Currently, I find myself in my final two semesters of my master’s degree. While there are many spinning plates at this point, the pressure is coming from all angles and facets of my life.
As I juggle my internship, my clinical hours, my research assistantship, my child, my family, soccer practices and 8AM Saturday games, graduate courses and homework, preschool and preparing for VPK….I find myself getting a bit anxious. Believe it or not, I did not notice I was anxious until I started seeing the signs: forgetting things, rapid heartbeat while sleeping and dropping balls all over the place. However, I plowed on to make sure I presented at my state conference… When I came back up for air…it is already February. This month I am required to take my comprehensive exit exam to literally be permitted to graduate from my program. Also, as part of my application process into a doctoral program, I have my group interview next week.
What I have done about my stress, is to be compassionate towards myself when I haven’t quite hit the mark. I think about why I got frustrated or why I procrastinated something and forgive myself. I also try to learn from it and move on, no more harping on bad behavior. Right now, time management seems to be my area that needs improvement. I figured out as much as I can right now, so I will take deep breaths and be more cognizant of my daily schedule. Sometimes, adjusting one’s sleep is the easiest way to improve efficiency!
At this point, you may or may not be impressed at my level of busy. As I continue writing, I am also reflecting on how it is somewhat of a cultural norm to be considered successful based on how ‘busy’ we are. I encourage anyone who reads this to not compare or try to keep up with others. Stay in your lane. It is not the finish line that keeps me going, it is the journey that means the most. Real life happens in the journeys- NOT the finish line.
I try to be grateful for the abundance of the blessings that I have, for the journey that I’m on and to relish each day as a gift.
James McGreevey
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
