Ripping and running. Getting ready for my last semester of grad school. Planning for my future. Making time for my loved ones. Working my nine to five. A sister, daughter, girlfriend, friend and encourager to the world. Worried about things I can’t change. Trying to be perfect.

All of these thoughts were racing through my mind right before I went to bed last night. I couldn’t really sleep and I knew I needed to take time out for myself.

Instead of pressing my way on Monday morning to work, I instead took the day off to gather the thoughts that were consuming me.

We often don’t listen to our gut when it tells us we need to take a break. Instead we push until we reach the moment of burn out, and this usually happens at the most inconvenient times.

You can’t keep giving to everyone else and expect that at the end of the day you will have something left for yourself. You have to pour back into yourself often so you can keep living the good life.

What to do on your mental health vacay/holiday?

Say No. Sometimes you have to say No to people and don’t feel obligated to explain why. You can’t be everything to everyone always! Remember that!

Why did I start this in the first place? Maybe you’re starting to feel stress with some of the projects, plans or dreams you have committed to. Asses why you started in the first place (be honest with yourself) maybe you didn’t have the right motivates in the first place. Adjust your work load so its reasonable.

Have fun. Treat yourself to dinner or the movies. Or even lay by the pool. (hey but shut down from social media for a little while.

Rest. Veg out. Watch Netflix all day. Catch up on House of Cards, Orange is the New Black or one of your favorite shows.

Advice. Take a day or two advice break. Sometimes we are full of everyone else’s opinion that we forget about what we really want.

Love, Laugh & Learn

Shivawn xo

OH and another thing. I’ve learned that I create burn out for myself by trying to control every single detail in my life or by looking too far down the road. Take each day as it comes and try to live in the moment have fun and learn the lessons as they come!