How to cope up with Adulting?
No one ever truly prepared us for adulthood. We would commonly hear the question,” what do you want to be when you grow up” and this would be met by an enthusiastic answer over our preferred career choice. We always looked forward to the future and at how happy and successful we would be. We put in our best to our academics and worked hard to try and achieve our dreams.
We come to the job market space either under employment or self -employment. We are placed with a heavy task of meeting high targets at work under a demanding boss. We have bills to pay, chores to clean, families to look after and children to take care of. Our social time becomes limited due to work and little time. Even when we have the time we are too burnt out to even say yes to a social invite. We get promoted and think that things will be easier but truth is, the promotion comes with extra responsibilities. Our world starts spinning with everything demanding a huge piece of our time, mind and energy like a hamster on its wheel. We breakdown often as we grapple the reality of how life is taking us. We feel drained in every capacity; physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, financially. We come to the job market space either under employment or self -employment. We are placed with a heavy task of meeting high targets at work under a demanding boss. We have bills to pay, chores to clean, families to look after and children to take care of. Our social time becomes limited due to work and little time. Even when we have the time we are too burnt out to even say yes to a social invite.
We get promoted and think that things will be easier but truth is, the promotion comes with extra responsibilities. Our world starts spinning with everything demanding a huge piece of our time, mind and energy like a hamster on its wheel. We breakdown often as we grapple the reality of how life is taking us. We feel drained in every capacity; physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, financially.
So what can we do to not lose our sanity in this race? The answer is the word ‘Self-Care’. And not just self -care but consistent self -care. Intentionally take time to do it. We may feel that we have so much to do and that people are relying on us to deliver. Just remember this, you cannot take care of other people or other responsibilities if you are not okay. You cannot give what you do not have. You cannot give 100% productivity when you are mentally exhausted. Time is not much on our side but we always have those little pockets of time that are unused. Try identifying these moments and purposefully use them to take care of yourself.
Try using the 8 dimensions of wellness for self-care; physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, intellectually, financially, vocationally and environmentally.
- Watch your diet, exercise, drink plenty of water.
- Have a regular sleep routine
- Do some skin care and hair routine, get your nails done if that makes you feel good
- Connect regularly with your friends, go out on dates
- Create time with family
- Switch off your phone when home, take vacations, take your leaves
- Watch a movie, listen to music, go out for walks In nature
- Pray if you are spiritual, attend church.
- Read new materials, articles, learn something new on the internet
- Have challenging conversations
- Learn to be open minded
- See a therapist, debrief
- Open up to a friend
- Do some financial savings, donate some funds, buy yourself something that makes you feel good
- Take yourself out on a date
- Plant some trees, stay in a clean environment
- Do what makes you happy. Live, love, breathe!
By Magdaline Njambi
Hospital Psychologist
Chiromo Hospital Group
