I realize that my life outside of school and football feels almost nonexistent. It dawns on me that every waking hour revolves around these two areas. While I have other interests, they seem to always come back to school or the sport I love.
It feels like I’m juggling two demanding jobs without the paychecks: one fuels my anxiety and stress levels, while the other occupies most of my free time and only becomes intensely stressful during a few months each year.
I genuinely enjoy playing football and find certain subjects in school intriguing. Yet, everything I do—even simple activities like watching a TV show—reminds me of schoolwork. I find myself analyzing how the episode connects to my history class, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the show. Even when I’m browsing NFL mock drafts, I can’t help but wonder if all my hard work will ever result in an opportunity, and it hits me that the only non-school activity I’ve done lately is gym sessions that are targeted towards improving my football game.
There’s this nagging feeling that I should explore something outside the rigid confines of my current routine. But with school’s stress and the physical demands of football, I often end up drained—both mentally and physically—without any energy left for other pursuits.
It sounds like you’re feeling the weight of a very intense schedule, and it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed when so much of your time and energy is dedicated to school and sports. It can be tough when your interests and activities start to feel like extensions of your responsibilities rather than enjoyable pastimes.
It’s great that you have passion for football and that you find some aspects of school interesting, but it’s also important to carve out time for yourself and explore other interests to maintain balance. Even if it’s just a small amount of time each week, engaging in something unrelated to school or sports could bring you some relief. It could be as simple as picking up a new hobby, reading a book, or spending time with friends in a way that allows you to unwind.
Remember that taking breaks doesn’t mean you’re being unproductive; it’s actually essential for your mental and physical well-being. It could help to set some boundaries that allow you to have some downtime where you can genuinely disconnect from the pressures of both school and football.
You’re doing incredible things by working hard in both areas, but don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way, too! It’s okay to ask for support if you’re feeling overwhelmed—talking to someone about how you’re feeling can make a difference.