Summer of 2021 Expectations: Study and pass at least one of the CPA exams, finish developing my personal training business, move out on my own, and make a full recovery from the car accidents. Did any of this happen? No. After graduating from college, I was burnt out from over a year of online school, the pandemic, and my recovery. I figured taking a month off to relax would heal the burnout post graduation, yet as I attempted studying in July and August, I discovered I was unhappy when I was studying, more frustrated than ever due to my lack of concentration and motivation, and my body kept sending me signs that I needed a long break from studying. These signs included more intense headaches, not feeling hungry, struggling to sleep, not socializing with my friends as much to work on studying which consisted of too many Netflix breaks, and feeling exhausted and unmotivated unless it meant coaching or working out. When I realized I was completely burnt out as well as dealing with depression and anxiety about my recovery and my career as a future CPA, I reached out for help. My mom supported me in helping me meal plan so I would eat three meals a day, told me to go back to the daily habits that set me up for success, and advised me to plan out just five simple tasks I would accomplish in one day; ones that didn’t include studying. Despite this summer being nothing like what I had planned, I know taking this summer off to rest was necessary for both my physical and mental health. It was the first time I have ever truly rested from school and work, and as a result, I experienced mindset shifts regarding rest and learned valuable lessons from taking the summer off:
- It’s okay to not be okay.
- I deserve to rest and take time to heal.
- I am enough as I am; my value is not derived from productivity.
I am at peace knowing I made the right decision to rest and reset my life. If you are feeling like I did, feel free to try some of these tips below:
TIPs:
- Reach out for support (family, friends, trusted mentors).
- Take extended time to truly rest.
- Spend 1 hour each week meal planning and meal prepping.
- Create healthy habits that will help you move towards your goals, but also ones that bring you peace or joy. For example, read, write, walk, run, meditate, journal. It can help to set time targets or limits on these too.
- Plan out 5 simple tasks you will accomplish the next day (write these down to check off).
Now that I am working full time and rested enough to study for the CPA again, I made sure to make time in my daily routine for my habits. Below includes my daily habits and routine with footnotes, which are referenced as “[#]”.
Here is a Snapshot of my Daily Habits and my Weekly Routine:
Monday-Friday Schedule:
- Wake up at 5 AM
- Stretch [1 and 2]
- Shower, Eat, and take Vitamins
- Drink Hot Green Tea, Read for 10 minutes, Write for 15 minutes [1 and 3]
- CPA Prep [4]
- Work 8-5 PM
- Workout at 6 PM [1 and 2]
- Run and Core: Monday/Wednesdays
- CrossFit: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays
- Eat Dinner
- Walk the dogs [1]
- In bed between 8:30-9:00 PM (phone turned off)
Saturday
- CrossFit: Workout @ 7 AM, Coach @ 8:30 AM/10:00 AM [1]
- CPA Prep [4]
- Grocery Store/Meal Prep
- Lay out running, workout, and work outfits for the week
- Walk the dogs [1]
- Hangout with family/friends.
Sunday
- Sleep in Sunday until at least 8 AM.
- Coffee Shop: [1 and 3]
- Read and Write
- Business (at least one hour)
- Journal Emotions for 10 minutes [2]
- Walk the dogs [1]
Footnotes:
- Habit that brings me joy
- Habit that works on one of my recovery and health goals
- Habit that works on one of my personal business goals
- Habit that works on one of my professional goals related to accounting
*Note: I thrive when I have a set routine, which is why mine is detailed. Use the snapshot above as a starting point and create habits and/or routines that work best for you.
Benson's Lifestyle 