With everything going on lately, I’ve found that my mental health has taken a rapid decline.

  I tend to hold in what I am feeling and stress a lot and I have found that the events of this past year are finally taking their toll on me.

  I cannot sleep, I’m not eating well, and I have constant headaches. I also cannot focus on television shows or, get this, even read.

  I find that I’m too exhausted to even do much other than come home, eat something for dinner, and go right to sleep. I wake up the next day and repeat the process.

  I’ve recently realized that, although this feels like the new normal it is not, in fact, normal. I’ve realized I’ve begun taking work home with me and it is beginning to affect how I live my life when I’m not at work.

  I am sure that many are feeling the same way.

  With COVID still very prevalent, it is affecting how many of us live our lives and limiting the outlets we used to have to de-stress.

  In an attempt to return to some type of normal, I began introducing new things back into my lifestyle that haven’t been present for last least a year or more.

  One weekend, I took an early walk with my dad just to get out of the house for a bit. It was cool out and we talked about everyday things like future plans and birthdays.

  While walking on the trail, I noticed a purple-ish color in the trees. Moving off the path, I found it was a crocheted heart placed on a tree limb. The heart was simple. No bigger than a quarter, but it made my day. I had so much fun looking with my dad for another heart. We spent the rest of the walk with huge smiles on our faces. 

  For a while now, I’ve had to think a lot about what I can do to cheer myself up.

  After finding that heart in the trees, it forced a change in perspective for me. All it took was a simple act of kindness from another to make my day and turn my thoughts positive again.

  I know I have written about kindness before, but one act of kindness can make someone’s day or literally turn someone’s life around. It did just that for me that day.

  Since then, I have started going out with my friends more. I’ve even joined several book-oriented  Facebook groups and found a sort of virtual family.

  I made that hair appointment that I’ve been putting off for so long thinking it was a waste of money. I’ve finally scheduled that tattoo appointment I’ve had on my mind for months. I bought that bookshelf I’ve been wanting (really, needing) for so long.

  I realized, after a lot of neglect, I stopped considering the care I needed for myself. So focused on others, I began to place myself on the back burner.

  Self-care is about rewarding oneself when you just need it. No judgements. No critiques. You know yourself best. You know best what you need.

  I know money cannot buy happiness, but it can buy you some relaxation and peace of mind (in some instances), and that is almost just as worth it.

  I try to take each day one day at a time and focus on what I can handle in the moment.

  I now shut off my work email as soon as I get home and try my best not to let my mind wander back to work over the weekend.

  I also make a point to just stress less. Instead of holding it in, I try to let it go and just try to live in the moment.

  Be kind to yourself. Give yourself what you need to recharge and don’t feel bad if you need just a few more moments to be alone in the silence.

  Erin Lopez recently graduated from Georgia College & State University with a Mass Communication major and too many minors. She loves to read, binge Netflix shows, and spend lots of time with her five cats.