Wellness is the greatest kindness you can give yourself

A few years ago I stayed up far too late scrolling on my phone — don’t judge, I know you’re guilty of it as well — and I came across some old pictures from when I had a watch party for Billie Eilish’s Apple TV documentary “The World’s a Little Blurry.” Seeing those pictures reminded me of a specific scene from the film where Billie is having a consultation with her physical therapist. Somewhere during the conversation, her therapist tells her if she doesn’t carve out time for herself, no one else will.

That hit hard — harder than I would’ve liked.

I’m the type of person who gives everything to my academics, regardless of what it means for my health and well-being. How do I take care of myself when it seems that my full-time job is reading and annotating my textbooks?

Not everyone has this luxury, but in my “contract hours,” academics start on Monday at 8 a.m., and end on Friday at 5 p.m. I’m not getting “paid” throughout the weekend to worry about some part of the lecture I didn’t understand — and neither are my professors. Work unfortunately doesn’t grow legs and walk away; if it existed on Friday at 5 p.m., it can patiently wait for me to return Monday at 8 a.m.

Now this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if I need a breather, there’s one person at the top of my list that I’m calling: my mom. And if for whatever reason she doesn’t answer the first time, I’m calling her again. Because according to the rulebook for moms, you’re supposed to be at the beck and call for your daughter 24/7 — regardless of whether it’s an emergency or if it’s an “emergency” (someone in the dorm is using my favorite shower with the best water pressure, and now I have to use the shower in the dark scary corner that has no lights).

In the unlikely event that I don’t have any guests to host on my 24/7 talk show, my next favorite option is a nap. I don’t know what sort of medicine is embedded in a nap, but it’s absolutely ridiculous how much better I feel after sleeping. My brain just goes on pause, and seemingly has a whole system reboot — it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.

Albeit pessimistic, no one is going to look out for you like you will. While it’s critical to have a support system, that only goes so far; it’s important to rely on others, but it’s integral that you know how to give yourself the support that you need.

humphrdk@miamioh.edu

August Humphrey is a first-year undecided student at Miami, minoring in German. When she’s not studying, you’ll most likely find her at home in bed with her cat.