I’ve been feeling extremely stressed out lately, which has made it difficult for me to focus on my favorite activities like reading and writing. I’ve lost interest in enjoying the last days of summer in Minnesota, and even cooking meals has become a daunting task. When it’s time to sleep, my mind gets filled with negative thoughts and scary imaginations, making it hard for me to fall asleep. Instead of cleaning my messy house, I find solace in indulging myself in soap dramas all day. It’s only when I watch these shows that I can momentarily escape from my fears and worries.

There are several reasons contributing to my stress. Firstly, I took four courses during the summer semester, and I didn’t perform as well as I had hoped in two of them, receiving a B instead of an A. Secondly, the ongoing pandemic has forced us to stay at home for over half a year, depriving us of the joy of experiencing the outside world. Thirdly, the new fall semester is approaching, adding more pressure and responsibilities. Lastly, the most significant stressor of all is the deteriorating health of my husband. I’ve witnessed him losing weight and becoming frail, experiencing constant stomach cramps that hinder his ability to walk properly. It’s heartbreaking to see him in such a miserable state.

Unfortunately, I don’t have an outlet to vent my stress. My family and friends are back in China, and I don’t want to burden them with my worries. I don’t have any friends here in the US, and I wish I did. I understand that stress is detrimental to my well-being, and I need to find ways to alleviate it because I am the sole support system for my husband and two children. Falling ill is not an option for me. This blog serves as my only means to express my concerns and fears, and I hope that by doing so, I can alleviate some of the burden on my shoulders. I genuinely hope that everything will improve soon!