I Believe In Selfishness Research Paper

I believe in selfishness. Yes, I know what you're thinking, "This girl is super conceited," but when I say selfishness I don't mean only worrying about myself and doing things without considering the effects they have on other people; that's just plain mean. What I mean when I say selfishness is doing things for my happiness and well-being. Often times, I find myself working so hard to please others and make sure they're satisfied before I even think about what I want. I believe in taking a moment every once in a while to refocus my energy on things that I actually want to do, and not things I feel obligated or pressured to do.
This modified form of selfishness applies to virtually all aspects of my life: school, social life, and even
life at home. Whether it be eating that Kit Kat calling for me through the vending machine, despite the fact that I've already had four Kit Kats that week, or taking a break from homework and watching some Netflix, there are always times in my life where I try to step aside from all the expectations and burdens and see the bigger picture. For instance, I am completely guilty of freaking out before tests, quizzes, or anything of that nature even though I'm confident I will do well. I spend so much time anxiously mulling over the possibilities of the outcomes of that test, but I forget that in ten years that test grade won't matter at all. Not only do I pressure myself, but there's also pressure coming from my family. Now, that's not to say that my family isn't super supportive of my happiness and everything I do, but they have always expected great things from me, and when I'm afraid I can't meet those expectations, stress overrides my brain. When I find myself in a state of dread, I take a break and do something that's actually fun, like baking some cupcakes or texting my friends to rant about how stressed I am (this seriously does help). In addition to doing small actions for myself, I think it’s important that I seek advice and help when I'm having problems, instead of stifling my feelings because of the constant fear of annoying people with my issues in life.
I've always been one to complain and vent to my friends and family when I'm going through tough times. Some may say that’s obnoxious and bothersome, but I honestly believe expressing how I feel has made me so much happier and more stress-free. If I ever start thinking that I’m just putting more weight on my friend’s shoulders by telling them about my problems, I try to remember that my friends truly do care about my life and want to help me. There is no reason to worry about hurting them in some way by expressing my feelings; that’s what friends are for. Taking a break from the chaos of life and focusing on what makes me happy is something that not only gets me through the day, but also makes me look forward to the rest of my life. Amidst the confusion and hubbub of high school, it’s important that I forget all the expectations of being a student and spend time expanding my contentment. Although I am a strong believer of working hard and considering how my actions affect others, I'm an even stronger believer of taking time in my life to worry about my own happiness, rather than someone
else's.