Who defines, success? How do you know what success is?

I know one thing, being successful means being your best self. But when is this? When our society defines it for you by materialism?

"The American Dream" has been an idea shoved down our throats since the beginning of time. Which isn't a bad thing but over time it has shaped us to believe how we should live our lives. America's societal standards consist of pursuing a college education, getting a high-paying job, getting married, raising your kids and living lavishly.

But honestly, I say screw these unwritten rules that are deemed to determine our success. We are all entitled to define our idea of success and to live how we want. I identify being successful as being at your best-self, because honestly, being happy should be above anything.

That said, I refuse to wait and only label my long-term goals/accomplishments as a success. We are capable and should give credit to our milestones. Just because some steps take a shorter time to accomplish shouldn't be downsized in its importance, for instance, getting an internship is as amazing as one day getting offered the job.

Again, there is no need to let society define what being successful is.

I'm currently surrounded by people I love, continuously work on my writing, and can say I'm genuinely happy and really, who's to say this isn't an accomplishment? I don't need to be filthy rich, I don't need the highest paying position, nor do I need a luxurious car to say I have it all.

I may be only a young adult, but I'm one who's full of life and ready to see what's next. So, I say screw society's standards, screw the timeline we're expected to follow and screw waiting for a particular event to say "I'm successful." I know I'm doing great and accomplishing a lot more than I would've ever thought, and that is worth more than whatever others claim as being successful.