It’s a Monday morning and my mind is racing with everything that needs to be within the next 24 hours. I look over my diary and check the ‘rules’ I have set up for the day: wake up at 5, don’t use your phone for the next 2 hours, get started on your class-work immediately, and most importantly – rest only when you’ve finished a week’s worth of homework.
This was a typical start to my week when I was in 11th grade. Every single day I woke up as early as I could, slept until my body gave in to the exhaustion, and spent every single minute of my spare time reading books for my literature class. Literally. I read Henrik Ibsen during 10 minute car rides.
A normal weekday in my life involved waking up at 5am to do math, going to school and using every single free class I had to study in the library, spending 4 hours after school at the golf club (doing some sort of physical activity), and coming back home only to pour over my school notes again.
Now typically you’d want to be doing the things I was doing and you’d find my hard work commendable. From afar, I was doing well at school, performing ably at golf, I was “healthy” and “spending my time constructively“. But deep down, I was miserable.
I was hardly ever going out with my friends on the weekends, every free lecture spent mingling usually ended with a guilt trip. Basically my social life was close to non-existent and I was tired all the time. Soon enough, the weariness on my face was seen, first, by my dad and then quickly by my teachers at school.
On one occasion, during the aquatic meet at school, I burst out crying for no apparent reason (it was stress, as I now know it). Everyone around me consoled me, I was taken to the infirmary immediately, my dad was called and I was asked to go home and rest. The next week consisted of wretched days curled up in bed, unable to move, tired, sick, and depressed.
I knew I needed to change then.
I now know that I was suffering from a severe case of being a perfectionist, and over the months, I have learnt a great deal about taking time for myself and not going ballistic about every single minute that I spend on social media, meeting friends, or doing anything besides schoolwork.
It’s essential to work towards living a balanced lifestyle making time for work, friends, family, and setting goals that focus on aspects that are physical, mental, and spiritual.
I learnt this the hard way by going through a complete burn out. I’m much better today and I’m aware that setting unrealistic goals is going to do more harm than good. Instead, I focus on being productive and getting work done in a timely matter so that I can focus first on being happy and calm, instead of being frantic, dispirited and totally worn out.
This is so important! I learned this the hard way too but I’m glad you’ve been able to share it and hopefully help out others who feel the same.
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It truly is! I really wanted to write about this because I know so many teen girls go through this.
Thanks a lot ☺️
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Great insights and self awareness!
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Thanks a lot! 🙂
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Superb!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Good that you realised it so early. People spend their whole life figuring it out
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I’m still learning 😄 but thank you so much! 💞
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I was similar but different in school; I was a perfectionist but instead of bothering to do the work and overachieving? I just never did any at all- which led to me not knowing if I’d even qualify to graduate until an hour before the ceremony.
Now I still have a hard time doing things unless I can do them perfectly. And I’m definitely still a perfectionist when it comes to my art and writing… But for the most part, when it everything else I could honestly care less as long as it’s done right and to the best of my ability. It took a long while to get there, though.
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I’m glad you figured out what works for you. It’s just a process of getting better with time and taking things easy! I still struggle but I know I have to start being a bit more relaxed. In the end, it’s all about being balanced, not overworking yourself, and taking care of your mental health.
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Very well said!
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capable of truly take useful facts concerning my study and
knowledge.
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I’m glad I could be of help to you! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Like!! I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.
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Thank you so much for your comment! I really appreciate it 🙂
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