There are countless articles out there critiquing hustle culture. Before you read any further, this is not one of them. Consider this a guide to enjoying, rather than just surviving the grind.
If you’re like me, you say yes to as many things as you can. Festivals, maximum credit hours, side hustles, plans with friends, internship opportunities, extracurriculars, etc. I love to pile it on. When there’s a chance to try something new, boost my skill set, or spend quality time with friends (bonus points if I get to dress up) – I’m there. The time is now! I’ll sleep later.
This does not work for everyone. It does not always work for me, but I adapt to find what does work. Learn what you need, and set your boundaries. Give yourself the opportunity to find your rhythm – whatever it may be.
With the hustle bustle approach to life, comes the inevitable question: When do I say no? And, will I be regretful if I do? Finding balance as a college student is a constant work in progress; learning how to juggle commitments has been a project of mine. It is impossible to give everything 100% — you still have to eat, get some sleep, maybe invite some movement in, and remember to call home. I encourage everyone to explore modes of incorporating a little something of each of these into their routines. We can’t say yes every single time, so how can we say it and keep our promises as frequently as we can? I find it helpful to categorize potential opportunities/tasks then go from there.
Needs
These items have specific due dates. They have to get done, whether we like it or not. I always try to do the task I’m regretting the most, first. Get the worst thing out of the way. It will make your life easier, I promise you. Have that difficult conversation. Or, plant yourself at your favorite study spot and turn your phone off until you finish that assignment. Whatever is nagging at you — it is going to feel so liberating when you can mentally and physically check it off your to-do list. Settle in, grab a beverage of your choice, and get to it. I promise you’ll thank yourself later.
Shoulds
This category has a lot to do with expectations, which can be difficult to navigate especially when it involves making multilayered decisions. The biggest question you may be asking yourself is: What is worth my time and energy right now? My go-to tip for tackling these items is to go with my gut instinct. If your intuition is cloudy and hard to read, perhaps look to an outside source; reacting to someone else’s opinion may make your personal feelings clearer. Another option is to lean into the occult; find a Magic 8 ball, have your tarot read, or tap into a spiritual practice that can provide guidance. The answer is usually within, sometimes it just needs to be coaxed out of us.
Wants
The final of the group is my favorite; wants. What do you really want? What brings you joy? List five things that are bringing you joy right now. List five things that are good for future you. Holding the present in one hand and the future in the other, it’s crucial to find an equilibrium that will serve you well. How can you tend to what you want now, while also holding yourself accountable with future goals in mind? Tulane’s infamous ‘work hard, play hard’ climate is one of my favorite things about being a student here. It is up to each of us to determine what that looks like on a personal level. Maybe it’s sharing meals with friends and going to local music venues. Or, finally watching that tv series everyone keeps raving about. It could even be putting an hour into a hobby that’s become dormant. Release the fear of missing out and the stress of what’s to come. Prioritize play and see how it goes. I bet you can have your cake and eat it too if you put some intentional thought into it.
I’ll leave you with a few of my most useful tools — hopefully one of them will come in handy for you.
- Use your calendar. Write things down — on paper, on your phone, whatever. Write it into existence to take the pressure off your mind to have to remember.
- Block off time to do what you want before the wave of stress hits you. Schedule those workouts. Make lunch plans. Make an appointment to call that person you’ve been thinking about.
- Sign up for a class that sounds cool just because it will bring some balance to your life and workload. You will graduate. It’s going to be okay.
- Ask your friends how they’re doing and really listen when they respond. It’s remarkable what you might fail to pick up on when you’re distracted thinking about what’s happening next.
- Set your alarms for the next day before you leave for a night out. Trust me on this one.
- Romanticize something unnecessary because why not? Create a personal soundtrack and blast it. Put together an outfit that makes you happy to wear. Wash your sheets and take a relaxing shower. Go to a coffee shop and eavesdrop on people’s stories. Whatever this looks like for you, enjoy it.
Take the time to thoughtfully weigh your options. Your needs, shoulds, and wants are all possible if you trust your ability to learn how to juggle it all.
About Hannah Levy
Hannah is a senior, studying Philosophy of Law and Gender & Sexuality Studies. She is from Los Angeles, CA, and couldn't help but wonder... what would happen if she collected stories from her and her friends' lives to share here with you? In her free time, you can find her at hot yoga, listening to podcasts, enjoying happy hour, and searching for treasure on depop.
Hannah is a senior, studying Philosophy of Law and Gender & Sexuality Studies. She is from Los Angeles, CA, and couldn't help but wonder... what would happen if she collected stories from her and her friends' lives to share here with you? In her free time, you can find her at hot yoga, listening to podcasts, enjoying happy hour, and searching for treasure on depop.
