I want to die with my name being known–remembered. I want an everlasting legacy, to be great and never weak. I want to live my life to its fullest potential and leave something behind that inspires generations to come. I want to make a difference in this world, to prove that I mattered and that I didn’t waste my time. Or so I thought.

The rise of social media and celebrity culture has influenced teens all over the world. The idea of being ‘famous’ or a ‘celebrity’ consumes the mind of all. The need to be someone and be the best is a goal that sits at the top of our heads. But what if I’m not the best? And maybe I don’t want to be.

Next year I will be a senior in high school. As I begin to think of colleges and reflect on my grades I have come to a, perhaps, unfortunate realization. I am average. I’m not the most athletic, I’m not the best violinist, I’m not the best writer, and I’m definitely not the smartest. Despite this, I try my best and I know that just because I’m average doesn’t mean I’m failing. It means that I’m human. Not all eight billion of us can be great and that’s okay. I am proud of the person I’ve become. I have goals and a set of strengths that is unique to me. No one else is me and I take pride in that.

When I was younger, I strove to be special, different from the rest and in a way better. To have the teacher use my tests or writing as an example for other students felt like a badge of honor as if a light was shining on the podium, in which I stood at the top. To keep my motivation high, I would compare myself with other students, trying to be as smart as them, but I never was. Even though I continued to get good grades I knew that I wouldn’t get to their level.

While I have my whole life ahead of me, I have painted a clear picture in my head of who I want to be. I don’t need to be seen as the smartest or greatest to live my best life. I want to be known as a good person and remembered for my values, not my test scores. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an average Joe. Accepting that every person is different and special in their own way is the key to a content life. Being less harsh and judgmental on yourself while noting your significance is the path to true fulfillment. Life isn’t a competition where only the best matters, it’s a never-ending race where you can always stop and pick yourself up again. To make great friendships, pursue what brings you joy and be happy with yourself is a greater feat than what any ‘fame’ could bring.

I still want to be special and remembered but in a different way. To be an honest friend, a person with good morals and have a welcoming personality, is how I will live my life. I don’t think I will be attending any Ivy League University or have a million Instagram followers and that’s okay. I will still study hard and aim at what success means to me. After all, I am only one star in a galaxy filled with countless others.