Procrastination or Self-Care?

I’m sure 99% of the student population are guilty of using self-care as a means of procrastination. You’re staring at the computer, the cursor blinking at you, and you decide you’ve earnt yourself a break despite having written only your name and the title.

In a society that’s increasingly focussed on emphasising your mental well-being, but also a society that still applauds borderline-toxic dedication, how do we mediate between staying sane and meeting expectations and deadlines?

Take care of yourself proactively

Self-care isn’t always lighting some candles and watching Netflix by yourself after a busy week. Sometimes it’s acknowledging you’re about to have an exceptionally hectic and draining day and being conscientious enough to know what you’re going to need in advance, before you’re feeling the drain on your mental resources. Be aware of how certain situations make you feel. Know that you forget to eat when you’re stressed? Get up, have a calm breakfast, and pack yourself some snacks.

Accept that self-care isn’t always fun

If we’re talking about preventing drains on your mental resources, it’s going to be inevitable that you’ll wind up doing things that will benefit you in the long run but won’t necessarily be particularly appealing in the moment. Long day? Go to bed and get up earlier so that your morning won’t be rushed and you won’t make yourself stressed because you can’t find a matching pair of shoes. You could read that article for your 9am seminar, or you could watch another episode of Brooklyn-99 – but is it worth the inevitable dread and stress you’ll feel when you realise you’re going to have to contribute to a discussion you know nothing about? Eating well and fuelling your body falls under this category too; accept that, sometimes, you’re going to have to sacrifice pizza in the name of something with actual nutritional value. Broccoli is a necessary evil.

Appreciate delayed gratification

Are you self-caring because you need it, or are you actually just bored? We’ve all been there – the essay you’re trying to write is dry and far from enthralling, and the thought of a nice long bath is becoming more and more appealing by the second. The thing is, you won’t be able to appreciate the small acts of self-care if you know you’ve done it instead of what you’re supposed to be doing. Write the essay, then have the bath – it’ll be a lot more satisfying and you won’t have the nagging guilt hanging over you.

Schedule your downtime, and stick to it

Consider it a date with yourself. This almost ties into the concept of delayed gratification – schedule a consistent time block with yourself, for yourself. Not only does it give you something to motivate you through the piles and piles of work, but it also allows you to truly detach from everything else and focus on yourself. Sunday afternoons are mine, regardless of how much work I could be doing, because I know I’ve earnt it by not giving into temptation during the week. Block off a few hours, close down all university-related tabs, and enjoy some downtime knowing that you truly deserve it.