When I first moved to college and had my first taste of college classes, I was incredibly overwhelmed. I felt defeated already by not quickly making friends, and my high achieving self set unrealistic expectations for my class perfomance. Within the first month of classes, I felt like all I did was homework - when I wasn't in class, working, or in a Bible study. I spent hours taking the most thorough, comprehensive notes you've ever seen, convinced that was what I needed to do well and maintain the 4.0 I'd been proud of my whole life. I was so anxious about my space science grade that assignments intended to take 15 minutes ended up taking me at least 45.

My parents quickly encouraged me to step back, reminding me that this pace and intensity was not sustainable. I didn't listen at first, but I soon surrendered a bit of control, a bit of obsession, and realized that finding a balance (not compromising on my goals, but establishing intentional strategies) would bring back my joy and allow me to actually enjoy being in college. I still often felt tired, but I wasn't exhausted and defeated like I once was.

If you're in a season of life that just feels overwhelming and full, I see you! It can absolutely be tiring, but I want to remind you that God wants us to be fully dependent on Him, and when we are, He will sustain us. Time and time again, my Abba has renewed and refreshed my soul, and reminded me that this season is one of so much beauty and blessings, if I just let go of some of my perfectionism to be able to appreciate it. When we uncurl our fists and give God control, we can breathe. The Lord wants to fill up our cup so that we have the capacity to pour out, but if we don't allow Him to, we're going to be running dry extremely quickly.

So, in today's post, I want to give you some practical tips on how to create routines of rest and refreshment. The Lord has so kindly given me some wisdom on what that looks like in my life, and so it is my prayer that even something small within this post encourages you to slow down and invite Him to show you what that means for you.

1. Spread out your work when you can.

When something is on my to do list, I'm the type of person who wants to get every single task done in one day. I do it with the intention of resting later in the week, but it creates an incredible burden earlier in the week. God convicted me of this and challenged me to spread it out, because ultimately, it's not sustainable or healthy. I don't have to be weeks ahead in all of my classes; it's okay for me to do my homework the day that it's assigned (as I type that, I realize I sound insane...welcome to my brain 😅). It's helpful for me to prioritize the most urgent tasks and do a few a day, giving each day a couple of things to focus on instead of all of them in one day. I also have a weekly to do list with things that I want to get done throughout the week but don't need to do on a certain day, which helps me cross things off when I have the time and capacity to, instead of cramming it into Monday.

We may have a lot to do, but we don't have to do it all at once. And when you give yourself that freedom, you can actually work with more excellence, peace, and joy - instead of running around feeling burnt out and frazzled.

2. Schedule rest and activities that fill up your cup.

This is HUGE for me. Wednesdays and Fridays are my only evenings "off," without scheduled Bible studies, so I do my best to protect those nights and create space to relax. I set aside my work as soon as realistically possible (sometimes after dinner, sometimes closer to 8), but give myself the evening to do things simply for my enjoyment instead of productivity. These activities aren't for everyone, but they may give you a little bit of inspiration on what will fill up your cup!

• coloring

• writing for the blog

• journaling (I have Christian journal prompts saved on Pinterest that I love!)

• reading the Psalms

• watching my comfort YouTubers (I love Tori and Chad, Ashley Hetherington, Abby and Ryan, and Jeanine Amapola!)

• designing a digital home using Home.by.Me

• taking a longer shower

• scrolling (maybe not the healthiest, but sometimes, that's what rest looks like)

I cherish these nights so much because they help me feel like myself, instead of chicken running around with its head cut off. I get to turn my brain off for a little bit, and I've found that the Lord is so faithful to use that time to refresh my spirit even on the busiest weeks. I would highly, highly encourage you to find the time and space that you can protect for yourself and the Lord, and use it to genuinely rest. Invite the Lord to show you what that means for you, and then apply it! I have never, ever regretted spending my time intentionally resting instead of working on homework.

3. RELY on the Lord.

We cannot sustain ourselves through the busy seasons - it's a simple truth. We can do our best to keep going, but ultimately, we will get burnt out, discouraged, and overwhelmed. Our flesh is weak and weary, and no matter what the world tells you, we need Jesus. No quick fix or routine can change that. Being in college has challenged me to depend on the Lord completely and lean on Him in the day to day, mundane routine, instead of doing it on my own.

I worked really hard with Jesus on not leaving prayer or Scripture in my Bible study, but carrying that with me as I go through my routine and tasks. I literally took my Bible with me to class and the cafeteria to read while I walked between classes and ate at meals. I prayed when I ate lunch alone instead of scrolled. Instead of walking with my eyes down as I walked around campus, I looked up and noticed all the things to thank the Lord for. I practiced praying deeply, vulnerably, and intentionally, giving God all of my burdens instead of the lighter worries. All of these small shifts made a huge difference and built up a habit (which I can still work on, but has been created) of relying on the Lord and leaning on Him for strength instead of walking through life in my own strength.

In whatever your "busy" looks like right now, I would challenge you to pause and reflect on where you've been trying to do things on your own. Where are the gaps in your day where you aren't praying as much or where you feel more scatterbrained and overwhelmed? When do you feel most stressed and tired? Bring the Lord into that, and ask Him to show you how to include Him in all your daily tasks. Maybe it means setting reminders to pray, writing Scripture on a notecard to carry with you to class, or sitting in stillness for a few minutes between classes to refocus. Whatever it looks like for you - rely on the Lord! Let Him carry you.

In so many different seasons, it's so easy to get overwhelmed, burnt out, and discouraged with all the to-dos and busy schedules. BUT! As Christians, we have the Lord to refresh and sustain us, and I can confidently say that without Him, I would not be where I am today mentally and spiritually. He is so gracious to carry us if we surrender control, and I am so thankful for that. I pray that this post encouraged you to rest and depend on the Lord, and gave you a bit of inspiration as to what that means for your routine.

How do you navigate feeling overwhelmed and tired with the Lord? What strategies has the Lord taught you? Please share in the comments below, and I'd love to learn from you!