College is hard. And I say that not to qualify the struggles we all go through between midterms, majors and the mayhem of a college lifestyle, but to say that things get hard. It’s a balance. For all the ladies out there who have a trouble balancing a social, academic and a dating life, sometimes you forget to take a little time for yourself. Has anyone ever told you that when you’re taking time for yourself or just trying to take a breather that you were being selfish? We’ve all been there.
But you see, whether it’s college, mental health or anything else that has a big impact on your life, you are allowed to be selfish. There are certain things in our lives that we need to do for ourselves and it requires a commitment to our own well being. Sometimes you might doubt that, thinking you should be checking in with people or studying 24/7 instead. That you’re putting too much time into yourself. Remember this: you are the number one priority in your life. Here are five reasons you are allowed to be selfish today. After all, this is your life
Have you ever heard that cliche saying that you only get one life to live? Well you do. As someone who has very recently been reminded of this idea, life is too short to be living it for other people. Maybe you’ve got a lot of friends you have to keep up with or your parents are always checking in with you to see how things are going, just remember that in the end, you have to live this life for yourself. Live it that way
College is only four (maybe five) years
These years of upper division schooling have a certain idea that go with it—when you’re here, you’re here to get shit done. That doesn’t mean you can’t go out to party or procrastinate a little bit, but it does offer a priority to your academic life. You’re here to get a degree. Whether it takes four years, five years or you’re a super senior by a little longer, the hope is that you can get out of here with at least one degree and a whole lot of experience to show for it. I mean, after all, isn’t that what we came here for?
Expand your Boundaries
Does it seem too paradoxical to say that being selfish can actually make you a better person? Because that’s what being selfish can do for you. It forces you to take a look at yourself, what you want out of your life and all the things you hold back on. It forces you to go after what you want and see just how far that can take you. Maybe that will add more people to your life, switch up your routine or simply just widen your perspective. One way or another, paying attention to yourself truly has the ability to widen your horizons and alter your expectations of this life.
It Makes you Better
There’s a big difference between living your life for yourself and doing things for other people. Have you ever gone after something you truly care about and recognized the way it made you feel? You’re happier, more proud of your own accomplishments, you feel great during the day and it even makes it easier to hang out with friends in a good mood. Doing things for yourself and making your own life a priority is one of the best ways to focus on your own wants and needs, while still paying attention to your friends’ lives too. Not only are you better for focusing on and loving yourself, it’ll make you more aware of everyone else around you too. It’s a win-win!
You Deserve to be Healthy
Mentally, physically and emotionally, we are all human beings who have needs to keep us healthy. This applies to checking in on yourself and making sure you’re doing okay, going to the gym every once in a while to get those endorphins going, and finding a support system to hold you up when you’re feeling down. Your health is important. There are a lot of college students who suffer from mental health issues and illnesses who don’t put enough priority on themselves because it feels like they’re being selfish. You are not. Have you ever heard the saying happy wife happy life? Well in this case, a healthy you leads to a healthier lifestyle. So get some sleep, get some exercise and get used to caring about how you’re doing. You deserve that much.
Many of us have grown up around the attitude that putting others’ feelings and needs ahead of ourselves is the right way to behave. But it isn’t, not always. When someone talks down to you because they believe that they can or you end up in a bad spot because you let yourself fall by the wayside, it’s time to take initiative in your own life. Stand up for yourself, be your own advocate. As much as its hard to remember, it isn’t anyone else’s job to do that.
So what do you say, will you take a little time to be selfish this week?