I see it all the time—people posting pictures on social media of their significant others with captions like, “Lunch date with my other half,” or “You’re my whole world.” Sure, this makes for a cute Instagram post, but what is it really saying about you?

If someone is your whole world, then nothing else matters to you. Your entire life revolves around that person. Your friends, family, education, career, health—none of that is important to you now?

I hope that neither of these things are true.

A relationship is a bond between two complete individuals—each with their own heart, soul and life. You were not born as half a person, destined to spend your life searching until you find the person who makes you whole. You can be strong, independent and whole with or without a relationship. Your significant other should complement and strengthen you, not complete you. A relationship doesn’t need to be earth-shattering and all-consuming and it definitely shouldn’t define who you are. Truly loving someone doesn’t require sacrificing any part of your self, and letting a relationship swallow up your identity as an individual is a big no-no.

via theambitionista.com

While it’s okay to make someone a priority in your life, it's important to recognize that the relationship should not the be-all, end-all. The world has a lot to offer when you don’t let it completely revolve around one person. Your significant other is a part of your life, NOT your entire world.

Your happiness and sense of self should not depend on another person. Sometimes life happens, and other people can’t always be there for you. Find happiness within yourself, and appreciate who you are as a person, because you’re already whole, complete and uniquely you, without anyone’s help at all.

“The purpose of a relationship is not to have another who might complete you, but to have another with whom you might share your completeness.” –Neal Donald Walsch