As caring individuals it is natural to help and support our families, friends, and significant others. I am one of those people that will go to the ends of the world to make sure the people I care about the most are always happy. However, last semester I started to take on too many tasks and problems of other people that I left myself behind. For me, and I am sure for many others it is nearly impossible to find a balance between doing things for yourself and doing things to help make other people happy. Last semester I was completely overwhelmed and realized it is okay to not be able to help every person I surrounded myself with. It is okay to not be able to please everybody. I became so invested with everyone else’s lives that I totally left my own happiness and health behind. This semester I am trying to do more things for myself. Singing is one of my favorite hobbies, but I have also gone to the gym and hung out with friends who I haven’t made time for in awhile. Last semester I made the mistake of taking on other people’s lives full-time and my physical and mental health declined greatly. Do not be afraid to tell somebody you need time for yourself. Be honest and open with others and more importantly be honest with yourself.
College is a learning process for us to find a balance between our social, academic, and professional lives. It is hard to not want to always help the people struggling around you, but you cannot make other people happy unless you can make yourself happy. Being independent is key in college. It is great to lean on friends and have people in your life for support, but it is beyond important to be able to be your own source of joy and happiness. We have to love ourselves so that others can love us; so we can spread that love to others. Do not forget about yourself in this hectic world. It is not selfish to put yourself first once in awhile. Take time for yourself, do the things you love to do, people will respect it and see how strong you really can be. Do not feel guilty if you cannot help everyone you see. Help as much as you can, but always help yourself as well. If we do not help ourselves first we will be unproductive in helping others who we love.
Take a step back every once in awhile and have fun. Make mistakes and do things you’ve always wanted to do. College is a time to explore, make friends, and earn a degree. College is also a time where people find themselves and figure out who they want to be when they graduate. Do not leave yourself behind, love yourself first, always.
Photo Source:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/14/3f/18/143f18f7b05efa4c590cfb13885a4a80.jpg