Why do we have to look for anyone? People are important and we should all find people we love and cherish, but why do we place so much worth on finding someone romantically. Everyone is looking for someone like that, it seems. But so often, we fail to realize that the one you’re looking for is you.

You spend years going through elementary school, middle school, high school and then even college to better yourself and find what you love to do. You spend years finding out who you are and what you want to do with your one, precious life. You experience new things, make new friends, find new adventures, and find you. You spend time bettering yourself and becoming new versions of yourself. You spend time looking for the one.

But what if the one you’re looking for is you for a time? In college, you spend four years working for a degree that will help you forever. You spend all this time bettering yourself for yourself only to be told you need someone to share it with. This may not be wrong, however, we shouldn’t place so much value on finding a person while being so young. There is plenty of time for that and when the time is right it will happen. You spent all that time looking for you, and then society told you, you had to find someone else.

College is a time to discover yourself and learn who you are without all the pressure of finding someone to share it with. There is no rush.

For me, the one I’ve been looking for, and the one I am currently looking for is me. I’ve found parts of myself in Oregon at school, at home in Orange County and so many other places. Now this sounds extremely selfish and it is. But right now, being 19 years old and in college, this is my time to be selfish. This is the only time in my life that I will be able to be selfish and do whatever I want to do. Right now is time for me to explore, learn and grow. The one I am looking for is me.

Others might find the one they’re looking for in another person and there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone is different and finding the one you’re looking for shouldn’t be contained to one idea. Finding that person is important to some people. Growing with someone else is exciting and being able to share that adventure is really great. But if you’re struggling to find the one you’re looking for, consider this: perhaps the one you’re looking for is you.