Now that the semester has been underway for a week or two, we have been thrust back into the world of deadlines, rules, time constraints, and stress.

We overbook ourselves, run ourselves ragged, struggle to find alone time, and work ourselves silly. Things can get overwhelming, and it is hard enough to keep tabs on everything without the people around us adding to that pressure.

I know I am not speaking only for myself when I say there is definitely pressure to always have an answer right here right now. It might be regarding your social life, your love life, family life, career... you name it, and there is pressure, and quite frankly it is exhausting.

Beyond exhausting, though, it is frustratingly unnecessary. So what if I don't know right know? I don't need to be in a relationship by tomorrow, employed by tomorrow, or anything else by tomorrow. So... what's the rush? For any of us, what's the rush?

The answer is that there isn't one. There is no rush. The "rush" is socially constructed by the environment we find ourselves in. Maybe it's your school, or your friends, or your family. Maybe it's you telling yourself you need to rush because you see people around you who are further along.

Whatever the case, if you are reading this right now and relating to all of it, take a moment right now and breathe. Sit back, breathe, and take a minute just for yourself.

What are your goals? What do you want right now, or need right now?

Think beyond the simplest terms. Think beyond the exam or assignment you want to do well on tomorrow.

Once you get past the little things, I can pretty confidently say that whatever you are identifying as the things you want or need are things that you don't need to have figured out right this second. And if you don't need to figure them out right now, why are you in such a rush to figure them out?

Rushing into anything is asking for trouble. Rush into a relationship, and you might find yourself with someone who only makes you surface-level happy. Rush into a job, and you might find yourself sitting in a cubicle doing something you hate with coworkers who are maybe more miserable than you. Rush into anything and theres a large chance you will end up feeling unfulfilled.

In my mind, we were put here to find happiness and peace. We were put here to find love. True love. We were put here to become the best versions of ourselves- and by " best", I mean happiest.

Truest.

Kindest.

Being the "best" version of yourself doesn't have to mean you are making the most money you've ever made, or working the best job you've ever worked. It doesn't have to mean you are at the top of the social ladder or on your knee in front of a lover. I think a lot of times, we are conditioned to take these things to heart and internalize this definition of success, but in reality these are somewhat superficial.

If you aren't happy within yourself, in your own heart, your own mind, and your own skin, none of the things I just mentioned will fulfill you the way you want them to. And if they aren't going to be fulfilling, we need not rush towards them.

Become comfortable with the slow ride. Become comfortable with taking your time, settling into your seat and letting things unfold the way they are supposed to.

You don't need to have the answers right now.