I have to admit, having “one of those days” is starting to become a routine. Lately, it has been harder to get up and continue throughout my day. There’s an unspoken rule about senior year: It’s supposed to be fun. It’s the final stretch. The year of prom, last first days and the sentimental countdown. But what no one really talks about is how hard it is to keep putting in the effort when you are physically and mentally already halfway out the door. The years of curricula, GPAs, exams and trying to make yourself different have finally ended. Senior year is not easier; it’s just different, heavier somehow. The motivation of trying to prove yourself disappears, as you realize that it’s already been done; the late nights have already been had and the stressing has already been done. You’re now just waiting.

Senior year has always been strange to me because technically, you’re holding on and letting go at the same time. You’re trying to soak up as much as you can while also getting ready to move on, which is an exhausting process

Some days, it’s hard to open assignments and care the way I used to. Some days, I even wonder if all the overworking was even worth it. Yet, I’ve learned that effort does not always have to manifest itself through overworking. Sometimes, effort works itself out by safeguarding your peace and re-establishing routines that reflect your well-being and not your resumé.

I have come to the conclusion that burnout has become confused with discipline. Senior year hasn’t been just about completing high school for me; it’s been about what I call a cultural reset on the subject of self-care.

One of the most significant changes has been my method of starting my morning. During the school week, I’ve discovered something ­unexpectedly therapeutic: getting ready. Waking up early enough not to rush around. Picking out a cute outfit. Doing a little more makeup than I might normally do. Taking my time.

Some people could perceive that as extra or unnecessary, but for me, it changes everything. When I look neatly dressed, I feel the same. It is not about making other people feel that way but about feeling confident in my own skin. This little effort to self-nurture makes my day completely lighten up. It is about reminding myself that it is perfectly okay to take an interest in how I present myself, even on days when I am exhausted.

The goal for me this upcoming spring break, however, is not merely to find ways to stay busy during the time off. Instead, the hope for me is to find ways to recharge. When my friends and I decide to hike outside, it’s not simply a case of going outside, looking for ways to get some photos or wanting to do something productive out in the field. Instead, I find the value of getting outside, of getting fresh air, in a time of year when everything inside feels small.

I also want to find my “nerdy” hobbies again —the ones that feel authentically me. For me, that’s playing Magic and collecting Pokémon cards. There’s something comforting about opening a new pack, organizing cards, appreciating the artwork and building something strategic from scratch. It pulls me into a different world for a little while, one that’s imaginative and creative. It reminds me of being younger, when I liked things loudly and without embarrassment. There’s power in embracing what you genuinely enjoy, even if it’s considered niche or nerdy.

Things like shopping and browsing an environment like Bath & Body Works as well as TJ Maxx, to me, it’s almost therapeutic. Even if it’s not necessarily about spending money, it’s an experience to appreciate exploring different scents, seeing different colors and textures. Buying a candle or something to make your room feel cozier can completely change your mood.

Lastly, reading and finishing something—well, that’s discipline in another sense. It’s not the hard discipline of pushing yourself beyond burnout but rather the soft discipline of engaging in something that enriches your mind. It is helping me slow down. It is giving me focus again in a world that constantly takes that focus away.

So for all seniors who feel the same way — the lack of motivation, the tiredness you can’t explain, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean you’ve stopped caring. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It means you’ve been carrying a lot for a long time.

So if you’re in that mid-year slump, if you’re weary and you don’t even find rest helpful, I say to you: hang in there. The warmer months are coming. The fresh starts are coming. The energy boost you crave is coming.