Every once in a while life makes me question my true happiness. Am I only content with my day-to-day life, or am I genuinely happy? Am I just going through the motions of life or am I truly living? I feel as if the majority of us get stuck in a rut where we stop thinking for ourselves. We stop caring about our life and future, and begin caring far too much about those around us. I’m not saying it is bad to care about your family, friends, or strangers, but maybe you should start focusing on your own self a little more often. As a young adult, this is the prime time to be a little bit selfish.

As life begins to pass, most of us stop focusing on ourselves. We get caught up in work or friends and partners, and we let go of many chances to strengthen our own real happiness. We begin sacrificing our happiness just to make others (bosses, significant others, etc.) as happy as possible. We may even begin to live monotonous lives full of stress and lacking spontaneity, but what kind of life is that? What is in store for the future with a life like that?

College, and the few years following, should be the most selfish time period in your life, and that is okay! Your education should be the most imperative thing to you in these years... hello, you are paying thousands upon thousands of dollars for it! What you make of what you learn is the most important key to a successful career. People get degrees and know nothing (AKA: C's get degrees), but is that really what you want to walk away with after 4+ years? For some people going into a post-graduate program, medical school, law school, etc., we know the importance of walking away with much more than that piece of paper. That paper cannot ever come close to defining the amount of knowledge you walk away from college with, both educational and experiential knowledge. Don’t sacrifice this time for you to learn and grow just to satisfy others around you.

Those few years after graduation, are also all too important to throw away. Push yourself to get what you want. Focus on your life, future, and happiness. Be bold. Be vulnerable. Be spontaneous. Be selfish. Live a little for yourself, before you no longer can. One day you will no longer be able to be self-indulgent, but until then, do everything for yourself and your happiness.

I cannot stress how important it is to be selfish. It is okay to be single in these years to strength who you are. You should do what makes you happy, and you should worry about yourself, your education, and your future! Selfishness is usually associated with a negative stigma, but for what reason? You are in college, or the phase just after, to better yourself for the world. You are paying to learn and grow as a person, so why is it so hard? Be selfish about your time, education, and future while you can, because one day, when you are married and have beautiful children, you no longer can be. Be selfish while you can to acquire the future full of pure happiness and satisfaction.

Quit sacrificing your own happiness! Eat that cupcake. Read that book. Go out and have a few drinks and meet new people. Learn as much as you possibly can. Never explain yourself to those around you. Push yourself to be the best version of yourself that you possibly can. Whatever you do, however, don’t ever lose sight of your true happiness. EVER.