The Balancing Act: Glass vs Rubber Balls

As we approach the holidays and the end of the semester life starts to feel especially chaotic. Calendars are filled up with holiday events, final projects, studying for final exams, making time for family and friends, work– the list goes on. Emotions and stress are high– it can feel overwhelming. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving I saw many posts about what people are thankful for and how to survive this crazy time of year, and it really made me realize how common these feelings are and what is truly important. Two weeks ago, my dad gave me some advice that really put everything into perspective and I think it’s a great mindset to have when life begins to feel overwhelming.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I went to urgent for the third time in a week. I had a huge assignment due the next day in my toughest class, and I was almost in hysterics thinking about how I was too sick to finish it. Those who have known me for a few years know how I have struggled with my health for a while, and we still have not completely figured out what’s wrong. Most recently, I have been suffering these awful sick and dizzy spells that prove me unable to do much of anything. After falling over from a dizzy spell as I attempted to get through the problem set, I was brought to tears. The pressure of my pressing assignment and the exasperation I felt for feeling awful again got to me, so I called my dad. After making sure I was okay to talk, he said “Kaitlin there’s something I want you to remember. You come first. Your health and wellbeing is more important than any assignment or meeting or test. There are glass balls and rubber balls in life. Work, school, clubs, extracurriculars, etc are rubber balls: if you drop them they bounce back. Your health and relationships with family and friends are glass balls: when they drop they can shatter. Yourself and the people you care about are more important than anything and they can be fragile. Do not forget that.” Then, like the problem solver he is, he told me to email my GSI to get an extension and go back to urgent care.

This advice hit me like a truck. It is so true. In the stress of the holidays or the pressure of school our priorities can become skewed. But, we need to remember that our wellbeing and the people we love are most important in life. This analogy made this so clear for me. In order to try to keep this mindset for December, I followed Lee From America’s lead and wrote down my intentions for the month– what I want to remember and prioritize (they are pictured below). Today I finished writing this post after one of the saddest days of my 22 years. This guidance proved to be oh so true. Yourself, your family, and friends are truly above the rest. I have never been so thankful for such a loving family as I am today. I am thankful to have a sister who lives just across the bridge and a best friend who knows just how to cheer me up (cake and Starbucks of course). So hug those loved ones close!!

Extra Love & Lots of Calming Lavender,

Kaitlin