Why I Need And Want To Be Single

Why I Need And Want To Be Single

As the great G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha would say, "It's just me, myself and I."
Hannah Krietemeyer
Hannah Krietemeyer May 24, 2016
172
views

“Don’t you want to be in a relationship?” or “Aren’t you lonely?” are common questions I get from family and friends. Well family and friends, the truth is that I don’t want to be in relationship. I actually like being single. Sure it would be nice having someone buying me stuff all of the time, have someone to talk to 24/7, have someone to go on cute dates with all of the time and especially to have someone I can call mine. Yes, that would be nice. But right now, I think I need to be single. The last couple of relationships haven’t been "great," but they showed me one thing: I need to find myself.

I’m sure tons of people have heard that phrase before, but I realized that it is very true. First, I need to find out what type of guy is good for me. At first, I thought I had "a type," but I realized the type that I wanted wasn’t the one that was going to make me happy. I know that it could take a long time to find the right type of man for me, but I’m young and all I have is time. College really is the time to experiment (no, not in that way), but date different kinds of guys until I find what, or who, I really like. Secondly, I need to know me. I need to find my likes and dislikes. Usually, we already know our dislikes, but it takes so much longer to find what we like and much longer to find what we like in a possible boyfriend or girlfriend. I have a good idea about what I don’t like right now, but of course that will change. However, I have no idea what I do like though. It's difficult not to be influenced by other couples, their relationships and what society says you should like in a guy or girl. These opinions aren't what's important. I know now that I need to find myself. Once I do that, I can find happiness with another person.

I’m in college and there are a lot of fish in the sea, but I’m not ready to dive into the big blue. After coming out of a relationship, it is weird to go back to being one person and feeling slightly alone, but that’s the first thing I needed. I needed to be alone and I needed to have time to myself. Of course, this gave way to finishing many Netflix shows and that’s only the beginning. I realized how much I depended on the other person to do things for me, and, not only do I feel bad for doing that to them, I feel that I need to hold myself accountable from now on. I also realized that I needed to shift my focus from guys and dating to school and working; I know this is not ideal, but it worked. I got my GPA higher than last semester and I’ve been earning more money. My co-workers most likely think that I’m a total dud, but not spending money on makeup and clothes for dates and saving it for school seems a little bit smarter right now.

But I have to say one of the biggest reasons I choose to stay single is, I want to. It’s my decision. Why do I need a boyfriend? I didn’t know there were rules that girls always have to have a boyfriend. I’m choosing this lifestyle because I like it, I can do whatever I want, I can talk to whoever I want, I can go wherever I want and I can be myself. I don’t have this small fear inside me anymore of having to be a certain person for someone else. I don’t feel like I have to look a certain way, if the right guy comes along then he is going to like me for me, not the material reasons. I am a woman who can make my own conscious decisions and I choose to be single.

Of course, I hope that I won’t be single for too long, but if that’s what it takes to find my true happiness then so be it. This is supposed to be the most exciting time of my life and I want to take full advantage of that and have fun. Finding myself and who I am is my goal, I want to be able to have a meaningful relationship with a guy. I don’t want to have the drama that comes along with juvenile relationships anymore, I want to be able to have something real with a guy who wants the same thing. I don’t want to worry about relationships or guys all the time anymore, of course I look, but I’ll let him chase.

Cover Image Credit: Photo For Beginners
Hannah Krietemeyer
Hannah Krietemeyer May 24, 2016
At Charleston Southern University

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Why High School Musicals Should Be As Respected As Sports Programs Are

The arts are important, too.
Duffy Zimmerman
Duffy Zimmerman Mar 20, 2017
300164
views

When I was in middle school and high school, I felt like I lived for the musicals that my school orchestrated.

For those of you who don't know, a musical is an onstage performance wherein actors take on roles that involve singing, and often dancing, to progress the plot of the story. While it may sound a little bit nerdy to get up in front of an audience to perform in this manner, this is something you cannot knock until you try it.

For some reason, though, many public schools have de-funded arts programs that would allow these musicals to occur, while increasing the funding for sports teams. There are a few things that are being forgotten when sports are valued more than musical programs in high schools.

Much like athletic hobbies, an actor must try-out, or audition, to participate in a musical. Those best suited for each role will be cast, and those who would not fit well are not given a part. While this may sound similar to trying out for say, basketball, it is an apples to oranges comparison.

At a basketball try-out, those who have the most experience doing a lay-up or shooting a foul shot will be more likely to succeed, no questions asked. However, for an audition, it is common to have to learn a piece of choreography upon walking in, and a potential cast member will be required to sing a selected piece with only a few days of preparation.

