New semester, new priorities.

I know as this semester starts, I have many new priorities; making more time for sleep, for my health, trying to not give myself food poisoning again. Making time for more things that seem simple/basic but are really essential to everyday peace. Taking the time to more regularly do self-care things that I enjoy have been helping me survive the long days and weeks that have been the start to the semester.

There's something about the beginning of a new term that makes you reassess everything. Maybe it's the clean slate of a fresh syllabus, or maybe it's just exhaustion from the previous semester finally catching up. Either way, I'm learning that the "basic" things—eight hours of sleep, a real meal, a walk outside—aren't luxuries to fit in when everything else is done. They're the foundation that makes everything else possible.

I've been trying to build in small rhythms throughout my week. A morning routine that doesn't involve checking my phone immediately. Actually using my lunch break instead of working through it. Setting a hard stop time for studying in the evenings. None of these feel revolutionary, but they've made a surprising difference in how I move through my days. I'm less reactive, less frantic, a little more present.

The self-care things I'm talking about aren't elaborate—sometimes it's just lighting a candle while I study, taking ten minutes to journal before bed, or calling a friend instead of doomscrolling. But doing them regularly, not just when I'm already burnt out, has helped me stay grounded even when the workload feels relentless.

I think part of growing up is realizing that you can't pour from an empty cup, and part of maturing is actually doing something about it instead of just acknowledging it and moving on. So here's to protecting our peace this semester, one small choice at a time.

Until next week—I'm praying for you,

James

What's one "basic" thing you're trying to prioritize this semester that you've let slip in the past?