. Self-care and rest are now a non-negotiable part of my daily schedule. Working yourself to burnout is not a badge of honour and it's not something to glamourise. You can't run off exhaustion. You can't be your ‘best’ if you're running on empty.
Doing your ‘best’ does not mean compromising your physical and mental health. It doesn't mean pushing yourself to breaking point. Listen to your limits. Allow yourself to step away. Resting is not a sign of weakness or laziness, nor is it a waste of time. In fact, it's an essential component in living a successful, healthy and happy life.
I've learned that I can do it all, but it doesn't have to be done all at once. Resting and taking care of yourself is productive too.