You know those people who are always in a relationship? The minute they break up with one person, they are after another. I have known several people like that. It's like they haven't' been single since before middle school. These people are always bragging about their wonderful relationships and how their life is so great, until the break up happens. When the couple breaks up, normally the person who can't bear being single has a week to get over the break up, and then they find a new person to date. What about those couples who never break up? They have fights and downfalls but it's like they can't stand life without each other. No matter what could happen, they never leave each other. Both these outcomes sound great to a person who has been single most of their life, like me. Being single does have its benefits.

During your time being single, you find who you truly are. You learn your likes and dislikes by yourself. You have the journey of self discovery. I have been single most of my life. I have never had a relationship that has lasted more than a month. I have never had a serious relationship with anyone. But my relationship with myself is stronger than ever, I know myself more than anyone else knows me. I know how to be alone, and honestly I like being alone. Many people can't stand being alone; they always have to have someone around to talk to, but being by yourself for awhile gives you a sense of well being that many people don't have. You don't have to have people around to be happy. I stand up for myself more, because I know that I have no one else that will. I do what I want, when I want, because I don't have anything or anyone holding me back. Being single is a lifestyle choice for me. I feel wonderful and free being by myself with no commitment and contracts holding me back from what I love to do. I am focused on myself, and what I want in my life. I am focused on my career, my future, and my well being. Being single makes you reevaluate yourself, and can make you a better, well-rounded person in the end.

Being single can make you closer to your parents. I talk to my parents all the time. When I was younger and in a relationship, I felt like I never saw my parents; like my boyfriend would always drag me away from them. This would never make me feel comfortable, I am super close to my parents and being away from them, or not being able to talk to them, makes me horribly sad. I do not have a lot of close friends in my life, so having parents that are there for me is a good thing. My parents are my go-to people. Having a good relationship with your parents is something everyone should have. Your parents are there to love and support you, you should talk to them as much as you can.

Engaging in a relationship can hold you back. Being at the age where there are so many opportunities flying at your face, you have to be a person who takes those opportunities, because you may never get the chance to take them again. Traveling abroad, taking multiple majors or minors, getting out and joining a fraternity or sorority; these are all decisions that your significant other could hold you back from in college. College is a time when you should truly discover who you are, and what you want out of life. In some situations, having that significant other can hold you back from discovering your true capabilities and desires in life.

Taking a time-out in life is sometimes necessary. Quit your job, travel abroad, reevaluate your goals to make sure you were the same person you were before the relationship. Relationships can change a person, whether for the good or bad, they change you. A person doesn't walk in and out of a relationship unchanged. Every relationship shapes a person's life, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of your relationship and seeing it from a different view to realize if it is shaping you in a positive or negative way. Relationships that are negative tend to hold you back from living your life.

I think no matter who you are, single or taken, you should have a time in your life of self discovery. Try something new, meet different people, travel abroad, and expand your mind; these are all things that can lead you to new discoveries about yourself and what you want out of life. Sometimes, I think I have become too good at being single. I know it's the holidays, and it seems like everywhere you go, you see a couple. Stay strong, you don't need a relationship just because everyone else is in one.