Elinor G.
Photography by Katie Fox
If you’re reading this, I understand. I might not understand exactly what you struggle with. I might need a whole week of coffee dates with you to even begin to understand, but I know what it is like to struggle. I know what it is like to keep myself up all night thinking and re-thinking just to see my friends and peers happily living their lives the next day. I know what it’s like to be in a spiral of apologizing and feeling bad for the ways I’m not good enough instead of appreciating what I have (like most people so unhelpfully advise me to do). I understand constantly hearing all the other platitudes and overused advice that don’t make anything any easier.
I understand that even though the world is becoming more understanding of mental health, it still feels like a lot of people don’t understand. I understand that it is hard to prioritize mental health when it feels selfish or like it is pointless. I know that I see mental health awareness all over campus and social media, just to have a professor, parent, or friend not understand.
My advice is that if you are like me and do your best worrying at night, go to sleep. I don’t think rationally at night. I don’t think anyone does. I worry and worry, and small problems feel overwhelming. Sleep. No homework assignment is worth staying up all night for. It isn’t until the morning with the support of daylight that I can begin to sit with my problems and think of solutions. It isn’t until the morning that I feel peaceful enough to be able to work through what is bothering me. I think of problems all night…in the morning I can begin to think about solutions. Sleep often. If you can’t focus, take a nap. Sleep is a chance for reset, a clear mind, and taking advantage of it.
Most importantly, seek help. Needing help isn’t a failure, it’s an opportunity. Therapy is a way to look into yourself so that you don’t just go from temporary Band-Aid to temporary Band-Aid, always “fixing” and re-opening the same wound. Therapy is an investment in your future and for a lifetime of peace and happiness.
Elinor G., Wake Forest
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