As I have entered my last year of high school, there are many things that I have learned throughout my time here. Inevitably, as somebody who wants to do everything all at once, I have encountered many moments when I have needed to take a break.

It took me three years to realize that it is okay to take it easy, despite not wanting to. 

It is completely understandable to want to create as much opportunity as possible during the years of high school. It is within human nature to want to do things beyond what you can handle and not waste your time. However, it is important to find balance within that.

Many high schoolers tend to believe in the narrative that they must work their hardest 24/7, but there is so much more to life than that. For this reason, every second of your teenage years matter. It is important to think about how you would look back at your life in a couple of years and reflect on your experiences. 

Regret is something that many people dwell on constantly, and it mainly comes from the things they wish they could have done during their youth. 

Youth is an important part of everybody’s lives, an era in which creating memories and making connections is everything. Becoming a teenager is also something that may seem to take forever, but then disappears in the blink of an eye, so no matter what you do, make your memories worth looking back on.

In the midst of drowning in school work and picking up an extra shift or two, stop for just a moment and take time for yourself. Whether it be hanging out with your friends or simply just sitting and watching your favorite show, slow it down for just a minute to nourish your soul. 

The only solution to the never-ending feelings of continuous stress and a weary mind is to rest once in a while.