Faith Crockett, Campus Carrier digital media editor

We Berry students are known for our work ethic, academic rigor and full plates of pastimes meant to make us “well-rounded.” Whether you are grinding for A’s, applying for your third job, picking up a new gym routine or leading a student organization, all of us are constantly trying to be better. 

Even more than what we are doing, Berry students, and young adults in general, are consumed with thoughts of self-improvement: “I’m in my mental health era.” “Looksmaxxing.” “Grindset.” “Gym rat.” Instead of turning us into brain-rotted zombies, some online spaces are winding us up, sending us around the relentless wheel of self-optimization, leaving us burnt out and convinced we’re never enough.

Chasing self-improvement at this level of intensity drains us. It pulls us out of the present and leads us to desire the illusion of a fully optimized self. Change is slow. It isn’t linear. Self-improvement has its hills, valleys and at times, plateaus. Being the best version of ourselves, relying on ourselves to be perfect, will not fulfill us. No matter how many companies try to sell it to you in a bottle or influencers who reel you in with their before-and-after pictures, you will not gain a better quality of life by becoming a more optimized person.

We should focus instead on slow progress. Take a step back from all the buckets we have our hands in. Seek to give one thing 100% or focus on a few things with more intentionality rather than spreading ourselves thin across many. Once we stop overcommitting ourselves, we can take a genuine look at our mental and physical health. 

This doesn’t mean journaling or meditating for six hours every day or going to the gym every morning at 5 a.m. Instead, let’s be reasonable: How can I care for my body to keep it healthy, not to reach a standard, but simply to function well? Instead of buying products meant to improve your appearance, remind yourself that beauty is subjective, and the people selling things to you are the ones creating the standard you’re chasing.

Finals season is approaching, but remember: you as a person don’t have a pressing deadline attached. We are not projects. Nothing is riding on your optimization except the wallets of companies and influencers. Don’t continue to feed the cycle.