As a college student, you know that life can be hard. With so many things happening at once, between juggling 18 credits, a part time job, and trying to keep up with an active social life, it is no wonder so many of us feel so overwhelmed so often. But, what we don’t ever feel is that those feelings are completely normal. We can only keep up with so many distractions, setbacks and bumps in the road before we feel like we are drowning. It is even more difficult when social media makes you feel jealous, inadequate and the need to be “perfect”.
But, we aren’t perfect, and that’s perfectly okay. It is okay to feel anxious and stressed. It is okay to stay in bed and watch Netflix. It is okay to cry for no apparent reason. It is perfectly okay. Just be yourself, left yourself “feel” and it will all be okay. And, know that there is always help available.
Sometimes by simply talking to someone, even a complete stranger, can instantly improve stress and mood. As a trained crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line, a lifeline that provides 24/7 free and confidential support for anyone who is a having any kind of crisis (simply text “HOME” to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S.), I know firsthand. It can be hard to share private thoughts and feelings, but it can be a lifesaver. I have listened to many people in all sorts of pain, reminded them of their strengths, and helped them keep moving in a positive direction .
By simply texting “HOME” to 741741 at any time of day, for any reason, no matter how big or small the crisis, it can help. It can be anything from having text anxiety, bullying, sexual abuse, depression, loneliness, to having suicidal thoughts. As a crisis counselor, I have validated everything from a texter’s emotions after a relationship ends, to coping with an eating disorder, to creating a plan to stay safe with a texter who was self harming. Through active listening and collaborative problem solving, any “hot moment” suddenly becomes a “cool calm” for anyone in crisis. The significant thing to remember is that a crisis is any painful emotion that YOU need support with.
Life can be very intense and hard to deal with at times. But know that there are so many different national crisis resources available, just like Crisis Text Line, to validate that we are not alone in feeling the way we do sometimes. Just remember that a crisis is anything that is a crisis to YOU. So the next time you find yourself suffering from any painful emotion, there is support and it is okay.
