Casey M.

If you’re reading this, it’s okay to take a break sometimes.

I have always been a person who felt the need to be busy. I was a swimmer for 12 years, and the majority of my time in high school was dedicated to practices and schoolwork. I would attend swim practice at 6 a.m., then spend seven hours in classes, return to swim practice after school, and do homework for two to three hours every night. Rinse and repeat. There were some days in the winter when I wouldn’t even see daylight, because I would wake up to go to practice when it was dark, and leave at night when it was dark.

Then college came around. Transitioning from my high school routine into college life, where I was no longer an athlete, was a difficult adjustment for me. I actually had time to do things, which was a first in my life. The main thing I wanted to do was pursue opportunities that pertained to my future career in sports journalism. I didn't have time to do that in high school, as I was extremely busy with swimming and a rigorous course schedule.

Because I had limited experience in sports journalism, I took every opportunity that came my way. My days would not only be busy with classes, but also with sports games that I would attend in the evening, which often wouldn't end until midnight. I was doing something extra every day of the week, which translated into valuable experience that would help me in my future career. However, I was constantly sacrificing things essential to my health: a good night’s sleep and proper meals.

I believed that what I was doing was necessary to achieve success in my field. I felt this way because it reminded me of being busy in high school, and I was searching for that same sense of fulfillment. However, I wasn't in high school anymore, so my schedule wouldn't be the same. I didn't understand this yet, and it caused me to struggle to find the right balance between being a student and handling opportunities outside of school. Just like when I was an athlete, I couldn’t do my best work when I wasn’t fueling my body or getting enough sleep.

When I hit the point of doing too much and not adequately taking care of myself, I would often get sick with a cold and need a few days to get back to normal. Whenever this happened, I knew I overdid it, and I needed to dial it back and prioritize my health. However, it took me a while to learn how to take a break. I would often repeat the same cycle of doing too much and then getting sick because I wasn’t sleeping enough, and my body was telling me to stop.

This was difficult for me to understand because I always told myself that I couldn’t say no to any opportunity that was presented to me. I told myself I couldn't afford it. However, I am here to tell you that you can take a break, especially when taking on another opportunity will jeopardize your health and well-being.

I am making progress with having a healthy school-life balance, but I would be lying if I said I have it all figured out. I am learning to recognize when my body needs a break before it reaches the point of sickness, and confiding in friends and family to get their opinions on my situation.

You can’t do your best work when you aren’t taking care of yourself, so it’s okay to take a day or two to relax and reset. Your success isn’t defined by how many things you do, but the quality of what you do instead, and I am proof of this.

I was hired as an intern as the lead social media and photographer for Arizona State’s swim and dive team by Sun Devil Athletics. I also received the opportunity to contribute to social media coverage for other ASU sports.

I had to work hard for this dream opportunity, yes, but I didn’t have to overwork myself. Even now, my day-to-day schedule is busy with covering sports practices and games. Still, I never want to push myself to the point where it is too much for me to handle, and my body responds negatively as a result.

Keep in mind that opportunities will always be available. You don’t want to jeopardize your health or well-being to reach them because there is nothing more priceless. So, take that break.

Casey M., Arizona State University

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