College has become a part of my everyday life. It doesn’t feel like a burden to wake up for those pesky 8 a.m.’s anymore. So many friends have been made, all of them very unique and diverse. By going to college in a different town, I met people with different likes and dislikes, people of different style and habits. I’ve learned to love people outside of my comfort zone. I have tried things that I never saw myself doing in life. I feel so different, as if I’ve changed or as if I’ve grown and I feel so free.

I did my fair share in traveling. I have been all around America, and did pretty gnarly things. I have a great group of friends that all share their intriguing personalities. Life is pretty great and I feel so free.

Last year, things were falling apart. Mainly because I didn’t talk to many people in college since none of my friends were there. Last year, my long-term boyfriend decided to leave me. Last year, I felt all alone and saw my grades dip. Last year was my last teenage year and I didn’t get to live it up like I wanted to, but then, I turned 20 and I started to let things go and I feel so free.

I stopped caring about what people had to say about me. I stopped caring about trying to look good to make my ex jealous. I stopped caring about the friends who didn’t make time for me. I started to care about making new friends, traveling, gaming, academics, singing, dancing, laughing, and doing things that I wouldn’t forget. I started looking and feeling happier and healthier and I feel so free.

I realized, it didn’t matter how my life looked to other people. Their validation didn’t make my life any more better than it already is. I feel thankful and blessed with whatever life has thrown at me. Nobody lived my life except me, and I had to fulfill my own dreams.

I started to define my own life and I feel so free.

That is true freedom.