Self-care and guilt should never be used in the same sentence, yet for a long time I felt these feelings were inseparable. As a student at the University of Cincinnati, I was always on the go; I ate meals while walking to class, called my family while doing homework, and optimized every minute of my day without understanding the toll it took on my mental health.
Whenever I had free time, I felt like a deer in headlights. Even though I wanted to take time for myself, doubt consistently found its way into my mind: Why catch a Reds game downtown if I could spend that time working on my leadership positions? Why sleep if I could use the next hour to study?
During my senior year, though, the approaching reality of post-graduate life pushed me to reevaluate my wellness. I realized that my time around all of the people I had developed relationships with—classmates, students, professors, advisors, and others—was limited. It became imperative to detach myself from the grueling routine I had developed in favor of balance and self-care.
I am a huge sports fan. I love making pizza. I am on a mission to try every coffee shop in Cincinnati. Connecting with friends, strangers, and everyone in between has been made easier by being in touch with these aspects of my life. My favorite conversations are those where I can share these passions while learning about self-care practices others explore.
Thus, I can confidently say that self-care is not selfish. In fact, self-care is selfless; finding time to explore these passions has empowered me to be available for others. Rather than being at the mercy of my academics or work, having the capacity to balance these commitments with my personal life is a gift that I will not take for granted. I am grateful that college taught me this, and I hope that everyone reading this story can find a similar balance in their lives.
