settle: to accept or agree to (something that one considers to be less than satisfactory).

It's been awhile since you've been on a date or maybe your mom asks every other day if you're seeing anyone. Whatever it is, you're beyond over "just being patient". That horrid phrase that all your friends think is so encouraging, but in reality, only further angers you about your very apparent singleness.

But then, for no logical reason at all, some random acquaintance or guy at the club pays attention to you and it's like the freaking heavens open up. Finally, the attention you deserve, the attention you've been waiting for! And then he asks you out on a date and all you can think about is making sure that this leads to a relationship because you've waited so long and, and... Okay, girl, slow your roll! Ask yourself these questions: do you like him or the attention he gives you? Do you imagine being able to spend time with him, no matter what you're doing? Is he really boyfriend material or just someone to fill the spot? Don't settle for anyone, just so you can have someone. All it leads to is confusion and unnecessary heartbreak. There is a guy or girl out there for all of us, it just may not happen where or when we expect it to.

Settling to me is ridiculous, what's the point of dating someone if you don't truly like them? The so-called 'honeymoon' stage will eventually come to an end and you'll have to continue the relationship without all the constant reassurance and persistent devotion. I see it all the time; we get so wrapped up in the exciting, newness of a relationship that we fail to see whether it could work when that feeling passes. That's why you should make sure that you truly like someone instead of just settling for them.

On the other hand, we have girls and guys who find someone and just stay with them because they've been with them forever. I kid you not, there have been multiple occasions where I've asked my friends why they're still with their significant others and they've responded with, "We've just been together so long, ya know?" No, I don't know. Last time I checked, I don't continue to date someone just because I've been with them for an extended period of time. I mean maybe it'd be a little different if they were totally relationship goals and they truly enjoyed being together. But if you're obviously unhappy in a relationship - end it. You see, fighting sometimes is normal; fighting all the time is not. Feeling insecure or stressed out over everything your significant other does is a big blinking sign that's telling you to break up with them. I'm not saying it's easy, to be completely honest, it might just be one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do. However, you'll feel better once you start telling yourself the truth about your relationship.

Author and monk Thomas Merton once said "the biggest human temptation is to settle for too little" and I truly believe that stems from what we think we deserve. So ladies don't settle for a prince when you obviously deserve a king. And guys settle in, settle down, but never ever settle.