Stress is Selfish

My stress level has been through the rough the past couple of weeks. Though I'm a naturally high-stress person (understatement), I really haven't had a problem with feeling this overwhelmed in years. Plenty of things can effect our stress level fluctuations, including tragedy, workload, diet, sleep, and exercise, but none of these areas of my life have shifted in a dramatic way. I've been wracking my brain to try to find an answer, and it finally hit me: I'm being really selfish. For the first time in years, I'm not holding any leadership positions that truly require me to be accountable for the well-being of others. Everything on my plate this semester, from work to classes to daily responsibilities, only effects me. All of my workload is centered around my success or my failure.

I think it's a common misconception that being accountable for others is more stressful than being accountable for ourselves. When we're looking out for the best interests of those around us, it is much easier to shift our perspective and realize what really matters and what doesn't. You have to act in the best interest of the group: leading consistently while catering to the needs of individuals. However, when you're living in a world of isolated responsibilities, you become obsessed with your own selfish ambition. It's difficult to admit, but important to recognize in your own life.

If your focus is so air-tight that you find it difficult to catch a breath, get out of your own world and go learn about someone else's.