I feel really guilty for not posting here every week like I'm supposed to be doing. I'm trying, I promise, but it's really difficult with such a busy schedule. Even though I only have class a few times a week, my planner is packed full of things i have to do and places I'm going. I don't want to complain, but, quite honestly, I am so beyond exhausted that I feel like I can't keep going at the pace I've been at since I got here.
 |
| A look at my planner this month... I've been calling it the month from hell. |
Studying abroad is really a lot of fun. You have the opportunity to do and see things you never imagined you'd be lucky enough to do and see in your life. You get to experience new cultures and potentially learn new languages. Really, I'm having the time of my life here, and if I had to go back to the States today, you'd have to force me back kicking and screaming.
But it's also really, really draining. Especially as an introvert, which is what I am. Being with large groups of people and social outings leave me mentally and sometimes emotionally drained. I need days to just sit in bed reading a book or watching Netflix to recharge my batteries, and I recently realised that I haven't done that since I got here. And that's something I really, really need to do. I owe that much to myself.
I started a new class the day after I got back from the Netherlands and then a few days later my friend from Finland, Ida, came to visit me. Ida left today, and tomorrow I'm heading to Norway with a group of friends for the weekend. Two days after I get back, a friend from home who is currently studying abroad in London is coming to visit, and while she's here, we're going to Estonia. But once my friend leaves, I will have about a week and a half to myself before I start volunteering for the Stockholm International Film Festival, and during that precious week and a half, I plan on relaxing as much as possible because I know I'm going to be completely drained when this hectic month is over.
So this point of this blog post?
Studying abroad is fun. It's great. You should definitely do everything you want to do while you have the opportunity to do it! But please, please, please, don't forget to take care of yourself as well. You won't be able to fully enjoy what you're doing if you're exhausted, both mentally and physically. Don't be afraid to take mental health days where you stay in your pyjamas all day eating Nutella and binge watching Netflix. I promise that that one day to yourself every now and then is not a waste of time and will make all the difference when you begin adventuring again.
I promise I'll have something more interesting next week, what with going to Norway and all... :)
Hejdå!
- Lee