On Stress

I am a clinically depressed pre-med neuroscience major and Arabic minor. Being stressed out is my primary state of being. On "bad days" this stress consumes me; it is a whispered repetition of you will fail. you will fail.  I do have good days though, and since this is one of them, I will take this opportunity to write some bullet points to myself about "bad days" and stressful times and how to get through them. And bullet point format IS lazy. I know.( But I'm currently skipping class so there's a little glimpse into my laziness for you.)

• Small failures do not mean you are a failure. 
• Working hard really does pay off. Even if you are unhappy, just think about the reward.
• You are not alone. 
• You are not alone. (Repetition necessary because I tend to forget this.)
• Fuck your nihilist / existentialist bullshit. Stop being a little bitch and live in the present.
• Try your hardest. Not like you normally pretend to do, but actually throw yourself into things before you succumb to failure. 
• No more than three cups of coffee. Being jittery is helping nothing.
• Take a thirty minute break. A real one. Not a thirty minute break where you're stressing out about the next thing or worrying yourself sick about assignments due next week. Watch the Daily Show, something happy and just forget about your life for a while.
• DO NOT listen to depressing music. Just don't do it. Dancehall playlists are acceptable. 
• Don't forget to call your parents. They have always encouraged you, make some time for them.
• Change scenery. Go work in Armstrong, or in a classroom. 
• Remind yourself of why you're doing what you're doing. Why do I want to be a doctor?
• Give yourself micro-rewards for accomplishing things. (Ex: If I do twenty minutes of Chem, I can make a cup of tea.) 
• Talk to your roommate (or a good friend if you don't have one.)
• Remind yourself that you are great! You have to believe that you are great.
• Take deep breaths and count to ten. It really works, and you know it.
• There are beautiful things in the world.