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College students have it pretty tough; we are expected to balance school work with social relationships and recreational activity and job searches and building a resume. We often forget to give ourselves personal time to reflect, relax and enjoy leisure activities.
I love writing poetry but iambic pentameter is my worst enemy. It takes me hours to complete an Shakespearean sonnet but with school work and other priorities, I find it hard to make the time to perfect my diction (and rhyme scheme). I am so consumed by things that don’t make me nearly as happy.
When we forget to give ourselves personal time, we often dismiss how imperative it is to appreciate ourselves.
Recently, the internet has been flooded with “self-love” and positive messages. We are encouraged to love our bodies and accept our flaws. Women and men alike are celebrating what makes them diverse gems. I think loving the mental and emotional aspects of ourselves is just as important as loving our physical attributes.
I think everyone should dedicate at least an hour a day to themselves to do what they enjoy and unwind. No stress, no negative thoughts, no phones. I know, it’s hard to put down your phone for longer than a few minutes. Disconnecting yourself from social media is helpful because it gives you a break from comparing yourself to others. Everyone knows that social media is the place to be pompous about accomplishments and social status. It’s all a facade and sometimes in can really take a toll on your self esteem. Low self-esteem wounds your mental health which can leave you feeling undeserving and anxious.
There are a lot of awful people in the world; they find satisfaction in tearing others down and making them feel unworthy. But here’s the thing- you’re better than them. You should be proud of your victories, no matter how small they are. You should celebrate your art and your passions and your individuality. Stay inspired and inspire others. No matter what you do, these bullies will try to invalidate you but you have to believe that you ARE important. Realizing that you’re a great person worthy of love and appreciation is such a rewarding feeling.
Taking time for self reflection can help you prioritize your goals and set a plan for yourself. Where do you see yourself after college? What is your dream life? With hard work, confidence and willpower you can do anything you set your mind to. It may sound cliche but it’s true; don’t settle for less. Work your butt off, get that degree and take over the world! A determined you is the best you. College is the best place to discover how you’ll make an impact on the world.
Most importantly, be proud to love yourself.
Putting yourself first does not make you self absorbed. On the contrary, it’s a healthy way to focus on what truly benefits you. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (shout out to all you psychology majors out there!) suggests that some of the most important needs we have to fulfill other than biological needs are self-actualization needs. These include creativity, morality and lack of prejudice. As humans, we strive off of giving ourselves meaning. We want to believe we’re put on this Earth for a reason. Take your time to discover who you are and what you believe in. Don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re being selfish for doing so. Go out there and love ya-self!
