Dear Bestie,
I’m drowning in everything. I thought I had it under control: classes, work-study, club responsibilities, trying to eat more than cereal and cold brew. But lately, everything feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. My grades are fine (for now), but I’ve stopped seeing friends, I’m always tired, and I feel like I’m one missed email away from spiraling. How do I figure out what to drop without feeling like a failure?
— Overcommitted and Underwater
Dear Overcommitted,
Oh honey. First of all, take a deep breath. You’re not failing. You’re feeling the weight of a full plate in a season where everyone’s pretending they’re balancing theirs just fine. Spoiler: they’re not.
You don’t have to do it all to be enough. What sparks joy? What just takes up space? The same goes for commitments. If something isn’t aligned with your goals, values, or peace of mind, it’s okay to let it go.
And please don’t confuse rest with laziness. You’re not a machine! You’re a human being, not a to-do list. Reach out. Tell a friend. Loop in a professor. Most of all, be as gentle with yourself as you would be with someone you love.
You’re not underwater. You’re in the shallows, finding your footing again. And you will.
With you always,
Bestie