Dear Stress,
You are always with me at the worst of times. Whether it is an important interview, singing on a stage or taking a test, you just love to hang around me. No matter the situation, the symptoms you give me feel worse than the actual tasks themselves.
My hands start to sweat and my breath begins to quicken because of you, Stress. I can’t figure out whether I’m going to throw up or cry in front of my whole class, even though I’ve practiced my presentation countless of times. After spending over an hour picking out what I was going to wear, poorly applying makeup I rarely wear and rushing out the door practicing my lines. I know you’re right at my heels, Stress.
Whenever I need to feel empowered, I can count all my lucky stars that you’ll be there to make me feel smaller than an ant. I tried imagining the audience in their underwear and attempted to just stare at the wall, but instead, I find it makes the nerves even worse. Sometimes, Stress, you make me feel so frustrated I can’t even bring words to come out of my mouth. Instead, bubbling hysteria falls forth and I worry I’m not making the right decisions. Do I go to grad school, get a job, ask the girl out, stay another semester, choose answer B or say yes to the dress?
No matter what I do, Stress, you manage to come back into my life. It could be anything that starts you, even my own fault, but once you’re here then you are here to stay. At times, I talk to all my friends about you. I’ll visit my professors and advisors when you exist around my schoolwork and professional life. And sometimes, I’ll call my father or ask to make an appointment. But most of the time, I try to hide you, Stress.
You’re an embarrassment to me, Stress. When it comes to handling major tasks, sometimes you can be healthy. However, when it comes to feeling nauseous in front of a crowd, you’re anything but healthy. You always make yourself known. A blush creeps up my neck all the way to my ears when I start to think about you. I wish I could just push you out of my head, and out of my life, but I know you will always return. During crucial moments or during long weeks at the end of a semester, I know you’ll help me look my best. After all, a student’s acne is the worst during midterms and finals.
Oh Stress, I know you’ll always be in my life. Whenever I attempt to find new ways of dealing with you they usually just create more of you. They said try yoga, but I didn’t know the moves and fell asleep during meditation. And if I eat too much then I’ll just find more of you when I look at my new waistline. No matter how I deal with you, Stress, you still hang around.
Hugs and Kisses,
Everyone
