I think there's a pretty big misconception that being a "good girl" and a "party girl" are an either/or type of thing. People think this is a black and white matter, and it really isn't. There's nothing wrong with being either, and, honestly, it's really common to be both. The only thing that makes you a "good" girl is having self respect and being a nice person, and the only thing that makes you a "party" girl is enjoying a good time out with your friends. So why is so much importance put on either label?
I proudly wear both labels. Some of my friends think I'm wild while some of them think I'm very tame. I give myself limits and lines I won't cross, but I'm totally fine with from occasionally going out on a weekday, staying out all hours of the night, and sometimes cramming for a test in the name of a good time. It means being asked what my GPA is by incredulous skeptics and then getting the satisfaction of saying it's a 4.0. I'm either being told I need to loosen up or I need to calm down.
I don't like this idea that you can only be one. You can go out every weekend and still have your life together. You can have a good time and still have self-respect and respect for others. You can meet people at parties, and they could end up being your best friends. I have friends who mean the world to me, and one of our favorite pastimes is going out. It doesn't mean that our friendship isn't built on something genuine. We also spend a lot of time watching "American Horror Story," laughing at memes on Twitter and eating cheesy bread at 12 a.m. I also like staying in. II'm definitely not the type of person who is just looking for a thrill at any cost; I do the things I like and the things I want, and I steer clear from the things I don't enjoy and have no interest in doing. Basically, I do what I want to forget about fitting into some label.
I also hate the misconception that one lifestyle is better than the other. I don't understand why people think going out means you're not a "good" girl who is genuine person, and staying in means you're a boring person who is incapable of having fun. Just because a person prefers nights at home doesn't mean they aren't fun or exciting to be around. I have a lot of friends who don't like to go out, and they're some of the most fun people I know. Also, just because one of your favorite pastimes is going out, doesn't mean you aren't capable of having meaningful friendships, keeping your life together or just being an all around great person. I know people who go out pretty often, and they're the kindest and best friends I have.
There shouldn't be some weird tension with people because one person likes quiet nights in and another likes wild nights out. Maybe there won't be a connection, but neither should judge the other for what they like. And then there are people like me- who enjoy both. When I hear people say things like, "We don't go out a lot; this isn't who we are! We're good girls!" or the other way around, I feel a little annoyed. Because, yes I do like to go out, this is who I am, and I certainly am a good girl. Going out doesn't mean you aren't also a "good girl", and staying in doesn't mean you aren't also a good time.
One day I'll be dancing to the top 40 with my best friends and another I'll be volunteering for my sorority's philanthropy. One day I'll be meeting a bunch of new people at a party and another I'll be acing my French test. I'm having a great time, I'm making great friends and I'm pretty happy to be who I am.
