“Did I ask for your comment?” So often I find that people are quick to guilt you for being anything other than what they think you should be. First you are too joyful then too miserable. Well, I am not under any obligation to adjust my mood or facial expression to falsify a state of being that meets your standards.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy a certain amount of misery. This world is not all daisies and rays of sunshine. Of course there are various reasons to be upset as in the case of cause and effect. But at times, you may feel down, not really know why and maybe you don’t mind it. Misery can be a positive thing, it causes you to overthink, over analyze and problem solve. Or it can just put you in a state of temporary depression, keyword: temporary. In my life, I let this state of solemness fuel my writing. And I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that a moody playlist is absolutely essential.

There may be a parallel to be drawn between this circumstance and society’s demands of everyone to level up and be a decent human being. What labels someone only as “decent” and “caring” because they butt their head in and offer advice or company when it is not asked for. I believe society has created such a twisted view of how people are “supposed” to behave. Being a decent person is being able to stop in your stubborn tracks, observe your surroundings and listen to the person you are forcing yourself upon. They will let you know if your presence is welcome and certainly request it when it is.

What I have learned, living in a college dorm especially, is that you are not always going to get that desired “alone time”. There is someone just a few feet away at all times; this can be both a luxury and a curse. Where I come from, being an only child and introvert, I am not accustomed to being surrounded by people 24/7. I recently found myself metaphorical drowning in interaction that I did not desire. For the mental health and happiness, it has been proven best to simply make it clear to the person you just cant seem to shake off, that you need your quiet time, work time, alone time…whatever you want to call it. But honestly, there is nothing wrong with voicing your concerns and standing up for your talked-out, over socialized brain. Trust me: the miserable, over-analyzing freak that dwells inside you will thank me later. Choose to stand up for you, leave the guilt in the hallway and lock the door behind you.