I have many people that claim I play hard to get.

The truth is, I don't waste my time replying to messages from guys that I know will go nowhere. I don't play around with other peoples' feelings just because they're convenient. I don't give a lot of men the time of day and that is not because I play hard to get. It is because I am hard to get.

I don't say that lightly, either. I don't say it because I think I am made of pure gold and untouchable. I am not saying it out of conceitedness. I say it because I have a heart to protect, a life to live, liberating independence, and a future that isn't worth risking.

I am hard to get because the only taste of love I have had was tainted with toxicity. I learned young what an unhealthy relationship felt like and how that will always stay with you. I was the person who was put on the back burner while he played around with other women, found himself, and ended up finding the love of his life. I experienced the pain, the resentment, and the hate. I am not bitter, anymore, of that fact that's how the story played out. I am very thankful because it showed me what I don't want in my life. It gave me the opportunity to heal from the hurt, become a better woman, and realize that my time is precious and it will not be spent on someone like that again. It taught me that no person is worth my happiness.

I am hard to get because I have so many dreams and aspirations that don't involve any man. I want to travel the world and experience the variety of cultures. I want to meet new people and know that extraordinary people exist. I want to become one of those extraordinary people. My dream has never been to get married, settle down, and become comfortable. There is nothing wrong with that life but that is not what I want right now. I have had this burning fire within me that always pushed me to find my complete self before trying to find someone else. I will only allow someone to enter my life that will do nothing other than compliment who I am as a person, build me up, and grow with me. That person has to understand that I will not slow down, burn out, or put my aspirations on hold for them. They have to understand that I will put 110% of myself into them only when I know they are willing to do the same.

I am hard to get because my mother taught me to be my own person before anybody else's. She taught me that I am a fierce, brave, worthy woman. I was raised to never chop myself down to make someone else feel higher than me. I will not become less of a person to make a man notice me. I do not fit into boxes, molds, or cookie cut outs. I need a man like a fish needs a bicycle. I need myself to always grow, be better, and be happy. I can be happy, independent, and satisfied without anyone else.

Lastly, I am hard to get because my future is precious. I have one life to live and that will not be wasted on afternoon fights, Sunday tears, and questioning my worth. My life will be spent furthering my career and strengthening my body and soul. I will not settle because I am alone. I will live this life that has been given to me in the most powerful way possible. I will try to help as many people as I can, I will fight for what I think is right, and I will always strive for happiness. If my future ends up involving someone, then I will accept that person with open arms.

At the end of the day, I know what kind of person I am. I am a person who offers unwavering support. A woman who protects her own like a lion and its' den. I would walk through hell and back for the right person and I will wait for that person because I know when I find that person, he will be worth all of this patience. He will be worth every moment I took to become the person I am so that way I could be the person he was waiting for, as well.