My beautiful, exquisite ladies that are single ladies: this one is for you. Do not be afraid. Do not be ashamed.

Be awakened.

The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “single” as not having or including another or only one. In other words, as most single people would take it, you are alone. You walk into a store or restaurant or anywhere for that matter, and spot a loving couple only watching each other with “that look.” Or wait, no. You are listening to the radio and hear the prettiest love song and think, “If I could just feel about someone like that again…” Wait, I’ve got another! Not only does everyone and their mother have a significant other, but your past three ex-boyfriends do too! You wonder “What is wrong with me? Where is he!” Trust me, I understand. I’m in this same lonesome boat too thinking these wonderful encouraging thoughts, and also how many cats I'll have when I reach the age of 40. However, in the amount of five days, I have come to a certain realization that I feel God is leading me to share. Hopefully, it’ll reach many of you who are feeling the same way. So here it goes.

In Taylor Swift’s music video for the song “Out Of The Woods” (yes, I went there and heck yes, I am a fan), it is extremely outrageous and insane, you know how she does-but at the very end of the video, if you follow it long enough, a black screen appears and says, “She lost him, but she found herself. And somehow, that was everything.” After contemplation of that brief, yet mind-boggling sentence, it hit me harder than a truck. Maybe, just maybe, this season in our life is not meant to be spent with anyone else, other than God. What if it’s meant to be devoted to the only person we truly know better than anything, ourselves.

I would like to make a statement that is meant for every single woman out there… Girl, you own it! This is your time to shine. This season is meant for the following and nothing less: Discovering yourself and who you are, trying new things you would never normally do, learning what you like and dislike, improving your relationship with God/friends/and family, becoming your own best friend and understanding how seriously awesome you are on your own, and being content in this chapter of your life. God knows what He is doing and ladies- all we have to do is trust that. The man will come, but he has to have this time to learn as well.

I am not afraid to say that loneliness hits me every week at some point- sometimes harder than others and sometimes at the exact moment when I need it the least. However, I’m also not afraid to say that in this period of my life, I have discovered more about myself than I believe I EVER have simply because I don’t have someone else to take my attention away. I have learned that I am strong and fiercely independent, which can sometimes be intimidating- and that’s okay. I have learned that God speaks to me in mysterious ways throughout the day, which is something I probably wouldn’t be focusing on as much if my mind were wandering elsewhere. I have also learned that I can pretend all day long that I like to try new things and get out of my itty bitty box, but bottom line: it scares me to death every time and I worry more than I should.

More than anything, though, I have learned that I absolutely love who I am and who I have become. I love my weird habits and the things about me that no one understands. I love that I try to be spontaneous and probably post more pictures on Instagram than necessary. I love that poetry, hot tea, and a warm red blanket will bring me just as much happiness as a first kiss with a boyfriend. These are the things that make me, me and spending so much time alone, I have seriously become one of my favorite people- as weird as that sounds.

The empowerment of being single is something misunderstood and not appreciated enough. I say ENJOY IT! Eat another piece of chocolate cake, blow up social media with your fabulous life, and recognize that this time is a gift. Your life was created to be something wonderful and exhilarating. You shouldn’t wait one more second moping about not having someone. Honey, you don’t NEED anyone! You NEED God, and He has His plan for you and the person you're meant to be with. Until then, grow where you are planted. All of these memories you are making are meant for your benefit and will make perfect sense as the years go on. This is your learning/growing process. Now is the time for you to fall in love with yourself, not someone else.

So, let’s say being single isn’t “not having another” or “only one.” Let’s redefine this word to “finding oneself.” Agreed? Agreed!

Single playlist:

Rescue - Yuna

Love Myself - Hailee Steinfeld

Dancing Queen - ABBA

Who Says - Selena Gomez

Clean - Taylor Swift

Just Fine - Mary J. Blige

Miss Movin On - Fifth Harmony

Put Your Records On- Corinne Bailey Rae

Independent Woman - Destiny’s Child

Titanium- Sia

You and I - Jason Mraz

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) - Beyonce