Watching all my friends happily pursuing their dreams, taking classes that they truly enjoyed and finding classmates that they really connected interests with—I envied how they could be so excited about both their future and present.

The truth is, when I applied to colleges, I already knew that I didn't really enjoy the subject of the major I had chosen. But that major could provide me career stability in the future while the major I wanted to choose is often mentioned alongside regret and poor job prospects.

I was afraid to follow my dreams.

Feeling lost about what my aspirations are and finding myself in some mild existential-crisis filled with doubts and other heightened insecurities, I dragged my friends to go on some spontaneous hike with me only to cry on their shoulders when we reached the top.

I was showered with encouragement to follow my dreams, and here is five reasoning that helped me find myself again.

1. If the dream you have in mind excites you more than the path you are on right now, then change is a good idea.

If the thought that you should switch up your life plans is always looming over you and affecting your other emotions, and you can picture yourself happier doing whatever your dream is, then there's your passion. Now follow that conclusion.

2. Usually, you are the only person doubting yourself.

It's a feeling of insecurity that's too familiar: even when all your family and friends are saying that they will support whatever decision you make, you still feel that something is off. Everyone believes you can succeed, but you can get out the words, "I'll do it."

Finding the confidence to leave any comfort zone is difficult, but if the potential is an even better comfort zone later, then it's worth it to believe in yourself.

And even if your friends and family won't support your decision, are they really the ones holding you back, or are you the one who can't bring yourself to reject their doubt?

3. If you are really committed, you will succeed.

Ever found yourself catching up on political news, reading on genetics, or trying to capture the perfect photo and just losing track time because you truly enjoyed that activity? Following a passion is essentially the same; you will won't mind putting so much time and energy into that aspiration, and you will work harder as a result. And 99% of the time, hard work will lead to success.

4. You only live life once.

As cliché as this sounds, it couldn't be truer. Life is so limited, and spending it doing something you hate would give you no satisfaction. To get myself through classes I had no interest in, I told myself, "I will learn to enjoy it one day," or, "My future salary would pay off my suffering now."

But will it?

You picture yourself having enough money to travel the world, but you forgot that you won't be traveling every day and most of your time would be spent going to a job you despise, so choose what will make more of your time happy.

5. If you change your mind again, it's OKAY.

No one should feel like they need to be confined to anything—including careers and majors. If you've found another truer passion, then follow this list again, pick yourself back up, and GO FOR IT. You're not "weak" or "lazy" because you aren't sure what you want to do—you're brave for rejecting stale comfort and wanting to love your life more.