#yourtime

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I always wondered why this feeling comes up unexpected when I need it the least. Over the years I have realised that there is a pattern in my thoughts that causes the uncomfortable feeling – it would come up right before assignments and exams and even though I have enough time and a plan in mind, my brain breaks and goes into panic mode. Do you ever feel like that too? Just unable to stop your destructive and negative thoughts?

Well, you’re at the right place if you don’t want to feel alone in this mess. As students we all go through periods of extreme happiness to periods of stress and anxiety so quickly. Of course, we know it’s not healthy, but we also don’t have the time to think about methods to help ourselves. Heck, we don’t even have the time to do our assignments on time and always look for the ways to beg the lecturer to extend the deadline for at least another week. 

Let me break it down for you: we love complaining and we love procrastinating. You might be wondering “who the hell likes complaining and procrastinating?”, well we all do in a way. We all are lazy sometimes and not motivated at all to do our assignments, get ready for exams and have a part time job. But we all still do it. We do it because we know we can. We know we must, and we know it will help us in the long run. You have to make the decision to get up, show up and get it done. 

Now, let’s go back to that overwhelming feeling we might feel even when we do our work on time and even when we feel like we can have everything under control. We feel overwhelmed because we aren’t living in the present, in the now. This sounds silly at first, but it is true. To help me illustrate this, we will do one short exercise

Exercise🐝

Pick one object near you and focus your attention on it. What does it look like? What colour is it? Is it sharp or oval? Is it big or small? Keep your attention on the object and just observe how it looks like in front of you. Don’t think about what this object’s purpose is, don’t think about how you use it and when you will use it next. Just observe it. Now, start thinking about all the chores or activities you must complete in the future, start thinking about the due dates and exams and the weekend job you have. How does it feel? Not so good. How did you feel when you were observing the object? Is there a difference you can recognise? I think there is. Things get easier when you can detect the intrusive thoughts and when you can bring your focus back on the present moment. This part takes practice because once you are feeling blue and anxious, it is hard to control your mind that is on autopilot. In the moments of overwhelming emotions when you feel like you can’t take it anymore, try and catch your thoughts. Awareness of our thoughts and feelings is the first step and just noticing it goes a long way.

Steps to achieve a semester without overwhelming thoughts and fear:

1. Look at the given assignment – understand what you need to talk about and ask lecturer any questions you have

2. Write down the deadline and make a plan – how long will it take you to complete the assignment? Do you know how many days or weeks? On what days are you free and can get a bit of work done? Write it all down.

3. Notice how you feel about the assignment and the deadline – notice your thoughts and your feelings about it. Is it fear mixed with anxiety? Are you lazy and don’t feel like doing it? Are you clear on the instructions? Talk to a friend. Share it because the chances are they are feeling the same way.

4. If it’s going deeper than that and you feel really bad mentally, seek out help form local or college therapists. Don’t be alone in this.

With Love,