Upon hearing single girls explain why they aren't in relationships, I've heard a similar response far too many times- "Because I'm independent and don't need someone to complete me." While it's wonderful for one to be independent, and I completely agree that one doesn't need another person to complete them, I've never understood why being single is deemed as having independence while being in a relationship isn't. Why is the start of a relationship considered to be the end of one's self-reliance?

So, what exactly does it mean to be an independent person? If your relationship status doesn't determine your self-reliance, then what does? Independence is not based on whether you are alone or not, but whether you can take care of yourself on your own.

I have been in a relationship for two and a half years now and, contrary to popular belief, have never felt any less independent than I did when I was single. I'm in my relationship not because I am "incomplete without another person" but because I simply enjoy being in it. Who says you can't be in a relationship and have independence at the same time? A relationship can bring a lot of happiness to one's life but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to rely on one for it.

Whether you're in a relationship or not, you should aim to be independent regardless. You are enough and should never feel like you need someone to fulfill who you are as an individual.

Single or not, you only need yourself to be complete.