The start of a new year usually allows us to reflect on the memories of the past year and to hope for better ones in the future. Whatever your relationship status may be at the start of 2018, don't forget your worth and know what you deserve out of a relationship. To my friends finding love and to my friends in the process of trying to find that special someone, I write this to you:

Dear Friend,

The easiest thing to have at the start of any relationship is effort. However, with our generation, there seem to be flaws and false connotations of what this means...all this means is putting in the time for your significant other and making them feel special. Compliments aren’t needed everyday, but it’s nice to know your significant other notices sometimes. We are under these expectations that by effort comes fancy dinners, exquisite dates and an empty wallet at the end of a night. All of this is false. Effort can come in the smallest of ways- yet it is so forgotten through a long period of being with someone else. If someone wants to be with you, effort should come naturally. Do not settle for someone that puts in less effort than you, please.

As a friend, I want you to have someone that truly sees all the great qualities that I see in you and have found from our friendship. You are a beautiful person and you deserve this effort. You deserve a compliment, a text first and to be shown off. Also, make sure to give back the effort. Relationships aren't easy, I know, but I hope you find someone that is willing to put in the effort to choose you and to be your support when you need it most every day.

Next is knowing what you deserve. Do not settle for a cyber relationship (where most of your time spent together is through texting), someone who can't even bother to respond back to you or to someone who won't make the effort to see you. Know your worth in a relationship and don't lose sight of your own personal boundaries and expectations. Do not settle my friend... settling for texts instead of hanging out, settling for "I don't know what do you want to do?" instead of "Hey let's do this," and settling for someone who puts in less effort than you are. You are worthy of more than this. Don't ignore the red flags and have confidence in yourself to put yourself out there as long as it's being reciprocated.

In 2018, for all my friends that will put themselves out there for the chance of finding someone special, don't lose sight of what you want and what you deserve. All of you are so unique and so special in so many ways, and someone is going to see that and love that about you. Anything great is worth waiting for. Guard your heart, but do not give up. Another year comes with more opportunities to find love.