Wait, what? Yes, I am going to tell you how to be selfish because I think that a lot of people don’t know when it is proper to be selfish. I have learned to become a little more selfish. Now, I am not saying that you should do everything for yourself and ignore the people in your life but I am saying that you should be able to take out time for yourself without having to worry about what other people will think.

You know what I did today? I worked, did fittings (for costumes), and then left. Instead of working a little more I decided to take some time out of my busy schedule and pick me.

I think that I give a lot. When someone needs me and I just come back from a long day into my room I will meet someone. You want me to go into a four hour rehearsal on the drop of the dime? Sure. However, I have a few rules when it comes to being selfish and I make sure that I am not being too selfish. I choose to only go our until I take a shower. Once I take a shower, I am done for the night unless something happens like a fire alarm or a real accident. I give so much to people that when I want some isolation from a world of taking I think it is time for me to take it.

So what can you do to know if you are being selfish without coming off too selfish:

You are there…all the time. You should be able to do what you want outside of your work. Your lunch break? You don’t have to eat with anyone, you can go somewhere without your nosy coworkers. You shouldn’t have to explain why you are going somewhere during your time.

When you have way too much on your plate. I am designing a show and I honestly don’t have the time to hang out or work long, long hours like I used to. If I want to get my homework done in timely fashion and get some sleep I have to leave at a time that I can get things done. So with homework, a production, and also having some semblance of a social life.

You are allowed to choose your friends. Do you have friends but no time? If you really need it and you can adjust it into your schedule you can be selfish and leave work early or take the weekend off. You should be able to balance all of that pent up stress with friends and happiness.

Most important: Never feel like you are hurting someone’s feelings. There is a fine line between really hurting someone’s feelings. They should be able to understand the need to get away from the world and just enjoy life. Imagine a world where you had to live together with people and never have a lonely moment. You would just depend on others.

-Fleeting Mermaid

I hope that this helps everyone!