How I’m Staying Grounded When Life Gets Loud

Lately, my life has been loud. My schedule is packed, my deadlines have been blending, and most days feel like I’m racing against the clock. It’s fulfilling - don't get me wrong - but also exhausting. And in the chaos, I’ve realized something important: staying grounded isn’t just about rest; it’s about remembering who we are beneath all this noise.

1. Busyness isn’t balance.

I used to think productivity was peace. If my checklist was full, I was doing enough. But studying isn’t physical, it’s mental. When your brain never shuts off, your body eventually follows. Burnout doesn’t hit all at once; it sneaks up slowly when you stop giving your mind permission to breathe.

2. Carving out stillness on purpose.

Now, I try to schedule stillness the same way I schedule class or study time. If you know me, you know I cannot survive without my Google Calendar...and adding these wellness breaks in my calendar has been truly amazing. A workout, a run, a slow walk without my phone. Reading something that isn’t academic. It’s not about “earning” rest, it’s about staying human and present through it all.

3. Reconnecting outside work.

My friends know that I’m horrible at staying in touch digitally, and it’s something I’m working on (if you're reading this, I love you guys). Sometimes, I let messages sit unread because I feel too tired to reply, but then I realize time keeps slipping by. A quick FaceTime, a nature walk, or our shared laughs remind me that my life is bigger than my to-do list.

4. Permission to pause.

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is stop (and yes, I struggle with this daily). To sit in silence. To breathe. To remember that we are not behind, we're just human. To live well isn’t about perfection or pace, it’s about rhythm. Some days you’ll sprint, and others, you’ll simply breathe. What matters is that you don’t lose yourself in the noise.