I’ve been silent for a while after graduating in 2019. I thought that I would become firm in my values and identity in undergrad, however now that I am 3 years post-graduation, I realize that my growth was only beginning. There are identity structures that fell away, and others that are beginning to take their…
-
Dear Recent Grad: It’s OK to Slow Down
Read moreI’m a recent grad with a Health Sciences degree who is facing difficulties with slowing down. Does there need to always be something I am working on? Do I need to always be working on all of my projects? Keeping on top of everything? Growing and improving in measurable ways? It feels like my mind…
-
Navigating Complicated Emotions During Your Transition to College/University
Read moreIt’s September, which means that many of you are gearing up to go back to school (ahh! I know! I shouldn’t be mentioning it!!). But some of you may be experiencing a “back to school” that feels very different: your first year in post-secondary studies. Photo by Gades Photography Note: This post contains affiliate links.…
-
What you do with the seeds of knowledge I offer is up to you – a free verse about living with depression
Read moreThis is something new that I am trying out – the following is completely unedited, free-flow writing written exactly from where I am at in the current moment. Its purpose? To give one perspective on what life with chronic depression is really like, in order to increase those without depression’s understanding of it. Also, to…
-
Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb – 5 Strategies for Students (Social Anxiety in the Classroom: Part 3)
Read moreIn the previous two posts in the Social Anxiety in the Classroom series, we discussed the differences between shyness, introversion, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder, and I shared my personal journey with the aforementioned. Today we’ll explore some of the exercises I’ve found helpful to start reducing the negative impact of social anxiety. I’ll…
-
Social Anxiety and Perfectionism from Early Childhood to University (Social Anxiety in the Classroom: Part 2)
Read moreThis is the second part of a three part series on social anxiety in the classroom. On Monday (the first part), we discussed the differences between shyness, introversion, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder (SAD). Now that we are clearer on the terminology, I want to share my personal trajectory from early childhood to university.…
-
Shyness, Introversion, Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder: Which One? (Social Anxiety in the Classroom: Part 1)
Read moreWell then, class, who has the answer to this question? Hmm… no hands? …How about… you? What do you think? If you read this quote and your mind immediately recoiled, know that you are not alone. In this three-part series, we will explore: The differences between shyness, introversion, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder &…
-
Plan for self-care during midterm/finals season
Read moreDealing with depression and anxiety as an overachieving perfectionist at university is pretty damn horrible. All three elements are interlinked. If one starts rearing its head, the others will very likely join. It is a frustrating experience that I know many of us perfectionists struggling with depression and anxiety share. Even if you are not…
-
Take the time to self-validate – a letter to students
Read moreYou read this all the time on my blog: BKTY (be kind to yourself). The idea seems fantastic – being able to self-validate, being able to calm yourself down when things get rough, and being able to love yourself with your flaws instead of despite them. But if you ever get cynical (like I do),…
-
Poem: A Third-Year’s Soul
Read moreAs the year comes to a close, it is only natural to look back at the past in order to determine future steps. To be honest, I struggled immensely with the idea of continuing to post on this blog over the past few months. I experienced the longest peaceful spell I’ve had since these struggles…
-
The Path to Perfection – Impossible
Read moreI sat in the hospital room last Friday, wondering how the heck I had arrived back at the hospital. There were a myriad symptoms, but really, there must have been at least a partial influence from my own expectations. There always was, after all. This time, the doctors told me I actually have a much…