There are many more variables involved with an audition that makes it that much more nerve-racking.

The cast of a school musical will often rehearse for several months to perfect their roles, with only several nights of performance at the end. Many sports practice for three or four days between each of their respective competitions. While this may seem to make sports more grueling, this is not always the case.

Musicals have very little pay-off for a large amount of effort, while athletic activities have more frequent displays of their efforts.

Athletes are not encouraged to but are allowed to make mistakes. This is simply not allowed for someone in a musical, because certain lines or entrances may be integral to the plot.

Sometimes, because of all the quick changes and the sweat from big dance numbers, the stage makeup just starts to smear. Despite this, an actor must smile through it all. This is the part of musicals that no sport has: introspection.

An actor must think about how he or she would respond in a given situation, be it saddening, maddening, frightening, or delightful. There is no sport that requires the knowledge of human emotion, and there is especially no sport that requires an athlete to mimic such emotion. This type of emotional exercise helps with communications and relationships.

Sports are great, don't get me wrong. I loved playing volleyball, basketball, track, and swimming, but there were no experiences quite like those from a musical. Sports challenge the body with slight amounts of tactic, while musicals require much physical and mental endurance.

The next time you hear someone say that it's “just a musical," just remember that musicals deserve as much respect as sports, since they are just as, if not more demanding.

Cover Image Credit: Cincinnati Arts
Duffy Zimmerman
Duffy Zimmerman Mar 20, 2017
At The State University of New York at Stony Brook

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10 Shows To Watch If You're Sick Of 'The Office'

You can only watch it so many times...

Emma Stover
Emma Stover Feb 15, 2019
497
views

"The Office" is a great show, and is super easy to binge watch over and over again! But if you're like me and you're looking for something new to binge, why not give some of these a try? These comedies (or unintentional comedies) are a great way to branch out and watch something new.

1. "New Girl"

A show about a group of friends living in an apartment in a big city? Sound familiar? But seriously, this show is original and fresh, and Nick Miller is an icon.

2. "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"

Ya'll have been sleeping on this show. It's a musical comedy about a girl that follows her ex boyfriend across the country. I thought it sounded horrible so I put it off for WAY too long, but then I realized how incredible the cast, music, writing, and just EVERYTHING. It really brings important issues to light, and I can't say too much without spoiling it. Rachel Bloom (the creator of the show) is a woman ahead of her time.

3. "Jane the Virgin"

I know... another CW show. But both are so incredible! Jane The Virgin is a tongue-in-cheek comedy and parody of telenovelas. It has so many twists and turns, but somehow you find yourself laughing with the family.

4. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been in popular news lately since its cancellation by Fox and sequential pickup by NBC. It's an amazing show about cops in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Created by the amazing Michael Schur, it's a safe bet that if you loved "The Office" you'll also love his series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine".

5. "The Good Place"

Another series created by the talented Micael Schur, it's safe to say you've probably already heard about this fantasy-comedy series. With a wonderful cast and writing that will keep you on your toes, the show is another safe bet.

6. "Fresh Off The Boat"

Seriously, I don't know why more people don't watch this show. "Fresh Off The Boat" focuses on an Asian family living in Orlando in the mid 90s. Randall Parks plays a character who is the polar opposite of his character in "The Interview" (Yeah, remember that horrifying movie?) and Constance Wu is wonderful as always.

7. "Full House"

Why not go back to the basics? If you're looking for a nostalgic comedy, go back all the way to the early days of Full House. If you're a '98-'00 baby like me, you probably grew up watching the Tanner family on Nick at Night. The entire series is available on Hulu, so if all else fails just watch Uncle Jesse and Rebecca fall in love again or Michelle fall off a horse and somehow lose her memory.

8. "Secret Life of the American Teenager"

Okay, this show is not a comedy, but I have never laughed so hard in my life. It's off Netflix but it's still on Hulu, so you can watch this masterpiece there. Watch the terrible acting and nonsense plot twists drive this show into the ground. Somehow everyone in this school dates each other? And also has a baby? You just have to watch. It might be my favorite show of all time.

9. "Scrubs"

Another old show that is worth watching. If you ignore the last season, Scrubs is a worthwhile medical comedy about doctors in both their personal and medical life. JD and Turk's relationship is one to be jealous of, and one hilarious to watch. Emotional at times, this medical drama is superior to any medical drama that's out now.

10. "Superstore"

I was resistant to watch this one at first, because it looked cheesy. But once I started watching I loved it! The show is a workplace comedy, one you're sure to love if you can relate to working in retail. If you liked the Office, you'll like Superstore!

Emma Stover
Emma Stover Feb 15, 2019
At Eastern Michigan University

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