I have been kind of selfish lately. And I have every right to be.

That's a statement that most people won't admit so easily. But for me, I don't say it begrudgingly. I'm not embarrassed to admit it. I'm actually kind of proud.

I have been kind of selfish lately.

At 21-years-old and being a senior in college, I have every right to be really selfish with my life right now. To be self-absorbed in choosing what I want to do with my life. I'm making decisions about me, for me.

This is one of the biggest, most defining years of my life, and with that comes a lot of responsibility. With that responsibility comes choice, and the power of making decisions about what is going to be best for me and my future. This year has been about me learning to let those decisions happen, and knowing that the minor selfishness associated with those choices is ok.

This is probably the only point in my life as an adult where no one else is depending on me, relying on me, or counting on me to take care of them. So I get to be selfish, I get to take time to figure out what is best for me right now. It took me some time to realize that, but knowing it now, I am better prepared and equipped to make choices that will affect how my life will play out.

I am making myself my priority. I am filling myself with a personal focus, so that eventually when the time comes, I will be able to focus on others. Personally, professionally, and emotionally. But until I reach the age where I'm ready for that, I get to decide what I want for myself. I am progressing in self-growth, in a time and place where that is the best thing for my life.

Focus on self-awareness, growth, and personal development for myself means I can be better for myself and for others. I accurately recognize the difference between selfish and self-centered. I get to be selfish to better understand who I am, what I want, where I'm heading, and how I'm going to get myself there.

Self-love is not a purely selfish love.

I am selfish. And that is ok.