Over the years, I’ve accepted that stress is a part of life—especially for a high-school student. Balancing work and play isn’t an easy task and will be something that I will have to do for the rest of my life.

There have been countless times where I’ve wanted to pull out my hair over an assignment or just give up on a late night study session and go to sleep. There have also been times where I’ve felt overwhelmed with homework and projects and figuring out where I can fit in eating, sleeping, and socializing. The one thing I’ve learned is that running away isn’t going to finish that assignment or project. The only choice you have to deplete that stress is to get it done and off your plate.

It’s weird to think that stress can be rewarding. After I complete an assignment that was stressing me out, I always feel a little proud and relieved. It’s a little weight off my shoulders and makes my steps a little lighter as I go about the rest of my day. The small successes of finishing that math homework or reading those assigned pages should be celebrated to keep up that positivity. Stress can take a toll on me, and without recognizing those small victories, there is no break from the constant stress of life’s hard moments.

Stress, whether we like it or not, is an inevitable part of life. A little positivity never hurt anyone and can go a long way when stress eats away at us. Celebrating those small wins over stress, no matter how unimportant they seem, can truly make a difference.

Halston Belcastro is a student at Millard West High School.