The Gatepost Editorial: Take care of yourself this holiday season

By The Gatepost Editorial Board As the end of the semester is fast approaching, many of us will be headed home for the holidays. Despite the certain comforts home can bring, this holiday season might be more burdensome than others for students in light of recent national conversations and struggles with setting boundaries with family and friends outside of the University setting. We at The Gatepost recognize how conflicting going home for the holidays may be. College represents a time of transition from adolescence to adulthood when students become independent and can recognize what they need to be happy and healthy away from home. This is often the first time students are given full independence, which means doing their own laundry, washing their own dishes, and going to bed whenever they would like. Not to mention, managing an entire courseload and maybe even an on campus job by themselves. It is also a time when they can spend as much time with their friends on campus as they want and not have to pay mind to curfews. It’s an amazing time in life, which can make the transition back home even more challenging for some. When students arrive home after being away for so long, they might experience some dissonance in their identity, parental guilt, or general uneasiness. At school, they are able to build their own identities outside of the direction of a parent, guardian, or other figures from home. Arriving home might set certain expectations back on their shoulders of who they were before they entered the academic sphere. The Gatepost Editorial Board understands how challenging this may be, so we have compiled some tips for establishing boundaries, taking care of yourself, and getting settled back at home as you are starting to pack your bags for the semester. One of the perils of any transition is stepping out of an established routine. Going home might change what time you usually go to sleep or wake up in the morning, so it is important to develop a new routine in order to stay grounded. Developing new habits might take a while, so don't be too hard on yourself, but it is proven that a routine can positively impact mental and physical health. One of the positives of stepping away from school is your friends are only a text or call away. Make plans for your return and stay in touch with the people you have chosen to spend time with at school. Get in touch with high school friends you haven't seen in a while. Reconnect over a cup of coffee at your hometown spot. It can be easy to hibernate in your childhood bedroom and avoid family gatherings or even quality time with siblings or parents. Remember your family has missed you, too, and set aside time with them that does not infringe on the time you feel you need to take for yourself. Speak up if you feel a boundary has been crossed. At large holiday gatherings, family and friends might say something that can trigger or upset you. Practice calmly asking that person to not use language like that with you or gently ask them why they said it. If family members bring up topics you are uncomfortable with, practice mindful tactics of calling them out or stepping away from the situation. Understand that your parents are people, too - they have gotten used to you not being around the house and your newfound independence is an adjustment for them, too. Cut them some slack and again, set aside time for them. The Gatepost Editorial Board encourages you to make the most of your time at home for the holidays. Use this time to assert yourself as who you are both in school and at home. FSU isn’t going anywhere! See you in January!