Take Some “Me” Time

Friday, 03 May 2013 22:23 Written by  Hiba Abdillahi

It seems that as you get older, the years start to fly. Just think about it. The year is almost halfway through! I feel like it was only yesterday that I was counting down the new year.

Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and before you know it, you are so into your work and routine that a whole year has passed. I’m about to finish my third year of college, and I don’t know where the time has gone. I must admit I would like it to slow down.

Recently, my friends and I were discussing vacations. We realize that none of us vacation like we used to when we were younger. We all shared stories about our last “real” vacation (there was a catch: it had to be somewhere far from Chicago, and two to three years old). After that night, I couldn’t help but to think: have we really forgotten the importance of a vacation?

It isn’t because we just don’t want to get away, we can’t fit a vacation into our busy schedules. Some of us go to school full time, work full time, and some do both. When the heck would you be able to fit time for some R&R? Well, I’ll tell you.

No matter what it takes, you need to fit in some down time into your schedule. Whether it is taking a walk, gardening, relaxing by the TV, anything! Some down time is better than no down time. If you really think you need more than a day and you are short on funds, plan a city trip. Walk around and enjoy the view. If you really need to get away, road trip to a city that is nearby. Make sure it’s somewhere new and take the opportunity to explore. Not all of us have the money for a Hawaii getaway, but that isn’t the only definition of a vacation. A vacation is something out of your ordinary routine, so whatever it may be, go and do it.

When we are constantly on the go, it can wear us down. Stress can get the best of us when all we do is work.

According to Psychology Today, “Vacations have the potential to break into the stress cycle. We emerge from a successful vacation feeling ready to take on the world again. We gain perspective on our problems, get to relax with our families and friends, and get a break from our usual routines.”

This semester of college has been the most stressful. After a year, I’ll be in the real world, and I will have the luxury of facing reality. I don’t know about the rest of the juniors in college, but the thought is daunting. We’ve been in school basically our whole lives, and in a blink of an eye it’s over. With that thought constantly in my mind, a vacation needs to be in the works. Like I stated before, vacations don’t have to be extremely pricey. Heading to the Indiana Dunes with some girlfriends sounds like a perfect vacation, and it’s not pricey. Do yourself a favor and have some down time, read a book, practice yoga, go on an amazing vacation, travel to a new place and have fun. Life is too short to be stressed!


Hiba Abdillahi

Hiba Abdillahi

Hiba Abdillahi is a student at Columbia College Chicago, majoring in broadcast journalism. She aspires to be an international correspondent.

Hiba can be contacted at Hiba@glossmagazineonline.com

 

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