If You Need Permission: Try on Simplicity

Many college students get stuck in what I refer to as the “College Cycle” each semester. This cycle looks something like this: come to campus excited and refreshed for a new semester –> try all the things, commit to all the things, lead all the things –> become overwhelmed, burnout –> drag yourself through the finish line that is finals week –> recover with a long break (winter or summer) –> come back to campus and repeat.

If this sounds at all familiar to you or your college experience, you are not alone — I see this over and over each school year. Instead of taking on less, or building in space for rest or uncommitting to things in our schedule, we often power through to prove some point that we can do it all. And in the process we are willing to sacrifice our own peace and sanity for the semester.

It doesn’t have to look like this. I have had multiple conversations in the last week with students about what it looks like to build in simplicity to their already existing schedules. It doesn’t have to be an entire calendar purge (although, if you feel inspired, go for it)!

Here are a few simple ideas to build in simplicity to your very busy college schedule.

• Walk to class without your AirPods in
• Take 5 minutes at night to reflect on where you felt joy that day
• Clean out one drawer in your room
• Make a cup of tea. Don’t get anything else done as you are waiting for it to be ready.
• Take 10 minutes to plan your meals for the week ahead
• Practice being present where you are at
• Go to bed early
• Say no to something that you don’t want to do.
• Try not to feel bad about saying no to that thing you don’t want to do (this may take practice).
• Schedule a weekly dinner with your roommates. Just enjoy being together for one whole hour over a meal.
• Buy a plant and take care of it
• Get rid of duplicates in your kitchen
• Don’t look at your phone first thing in the morning
• Get rid of any apps that keep you distracted from your actual life
• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, call a friend or go for a walk outside

Try simplicity on. It doesn’t have to be an entire life purge. Simplicity is just little decisions over time that help you create space to figure out what matters most. Check out this post praising the small and a few more ideas to simplify your college life right now for some more inspiration.

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