For as long as I can remember, I have apologized for something. I have apologized for being smart when people think that I should not be. I have apologized for being loud when I wanted people to hear my voice. I have apologized for speaking my opinion. I have apologized for being me, probably since I started talking.

Now I am done.

I am done apologizing for the things that make me the person that I am. I will not apologize for letting my intelligence shine through, because I am not ashamed of being smart. I will not apologize for my taste in music not being what people expect from a 20-year-old, blonde sorority girl. I will not apologize for reading instead of participating in some brainless activity. I will not apologize for taking a thousand pictures, when I want to capture a moment perfectly. I simply will not apologize for being me.

I am not ashamed of the person that I am. I know tons of random facts that will probably never help me in life. I have a bookshelf stacked so high with books; it is surprising that all my books have yet to topple over. I have a thousand pictures of me and my friends scattered around my room. I spend most of my time studying, because my schooling is of the utmost importance to me, and I understand that it is a privilege for me to attend college. Most nights, I would rather stay in my comfortable bed and watch a movie rather than spend my time at an excessively crowded party.

This is who I am, and I refuse to apologize for it any more.

Do not apologize for being witty, sarcastic, or sassy. Do not apologize for being strong-minded or opinionated. Do not apologize for being loud or for letting your voice be heard. Do not apologize for loving people, or things, or life in general. Do not apologize for doing the things that you like to do, even if nobody else likes them. Do not apologize for what makes you the person you are. Do not settle for being anything less than your best, you owe it to yourself.

Dr. Seuss (one of my favorite literary authors) once said, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!” This quote may be from a children’s book, but it is still one of the most relevant quotes to life, even for me at the age of 20. There is no one in this world that can be a better you- it is a job that only you can take on. There is no reason to apologize.

Lewis Carroll (another one of my favorite literary authors) said, “Have I gone mad? I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret, all the best people are.” Do not be afraid to be "bonkers".

Be smart. Be kind. Be hopeful. Be sassy. Be you.

And do not apologize for it anymore.