My birthday passed recently and I like to think I’ve changed a lot in the last year. I’ve grown to care more about myself and less about others. I stopped centring my entire life around other people’s schedules. I make a point of putting myself first and I honestly think more people should.
It’s not selfish to care about yourself. I spent far too much time thinking that if I care about myself, that I must be selfish. Many of us are taught this mentality from a young age. If you bring a treat to class, bring one for everyone. If you played sports as a kid, everyone got a participation ribbon that looked the same as the winning ribbon. I was taught to never brag about my successes and that if I earned anything less, it was something to be ashamed of.
Now, I celebrate my smallest of accomplishments. When I inevitably stumble in life, I reach out to grab a hand. I make a point of seeing the silver lining, even if that silver lining is more of a copper lining. Love yourself. Care for yourself. Accept help from others.
Emmaline is working on her BA and ambitions to become an English teacher. They always say, those who cannot do, teach. She spends her free time buying, reading, and hoarding books with the hope that one day she will have no furniture and instead only have piles of books.
