The first phrase that I always hear come out of someone's mouth after I have a conversation with them usually goes like this:

"Wow Leyla, you have your life well-put together. How do you do it?"

For the most part, I try to find time for everything I put on my plate. However, there has been one piece of the puzzle to my life that I have been missing, and periodically long for: the perfect relationship.

I'll be honest, I used to think being single sucks. I'd go to school, and see all my friends with their significant others, happily in love, and wonder why can't I have that too? What is it that I don't have, that they do?

As a hopeless romantic, I don't deliberately romanticize everything... it's just my way of viewing the world, and I can't help it! The universe has never been on my side with love and to this day, I still cannot seem to pinpoint the reason why.

However, after days and nights of zoning out, reflecting upon my mistakes in love, or picking out all of my flaws that make me "undatable", I realized it was time to accept my fate, and make a change. I needed to start looking at the pros of the situation I'm stuck in.

If you're spending Valentine's Day single this year, don't be discouraged! You're at more of an advantage than you could ever imagine as a member of the lonely hearts club.

1) It's true... "we accept the love we think we deserve". Instead, accept the love you know you deserve.

2) You have the time to improve on yourself as a person. This meaning, you can become more self-reliant, self-confident, and self-loving.

3) You get to invest all your heart has to offer into your hobbies, future, social life... whatever it is that makes you happiest.

4) Your soulmate doesn't necessarily have to be your significant other. It could be anyone, or even anything!

5) If you're waiting for that special someone, they'll suddenly appear in your life when a) you lose all hope and b) at the absolute worst time.

6) You'll be prepared for the moment you get into a relationship via hearing all your friends' experiences.

7) Everything happens for a reason, so stop searching for answers!

8) You have no strings attached... go mingle! Go wild, meet new people, or celebrate Galentine's Day with all the other single ladies!