As young adults, sometimes it can be difficult to see the future that lies ahead of us. We often become so involved in romantic relationships, friendships, or even just doing what our parents think will be best for us. This isn’t always bad, but many times this leads us to push away what we want and instead replacing it with the wants of others. One of the hardest things is feeling like a disappointment to the ones you care about most. So in order to prevent this, we tend to push away our own needs, to make those people happy.
This needs to come to an end. We need to stop caring so much about what our family, friends or significant others want, and start doing what we want. It’s your life; it’s never too late to start living it how you want. Every day is a chance to start over, a chance to become the best version of yourself. Don’t take it for granted. Be who you want to be and do what you want to do. Live life for YOU, no one else.
At the end of the day, life is what YOU make it. We are given such limited time on this earth, so why not make the most out of it? My high school basketball coach always told us, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Not only does this apply to the game of basketball, but this also rings true in the game of life. Take a risk, even if you are afraid. Whether it’s something little like getting a tattoo, or something big like packing up and moving across the country, just do it! Stop letting others hold you back from your true self. Be who you want to be and do what you want to do (within reason) and those who truly love you will support your decisions.
Ask yourself, “Am I living to my full potential?” “Is this the life I want to live?” I think we have all been in a situation where we only do something because someone else wants us to. And yes, it is good to have others who support and motivate you to be your best self, but it is more important to be your own motivation. Go ahead, change your major, quit your job. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing in life, simply stop doing it. Oftentimes, we do what others think will be best for us, when really, you are the only one who knows what is best for yourself. You parents may want you to become a doctor, but they aren’t the ones sitting through those tortuous classes every day, you are. There’s a saying that goes, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” One of the biggest stressors in college students does not know what they want to do. The first step is to stop doing what you don’t want to do. You’ll find yourself eventually.
We’ve become so wrapped up in disliking our everyday lives doing something just to strive for success. Don’t get me wrong, hard work does equal success, but success isn’t just about money, or pleasing others. Success is about being happy, living a life you love, and not doing everything because someone else wants you to do it. Live for YOU.
As cliché as it is, life really is too short to live for anyone but yourself, so while you are still young and free, be young and free.
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