Senior Year Sentiments

One of the first things that I realized about senior year is that despite all of the stress that comes with job hunting and tying up other loose ends, I feel free. For the first time in four years, I feel liberated to make my own decisions and really, truly not give a damn about what others think.

Humans as a whole are slaves to collective thought. There is a reason why social media is so powerful and why marketing is such a lucrative field. Much of our everyday satisfaction comes from the introspective acknowledgement that we have fulfilled society's checklist of what exemplifies perfection. I, too, am to blame. But I'm starting to realize that the less I care about the judgement of others, the more comfortable and confident I feel in my own skin.

I aim to make this last year of college a memorable one, and am getting an idea of what I need to do so. This sounds funny, but one of the best things that has happened thus far this year is that I no longer feel obliged to hang out with all of my friends. I no longer feel the need to please everyone around me, and am learning to cut the toxic people out of my life. I am in no position to judge others, but instead of struggling to force friendships, I want to leave my friends to fight their own demons and find their own redemption. I truly believe that things will work out for everyone in their own time, and it's ok if my time does not necessarily align with their own time.

I am well aware of the people and things that are closest to my heart, and I want to spend this year cultivating and flourishing those relationships. I want to actively pursue God, and even in my moments of weakness, I will not let the discouragement from others get to me. I will be at peace with myself and let things fall into place the way that they were meant to be.