After months of nonstop movement such as practices, games, exams, assignments, and maintaining a social life, I thought I’d feel relief when summer came. As a dual-sport college athlete taking five courses, I’m used to my days being fully booked. This past year pushed me harder than ever, both physically and emotionally, especially after going through a difficult breakup. Every day was filled with purpose, even if that purpose left me drained. I kept moving because stopping didn’t feel like an option.
Then summer arrived. Everything went still. No early alarms, no tight deadlines, no intense workouts. For the first time in a long time, I had no set schedule. What should’ve felt like a break, felt like a void. I had time, but no idea what to do with it. I felt guilty for resting, anxious without structure, and uncomfortable in the silence. It was like going from 100 to zero overnight, and the stillness was louder than I expected.
What helped ground me was something I’ll never take for granted, my support system. My family and friends didn’t expect me to perform, to hustle, or to have it all together. Just being around them reminded me that I didn’t have to prove anything. I could just be. Their steady presence gave me permission to slow down, reflect, and take care of my mental health, something I often put second during the school year.
This shift taught me that rest isn’t weakness. Doing nothing isn’t failure. Summer gave me space to reconnect with myself, and I realized how important it is to build a strong mental foundation, not just during tough times, but in the calm moments too. Without that foundation and the people who hold me up, I wouldn’t be able to bounce back from burnout.
Mental health isn’t just about getting through the hard parts, it’s about knowing how to recover, reflect, and restore when the chaos fades. And sometimes, the hardest work is learning how to sit still. It means facing the thoughts you’ve pushed aside, accepting the silence you’ve avoided, and allowing yourself to feel without rushing to the next distraction. In stillness, you’re forced to reconnect, with your mind, your body, and your emotions. It’s where true healing begins, and where the strength you’ve built is tested not by pressure, but by peace.
Kids Help Phone (KHP) is honoured to share creative content submitted by youth from coast to coast to coast as they Feel Out Loud with us. We thank the Feel Out Loud Community Creator of this piece for their contribution to youth mental health and well-being in Canada. For more information on the Feel Out Loud Community Creator Space and / or how you can submit your own creative content for possible publication, you can visit the submission page.
