The one simple thing I did that changed my life.
If you ask anyone that knew me 3 months ago, they would tell you that they worried about my stress level. I had constant anxiety and was always either working or thinking about work. Why would a 21 year-old have so much stress? I was a full time student supporting myself with financial aid and three part time jobs. Just pick a time of the day, and I was most likely working or working on work. I was the type of person who always wanted to stay up to date and to always have control of every situation. I was always working overtime, picking up extra shifts.
How often does anyone have to tell a recently-turned 21 year old to go and have fun? My always parents told me to relax, to "be a 21 year old" but I just chuckled and justified my stress with financial stability. I started to accept that I am going to be that workaholic who neglects everything except work and then just dies. I was so rational that the thought of taking chances gave me an anxiety attack.
People complimented my ambition and praised my hard work but one day, things started changing. My plans and backup plans did not fall in place as I would have wanted. For someone who is so planned out, I could not sleep for days. There were so many what ifs in my head. What if I don't graduate? What if I don't get any job offers? What if?! I lost control of everything in my mind.
At this point, I thought my life was over. I couldn't turn off my brain. This is when my friend suggested turning off my phone and disconnecting from work and anything that related to work. I thought that was crazy and there was no way that it could work, but I quietly agreed and followed the rules.
We went on a road trip and my phone sat in my glove box for 72 hours. That was the best 72 hours of my life. The first few hours were terrible because I felt handicapped without my trusty phone but soon after that, I felt so free. I was able to enjoy life and just not think about anything other than where the beach was and how beautiful everything was. That weekend changed my life.
Never would I have ever guessed that the simple task of turning off your phone could save my life. Before that, I hated life but I continued to do what I had to do because it was expected. Now, every Friday after 5:30pm, My phone goes on airplane mode and doesn't come back until Monday morning when it is time to work again. (I keep it on for phone games.) My life has never been more relaxing once I forced myself to establish a work-life balance. It also makes my work week more productive because I have something to look forward to!
It's so easy. Simply TURN OFF YOUR PHONE, hide it and watch it do wonders to your stress level.
