Often times we try so hard to please others, we forget about ourselves. We try so hard to become someone we’re not, even someone we’re uncomfortable being. And then there’s the problem of overcommitting.

So many students try so hard to take advanced courses, balance sports, music, and other activities. Yet they don’t take a moment to think what is truly important for them.

That description was the perfect image of me a year ago. Taking honors and AP courses when I shouldn’t have, overcommitting myself to so many activities to the point where I had absolutely no time to myself. This only lead to my anxiety getting worse, which created a loop of anxiety attacks and pushing off homework and studying.

I had to have a hard conversation with myself on what I was doing. Was everything I was doing what I needed to do, let alone want to do?

I realized that I was pushing myself way to hard, harder than I needed to. I also realized that I’m not someone who can concentrate as much as my friends.

Now I see my brother making the same mistake, but it made me realize that so many others do so too. In order to be healthy, you need to take care of yourself. Often times I hear “Taking care of myself takes too much time”, but that’s not necessarily the case. By taking care of yourself, you’re allowing your brain to relax. Just like after working out your muscles need some rest to rebuild and make their fibers stronger, the brain needs some rest time as well.

By not taking care of yourself, your brain gets overwhelmed, leading to stress and anxiety attacks, which only further impede yourself. Although your day may not go according to plan, it’s always good to have one. Set aside time for things you need to get done, and look at if you have enough time for yourself before committing to anything. Spending just 15 to 30 minutes a day for yourself, doing whatever it is you love, can go a long way in the future.

Have you struggled with overcommitting? How do you set aside time for yourself? Share in the comments below!