The new year is here, and with that comes the hopes of many to start a relationship and live happily ever after. Dating and being in love is fun and fulfilling for many, but sometimes, when you jump in too soon, it is the exact opposite.

It is so tempting to open yourself up to another person before you're truly content and aware of who you are as a person. Maybe your friends are in relationships, maybe you're feeling lonely and would give anything to have someone to love. All you want is to have a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry on, but if you aren't ready, it will more than likely lead to heartbreak like no other.

Before you commit yourself to someone else, take time, whether it be months or years, to figure yourself out. Read books, discover good music, align your political views, figure out your sense of style. Get to know yourself incredibly well; become your own best friend. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin and love yourself. This last step is undoubtedly the hardest, but with time and proper self-exploration, it will come.

Becoming your own unique person and learning to be content with that person is when you know for sure who you want to be surrounded by. You'll be able to seek out friends who complement your personality and you'll be able to find a person who is good for you to open up to.

I made the mistake of diving into the world of relationships too soon. I was not comfortable or confident, and all I wanted was to feel like I belonged. I wasted my time and I got my heart broken. I wish more than anything that I would have waited, because the person I am today is a person I am proud to be, and I am with someone who is just as proud of who I am.

Don't rush in and certainly don't settle. Spend time growing and becoming yourself. There is no one else quite like you, and once you come to that realization, the world (and the people in it) is your oyster.