Anonymous
Photography by Crcolas
If you're reading this, take a deep breath.
No, really—right now. In through your nose, out through your mouth. That’s it.
I know Duke can feel like a whirlwind. Classes, clubs, social life, internships—it’s like there’s this unspoken rule that we’re all supposed to be “on” 24/7. But here’s the thing: it’s okay to hit pause.
I remember my first year here, thinking everyone else had it figured out. I'd walk through campus, seeing people laughing with friends or heading to the library like they had some secret game plan I missed. But behind those smiles and packed calendars? A lot of us are just trying to keep it together.
And you know what? That’s normal.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have your future mapped out or ace every exam. Some days, just getting out of bed is a victory. Some days, it’s okay to let yourself cry, or feel overwhelmed, or even feel nothing at all. Feelings aren’t always neat and tidy—they’re messy, confusing, and sometimes downright exhausting. But that’s part of being human.
One of the most freeing things I learned was that asking for help isn’t a weakness. Whether it’s talking to a friend, reaching out to a professor, or using Duke’s mental health resources like CAPS, leaning on others doesn’t make you “less than.” It makes you strong. We’re all walking our own paths, but that doesn’t mean we have to walk them alone.
So if you’re reading this and feeling like you’re drowning in expectations—from others, from yourself—know that it’s okay to take a step back. Breathe. Give yourself permission to rest. You’re not falling behind. You’re growing in your own time, in your own way.
And if today is hard, that’s okay. Tomorrow might be better. And if it’s not? That’s okay too. Life isn’t a straight line, and healing doesn’t have a deadline.
You are enough, just as you are, right now.
With love, a fellow Blue Devil.
Anonymous, Duke University
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