I am 22 years old. And I can say with confidence that I have never had a relationship with someone to the point that I would call them my "girlfriend." Don't get me wrong, I've gone to prom/homecoming, I've had my first kiss, etc. but I didn't feel as though any of those experiences really came close to what I see myself having in the future.

I used to be incredibly upset about why I saw my friends and their significant others being happy and joyful, but when I looked at myself, I was just the kid in the corner eating potato chips--cause you know, chips are rad. However, since I started at Valley Forge, I've more or less come to terms with being single. Now, I'm not saying that I don't get lonely or bored or upset that I'm by myself, because I do and I'm dealing with that, but what I am saying is that it gets better after a while.

So, with that said, here are a few tips from a perpetually single guy. Hopefully they're insightful and can help you out.

1. Being Single Isn't Bad

Now, as I said in the last paragraph, I used to get upset because I was alone, both physically and relationally. Being alone is not always bad. For me in particular, this past semester I was able to focus on my classes so well that I had the best grades that I've ever gotten in my entire education--yes, even including elementary school.

Being somewhat alone can help people focus on all sorts of things--art, music, grades, research, you name it. In times where I felt that I was so alone that all I could do is lay in bed and mope; that was bad. But, I learned to utilize the time that I had to myself, and because of that, my spiritual life fluttered, my grades rose, and I even got to do some amazing art that I gifted to people--because that's what I do.

2. If You Seriously Want It, It'll Come

The desires of our hearts are there so that we have something to strive for. Obviously, it's different for different people, but in this case, we're gonna stick with the relationship bit.

For example, I want to be married super bad. A couple little kids running around, white picket fence, dog named Spot, the whole nine. And because I have that desire, I feel more compelled to make it happen. So, if its something that you seriously want, it'll happen, maybe not in your timing, but it will happen.

3. Don't Grasp At Everything

Grasping at every opportunity can end up hurting people that you love, it can end up taking someone else's chance away from them. You wouldn't want to do that, would you? I know I wouldn't.

I learned this the hard way. I found that when I went hard for what I wanted in the wrong timing, it didn't work and good people ended up getting hurt in the process. Basically, what I'm saying is to chill out and let things run their course. If it's meant to happen, then by golly, it'll happen.

I hope that this was a little bit helpful. I also hope that if you're someone who was like me, being discontent with being alone, that you can listen to what I had to say above and try to be a little more lenient with yourself, and with your loved ones.