“You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though everybody is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”

It is inevitable as a human that one day you won't get lost within yourself. It doesn't mean you have to crawl in a hole and never want to leave. It could just mean that you struggle to make your coffee in the morning without thinking about what your future holds. It could mean that sometimes you tell your friends that you are busy so you can hide your sadness from those you love most. It could also mean that you struggle to get out of bed in the morning because you don't know who you are or who you want to be anymore.

That's how I was.

When I first began college I was nothing more than a shy girl who just wanted to be able to make it through the day without making a fool of herself. I was focused on classes (which is NOT a bad thing) and trying to keep in touch with my friends from high school. I never thought to try to meet new people or make new friends. After all, I already had friends. Well, I thought I did.

Once college began to kick into full gear I met my total opposite. This new acquaintance was everything I was not. He was an outgoing, fun guy who was friends with everyone and anyone. Before I met him I had never pictured what it would be like for me to step out of my comfort zone and explore what it was really like to be a college student.

Within only a few short days with this new acquaintance, I was now staying out until 3-4am walking around campus meeting new people. I was talking more and finding that I had more in common with people I would have never talked to before college than with those I had been friends with for years. I was coming out of my shell for the first time and allowing myself to be open to new experiences. I met new friends and have made bonds stronger than I could have ever imagined I would create in such a short amount of time. These past few weeks I have had more adventures and have laughed until my face turns red and my laugh turns into a snort more than I would have ever thought I would. I have become happier and the terrible thoughts that once flooded my mind have faded.

Long story short, I have changed quite a bit within the past month.

I haven't changed for the worst, nor the best, but regardless, I am no longer the shy girl who stepped onto campus a few short weeks ago. And I'm finally starting to realize that that is okay.