There is a delicate balance between challenging yourself and overworking yourself, and it’s not always easy to spot the difference until too late. In my freshman and sophomore years, I joined debate deliberately in order to challenge myself. I knew it would be hard and it was, but I grew a lot as a speaker, a researcher, and a friend. Still, debate is an incredibly intensive activity, and I found it taking over almost all my free time. My life was out of balance. 

I quit debate going into my junior year, and I’ve been working to find a healthy balance since. Making time for activities, homework, work, friends, and sleep can feel like juggling a million things if you don’t have a solid plan. Intentionally prioritizing my to-dos, setting firm boundaries with myself and others, and saying no to things I don’t have time for made it possible. I still work to challenge myself, but I understand the difference between challenge and overwork. I’ve also allowed myself to let go of things that don’t serve me any more. It can be stressful to drop something you’ve already poured time into, but it is such a relief to stop wasting your energy on something you don’t like.

If I could give any advice to my younger self, it would be to give myself more grace as I was figuring my balance out. It’s not shameful to be overwhelmed, but it is a sign to reflect. Finding balance is a process. Be kind to yourself.