03/02/2026
May Aygun’s verse invites us to listen inward—and to remember: how we speak to ourselves matters, but it’s not the whole story.
Our emotions and actions are shaped not only by our thoughts, but also by our nervous system and familiar patterns. In college, stress can wake up old responses and tighten the body. Gentle self-talk helps, but healing also comes from connection, pacing, and practice.
Why this matters:
- Self-talk shapes mood, but autonomic states (fight, flight, rest) influence energy and focus.
- Chronic patterns can repeat until we introduce new responses—small, repeated steps matter.
- A supportive environment, coping skills, and professional guidance can recalibrate our nervous system over time.
Practical steps (gentle, actionable):
- Name the feeling, then name a neutral activity you can do (pause, stretch, sip water).
- Check in with your body: where do you feel tightness or tension? breathe into it.
- Reach out: a friend, a campus counselor, or a peer support group can help re-pattern responses.
Poem & image credit: .aygun
