Editorial: Why Do We Put So Much Pressure on Ourselves?

As a young student, I feel this need to always do well or be the best. I can’t exactly explain why I feel this way. I guess that I’ve always associated that if I did well on an exam or a paper, that I had more value as a person. But, is it terrible if I fail an exam? Will the world end? 

I always put the most effort I can into my school work, so I guess if I don’t do as well as I thought I should have, then I’m a failure. This feeling increases whenever I write an article, a short story, or a poetry piece. As a writer, most of my classes revolve around receiving criticism from peers and professors. If I don’t receive any kind of validation that my writing is good, then does that mean I’m not a good writer?

I notice that as I look around myself, I’m not alone in feeling this pressure to always do great. I have witnessed my friends, classmates, and family go above and beyond to be good at something, even if it means burning themselves out. They become stressed out, just like I do. But, is it possible to become successful without burning myself out?

As I’m nearing my senior year in college, I am learning that being kind to myself is an important part to my success. If I let this anxiety take over my life, I won’t enjoy what I’m doing and I won’t be in the best mindset to put my best foot forward with the rest of my college career. If I let myself become too stressed now, it’ll transfer over to my job in the future. I want to love what I do, but internal pressure will diminish that fast.

It’s difficult to overcome this burden, but I’m taking it one day at a time. I know deep down in my heart I will turn out just fine if I put in a good effort, without burning out. This is what I believe will happen for other people as well. Remember to take a deep breath and relax, everyone is doing the best that they can today.