It seems most people in the bubble have everything together. Since freshers, I've believed that everyone around me has mastered the ability to juggle work and social life effortlessly. Meanwhile, I’ve been at a standstill on either side of the spectrum.
Ever since morning routines became a trend on YouTube in the mid-2010s, I've been obsessed with adopting these productive routines. They are planned, rehearsed and filmed with perfect time stamps and effortlessly spotless spaces. This obsession with routine has passed onto TikTok, and now the pressure to live my twenties productively and to the fullest constantly resonates in the back of my mind as I'm conscious of my so-called prime years dwindling on a time crunch.
Like many others, I forget that the simple tasks I see every second scroll on my For You Page – such as making my bed or attending classes – are productive. However, I also forget that having a break from being overly clean or studious is customary to avoid burnout. Previously, if I didn’t walk into town on a weekday, I believed that I had failed – when all I would have done was buy an overpriced takeaway coffee and procrastinated in the library basement.
It's not that routine is terrible. Planning out my day with loose timings is a perfect way for me to visualise any goals lingering on my calendar. However, I've begun to learn that straying from this isn't the end of the world. Spontaneous plans or breaks are standard to clear my brain and allow me to spend time with friends.
Alone time has also become a staple for me, from solo dates for running errands to unwinding. In first year, I would feel myself sinking in embarrassment at the thought of spending the day alone whilst others seemingly congregated in large friend groups. However, having a small, intimate circle or a broader friend group each has its benefits. It's good to accept that, either way, there is no shame in also having solo downtime.
Despite enjoying the bubble for several reasons, I remain uncertain as a twenty-year-old, often seeing other people's large travel plans online or being asked at family functions about my plans after finishing my degree.
While I do have anxiety about life after university and the idea that I don't travel three times a year, I've learnt that there's so much more to the university experience than the picture-perfect routines shown online. The balance between working and being sociable is helpful as a lifestyle choice, but I'm coming to terms with the fact that I shouldn't pressure myself into the romanticised, Pinterest board image of university I see online.
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