This semester has sent me on an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least. There have been days where my monster To-Do List seemed as though it was personally out to get me; and while it may sound dramatic, I know you can relate. Making the transition from dorm to apartment has caused stress I wasn’t prepared for. Paying bills, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning are all things I thought I would look forward to because, well, independence; however, it wasn’t until that time actually came that I realized this whole “adult” thing was much more difficult than I had anticipated. And don’t get me wrong–I have grown immeasurably in the past few months, but I’ve gotten into this terrible habit of compromising the things I love in order to make sure that every other insignificant detail is in order. I’m telling you this today partially to vent but mainly because I believe you need to hear it too. We are all guilty of losing ourselves in the midst of chaotic days. If the great philosopher Aristotle was still here, I think he’d agree with me when I say that it’s time we cut that shit out and start prioritizing ourselves first.
As a newly twenty-something, I plan on dedicating these next few years to becoming the most ambitious, intelligent, hard-working version of myself. The woman I strive to be is one who knows her goals, knows her worth, and is ready to take on the world. But I know that in order to do and become all of those things, I need to make time for the things I love because that’s where my happiness stems from. Whether that is taking a cycling class or waking up early to watch the sunrise, we all must remember to do the things that breathe life into us. I feel alive after a workout that leaves me breathless and find the simplest of joys by walking through a bookstore with a cup of coffee. If we are so quick to schedule our meetings, deadlines, and exam dates–all things that truly don’t matter in the grand scheme of things–why are we so reluctant to schedule in time for ourselves?
If we truly wish to put a stop to this madness, it is so crucial that we take the time to self-reflect and ponder the people, activities, objects, etc. that make us who we are and bring purpose back into our life. As much as we hate to admit it, we need certain types of people in our world because of the energy they radiate onto us. As millennial women, we have this overpowering desire to be independent, which is absolutely wonderful, but when we forego our life outside of work and school, we lose sight of who we are. My mom says it best, “Your twenties are meant to be your most selfish years because one day, you won’t be able to just focus on yourself.” My fellow twenty-something collegiates, it’s time we stop putting ourselves last on our To-Do List and start becoming a little more selfish. Are you up for the challenge?
Photo courtesy of pinterest.com.