Everyone who has ever told you that the older you get, the more you realize about who you are, who is important to you and what direction you see yourself going in life was 100 percent right.

We are constantly surprising ourselves with something we learn about ourselves each and every day.

Something I have personally resonated with is the fact that I should always help others and do whatever I can to please them or make them happy.

For the longest time, I thought this was the correct way to abide by my way of life — by pleasing others and making them happy.

Sure, it's great to help people — it feels intrinsically rewarding. But years and years of putting others' needs before your own can become depressing and frustrating.

It took time, but I have realized that although it's great to help others, I should always put myself first.

By putting yourself first, you are choosing what you want to do for yourself rather than for someone else.

You are able to explore who you are.

Finding out what you like, dislike, your passions and hobbies and who you want to be or become.

I'm here to tell you that even though you may love your friends, family or significant other — you are in charge of your own life, nobody else's.

You are the creator of your own destiny. You choose where you end up and how you get there.

If you want to accomplish those crazy goals and dreams, you have to put yourself first. You can't put your wants and needs on hold to worry about what's best for someone else.

You must worry about what's best for you.

Go for whatever crazy aspirations you have for yourself, and don't stop till you get there.

You are still young, but time goes fast.

So it's OK to be a little selfish right now. Chase after what you want with the time you have while you're young, because you'll regret it if you don't when you grow old.

Time is the enemy, and we think we have so much of it and we don't.

If you believe something or someone is holding you back, let it go. Don't feel sorry about it, and don't regret it because it will lead you to opportunities and things bigger than yourself.

If you are someone who wants to keep busy with a multitude of jobs, outside activities and want to take every opportunity that comes your way — do it.

If you are someone who wants to go with the flow and see what comes your way — do it.

If you want to get out and move and fall in love with different places and faces, do it. Stop sticking around waiting for the right time — because there is not such thing as the "right time" in life.

Life waits for no one.

Never sit around waiting for someone else to accompany you to go on an adventure or settle in a new state or country — you have to get out of your comfort zone and do it yourself.

Whatever is going to make you internally happy, do it.

Always go with what is best for you, and never, ever look back.