When I was in elementary school, my mother always told me never to settle for mediocre grades. She reassured me that if I applied myself and gave it my all, the results would show in the end. With a beautiful combination of effort and trust, I graduated in the top percent of my high school class. With the burning desire to get into a wonderful college, I wouldn't have settled for less.

When I was finally making money and spoiling myself, my grandmother always showed me the importance of a dollar. Instead of wasting your hard earned money on poor quality, it was better to save it for the "real deal". Sure, a sale is a girl's best friend. Nonetheless, if the durable, stronger version is a little more, wait the time to work towards it. You don't want to settle for junk.

When I turned 21 and frequented going to bars, I was starting to tell the difference between cheap liquor and "top shelf". When it came to certain drinks and beverages, a part of me always threw down the cash to splurge on the better quality. If it was going in my body, I wanted the best. Settling for anything less is just not my cup of tea (or gin, in this matter).

When I started really dating, something seemed to morph my expectations. Instead of asking for the 'top shelf' boys, I settled for the barely labelled ones. I would hope for an "A+" guy, but accepted the "B-" and called it a day. I bought the fake Coach purse with the backwards "C".

I settled.

The dilemma today with dating is that we constantly feel like we aren't worth the real deal. This aura of “never being good enough” completely out shades the truth. We accept what we have, despite the fact that we are unhappy, because we believe we will never be tossed any better. This obsession with the idea of "love" allows us to take it from every corner that we can, even dusty, dark ones. Every lesson we were ever taught about having the best for us simply, somehow, doesn't apply anymore.

We don't believe that "perfect" is ever out there, but trust me, it is. It's out there, waiting to wrap you in its arms and fall asleep next to you. It is out there.

You may not believe in fairy tales or happily ever after, and you don't have to. The thing you need to realize is that even with love, we shouldn't ever settle just because of our comfort or insecurities. It's a hard thing to do, making better strides for a greater "me". But, trust me, it is worth the risk. It is worth the sacrifice. And it is worth the daggers and blows you will feel along the way. The happiest you is the best you. Why do we constantly want the best in everything, except when it comes to the person we dedicate our time to? The irony of the situation is comical in a way.

Is it easy? No. However, the worth of it all is the importance. Our lives are very small in this big world, so don't waste a second of it on something that isn't worth your time. Get that "A", save for that latest iPhone, and order that Bombay Sapphire gin. Oh! While you are at it, give your time to someone who absolutely deserves you and don't ever settle for less.