I came to Hotchkiss my Lower Mid year after going to public middle and high school for all of my life. My first semester at Hotchkiss, I was doing well, but over time, it became difficult for me to keep up with the pressure. Whether it was on the field or in the classroom, there were times when I felt trapped, and I know it’s not only me who has felt this way at some point during their time here.
Fast forward to February of my Upper Mid year Right before the lacrosse season, I tore a ligament and broke my thumb in the last two minutes of a JV basketball game. This was my fourth major injury in only two years, and my second time having to get surgery. With only three weeks left in the marking period, I had to go home to have surgery on my hand. By the time I got back on campus, there was about a week and a half left before Spring Break.
That week and a half was hell for me. From numerous Health Center appointments a day to clean my wound, to multiple physical therapy appointments a week, to countless meetings with my teachers, and above all, not being able to play the sport I love, I felt trapped.
On top of all of this, I was pressured to submit all three weeks of work before the end of the marking period. I’m talking about working 6-10 hours a day, every day, not seeing a glimpse of the sun outside of my walks to Health Center appointments, not even having time to call my parents.
I didn’t know what was due when, what assignments would even count, or if it was even possible to get everything completed on time before leaving for the break. I was staying up until ungodly hours, getting a maximum of four hours of sleep, working to turn everything in on time. I was trying to stay my positive, worry-free self, but at that point, I felt like I couldn’t continue.
I, an 18 year-old young adult, cried in my room, because I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I thought about leaving Hotchkiss and going back to my previous public school. Between not being able to play the sport I love and the pressure, as well as the uncertainty of whether I would be able to complete my academic work, I was gasping for air.
I was scrambling, searching online for how to find peace. I tried journaling, but that didn’t last more than two days. I finally found value when I tried meditation. To this day, I do five minutes of meditation per day.
Any time and anywhere that worry hits me, I take five minutes out of my day to slowly draw my breath. I wish I could tell you how many times during these meditation sessions I’ve heard, “take a breath,” but just know that it’s a lot—and for good reason.
Whatever happens in your life, when times get hard or when you feel nervous, just take a deep breath. Slowly, through your nose and out your mouth. Whether it’s before the big game, in the midst of difficult times, or after you see the score of a test you did poorly on, just take a deep breath, or do a five-minute meditation. Because I promise you, it helps. And I promise you, just about every Senior here has gotten a lower score than what they had hoped for on something, played worse than they anticipated in a game, and has had a moment when a deep breath would’ve been useful.
I have observed way too many moments when friends, dormmates, teammates, and others just needed to take a step back and a deep breath. I know that something as small as a five-minute guided meditation session changes my day every time.
Meditation has helped me grow in all aspects of my life. I come out of a session refreshed, revamped, and ready to tackle whatever is in front of me or negatively impacting me. I urge you all—students, athletes, friends, leaders and even all faculty as teachers, advisors, parents, coaches, mentors, and more— to just take a deep breath. Spend just five minutes a day meditating when things get fast or when times get hard. You won’t regret it.
