Here we are. It always seems to me that time flies by faster every year. December marks the end of the fall semester and the official start to the holiday season. For a lot of people, this is a time of immense pressure and stress. All of the exams, papers, holiday shopping, and family events start to take a toll on your ability to cope. Even as someone who thrives when there is a bit of pressure, I am really feeling it this December.
I invite you to take a moment right now to just breathe. Everyone is struggling with something, but that doesn’t make you less than or weak. You’ve got this, and before you know it you’ll be returning textbooks and drinking cocoa by the fireplace. Still, with everything that you have going on, you might be forgetting to take stock of what you’ve already done.
I’m notorious for refusing to acknowledge my accomplishments. Nothing I do is ever able to reach the expectations I set for myself. A lot of the time I say, “I just got lucky” or claim that the task is not as difficult as it may seem. I’m not the only one who does this, and I’m sure many of you do the same. These simple things we tell ourselves serve as enough proof that we forget to pat ourselves on the back.
Can I propose something radical? It’s not something you may feel comfortable doing, but it’s important you do it nonetheless. I want you to make a list of all of the things you have done this year and celebrate and appreciate them!
Celebrate the fact that you made it through the term. Celebrate that you did not spend your whole paycheck Black Friday shopping (maybe you did, no judgment here). Celebrate and appreciate that you finally finished that 10-page paper you put off all semester. Or maybe you just appreciate that you are able to get out of bed every morning. No matter what you are choosing to celebrate, remember that it was all you and that you are capable of doing whatever you set your mind to!
So as you go into your final exams, begin your winter break plans, and dive headfirst into holiday festivities, remember that everyone has a story and even the smallest of victories should be celebrated and appreciated.
Our letters from the editor are written by College Fashionista editorial fellows to help us define and welcome in the theme of the month. What do you plan to celebrate and appreciate this December? Share your thoughts with us on social media @cfashionista!
