10 Things To Do When The World is Out to Get You

You know the days.

Where you don't know what to do with yourself because everything is on top of you. You don't have enough time/money/motivation to do everything that you need to do, and it's all just a bit too much.
Sometimes, though, those days just seem to come at you like a train and it's just one after another after another. You can easily get a bit burnt out.

As a final year uni student juggling my lectures and readings with exams, my dissertation, blog, part time job, trampolining and trying to have a bit of a life and relaxation (why do you hate me, world?), you better believe I know the feeling well.
Here are some of the things I like to do to fight back at the world or to just feel a bit better for an hour or a day.


First thing's first - Have a cry. There is little more cathartic than a good old sob. Put a film on to get the tears coming and, before you know, they're coming thick and fast (I've got a list of the saddest Disney films that might get you going). Hopefully this will release some of the feelings built up.

Have a relaxing bath. Go crazy with the bath bombs, oils, salts, bubbles, whatever floats your boat (also the perfect excuse for a trip to Lush!). Candles are compulsory, BTW. Get a playlist of chill songs on the go, or, even better, get stuck in to a good book.

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For a more long term way of alleviating some of the time pressure that may be getting on top of you: try and become more of a "morning person". This is hard for to suggest as I am the QUEEN of lie ins. I get up 20 minutes before I need to leave for uni because every minute of sleep is precious. But on the mornings where I've forced myself to get up an hour earlier and get shit done, I have felt SO good. That hour can make such a difference. If the thought of early mornings makes you want to be sick, maybe just try it once or twice a week to begin with!

Take a time out. I am crap at doing this, like, truly, truly awful. I feel like I have to spend every waking moment doing something productive but usually end up just doing everything half-arsed. So take an hour, set a timer if you have to, and just do something for you. Whether it's watching an episode of Friends without trying to write an essay at the same time, go for a walk, use a colouring book, or just watch loads of YouTube video. Do something "non-work" and don't feel guilty for it!

Schedule, plan & timetable. I don't know where I'd be without my to-do lists and schedules (A crumpled mess of stress, I imagine). Thinking about the amount of work you have to do can be so overwhelming but making an organised, coherent plan of what you're doing and when you're doing it makes it seem all the more manageable.

Get out of the house. I wish I could take my advice more often on this point. During revision period I didn't leave the house. Like, at all. Except for when I was still in Edinburgh and we went to the beach for a couple of hours. Even when I'm forced out of the house to go to work, I always feel that bit more refreshed when I get back in. A change of scenery can do you the world of good!

Some thing's gotta give. Sometimes, unfortunately, this can be the only option. Trying to train twice a week, post 3 times a week, 3 shifts per week and uni every day = disaster. So, prioritisation is key. I dropped one of the posts, asked to work twice a week instead and decided not to train for the upcoming competition (even thought I did end up competing, yay!) and it took an absolute load off. I felt like a different person.

Lastly, a short term solution for when you want to give up. DON'T - just have a nap. Literally, just sleep for an hour. Work/blogging/walking the dog/WHATEVER can wait. When you wake up, hopefully you'll have a more positive mindset for the rest of the day. Also, getting up an hour or two earlier can also make you feel less guilty about "wasting time" napping. (A time spent napping is never wasted, though. I bloody love a nap).

I hope you can take even one thing from this list to help you feel a little bit better, even just once.
Comment with your favourite way to de-stress or pick yourself up!
Teri-May x
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