De-stress

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long! School started and life has been really busy. But guess what? I'm finally a senior!! I've officially started the countdown to my graduation. There are 250 days until I am considered a college student. Isn't that exciting? As you can imagine, I'm absolutely flooded with things to do. I've scheduled tours to my top schools, been starting on essays, starting applications, and searching for scholarships. I think I've written more essays in the past month than I have my whole life! Some of the classes I am taking this year are challenging as well: AP Calculus BC and AP Music Theory to name a few. In addition to all that, I have started working on my scholarship auditions for college music programs. It's a lot of challenging music and my first deadline is looming just over the horizon. The stickler: I'm doing all this while still participating in marching band as the Drum Major, as a member of tweleve clubs, attending martial arts classes, and maintaining a part-time job.

All of this work and pressure is really getting to me sometimes. It is overwhelming and results in an occasional panic attack or mental breakdown. It isn't easy to do everything at once, especially when you're a perfectionist and intrinsically motivated like me. I want to excel at everything, I don't allow myself to slack off, and under NO circumstances is a B acceptable. The only problem is that I'm completely stressed out 24/7.  I get stress migraines (on top of genetic ones which really sucks), a short temper and patience, occasional panic attacks, and never. ending. worrying. and. stressing. Honestly, it's awful and I hate it. It's so hard to manage myself and control my emotions and get enough sleep. This, of course, only makes it worse. Unfortunately, school and college are necessary evils to reach my optimal potential.

To combat this helpless feeling of crushing stress, I do several things:

1.) I binge eat my favorite snacks. I know I shouldn't, but sometimes eating a whole chocolate bar or a big bowl of ice cream with peanut butter melted on top just makes the pain go away. Let's face it: your favorite junk food always makes the sun shine a little brighter and makes everything seem more manageable.

2.) Aromatherapy baths. MMMMMM YESSSS!! Or bath bombs. And bubbles. There is something about sitting in a rainbow, good smelling, warm bath and being engulfed in mountains of bubbles. Something so juvenile and child-like about it that just makes you forget for a little while. Especially when you are listening to soft classical music while taking a nap, reading a good book, or singing along to your favorite songs. I seriously recommend this one.

3.) Going to the gym. Probably my least favorite because I don't like pain lol. But this is my go to if I'm angry.

4.) Another one of my favorites, but probably the most expensive, is driving. I like to drive on back roads with my music playing loudly and all the windows opened. Very satisfying.

There are several ways to distress, but these are some of my favorites. Have a great day! Happy Fall, y'all! XD

Kisses,

Isabelle ;)

P.S. Please check out the poll! :)