I used to put others ahead of myself. I would take everyone else’s feelings into account when calculating my decisions and ultimately let the happiness of everyone but me make choices. I stopped doing that this past year. I got tired of never being first and I don’t feel bad for choosing myself.

When I made the decision to study abroad for an entire year, I was nervous to tell anyone. I knew there would be some backlash but at that point, I didn’t care. This was the first decision I made for myself without considering anyone else and I’m so glad I did it. I will not feel sorry for choosing to be happy.

Maybe it was selfish of me to take off for a year, but it’s what I needed. Am I sorry that it hurt people’s feelings or affected them? Sure, I’m sorry for them. But I’m not sorry for choosing me. Everyone should put themselves first for the time that they can before meeting someone, settling down and having children. You are the only one dictating your happiness and so do what you have to do to find that happiness.

My happiness comes from seeing new places and meeting new people. I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever had while studying abroad. I am still constantly growing every single day and I won’t apologize for becoming who I want to be.

So to anyone who consistently puts others ahead of yourself, here is some advice. Choose you. Choose yourself and choose your own path. You are stronger and more capable of things you never thought possible. So if you want to move across the world, do it. If you want to leave your home, do it. If you want to get a tattoo on your face, go for it! In the end, you need to choose what’s going to make you happy because you deserve it. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for choosing to love yourself.