While it's true that most young relationships are not made to last, that doesn't necessarily mean they are a waste of time. My parents got married in their early twenties, a scandalous move even in their generation.
As a result, serious relationships were always discouraged growing up. In fact, many people my age are constantly being told that we will look back on our time spent in failed relationships with regret. Many feel like that time would have been better spent making friendships and memories with non-romantic counterparts. I, however think that could not be more wrong.
Any time spent with someone who makes you feel happy is valuable. Whether or not a relationship ends in marriage or any other form of happily ever after is irrelevant. Each relationship we come across teaches us something new about love, people, and even ourselves. Even if the people we date exit our lives forever, we hold on to the warm memories and painful truths we gained from those experiences.
As a young adult, I often get the sense that my generation is relationship-phobic. We don't want to be tied down or limited in the prime of our youth, and while that is a rational view, it cannot be the only one. Just because now might not be the ideal time to meet your future spouse, doesn't mean we should completely rule it out as a possibility. We focus too much on the negatives of monogamy; the restrictions, the responsibilities, the "end of our wild days" and not enough of the best part: being loved. Love does not have to be a scary word to be avoided like the plague or become the deal-breaker for a relationship. If we let ourselves relax and enjoy it, it can be beautiful, full of laughter and happiness.
Even relationships that end in a disaster are worth having. I truly believe that heartbreak has made me stronger and lets me know that I can survive anything. The more relationships you experience, the more you realize that you were just fine before one came along, and will eventually be fine again. Between the cynicism, slut-shaming, and easy access to options in this day and age (cough Tinder), finding relationships can be tough. I believe if we took the term "dating" less seriously, people could be more open about going on dates and enjoying the genuine human connection.
My point here is: lighten up people! Live your life with no regrets, because being with a person who makes you happy and having new experiences is always time well spent.
