Everyone has the hopes that they're going to find their high school sweetheart and live happily ever after with them. Well, I believe we have been far past that stage because, quite frankly, that never happens.

When I was in 8th grade, I was the girl who couldn't wait to get to high school to find a boy that would sweep me off my feet. But here I am, almost four years into high school, and I am being left heartbroken.

I believe this was all a lesson. I believe that being in love at such a young age is almost stupid. You have your whole life ahead of you. Why would you want to be in love at 17 years old?

Being single teaches you a few things: loving yourself, putting yourself before others, and being who you want to be.

No, I am not bashing being in a relationship. I just preferably like to be by myself and learn who I am before I actually consume myself in something that is not worth the aggravation.

To say the least, I have been in relationship after relationship just to be hurt again. I fall for the wrong guys. I fall for the guys who will tell you what you want to hear, instead of what you need to hear.

I fell in love with myself. I fell in love with the way I can peg any boy who will just "play" me. I fell in love with the way I can say no.

I believe before you can love someone else, you need to love yourself.

So, LOVE YOURSELF. Love who you are, instead of who you are being pegged to be.

I have been single for the past eight months, and I could have been happier with who I have grown to be in these eight months.