The other day, I posted a caption on Instagram of a quote I rapidly typed down as I saw another status of someone celebrating their 4.0 and all their great successes, and don’t get me wrong, I know this isn’t a comparison game and I am genuinely happy for their achievements, but it can seem discouraging when others are celebrating in areas I lack and breakdown, and I just hoped I’d be ending the semester on a happy note like them.

Maybe a little more effort next time around or better preparation for my finals would cure my mental fatigue at this point, but here’s what I had to say.

Lately, I’ve been enduring an internal struggle that I’ve been too ashamed to address. As school comes to an end, I must diligently remind myself that I am not defined by my grades or what my GPA reads on Gulfline; I wake up bright, excited and hopeful for what’s to come, but that’s if I ignore a lingering thought many college students deal with — I don’t know exactly what I want or even where I am going.

However, uncertainty fuels my drive.

I put forth an effort and continuously put my best foot forward with an optimistic mindset because although at times, I seem lost and the faint words “not good enough” start to trickle in, I know who I am becoming and who I will be. Every day, I’m building my character, experiencing highs and lows and overcoming obstacles, while building relationships and treasuring connections. I know I am loving, thoughtful, intuitive, and dedicated to being the best version of myself in this lifetime. So in case you’re struggling too, don’t sell yourself short because your soul is worth of being celebrated.

So here I am, reminding myself and you that we are still enough and valuable when things don’t go as planned and even when we don’t meet our expectations. It’s okay to cut yourself a break and know you can work harder this time around, and you are not defined by your GPA or your resume or how many friends you have.

You are not a statistic or another passing face in the crowd; so remember this life isn’t easy, but it’s so incredibly worth it.