Here's a weird thought: Having a significant other isn't what your entire life depends on. I know! It's a little crazy, but just stick with me here.
I have seen a lot of my friends go through this phase where they are all upset because they think that they will never fall in love. They genuinely think that, and they think that simply because they aren't in a serious relationship right this second. I'm sure a lot of the people reading this have had this thought from time to time. I know I have.
Look, I spent almost all of high school being single. I know that doesn't seem like much, but it felt like a lot then. Seeing all the cute couples dancing at prom, all the girls wearing their boyfriends' football jerseys on Fridays, all of the Valentine's Day flowers and candies. I never had a boyfriend to take to prom and I never had a jersey to wear and I never had a secret admirer delivery on Valentine's Day. That weighs on a girl's heart.
But, honestly, after getting over all that mushy-gushy bull crap, I had so much fun. I never had to worry about having so many guy-friends and making my boyfriend jealous. I never had to worry about a lot of dance plans, because I always just brought a friend. During football season, I never felt obligated to watch the game (let's be honest, I wouldn't have watched it anyway...) and just talked and laughed with my band friends instead. I spent way more time with my actual friends in high school than the other girls who had boyfriends did. I made so many memories.
And best of all, I never questioned myself. I never went through a big breakup or heartbreak or abusive relationship. I tried new things, new activities, met new people. I had nothing to hold me back when picking a career or college (not that I would have been held back by anyone anyway). I got to just focus on being my best self.
When I went to college, I somehow ended up getting into a relationship within two months of being there, right when a lot of my high school friends were ending their's. Almost two years later, we're still together and I've never been happier.
But I haven't lost the confidence I built up over my time being single.
Far too often, we think that we are not complete without our "other half." This just isn't true. I am a whole person on my own, and so are you. No one should ever be saddened by the fact that they are single. Go out there and make memories with the people in your life and travel and experience the world! Your future relationships are probably out there anyway. But never lose sight of who you are, because you cannot truly love someone else until you learn to love yourself.
