I don't think I've ever really let myself be alone. I don't know what to do with myself when I have the chance. I'll immerse myself in social media for hours to get away from my own thoughts.

It's easier to watch videos of babies covering "H.O.L.Y." by Florida Georgia Line than to put thought into my values, where they came from, or even if I am reaching the standards I hold everyone around me to.

I went into my freshman year of college dead set on staying away from relationships and anything to distract me from myself and my goals. About a month in I met someone. We'll be coming up on a year in about two weeks.

My boyfriend is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know. He's also one of the most independent, hard working, and more importantly the busiest person in the world. I come in at #2 in the busy world champions list.

I'm a sophomore in college, a theatre school major, a master electrician for a show, a sorority woman, part of a philanthropy team, part of the executive board for a club, I have three jobs, and I just became a Level 1 Kitty City volunteer at a local animal shelter.

Okay, so maybe sometimes I come in at #1. I've got a lot on my plate, but I've shifted from leaning on someone else for strength and started reflecting on how I handle my life. I love my boyfriend, and I love that my relationship gives me the space I need to experience the independence I need to grow up.

I'm awful at being by myself. I can't stand silence. I'm an ugly crier. I'm fantastic at procrastination. I am the queen of overthinking. And I discovered this all on my own. Congrats, right?

Being lonely is something that we were never really encouraged to talk about. There's a difference between wanting to be with someone and not wanting to be alone.

Spending time working on projects, reading, and observing alone has taught me more about me than I wasn't sure I'd ever figure out. The idea that there is someone else to complete you and help you figure out the rest is appealing, so much so because it's easier than doing the hard stuff on your own. It's hard to face what makes you, you.

Don't let the idea of being with someone turn into the hope of extinguishing loneliness. Use your own experience to find the things you didn't know you had. Be authentic, be present, be there for yourself.