Saying last week was the worst week of my life is an understatement: two anxiety attacks, crying on the phone with my parents, everything that could go wrong did. I've been putting other people's happiness above my own by putting their needs above mine.
A wise friend once told me, "You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm." And, honestly, I've been doing that more than ever this week.
So, in order to keep all of this from happening again, here is how I'm going to make changes to save my sanity.
It's ok to say no. Anyone that tells you otherwise is not your friend, and they are not taking your best interest at heart. If a friend wants to hang out, but you're straight-up exhausted, just say no. Your mental and physical wellbeing should be valued.
Your opinion is the only one that matters. The decisions you make doesn't concern the people around you. You decide who you want to be friends with, and you decide who you want to date; your relationship is only between you and your significant other. Also, you decide who you want to bring to parties; it's none of your friend group's decision. Don't let anyone tell you who you're supposed to be with and what you're supposed to think.
You're here for a reason. Being in college, you're here for an education. Issues with your boyfriend and friends don't matter; those issues are extra. You're here to get a degree, not obsess over what your boyfriend said yesterday.
You're alive for a reason. No matter how hard things get, you belong here. People want to see you live, prosper, and most importantly, happy. Life is hard, but you can get through it.
Find a support system. It's best that these people get along, but that doesn't always work; not everyone is going to get along. You need to find those individuals who stick around for both the bad days and the good days. You need people who will stay with you no matter what.
Be your own person. Don't say you like certain things to please others. Don't pretend you're someone you're not. If people don't like you for you, they are not worth your time. they are not worth taking away your happiness.
At the end of the day, you deserve to be happy, no matter what. This is YOUR life, and you, and only you are in control of it. If you aren't happy with how things are going, don't sit around and wait for things to change on their own. You have to make the change for yourself.
