Lately I've Noticed I've Been Happiest On My Own | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Lately I've Noticed I've Been Happiest On My Own

It's Time to Start Focusing on MY Future and MY Happiness For a While

87
Lately I've Noticed I've Been Happiest On My Own
Rachel Marten

Lately I’ve honestly been happiest when I’m on my own, and it kind of scares me sometimes.

Dancing alone in my room in my underwear. Drinking a hot cup of coffee with caramel macchiato creamer in my dorm from my Keurig at 3am… in between studying for hours on end. Taking the blue line to my favorite spot to do homework, right off of Lakeshore. Going for long runs on the Chicago Riverwalk during Business lunch hour, so I can catch a few hotties walking around in business suits, drinking their Au Bon Pain coffee.

I’ve just grown to be so content in my own little world of happiness during the past few months.

I have so many friends with boyfriends and girlfriends. I know so many people who literally have a fear of being alone and doing things alone. I know so many people who just can’t stand the thought of not having someone next to them to experience their every move with.

And this is where I get a little concerned for myself. Because I have zero of those thoughts. I actually love being alone. I love having me time. I hate distractions. Quite honestly I’m so busy, I barely even have enough time to squeeze in an hour workout at the rec center. Let alone time for anything else besides sleep.

I wasn’t always like this though. All throughout high school I was actually quite literally the complete opposite. I put everyone and everything before what I wanted. I put everyone and everything before what I needed. If I was nervous someone wasn’t going to like a decision I was going to make, I would back out. If I thought someone would disagree with something I was about to say, I wouldn’t raise my hand in class. I never gave myself the benefit of the doubt. I never gave myself me time. I was out with friends every night. I was with people every night. Doing something. Somewhere. And to be completely honest, 70% of the time, I just wanted to be home. Or I wanted to be somewhere else. Doing something else. Something more.

I always had this strange desire to be somewhere else, different than where I was.

It wasn’t because I didn’t love my friends to death. It wasn’t because sitting in a circle with some of your best friends doing absolutely nothing on a Friday night, somehow always turned into the best nights. It wasn’t anyone or anything else. It was me.

I wasn’t spending enough time on me. I wasn’t going to the gym to better myself, instead of going to the movies with my friends. I wasn’t staying at home and having one of my mom’s super healthy homemade meals, instead of going to eat overly greasy nuggets and fries from McDonalds. I just went with the flow. I did what everyone else did. I did what all my friends did. I told my Mom and Dad what I think they wanted to hear. And don’t get me wrong, I still will. I’ll still do all these things… but with time.

But for now?

It’s me time. There’s so much in this world I want to do. There’s so much in this world I want to see. And experience. And love. And feel. And I think I just need to accept the fact that it literally doesn’t matter what you choose to do in this world. There will ALWAYS be one person who isn’t going to agree with it. Always. So the sooner you realize that sometimes you just have to have your own back, and do what you want, and what is best for you. DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU. Be a little selfish sometimes. You will become the happiest person in the world. I woke up one morning, and it just kind of happened. I realized I needed to make some serious changes to get the life that I want. Sure, it took me nearly 19 years. But I’m here. And I’m more excited and motivated than ever.

One thing that I think is important to keep in mind though, with this mindset. Is the one simple statement, people want to see you do good, but never better than them, remember that. You might lose some friends. You might lose some people because you aren’t exactly participating in all the norm things now. You aren’t going out to Wine Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and then rallying all weekend anymore. Because you want that internship. You want a better body. You want to shoot for a 4.0. You want to be the best you that you can be. And THEN you can go back to being with everyone else. But PLEASE for the sake of your sanity, put yourself first. This is the time.

So, for a little while, I’m just going to enjoy dancing around my dorm room in my underwear, while sipping on my nice piping hot mug of Keurig coffee (with caramel macchiato creamer).

You do you.

And I’m just going to do me for a while.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

2760
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

28027
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11956
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments