A. Daniella Mata, second-year doctoral student in Special Education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis: In a world where hustle culture is glorified, I’ve made time to explore what “putting myself first” (AKA self-care) truly means. Since the new year just began, it’s the perfect time to share my essential tips on how to live a more wholesome life. Take what you like and leave what does not serve you:
- Choose to honor your word. If you say that you are going to go to bed at 10:30 p.m., then go to bed at that time. We sometimes honor other people’s word more than our own; let’s change that.
- Figure out what is essential to you and prioritize only what is essential. You can figure out what’s essential by defining your purpose, saying no, prioritizing tasks, and protecting your time. You will become more productive, selective, and happier when you only do what is essential for you. Remember that you always have a choice.
- Write this on your mirror “Do not take things personal!” and read it before stating the day. Not everything that people say or do is to hurt, insult, or harm you. We can be so fixated on thinking that others are criticizing us when in reality people are typically worried about themselves. This also leads to the point that a person’s opinion of you is none of your business. You don’t deserve to live in an emotional prison.
If you would like to learn about these principles and more, I suggest reading Essentialism by Greg McKeown and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
“CED in 3” spotlights the College of Education grad student community. Read Athletic Training student Langston Smith’s picks from our last issue via the Grad Link website.