Understanding Myself
I would describe myself as a strong Type A person, as I am a busy body that always has to be doing something. I can be rather impatient, but I also have a driving motivated personality, which one would think is always a good trait. However, I also have a tendency to overwhelm myself with various commitments and activities and become easily stressed. Working 15 hours a week while being a full-time “A” college student who is involved in campus organizations and also maintain a social life can be a bit overwhelming at times. In fact, it is extremely overwhelming and quite stressful!
The spring semester of my sophomore year was the peak of this stress, which led to my breakdown. I was taking my very challenging accounting and finance classes that could determine my acceptance into PPA, so it was crucial I make outstanding grades. However, my job started becoming stressful as my boss put me on a project lead, and I had to attend and prepare for my organization’s weekly meetings and activities. I began eating badly, canceling plans I had with friends at the last minute, and having a bad attitude. My roommates and I were no longer friends and after a month of constant misery and unhealthiness, I had a mental breakdown. I looked at my life and realized how unhappy I truly was. For my own sanity, well-being, and most importantly happiness, I decided something had to change. After discussing my troubles with my mother, she advised me to make a weekly priority list of the things that make me happy and that I wish I had more time to do. This list included exercise, dinner dates with friends, cooking meals, attending Breakaway, along with a few others. I realized that although work, school, and meetings are necessary events, it was crucial I have a balance with spiritual and social aspects in my life as well. After writing this list I knew nobody could make it happen, but me. I was the only person who could change my misery and create happiness for myself. It was up to me, and once I initiated the change and developed my weekly priority list into a routine, my life dramatically changed. I was finally laughing again, not stressed out all the time, and most importantly was HAPPY.
I now know the importance of self-management and having a work-fun balance. I am so blessed I learned how to implement and mange my time and priorities accordingly now before I enter the workforce, especially since I am likely to enter the brutal public accounting industry. I know that happiness comes from within yourself and you must take time to do things that truly make you happy and healthy.