If you’re like me you’re a people pleaser. It’s as simple as that. You think about others way before you think about yourself. You help people with their problems while trying to ignore your own. You simply like seeing a smile on a friend's face. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great. It makes us unique in that many people put themselves first in all aspects of life and I’ve recently discovered that by not doing this, I have been missing out big time. My New Year's resolution this year; focus on me. Due to this, I’ve recently become a lot more selfish and I’ve decided that I absolutely love it.

“New year, new me.” We’ve all said it at one point in time or at least thought the cliché phrase. Although I wouldn’t say that focusing more on yourself makes you a completely new person I would strongly argue that it gives you a different outlook on life. Focusing on how to better yourself on a day-to-day basis rather than being worried constantly about if you’re making others happy is such a better use of time. No, I’m not saying that you need to drop all of your friends and stop talking to the people you surround yourself with. But simply concentrating on yourself and putting yourself first will make you much happier. I can promise you that.

Selfish: (n.) Concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.

Sounds pretty horrible, right?

Unfortunately, growing up many of us heard over and over again that to be selfish made us bad people. Caring only about yourself and your personal gain was wrong. I’m here to tell you it’s not. It is amazing and it is worth it. You won’t lose your true friends because they will be cheering for the better you.

Over the past three weeks, I’ve allowed myself to do the things that make me happiest, rather than being so concerned with everyone else. I wake up every day with myself in mind and I live life to the fullest. You hear people say “Life is too short” quite often but never really think about this until it’s too late. Over the course of 2018, focus on you. Better yourself every day, whether it’s in school, at work, or in the gym. Spend every day as happily as you can and be thankful for things. Life really is to short to have bad days and we are all way too thankful to mope around.

Although I wouldn’t use the phrase “New year, new me” I would challenge you to change your outlook on things. Focus on yourself daily and the positive vibes of whom you surround yourself with will quickly follow. Make the best of 2018. Make this your year.