For twenty-one crazy awesome years, I have lived "As Single as a Pringle."

I came out of the womb solo and have remained that way ever since!

I never deemed it an issue until I turned twenty-one; suddenly it seemed as though everyone (and their grandmothers) was concerned about my lack of a love life.

I felt as though they feared there would be no men left in the universe for me if I didn't act immediately.

However, questions about my dating status are not really the ones I find most problematic. I want to shed light on some truly intrusive questions that people have unknowingly thrown my way.

Here is a short list of "offenders" that I received from people when I recently took a semester off:

“I heard you are taking a semester off , what happened!!!!?

“Will you ever go back?”

"What do your parents think? Are they mad?"

"Don't you want a college degree?"

"Did you have a bad breakup?"

Until you reach a place in your life where all your confidence has been shattered and you feel as if there is no way you can move forward -- then you might not be able to understand how invasive and upsetting questions like these can be.

What is it with our culture that we are so great at selective listening, but we fail to actually listen or see the signs when we overstep our boundaries with others?

I don't know. I don't have all the answers. But I do know that I am making it a priority in my life to gain back my privacy. To learn that I do not owe anyone an explanation. That my personal life can remain personal as long as I want!

I have done research online, as well as asking some of my friends how they deal with nosey people. Here is what they offered me:

"I am not comfortable sharing or discussing that."

"I don't know."

Or, as someone suggested, turn the tables on the person:

"Why do you need to know?

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

To end my rant of the week, let's just agree that we don't need to know everyone's business.

You have the right to protect yourself, to protect your privacy and well-being.

Sending peace, love, and light your way,

- e.e