the art of being your own person

Have you ever noticed that most people care a hell of a lot what others think of them? Humans naturally posses this quality that makes them want to please others by being liked and accepted. As I have grown to the ripe age of 20, I have come to the realization that the first person I should worry about pleasing, is myself.  
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Now I am not saying that you should do things that will harm or disrupt others just to please yourself. I am saying that, we as humans need to judge and worry about other people less and focus on ourselves more. This really is the KEY TO HAPPINESS. Take me for example: I used to be very self conscious of myself because I felt that other people were judging me for my actions, as well as appearance. I would always try to "do the cool thing" and focus on other people's happiness and try to please them. Ridiculous, I know! This is something that I have come to realize, many people struggle with. 

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When I graduated high school two years ago, I decided it was finally time to take my happiness into my own hands (as it should be) and live the life that I want to. I stopped worrying about what other people would think of me, and started focusing on what I think about myself. I have been able to learn and grow as a person because I have allowed myself to live my life without worrying about the judgment of others. 

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Everyone should be able to feel the freedom of wearing what you want, doing what you want, working where you want, eating what you want, traveling where you want and loving whoever you want!! 

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So, this is my reminder to whoever is reading this that you are important and you deserve to feel complete and utter happiness and the first step towards that, is to free yourself from the worry of wanting to feel liked and accepted by everyone. It doesn't happen overnight, but I promise if you can get over the thought process of trying to please others before yourself, life will be much more enjoyable. 

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"Care about what other people think, and you will always be their prisoner." -Lao Tzu