Midnight Meltdown

So school has been going on for 5 weeks, and you know what, it's kicking my ass. I'm not sure why it feels so much more stressful than last year. It's probably because I don't have 10 hours of the day before my class starts. Yea, that's probably it. Or maybe now I have a boy I like that's not 500 miles away anymore. Yea, that's probably it too. Or maybe it's because I have a full time schedule of classes and I'm still piling on the extracurriculars on my plate. Yea, that's probably it too.

But last night I freaked out. I was sitting at my computer reading for my class on Monday, and I realized it is not ending. It seemed to go on for forever. I got a lump in my throat, my breathing got shallow, and I felt pressure on my chest. I was having a "moment".

My mind was racing even when I tried to lie down. Nothing would calm me down. I was having a meltdown. I was just thinking how I'm constantly tired, constantly rushing, and constantly on the go, from class to the high school I teach at back to school then home and then to work. What am I doing to myself?

I don't have time to eat food I want (which really sucks the life out of me). I run on gross school cafe coffee, which is not hot enough and tastes burnt.

I just felt sad. Probably because I didn't feel like I was succeeding in my endeavors. I just felt like I was running for the bus that I was a minute late for (figuratively, but this has literally happened more than once (rejection by a bus driver hurts too)).


I found this list (You know I love lists) written by Kat George on Thought Catalog: Things You Need When You’re Sad

Intimacy

There’s something very comforting about physical intimacy, not to mention the endorphins that will kick you in the brain. And it’s all well and good when there’s someone you trust to poke around inside you, but it can end in tears when you find yourself in bed with a stranger at 4 a.m., freak out when you realize you don‘t really want to do what you’re about to do, demand he call a cab, and leave him completely blue-balled. Now there are two sad people.

Mum

When shit hits the fan it can be compounded to an infinite degree when mum is absent. Mum just knows how to do everything… better. Her comfort, cuddles, attentive nuances, cooking, it’s all just better and try as you might you can’t recreate it when she’s not there. And as my mum likes to remind me via Skype, I’m too far away to be her little girl right now, so I have to be a woman. But I say eff that, I just want my mamma!

Chicken Soup

As it turns out chicken soup is food for the soul. Come hail or shine, if illness or fatigue or the vengeful hand of God strikes me down you can be guaranteed I’ll be boiling chicken bones on the hob like the diligent yiayia I will one day be.

Friends

When you’re lonely and without your real friends, Friends is the perfect substitute — especially that Chandler Bing, he always manages to get a giggle out of me when I’m feeling down. This applies to any other TV show you’re so familiar with that the characters feel like family because you know them so well.

Ice Cream and/ or Chocolate

Comfort food is a no brainer. I always wonder what people who don’t like sweets eat when they’re sad — anyone?

Shopping

There is nothing so shallow and cathartic than making an unnecessary purchase when you’re down in the dumps. Buyer’s adrenaline will momentarily take you away from the reality of your situation. On the flipside you will also be poorer, which in the long run might be detrimental to your state, especially if what you’re stressed about is money. Despite the pitfalls, I am a huge advocate of sad shopping. As frivolous as it is, having something pretty and new is a really good pick me up.

Cigarettes

Look I’m not proud of this and I’m not suggesting you do the same, but the first thing I do when disaster strikes is cross the road to the bodega and buy a pack of cigarettes. Why? I don’t know. Maybe I think it makes me look really broody and sexy in a melancholic, poetic sort of way that romanticizes my failures. Or maybe I’m just an idiot who can’t shake a very unhealthy, reflex association. 

Most of the is correct, maybe for all girls? The only difference is I would like Scotch or Whiskey instead of cigarettes. The spicy warmth soothes my soul.

But now that I'm having time to reflect on my crazy emotional night, I realize I just need to calm the f*ck down. Chill my brain. Step away from all the freaking Constitutions I am reading and just listen to music. Maybe I'll see that boy I like so much and give him a hug. That always helps. And then go back to studying.