I'm independent. I want love. I'm an independent person who wants love. For the longest time I never saw these two correlating. In my mind I had to get all of my independence out of my system before I would be able to settle down. As you can imagine, this didn't work well for me when trying to date. Anytime I would begin to get serious with someone, all the dreams I had for my life would flash before my eyes, and I would begin to panic. Before I knew it, I was breaking up with another incredible person, yet again, because I couldn't let someone "hold me back". Little did I know the only person holding me back, was myself.
You see, no matter how independent you are, no individual can hold you back from what you want if you don't let them. This was something I had to figure out for myself. After so many failed relationships and this hopeless image of myself being 50 years old before I was able to settle down, I was forced to do a little soul searching. Is it really so hard to find love, while also following your dreams? Not if it's the right love.
The right love, will not only allow you to follow your dreams, but will push you towards them. They will encourage you, uplift you, and understand that you have to do what you have to do. Whether these are plans you need to do on your own, or are able to bring someone along with you, the right love will be there no matter what.
Since I was little I dreamed of moving to the big city, traveling the world, doing this and doing that. Because I had made these dreams in my head for so long, I pictured doing them by myself. I never believed I could get someone involved because it didn't feel right to drag someone along with dreams that weren't their own. Not only that, but I was comfortable with my plan of going at it alone, not having to worry about anyone else. What I realized though, is that with the right person, these dreams become so much more than I ever imagined them to be on my own. They become dreams I know I could have done on my own, but instead am able to enjoy the presence of someone I love while doing the things that I love.
The important thing is to stay true to yourself and your dreams, no matter how much you love someone. It's okay for plans to change, and they most likely will. You will change your dreams because of what someone else wants, but only to an extent that you're okay with. You make the choices for your own life. In the end, a healthy relationship is one where two independent people make a deal to help each other become the best version of themselves. Your dreams are important, they are a part of you. The exciting thing is realizing someone else's dreams and helping make each other's dreams that much better.
