I’m going through a lot of changes in my life right now — newly single, new job, new friends. I’m beginning to figure out that life is about what you love, not what anyone else expects of you. As long as no one else is negatively affected by your actions, go ahead and throw yourself into whatever it is you’re passionate about, whether it’s working out or binge-watching My Little Pony. In the end, knowing you didn’t stray from your true values will help you handle the outcome, whether it’s good or bad.

It took me a while to embrace that I could be passionate about whatever I wanted. For a while, I felt like I needed to be just like everybody else, but now I’ve figured out that my quirks and interests are what make me who I am. Aww.

I’m a nerd. Not one of those “look at me, I’m wearing a Doctor Who shirt and 3-D glasses with the lenses popped out” nerd. I’m one of those “I love fantasy and sci-fi novels and shows and I spent seven years of my life obsessively playing World of Warcraft and hiding my secret lame life from my friends and family” nerds.

It took me a long time to feel comfortable putting that side of myself out there. I’m jealous when I see how naturally it comes to other people. For me, being who I am was hard at first. But as I meet more unique people, I’m realizing even though it’s scary, people will like me more for being myself. Some of the most outgoing people are the ones you remember most.

I went to see a free showing of “Frozen” in Wells Hall with a few friends a while ago and a girl in the back of the theater belted out every song at the top of her lungs throughout the entire movie. I can’t say I enjoyed the background vocals, but I was impressed that she had the shiny brass balls to put herself out there in a theater full of people who were staring and laughing at her.

I’ll admit, a share of the laughs were mine, but I believe that girl could teach all of us a thing about being true to ourselves.

I’ve noticed hard work combined with the ability to accept who you really are is what helps most of us achieve success. It’s important to be comfortable in your own skin, and putting yourself out there, although challenging at times, can help you become successful, even if you’re overcoming major obstacles. As important as self-expression and having fun is, this success often requires work. No one ever did anything great sitting in their comfort zone.

For example, I actually really hate the process of sitting down and writing, yet here I am. I had never been a reporter before this semester, but when I got hired at The State News, I was thrown into that role. Sometimes it’s hard to motivate myself to finish an assignment, but I know it will be worth it in the end.

Don’t get me wrong, I love writing. In fact, it’s one of the things that has helped me get over a recent breakup. But I’m the kind of person who leaves everything to the last minute and wastes hours beforehand dreading the work at hand. I seriously had about a week to write this, but here I am three hours before deadline. Woops.

However, even though the act of putting my thoughts into coherent sentences on paper is weirdly frustrating, it’s worth it 10 times over when I get to see my finished work and my name in the paper.

Here’s another classic example. I have a friend who was third in the state for some sprinting event, I think the 100-meter or something. That’s how track is measured, right?

Anyway, for two years in high school he woke up at 5 a.m. every single day to lift weights, went to track practice after school and went to a personal trainer before going home to do homework. He took every advanced placement class his school offered. Did he miss out on a social life? Maybe. But he was doing what he loved. And that kind of dedication meant he got exceptionally good at what he did. He says he was a second away from Olympic time trials by his senior year in high school. By some sick twist of fate, MSU’s sprinting coach wouldn’t take him, he said.

That’s another thing; you could put your all into something and still fail, because nothing is completely in your control. However, the fact that you were being yourself and did something you loved helps make some of those setbacks worth it.

Emily Jenks is a State News reporter. Reach her at ejenks@statenews.com.