Recently I've noticed that I tend to do lots of things to please others. Putting their needs before my own or rationalizing others actions to make it seem like it's OK. Well I have decided that those days are over, at least for now, and I think you should do the same. Here's the thing, by no means am I saying that you shouldn't help others or be considerate to those around you, but it's knowing when enough is enough. I get it, you want the people around you to be happy and successful but I have some news for you — that is not your job. We aren't supposed to spend our days solely focusing on others lives with almost no regard for our own. I'm not referring to those who chose to care for those as a living or a way of life. I'm not downgrading the missionaries or the employees of healthcare, I am simply saying that you need to put yourself first for a moment.
I have sadly learned the hard way that if you don't take a step back and live solely for yourself right now, then you might not get the chance to. I love to help people and make others happy but I have finally realized that I am in a season of life that should be solely about myself. With graduation quickly approaching in five months, I need to be selfish. That means putting my hopes and dreams above everything else. That means doing whatever I have to do to get myself there. It's hard because like I said, I want everyone to be happy. But here's the thing, your true friends and the people that really love you will respect this decision. They will stand behind you and support you the whole. If someone does otherwise then they clearly don't have your best interest at heart and don't deserve to have you in their life.
If you are in a crucial season of your life, a time that is so important that every move you make is a make it or break it one, then it's time to live for yourself. Let me make it really clear with what I mean by being selfish and living for yourself.
If you are dating someone who is holding you back and trying to keep you from following your dreams, step away from them. If they truly love you then they will lift you up and be proud of you instead of trying to tear you down.
If you are friends with someone who is constantly expecting you to do everything for them and be at there every becking call, step away from them.
If your friends are begging you to go out for the second or third night in a row and you know that you have so much to do, say no. If they get mad or give you grief for staying in, then they clearly don't understand the stage of life you are in.
We need to stop doing everything that everyone else wants us to do and live for ourselves.
We need to stop settling and compromising with people in our lives just so that we can please. If you don't want to 100 percent do something on your own, then why are you doing it for someone else?
Don't get me wrong, I am all for compromise and meeting in the middle when it comes to relationships. But this is your time. This is your chance to go after your dreams and get what you want.
Do you want that internship? Go for it. If that means that you can't have as much of a social life, or you have to break up with that person because all they do is drag you down — do it.
Do you want that dream job? Make the move. Literally, if the job of your dreams means moving away, go for it. This is the only time in our lives that we will have the ability to literally drop everything, and pick up and move to wherever that may be. Whether it's two hours away or half way across the world to another country where you don't even understand their language.
Do you want to graduate early? Well, buckle down and get moving.
The thing is, we decide how successful we are going to be. If you chose to constantly please others and not fuel your own fire, then you might not get to where you want to go. If you chose to be lazy and not make strides in the right direction, then you will never get there. If you don't take action of your own life and go after exactly what it is that you want, then you will never do it. Only you can do this.
Don't miss your window of opportunity, you'll regret it later. Get up, get moving and get rid of things in your life that are holding you back. There is no time like the present.
