Ahh… It’s that time of year again. When every CVS, Walgreens, and grocery store reminds you that the only way you’re getting any of those beautifully packaged chocolates is if you decide to get them for yourself. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bash Valentine's Day because, in all honesty, it’s a fun occasion where two love birds can set aside their busy schedules, and spend some non frowned upon mushy gushy quality time together. So if you are in a relationship this February 14th, awesome for you! I hope it works out. For those that are not, however, you’re the real winners.
Don’t get me wrong, there are good relationships and there are certainly bad ones, but every relationship has its flaws. I promise that I'm not an angry or biased single lady. I've been on both sides of the fence by spending half my college career in healthy relationship, but it definitely didn't compare to the single life I'm experiencing now. In case you’ve been out of the dating game for a while and are for some reason missing it, let me remind you of everything you are not missing out on.
You’re your only obligation
Relationships in college are tough because it’s the transition period into our adult lives, which most of us are already confused about. In our early 20’s, life is all about opportunity and risks. Having a significant other makes that window of opportunity that much smaller because we feel obligated to factor in another person's needs and wants into our plans. Independence is, in my opinion, the most important key to success.
A much better social life
Some say that being in a relationship shouldn’t and doesn’t affect one's social life, but I’m speaking from personal experience when I say it really does. Look at your past relationship(s), or even your friends' relationships. Who’s the life of the party? I guarantee the person you thought of is not in a relationship. Before a night out, single individuals are hit with this wave of possibility that allows them to go wherever the night takes them. We’re addicted to that possibility of adventure. It’s a potent drug that those in relationships don’t get the luxury of hitting. Your friends in relationships might occasionally agree to a night out and take shot after shot right by your side, but they’re usually just going through the motions to keep their social life somewhat intact. Before you know it, it’s 11 p.m. and they’re ready to go home, adventure-less with no stories to tell the next day. Not you, however.
No no drama
Just because we’re about to enter the real world doesn’t mean we’re mature. We don’t know how to be comfortable with our significant others having a drunken night out with their friends. The single life comes drama free with no worrying about what he or she is up to when you’re not with them. Our only thoughts are concerned with having a good time and living in the moment.
No regrets
I know this is redundant, but we’re in our 20’s! We’re too young to be certain about our future and what we want. In 10 years we’re going to be totally different people, with different ambitions and a different outlook on the world. We see people that look head over heals in love with their partner, and think that love and spark is forever, but the truth is…it probably isn’t. It might sounds cheesy, but I can’t imagine anything worse than investing months or even years missing out on making memories with your friends, for a love that isn’t eternal. We have the rest of our life to be in a committed relationship, but right now our main goal should be living with no regrets because we’ll never get these years back.
If you are in a relationship, and read this far, then I hope I didn’t encourage you to end it and make some questionable decisions. But I do hope you were able to refute everything I said, and justify why you should be in the relationship you’re in.
For those of you that are young, solo and fun, keep doing you, and don’t feel weird treating yourself to some chocolate and flowers this Valentine's Day, because us single people are awesome.