Io sono mia. Translated in English, this phrase means "I am mine." Revolutionized in the emergence of the feminist movement in Italy, this saying was constructed in order for women to identify with the fact that they own themselves. No one else should be in control of their lives but them. Men should not dictate their passions and their pursuit of happiness; they shouldn't let people's opinions of the directions in which they choose their lives to go. It was time to stand up and demand that they were not property, they were individuals. They own their lives. They own themselves. Thus, the feminist revolution was born in Italy.

I learned this phrase while studying the feminist movement in my Women in Italian Society class while studying abroad in Florence. Unlike the women who were stuck in patronizing times where men were allowed to deter the direction of their lives, I can direct my own life. However, until fairly recently, I wasn't utilizing my full potential of my life. Upon hearing the saying "io sono mia," the meaning settled deeply. I am my own, no one else's. I am the people I choose to surround myself with, the actions I adopt, and most importantly, the interests I allow MYSELF to have.

After classes, I would do my ritual walk around Florence, and often ponder the severity of this saying. These three words thrusted thousands of women to take control of their lives, to decide what they were and were not going to put up with anymore. Why wasn't I doing that myself in aspects of my life? I didn't love how I pushed myself so hard to take on too much at a time. Why didn't I stop accepting so much pressure to be the best? Why couldn't I work somewhere that actually made me happy, go after pursuits that may or may not boost my resume, merely because it gave me a sense of purpose and joy?

Before studying abroad, I had had one of my worst years. I was battling depression, an illness I denied recognition of for too long. I didn't know what I wanted in life, and I let that scare me. I surrounded myself with some people who had negative demeanors, just because I wanted to make them feel better. In return, the pessimism was contagious and I grew unhappy, all because I was too skittish to stand up to it. I craved a change in my life, and the first thing I could think of was to research a study abroad program. The next thing I knew, I was organizing my paperwork to leave for Italy. Without even knowing it, preparing for this adventure also helped pull my life together. The semester before I left, I was paired with three wonderful roommates who filled my life with support and optimism. I drove myself to pursue just enough – but not too much – in my education and work, which helped flourish my relationships. Most importantly, I opened my eyes to the people that were sincerely there supporting me.

I began to notice all of these little changes when I began adapting an "io sono mia" mindset to my life. I recognized how generously these aspects provided for a more fruitful life, and how these values needed to become an established way of living. With a kind and humbled mindset, I would no longer withstand influences in my life that, simply put, I did not want.

I am accountable for what I accept. I am mine. I have control of what direction I want my life to go. I am mine. I decide the type of influences I wish to have. I am mine. I am strong, I am resiliant, I am happy, I am loved – Io sono mia.

This life is yours. You own it.