top of page
Rest Corner
Written by: Janelle Politico
Illustrated by: Cassiel Gomez and Ava Guevara
Layout by: Kassandra Gan
And so, if you are reading this, please be reminded that no matter how heavy your burdens may feel right now, there will always be a rest corner for you to fall back on. Pause when things get too overwhelming. Take the time to appreciate the little things around you, catch up with friends, treat yourself to a snack, or continue watching that one series you've put on hold. Because in the end, it’s the seemingly mundane moments that steady us—preparing us to face the world once again.
Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed struggling to navigate the seemingly impossible turmoils of life. It can get draining, suffocating even. These feelings can take me to a dark place I wish never to reach. And when such instances happen, I stop and give myself a minute to plant my heels into the ground. I start counting and take a few slow, deep breaths. One, two, three, exhale. An action as simple as that can remind me to slow down before I get completely caught up in all of my problems and anxieties. It is also a signal that tells me to retreat into my rest corner for a little while.
My rest corner is not limited to my bed or any tangible place. I also find it in the simple mundanities of life, like the long, silent, but comfortable moments shared with friends, the sudden but gentle gusts of wind as I run through the school field, and even the fleeting but majestic view of the sunset after a long, hard day at school. Sometimes, I find my "rest corner" in people— through their uplifting jokes and words of encouragement, their cheeky smiles and boisterous laughs, and their warm kisses and embraces, which I find particularly endearing. These little moments and actions give me comfort and remind me that as all things come and go, these problems shall pass as well. They also give me the extra push that I need to keep myself motivated and grounded despite all the mayhems that student life can bring.
Other times, a "rest corner" for me is the hobbies and interests that I immerse myself in. Strangely enough, I don't feel a sense of exhaustion when I play sports for several hours on the field, or when I stay up late to conceptualize a new layout design that I want to work on. In fact, doing the things I love is like a sweet solace–it helps take my mind off my worries, even for just a little while. It also pushes me to focus on what's in front of me now rather than fretting about past grievances or overthinking about the what-ifs and other uncertainties that the future may bring. These hobbies help me to maintain a healthy balance between my personal and academic life, providing the peace I need to recharge and take on new challenges.
bottom of page