Slow Down to Speed Up: Taking time for yourself and slowing down is important for your mental health and well-being, and it doesn’t make you any less successful

I used to like being known as “the busy girl.” My sophomore year of high school, I was bouncing between volleyball and lacrosse training, then throwing my dirt-stained cleats in my overstuffed backpack and spending the rest of my night nannying screaming children. Spare moments were spent scribbling down AP Calculus BC and AP Microeconomics calculations or barely achieving my goal of six hours of sleep. But I loved this routine. I loved being constantly busy. 

I thought this was healthy. 

After all, I truly believed that this routine would raise my GPA and decorate my resume with glittering extracurriculars for college. Growing up around parents who worked full-time, scraping their way up to become CEOs, I subconsciously equated being busy with success. I believed that any down time was time I should be studying, and those who got the recommended eight hours of sleep were definitely going to fail in life. 

It wasn’t until quarantine — when due dates, babysitting gigs and lacrosse practices disappeared — that I was forced to slow down and finally take time for myself.

At first, it was miserable — I didn’t know how to function without things on my to-do list. How was I supposed to fill the 12 extra hours in my day? Who was I beyond my AP classes? Within the first week, I spent hours upon hours laying in bed, only getting up for food and bathroom breaks. I felt purposeless with no tasks to do.

But eventually, when I ran out of TV series to watch and got tired of scrolling endlessly on TikTok, I decided to treat quarantine as a growth opportunity instead of an excuse to wallow in self pity. Having me-time helped me discover ways to relax, like reading new romance novels that interest me, practicing yoga and walking my Goldendoodles. These strategies gave me an outlet to reduce the constant stress and exhaustion of my routine for the first time in my life. 

While a challenging schedule can help us grow, down time is key for your mental health and well-being — and shouldn’t make you feel any less “successful.” In a poll of 217 students, 77% stated they grew up believing you had to be busy to be successful. In America’s hard-working, capitalistic society, people associate constant productivity with high achievement. To get that gold medal or A+, it’s believed that you have to suck it up and maximize your efficiency like a robot. No friends. No TV. No complaints. 

Alone time during quarantine showed me that my “go-go-go” perspective was crushing me. During my no-breaks-equals-success mindset, when I was constantly sleep-deprived, never home and too busy to talk to my parents. I snapped at my family and friends when they’d ask how my day was, and spent my free time in sweatpants with hunched shoulders. I was the worst version of myself.

But when I found strategies that helped me find peace and be OK doing nothing. I understood my personality better. I discovered a positive, bubbly side of me that was hidden under constant stress and grew to view myself as my own best friend — I started taking myself out on dates and treating myself to ice cream after a long day. My back stopped hurting from my hunched posture and I became more excited about internships, friendships and college. Questions about school or concern from my friends no longer make me lash out. ​I no longer crucified myself for going to bed at 10 p.m. 

If not for a global virus that forced me to slow down, I’d still be dragging myself around the hallways with bags under my eyes and a forced smile.

It’s been nearly two years since lockdown, and the stressors that quarantine took away — school, sports, friends — have returned. However, the value of alone time is a lesson that’s stuck. Yes, I still have weeks with little to no sleep or where I feel heavy with homework and upcoming tests — and that’s completely normal because goals keep me motivated and make those moments of free time worth the while. But I’ve learned how to balance productivity with alone time. 

During my most stressful weeks, I actively make an effort to relax me — even if it’s just for 10 minutes. I’ve found that it’s helpful to designate a certain time of the week for whatever I want. Maybe it’s eating my weight in ice cream and watching an entire season of  “Love Island.” Maybe it’s re-listening to my favorite Taylor Swift album or taking a nap. Whatever I chose, that designated time has helped me maintain my composure, even amid immense stress. 

And guess what? Even though I’m taking breaks, I still got into my dream college (go Wildcats!) and maintained my GPA, while also exploring my passions of reading and journaling — something my 14-year-old self never would’ve thought possible.

“Breaks” can look different for everyone. For some, they might be going to bed earlier. For others, they might be jogging. Whether it’s binge-watching TV all day or finding a book series you love, it’s important to find outlets and hobbies in your life that alleviate stress. 

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with involving yourself in several activities and taking hard classes — it’s healthy to want to reach your goals. But if you’re constantly busy, make sure it’s because you want to be and not because you think it’s the lifestyle you need to live for the title of “high-achiever.” It’s okay to have multiple jobs and still enjoy binge-watching TV. It’s perfectly acceptable to want to get good grades and still have a good night’s sleep. 

Take it from me, you should implement these methods now instead of waiting for a pandemic to  jumpstart you toward the healthier lifestyle you’ve always wanted.