Ben G.

Photography by Peyton Mears

If you’re reading this, make time for the little things.

There is so much happening in college life that it is hard to keep track of it all. Classes, homework, extracurriculars, events, all sorts of paid and unpaid work, and then you still need to find time to do whatever else you want to do with your time! If you are a busy body like me, you may discover that you have committed yourself to so many different activities that you have left yourself with no room to slow down for a moment. This is manageable for some, but for those who are like me, there eventually comes a point where one must rework the way they navigate life to avoid becoming burnt out.

Given the crowded schedule that comes with being a full-time college student and part-time employee, I could not afford to completely turn my life around. Instead, I focused on making small changes that help me appreciate life’s gifts. Reducing my screen time was vital in this process; by doing this, I could redirect the time I normally spend going down rabbit holes on social media towards other activities I would rather be doing. With this newfound free time, I began to spend more time outside. Surrounding myself in nature has always helped me feel more at peace with myself. There is something truly special about taking even a few minutes between homework assignments or study sessions just to be outside. I recommend doing this with no headphones, no phone, and no destination to go to. Focusing on absorbing all the sights, sounds, and feelings around me reminds me that there is more to life than the chaos that comes with school. Additionally, I began to save scraps and trash from my day-to-day life to put them into a junk journal. I dedicate about an hour a week to putting together a colorful page from what I have collected. Every so often, I look through this journal to reflect on the significance of these objects I would have otherwise disposed of. Overall, these actions all have the same goal: to help me appreciate all the parts of life I do not normally give a second thought to.

Another helpful trick to making time for these minute aspects of life is to master the art of time management. For this, I utilize two handy little tools: checklists and calendars. To keep track of all the daily and weekly tasks that I do not allocate specific time for, I maintain a checklist on my phone. There are many ways to go about tracking habits and activities, but checklists are a wonderful visual tool. Not only does it help to keep track of what I have not done yet, but seeing the items on it get gradually checked off brings me a deep sense of satisfaction. To those who find long lists to be stressful, I would encourage you to make a brief list of only tasks that you truly need to do, like brushing your teeth or turning in your homework. To keep the list manageable for me, I have limited myself to 10 weekly tasks and 5 daily tasks. For each month, I block out time to spend with friends and family in my calendar to combat the isolation I commonly experienced during periods of high stress. By implementing these strategies, I have made it easier to maintain these important parts of my life.

As I write this message, I am glad to say that my life experiences have broadened from the narrow tunnel I walked through before. By making these adjustments, I have been able to find my own peace despite the chaos of everyday life. To whoever is reading this, here is your sign to make some changes of your own. Whether you are a workaholic like me or not, it is important to take a step back and think about how you are spending your time. Is this how you want to live, or do you want to incorporate something new into your routine? Whether it is daily, weekly, or monthly, dedicating time to the small things you want to do will absolutely help you live better.

Ben G., Florida State University

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