“Life is too short” – A phrase that frequents conversations as coffee percolates. It’s the mantra we repeat as we blow money on McDonald’s fries instead of packing a lunch or neglect homework once again to pursue a night of escapades with our friends. (even if that means idling in a Tim Hortons parking lot)

It can seem like it bares weight in the argument for being present for each day we have…after all, we, as the human race are just an arbitrary blip in midst of the sprawling universe’s continuation. Why not cherish every second that we have; be intentional with our gratitude for the seemingly average lives we lead because the reality is while we’re indeed a blip, we’re also all winners of the celestial lottery! What miraculous odds is is that you are here, in this exact moment on this hospitable planet, living in a well developed country with a computer in your pocket. I am by no means against embracing these ideals, but for a moment I urge you to consider the opposite for a moment.

Life is too long.

A statement that may seem innately negative to those reading. We are animals after all, it’s against our very nature as mortal beings to reject the value of surviving in spite of it all, but when practically applied, it emerges as a pragmatic mindset for which to live. It’s daunting to face the uncertainty of tomorrow knowing we are limited. Our bodies decompose, our attention dissipates, our bank accounts empty…

As young people, we begin to slowly come to understand the great vastness of the world, all of the boundless opportunity it presents…before being abruptly deterred from facing this head on as the ambitious (and often naive) individuals we are due to our obligation to attend school. For some, this seems like a complete waste of time, why do we have our heads buried in books when there’s so much out there waiting for us? We procrastinate away our academic potentials as some half-baked attempt to protest, we roll our eyes at teachers, and saunter our way through empty halls on the way to a class that we’ve already been marked absent for as if this will change anything. Well, I’ll ease your minds, the system is broken, we know it, the teachers know it and your parents likely know it. The anger that you’re feeling is valid, there is an injustice in the way we are being educated and I don’t want you to dismiss this anger, instead I want you to feed it. Life is too long to be reckless in our anger, or in our dissatisfaction, so take that fire in your chest and re purpose it in any way you see fit. It won’t feel easy, trust me- taking agency in our lives never is, but energy is energy, we ultimately choose how we expel it. Don’t skip class or lash out to teachers, instead take this restlessness and use it to propel yourself through school. I’m not saying you have to be honor roll, I’m saying get that diploma and rush out those doors. Life is so long- and you think this is what you want to get hung up on? There will always be things we might not want to do in the moment, but don’t let recklessness take hold,don’t let it get you derailed from all those dreams of yours, instead realize how this will benefit the older you. We love to fantasize about our futures…our ideal lives…

In putting off these necessary tasks, whether it be that math assignment or that heap of laundry, we are putting off that apartment we want with those friends or that career we want to pursue with that degree…

It’s the same thing with mental health. If you’re struggling with an illness such as depression or anxiety…life is too long to suffer- You are not a lost cause, no matter what the insidious voice inside your head beckons. For every day that you feel you have wasted, shield away from the world, there will be another day to start again, all you have to do is seek the necessary support.

All these negative feelings previously mentioned that surface during high school can often lead to hopelessness but if we surrender now, we’d be confined to hundreds of days of frowning, or for decades to scream at the heavens…

Doesn’t that sound just exhausting?

I know it all seems quite confusing, chaotic and maybe even a little bit contradicting (this whole life thing I mean) so when you feel particularly troubled revert back to this mantra as a reminder of what it takes to seek out an authentic life.

Life is too long to ____________

Examples:

* Life is too long to be constantly shifting gears.

* Life is too long to not commit to learning a craft.

* Life is too long to be seeking out shortcuts.

* Life is too long to not take a break and enjoy life a little.

* Life is too long to not be patient.

* Life is too long to be overly sucked into your work.

* Life is too long to not adventure every once in a while.

* Life is too long to be constantly busy.

* Life is too long to maintain a state of sadness or negativity.

* Life is too long to think it’s some kind of game you can win.

(credit to http://mattymatt.co/life-is-too-short-or-too-long/)

P.S Thank to you all who stayed for my existential ramblings!

There’s a complex stigma surrounding mental health. There might be some of you that desperately want to past challenges you’ve faced, or current frustrations during these times of high stress, but feel like sharing in a group is too intimidating. That’s okay!

If you feel to share under the veil of anonymity, feel free to do so at our tellomyn.

https://tellonym.me/SpartanSupport

It doesn’t even have to be personal, you may just have a question regarding mental health. I will do my best to answer, or at the very least, direct you toward resources that are qualified to do so.

Also, if anyone feels like it may be time for you to share your own story in a public space to possibly encourage a dialogue surrounding the specific issue you faced, I’d be happy to provide a platform for those to share! Just contact here, or on our Instagram, Spartan_Support

Over & Out!

You might read this and think you might have misclicked and got redirected to some parenting blog ran by a twenty something stay at home mom blabbing on about how to stop lil’ Timmy from dropping the F bomb in Walmart when you won’t buy him a Snickers, but no, this message is directed to you- anonymous high school student.

In the modern age, communication has advanced at a lightning pace. Whether your friends are down the street or across the globe, they are made accessible all the same by the click of a mouse or tap of a phone. This is amazing in a multitude of ways. We live in a world where love can transcend continents, and family never has to feel far away, so as long as you have an strong Internet connection or a phone signal to carry a call.

But, in times like these, where connectivity is assumed due to these technological developments, it can be hard to find time for ourselves. We’re all perpetrators of this to some extent, we get frustrated when people don’t text back immediately or we get left on read. This can seem pretty arbitrary as often the negative response is warranted, but people have adapted to this pressure to reply, to like, to post. Many become reliant on this ability to reach others instantaneously, so it’s important in response to establish distinct boundaries so that we don’t become overwhelmed due to this same assumption our friends, families and peers are subject to, each and everyday.

Some days are harder than others, we’re nearing the end of the semester, and tension is at an all time high as the temperatures begin to skyrocket in anticipation for summer vacation. Balancing work, school and social life can be particularly difficult at this time. With extra curriculars reemerging in the presence of sunshine or senior burnout tempting you to skip that math class, while you can do your best to prioritize academics, sometimes it’s good to take some honest time for yourself. It can be simple as telling someone you don’t really feel like talking right now, or deleting your social media apps for a few days. Maybe you don’t take that extra shift at work tonight and you decide to wake up a little later tomorrow and make yourself a tea to start your morning off sweet.

Your time is your most valuable thing. It can’t be bought, or borrowed. You do not have to commit to everything and anything offered to you. You have permission to say no to things, even if that makes you a buzzkill, killjoy, or party-pooper.

Now, I’m not suggesting to smash your desktop with your little brother’s little league bat, or to go backpacking in the south of France with nothing but a swiss army knife, I am just asking for one moment each day, make time for the child in you. Maybe you want to finger paint, or to day dream on your bed while staring at the ceiling. This activity doesn’t have to be productive, you don’t have to even be good at it! What matters is that you find a way to feel present.

Your time is your most valuable thing.

Use it wisely.