Each day you go through your typical routine. Wake up, go to class, eat in between. Each time you go to psychology you steal glances at the cute boy you're convinced you'd never have a shot with.

Each time you go to a dining hall you grab a salad since you're convinced you can't afford even a small indulgence. Each time you go out you change your clothes three times and make sure your personality is perfect - not too bold but not too boring.

You're convinced they're the right decisions because the alternative decision surely would have had a worse outcome.

Wouldn't it?

Yet at the end of these days, you review and think it through. You overthink, reevaluate, come to a conclusion, then start the process again. The thought of rejection makes your stomach churn, but regret makes your head spin. The recall of how you felt looking in the mirror that morning makes you insecurities skyrocket, but how that brownie would have tasted makes your mouth water. The idea of drawing attention makes your face heat up, but remaining in the shadows wearing an uncomfortable top makes you feel completely not present in the night out.

What holds you back?

In those moments where you're thinking so hard that there's probably smoke coming out of your ears, you're convinced that not doing the thing in the back of your head has less risk than the decision you wind up making.

You're convinced it's for the better and that nothing can hurt you if you don't let yourself stray too far to be hurt. All is safe in the comfort zone. Nothing can go wrong. Despite the constant inner battles, by the end of it all you truly believe you're doing what's best.

No offense, but you're being ridiculous.

You let your fears control you and determine your every move. No new thing can come from remaining in the comfort zone - you know everything that is to come. You're comfortable because you can completely control the outcome and you're completely prepared for it. You can't expect anything that you don't already have to come your way.

YOU need to change first. You also think that by remaining there, you'll never be hurt. But the truth is, you're hurting all the time, and you're the one doing it. You struggle with the thought of the unknown, but every night you struggle with the idea of regret. Knowing how it went is better than never knowing at all. Get out of your own head and get into the world.

That being said, take baby steps. You don't need to walk up to the boy in psychology tomorrow and ask for his number if you aren't feeling it yet. Strike up a conversation and see where things lead. Treat yourself to a cheat meal every once in awhile. Wear your favorite top and dance like no one is watching because truth be told, most people probably aren't paying attention to what you're doing, and if they are they probably enjoy every minute of it. Most importantly, be you and do what is going to make YOU happy. There are too many people to meet, memories to make, and laughs to have for you to just watch from the sidelines.

Go get 'em girl. The world is waiting.