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“Why am I so tired? I just woke up.” And several other questions the younglings ask themselves these days. We’re tired, too tired to complete necessary tasks, but too scared for our future to stop and take a nap.

‘Adulting’ – the term that haunts me, everyday. Why? Because it’s so hard! Even though it means the accomplishment of basic, but mundane tasks, tasks that need to be done. It’s a privileged statement, I know but it is what it is.

I might be doing the work that would allow me to get by, but I would never, never find it in my heart to complete my small to-do list. It essentially includes tasks like cleaning the mess in my room, replying to long pending emails or texts on WhatsApp or even as easy as scheduling an appointment with the dentist. Even if I dedicate an hour to all this, I could get it done with but no, I would procrastinate to the point where it starts killing me from the inside.  I would rather eat a bag of chips to control my hunger, rather than going to the kitchen and make a sandwich for myself.

So, what is it? Am I too spoilt, too lazy to do things? Why couldn’t I get it together — especially when the tasks could be easily completed? I realized that the vast majority of these tasks share a common denominator: their primary beneficiary is me, but not in a way that would drastically improve my life. They are seemingly high-effort, low-reward tasks, and they paralyze me. Am I tired? Am I completely burnout? To my mind, burnout was something aid workers, or high-powered lawyers, or investigative journalists dealt with. It was something that could be treated with a vacation with friends to Manali.

My generation is known for things like wanting to work to bring changes in the society,  instead of money, and perfectionism. We’ve been sent misleading messages about what’s attainable—from body shape and beauty to work success and relationships. We tend to push ourselves very hard, often beyond sustainable levels, and become disillusioned when we have only exhaustion and self-depletion to show for it. We’ve internalized the idea that one should be working all the time.

What has made us the burnt-out generation? It’s the economic crisis, lack of jobs, the growing divide between the rich and the poor.  We face huge competition and have to work harder to prove ourselves. Financially speaking, most of us lag far behind where our parents were when they were our age. We have far less saved, far less stability, and far, far more student debt.  This is also what happens when you throw tech 24/7 connectivity into the mix. The previous generations enjoyed real downtime during which they could check in with themselves in absolute privacy and recharge their batteries without performance pressure; we are constantly engaged, permanently ‘on’ and, in a way, always ‘working’.

Our brain is always on overdrive, thinking about what has to be done next instead of enjoying the moment. Is it because we are always continuously doing things without a break? One thing after another? One chore after another? At this rate how long can we go? This is the reason we feel mentally fatigued. We are bound to break down.

Can we help ourselves here? Should we meditate more, drink and eat healthy food more? What is the solution, I have no idea but this is something to think about. Oh wait, you do not have time to think, you’ve to rush to attend your last lecture of the day. Sigh.

Image Credits: Thrive Global

Disha Saxena

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 Your first drinking session can be a super exciting milestone in your life. However, for no regrets, it is advisable to take care of a few things so that you can have fun, responsibly.

  • Make sure you are with trusted people

Since it can be a little risky getting drunk for the first time when you don’t know your own capacity or tendencies, make sure you get your most trusted people to be with you for the first time. You might go out of your wits and you’ll need somebody to take your home and hold your hair while you puke.

  • Make sure that you are at a safe place.

You should be at a safe place, preferably home, for the first drinks. A nights stay is the best for it! You would need a certain comfort to make all kinds of faces and comments about your experience. Also, if you lose consciousness, its always better to have easy provisions for resting rather than later, rushing to a safer place for comfort.

  • Know about the drinks

You must be aware about the drinks, how they taste and how must they be taken before you actually hit the place! You would be able to flaunt how much you know about it and would also be able to make the correct decisions about what to consume, when. It also helps in deciding to mix your drinks well and you would be a little mentally prepared about what to expect out of the drinks.

  • Don’tdeliberately try to GET drunk, just yet.

It is only fine to get drunk but not just yet! Don’ hurry! Get some lemon or some heavy food along with your drinks. Your first experience must be actually experiencing the taste of the drinks consciously rather than it being a night you don’t remember. Gather a little self-control! Pick your favorites later and get drunk on them if you like! But, for now, you could go slow and actually experience the moment!

  • Be prepared! Your dreams may shatter!

You may have really high expectations and hopes about your drinks since everyone around you is always going bonkers over them! However, remember, it might seem overrated when you actually experience it yourself! The beer that people bond over might taste like piss and that is just fine! Some people will tell you that you need to “develop” your taste for the drinks. However, if you don’t want to, be vocal about it and do not judge yourself! Just pour in some Sprite, pretend its vodka and Cheers!

 

Feature Image Credits: Unsplash

Khyati Sanger
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3Ds of hostel life: Discipline, Duty, Devotion. Hostel life isn’t just about the midnight Maggi and coffee. Life, there, is almost a parallel culture, an experience that takes you out of your comfort zone and exposes you to several experiences. It is a very memorable period in one’s life, but due to lack of knowledge or a casual attitude or just irresponsible behaviour, you may have problems of adjusting to the hostel environment, thus affecting your overall development. So watch your steps and hold yourself up carefully. Here are a few things you should not do when you are in a hostel: [caption id="attachment_51067" align="alignnone" width="300"]Hostel life can be tough, but it's fun too! Hostel life can be tough, but it’s fun too![/caption]

  1. First precaution: Don’t keep your money within easy reach!
There will be a lot of people visiting you, and you can’t point at a single person after a theft, should it take place. Better take precautions on this matter.
  1. Take care of your belongings
You aren’t at home anymore and you can’t let things like cell phones and laptops just lie around. In the same spirit, respect others’ belongings too.
  1. Do not use others’ things
Sharing may be a show of love, but it is also a show of bad manners. People have different needs. Are you sure you want to use their things, or allow them to use yours?
  1. Do not play loud music
Well, students have to maintain a regular study routine- you better consult others before playing loud music.
  1. Do not always speak your mind!
Just in case, remember that freedom of speech is not to be exercised anywhere and everywhere.
  1. Try not to break the rules of your hostel
Curfew time, hygiene and etiquettes are a few decrees of a disciplined hostel that must be upheld at any cost.
  1. Don’t be the late-night rustler
A rustling sound breaks the silence that finally descended in your room, right when you leaped off the bed and started performing a series of tasks, that too at the ungodly hour of 4 in the morning. [caption id="attachment_51068" align="alignnone" width="300"]Keep your room neat Keep your room neat[/caption]
  1. Don’t lounge with laundry
Hanging newly-washed laundry around the room, looping clothes around bedposts and stringing socks over the windowsill: enough!
  1. Do not keep the garbage in the room
Hostel rooms are usually tiny. In such an enclosed space, pages and packets littered around are a nuisance.
  1. Don’t keep weeping when you are homesick!
Keep in touch with your parents and try to adjust to the new place. A cry-baby does not give good vibes. The hostel is where you are adulting, so enjoy the stay and be responsible! Image credits: DU Beat, and Backpack and Bunkbeds Radhika Boruah [email protected]      ]]>