Walking our Thoughts into the World

But life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future. — Seneca

As we go through our working day, fulfilling our obligations to others, it can feel like we’ve missed something. I know that I’ve felt that way, staring at a long to-do list or procrastinating on my phone. Once we’re lost in our heads, it’s hard to be productive or enjoy the life we’re living. I am by no means an expert on living in the present or managing stress, but over the years of being a student, I’ve learned a few activities that help me maintain perspective.

1. Sit down with a good book.

I enjoy reading history because it encapsulates all the greatest true stories of humankind. In A Distant Mirror, Barbara Tuchman explores the 14th century—potentially the most difficult era of European history—which encompasses the Black Death, the Papal Schism, the height of the Hundred Years’ War, and the bands of mercenaries who ravaged the countryside for decades; talk about putting our experiences in perspective.

It doesn’t have to be a history book, though. Agatha Christie mysteries were a go-to for relieving stress back in high school. Overall, reading can bring enjoyment, spark new ideas, and narrow down which path you want to take.

2. Take a hike.

I don’t mean that in a rude way, I mean go explore the world around you. If you are struggling with maintaining perspective, a breath of fresh air and exercise will remind you of what’s important and give your mind a break. Great minds from Henry David Thoreau to Søren Kierkegaard can attest to the benefits of walking. Kierkegaard once wrote to his sister-in-law, “Above all, do not lose your desire to walk...I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.” In fact, in preparing to write this blog post, I took a hike in order to decide what was most helpful for me and what I’ve learned from my college experience so far. On that hike, I learned something important about our university experiences:

3. Your path is unique.

Following a role model or career plan can be a great way to get started on your journey, but it does not need to end there. For me, taking a path that’s been walked many times over puts pressure on me to become like those others. We can feel this at UCLA when we compare how we’re doing with friends. How many clubs have we joined? Did we secure internships?

Furthermore, the chaos of life will forge a path completely unique to you, in ways you can’t predict—so embrace it! Understanding this fact brings me relief because it means I can stop beating myself up when those around me excel. We have different aspirations, opportunities, experiences, and the path I’m on is specifically tailored to me.

Get out of your head.

Even if these three options don’t pique your interest, the bottom line is that the best way to get out of a rut is to apply your mind to something around you. Help your thoughts walk out into the world. That can be done through painting, sports, writing, anything really.

I know it’s cliche, but your own doubts are the greatest obstacles to your success. Getting out of your head and into a book or onto a hiking trail or following your unique passion will get you past those doubts. Once past those doubts, you’ll be free to grow!