How To Balance Life (Without Losing Your Mind)

By Ready WA Storyteller Mayte G. O. 

Let’s be real: being a teenager feels like juggling everything at once. Between school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, friendships, family expectations, and trying to have some time for myself, it can get quite overwhelming. For the longest time, I constantly felt like the world was weighing down on my shoulders with everything I had to do. Over time, I realized balance isn’t about doing every single thing perfectly but making sure to plan everything with intention.

School First! (But Not 24/7)

School clearly takes up most of your day, so treat it like your main responsibility. I recommend using a planner (or even the notes app if you want to) to keep track of homework, exams, meetings, or anything you may have going on. If you know you have a huge project due on Friday morning, dedicate a bit of time each day to complete it instead of doing everything the night before. You’ll save yourself from the stress and won’t have to worry about canceling other plans.

Also remind yourself that school doesn’t need every single hour of your life. Once your work is done for the day, try not to think about it, go out, and do something else.

Working Without Burning Out

Having a job as a teen is amazing for earning some money and learning valuable life
skills, but it can also be exhausting. For example, I work limited hours during weekdays and longer shifts on the weekends. If I ever feel overwhelmed, I communicate with my manager instead of pushing myself over my limit.

Work is important, but it should never get to the point where it drains you, especially
when school is already demanding.

Friendships That Respect You and Your Time

Friends are a huge part of anyone’s life, but remember that real friends understand
when you’re busy. Instead of hanging out every day, start planning things ahead of time,
like studying together after class or going out for a meal. Sometimes, FaceTime works
just as well while doing homework; you stay connected without wasting as much time.

One example is when my friends wanted to go out the night before I had a big test. I told them maybe another time and suggested a different day, and they

were understanding. That showed me that I didn’t have to choose between my academic goals and my friendships.

Make Time for Yourself!

This was something I personally struggled with for the longest time and still do. I used to feel guilty for taking time for myself, but remember it’s important that you do. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; try going on a walk, journaling, listening to music, or even sleeping!

Personally, I like to just sleep or scroll on social media for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. That break helps me feel a bit more refreshed and less overwhelmed the rest of the day.

Balance Isn’t Perfect, and That’s Fine

Some weeks are going to be harder than others. Sometimes, school will take over most of your time, work will get a bit stressful, or you may even feel like you’re not seeing your friends enough. Just know that does NOT mean you’re failing; it means you’re human. Balance is something you have to adjust constantly, not something you achieve once and never do again.

At the end of the day, being a teenager is about learning how to navigate life while also enjoying it. When you prioritize what matters, communicate with those around you, and give yourself grace, balance, even if imperfect, is always going to be possible. You got this!