Recently, I've seen an outcrop of articles pertaining to that future special someone we as young people, will meet and eventually marry. "An Open Letter to the Man that Will Love Me Forever", and "To The One That Loves Me Next." As I sat and read articles similar to ones I just named off, I felt this anxiety about my own future someone, but that anxiety quickly turned to frustration. The millennial generation, specifically the female gender, has this deep and longing desire for love, marriage, and a happily ever after...myself included. However, recently I have had a change in perspective.

What if...

Get this, it's a wild one...

We decided to love ourselves and chase after our own ambitions instead of hungrily pursuing that guy on tinder (I get it, it's a confidence boost. We've all been there.) Something I find so incredibly attractive is a man that has this drive and pursues his hopes and dreams with an unmatched tenacity. I can't help but feel that to the right guy, my ambition, love for certain causes, and the pursuit of my own hopes and dreams will be equally attractive to him too.

Let me say this in bold and capitals in case you either miss it or choose to not find truth in the following statement:

YOUR WORTH IS NOT DEFINED BY SOMEONE ELSE'S OPINION.

I happen to know an omnipotent being who made you so special and unique that he says your worth is more than rubies. Have you ever googled the average price of a ruby? Go check it out.

Fall in love with helping others, visiting new cultures and spending time with loved ones. Soak in the value of a moment because when we wish and anticipate the next best phase in our life to happen, we miss so much joy and beauty. Have you ever looked at a friend that you've known for years and thought, "Wow, who they are is pretty neat." I had that moment with a sweet friend of mine the other day when she sat up until the wee hours of the night (morning) trying to help me study (cram) for a test. This wild soul made up rhymes, compared definitions to outdated Britney Spears songs, and came up with weird hand gestures to help me remember material for the test. In that moment, I suddenly didn't feel so badly about not having "the one" and not knowing every twist and turn that will encompass my life. I was just thankful for that God-given moment when delirium was high but friendship was higher. I actually like the idea that my life isn't mapped out at the fresh age of 19. I don't know what my life will look like in 5 years and that is absolutely okay. After all, would we not be bored to tears if there were never curves or hiccups along the way? If I knew every detail of my future, I would miss the experience itself.

So party people, in the least cliched way possible, I urge you to take a quick look in the mirror and smile at how uniquely you you are (alright it sounded better and less self-helpy in my mind). Laugh until your gut aches about something no one else would care about. Dive head first into something you are passionate about, and then pursue it with an unparalleled rigor that would shock an unknowing passerby. Be kind and help others whenever possible, because as bad as you might have it...some poor fellow out there has it a lot worse. Love people for who they are, and cut yourself some slack.

Some of the best memories are made on accident. It's always after the moment becomes a memory that I recognize it's value. So, to quote Ted Mosby, "That's the funny thing about destiny: it happens whether you plan it or not. It turns out I was just too close to the puzzle to see the picture that was forming." Deep, I know.

So friends, plant your own garden and cultivate something so beautiful that it attracts others to you. Fall in love with yourself and figure out what you want before you go chasing someone else.

Oh, and eat cake and jog more. It's all about balance, amiright?

XOXO,

Han