In a world where marriage is idolized as one of the biggest goals in a person's lifetime, stating the fact that it is actually not one of your own goals can be scary.

Don't get me wrong I'm young and of course, I like to keep all my options open, but when asked what age I'd ideally like to be married by, I more times than not answer with “never."

I don't hate the idea of marriage but I see many aspects that I just personally don't agree with. When I think of marriage, the word “compromise" always jumps out at me.

“Compromise" this and “compromise" that, all for love.

Maybe I'm selfish and live in my own world but one thing I know is that I don't want to compromise anything in my life, even if it is for love. I'd much rather live my life for myself.

I see amazing marriages every day. My own parents, for instance, have been together since high school and show me every day how great a lifetime partnership can be.

But for some reason, I'd just rather not. As far as love goes, I'm a huge fan. The feeling of being in love and giving and receiving love is so so powerful and not to mention feels oh so good.

But, sometimes I feel like this idea of marriage comes along and ruins it all. Looking at marriage back in the day, people would marry simply because it was the social norm.

And usually, you'd be marrying your neighbor, as people didn't really seek out partners far away. The objective was to establish a family and live a life of unity, which also brought about the stereotypical gender roles involved. The woman staying home to cook, clean, and care for the child. While the man was off at work.

Of course, times have changed. And they have changed a whole lot for that matter. Today, marriage is generally looked at as more of a partnership, and that I can certainly get behind. But still, I'd rather not.

I look at this life filled with a multitude of opportunities that I want to fulfill on my own. In which, I see nothing wrong with. What's wrong with wanting to experience this beautiful life with no other outside voice to influence your thought?

Usually, when I share this opinion with others, I get the ol' “what about when you're old?" question. It is a good point.

Am I going to get lonely in my old age?

But then again, what's better than your own company? Also, doesn't it sound weird that we use another human being to our advantage just to ensure we escape loneliness?

Maybe. Although, maybe that is just an aspect that marriage is supposed to benefit you with.

These are all questions that pop into my head when thinking about this life milestone that I wouldn't be mad about skipping over on my own.

Instead of marrying, I feel as though a life of independence and significant solitude just sounds so much more ideal. More and more women are choosing to live a life of singleness and I don't blame them.

But like I said, I am all for keeping my life options open. And as someone who doesn't exactly make plans, I am open to letting the universe work as it wants.