Since I am a young, college student, one of the most common questions I am asked is if I have a boyfriend or a guy that I'm "talking to."

Any time a name that sounds like it belongs to a guy is mentioned in a conversation the automatic response is,

Why can't I have any male friends without them being considered a "romantic interest?" I have more things going on in my life other than the pursuit of finding a boyfriend.

I want to have a career, enjoy my "twenties," and travel before I settle down.

Some of my friends mention wanting to be engaged by the end of college and that their lives would "be over" if it doesn't happen. I cannot imagine being married at such a young age! (No offense if you married young; sometimes it works, but at this point, it is not the option for me.)

Yet, society focuses on "why doesn't she have a boyfriend?" In today's society as a young woman who has never had a boyfriend (let alone been out on an actual date), I am looked at as "damaged goods." People say, "There has to be some reason why it hasn't happened for you yet. Maybe you should change how you __________."

If I change how I do/act/think then, this guy isn't really dating me, is he?

When I'm with my other single friends, we often find ourselves (jokingly) saying, "We need to find boyfriends." We mean it as a joke, but there is still a level of reality in this statement. Almost all of our peers are either "talking," dating, or in some other form of a relationship and whether they mean to or not, pressure us (single people) into finding someone to date.

Things people have actually said to me, upon finding out that I've never had a boyfriend:

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. You must be so lonely."

"No one? Like never? Are you not allowed to date?"

"Are you sure that you've never even been kinda in a relationship?"

"I'm sure that someone would go out with you."

Maybe I could set you up with __________. He's a bit of a recluse, but I think you'd like him!"

"Can I make you a Tinder?"

"You just have to talk to people."

"Oh, just go to a party and get picked up by someone."

I am not lonely. I have plenty of friends that I can hang out with. I don't think that I am so desperate at age 19 that I need to throw myself at any guy that will pay attention to me.

I don't want to be "picked up by someone" at a party (I've heard how most of those "relationships" end and I am not interested.)

Despite the "Strong, Independent Woman, Who Doesn't Need A Man" movement, society still pressures me into feeling bad because I am not in a relationship.

Up until the past few years, the media showed that most relationships occurred because the girl is in trouble, the guy comes to save her, they fall in love and live happily ever after. Everyone gets their fairytale ending at a young age.

Sorry, princess, but the real world doesn't work that way.

I'm taking my time in this part of my life. I am in no hurry to find a boyfriend and settle down. There is no problem with being independent. Let me fulfill what I want to do in life before I settle down.

So please, please, please stop asking me if I've found a man yet. If it's meant to happen, it will. On its own time.