As far back as I can remember it's been my dream to be older, wiser, more capable, more experienced, have more responsibilities and most importantly have more freedom. I dreamed about the day I was 21, could experience bars, travel where ever I desired to go. And just be an all-around independent woman who makes her own choices and creates her own future that isn't dictated by the opinions of her parents and other highly opinionated or uneducated adults that made an appearance in her life.

As a kid, I remember thinking, "They don't get it. Why don't they understand? I can't be creative because they're going to judge me. All this negativity crushes my soul. I just want a life full of positivity, creation, success, and the freedom to dream my biggest dreams. I want to seek out and fulfill them step by step everyday."

This is why I'm addicted to bettering myself.

1. I love achievement. It feels amazing.

2. I want to be the best I can be. My goal has always been to build an amazing career.

3. I love learning new skills and techniques in my field that I can use to help me do so.

4. Knowledge is power.

5. I feel I owe it to myself. That may sound selfish but it's not. You've got to follow your heart before you can effectively help someone else follow theirs.

6. I constantly crave new experiences and wisdom.

7. It's exciting – looking at job postings and thinking, "Yes, I'm actually qualified for this position! It took 21 years of my life to get here, but I'm here."

8. I believe you can always be better. You can always be nicer, more positive, have more skills.

9. It gives me purpose. It gives me enjoyment. It gives me self-fulfillment. It feeds my mind and my soul.

10. Most importantly, I have a dream. I have goals so I know where I want to be and I have confidence that I will get there.

Some people might see these as selfish, but I don't.

If you navigate life with an ignited fire in your soul, the passion and dedication to move forward even when it's tough, a great eye in which you're constantly developing, an unbiased mind that is open to change and new ideas, and a mouth that's not afraid to speak up for what is right but knows when to bite it's tongue and admit that it's wrong... You'll better yourself.