I am 23 years old and people I know are getting engaged left and right. I constantly find myself bombarded by engagement photos on my Facebook feed and most of my friends are in long-term relationships and discussing spring weddings.

I, on the other hand, haven't quite found that guy who I can see myself with in the long run. Here's the thing: I am picky. I am not afraid to admit that I know what I want and I won't settle for less. For a long time, I would be told by friends that I was setting my standards too high and needed to be more lenient. We should all have high standards, especially when it comes to who we will spend our lives with. I know that no one is perfect, and I don't expect them to be, but there are certain things that I need out of a relationship that I'm not willing to buckle on.

So here's my question: Why is it so bad that I have certain things I want and need? Shouldn't we all strive to find someone who makes us happy, who makes us a better person, who pushes us to do more in life? I have reached a point in my life where if I don't see someone in my future then I won't bother continuing to date them. I don't see a point in leading anyone on or in causing either of us any more pain than necessary.

So here are the things I won't buckle on:

I want someone who inspires me

Someone who makes me want to write more, to learn more, to strive to be a better me. Someone who gives me a reason to sit down with a pen and paper and spill out all of my thoughts, or with a book to learn more about astronomy, or take a class to learn sign language.

I want someone who won't judge me

I am not the easiest person in the world to love -- I know this. I have depression and anxiety and at times I don't love myself as much as I should. I need someone who won't judge me when I'm having an anxiety attack, when I'm feeling depressed or when I'm unsure of myself. I need someone who will understand these moments will pass, and will love me despite my lack of love for myself at that point in time.

I want someone who doesn't always agree with me

I can be very stubborn and sometimes I need people to remind me that other people have different opinions and beliefs, and that is completely OK. Sometimes I need a wake up call with this. I don't mind being told that I need to consider someone else's thoughts, I just need that reminder.

I want someone who is passionate

We don't have to have the same passions but I want someone who is passionate in general -- about anything. In order to be passionate about each other, we need to understand what one another cares about and why. And let me tell you -- in order to be with someone, there has to be passion. If I've learned one thing from dating, it's that if someone is the most perfect guy in the world but doesn't make my heart leap out of my chest, it won't go anywhere.

I want someone who I can talk to about anything and everything

I love to talk -- and to listen. I want to hear about people's lives, their dreams, their ambitions, their stories, so I need someone who will talk to me, communicate with me, tell me when something is wrong. If you're mad at me -- tell me! Relationships need communication in order to make it any length of time.

I want someone who makes me want to do more

I want to travel, to help people, to lead a life that makes me feel fulfilled, but sometimes I feel lazy. Sometimes I just want to sit on the couch and watch Netflix. These days are OK -- but only if I don't let it overtake my life. I need someone who will allow me those days to be lazy, but will also be a reminder that life is waiting for me out there, not on the couch.

I want someone who makes me laugh

If you can make me laugh, you can have my heart. I love laughing, being silly, being happy. I need someone who will be my partner in crime, who will be ridiculous with me, who will go on adventures, build forts, speak in weird accents and just be absurd.

So yes, I will always be picky. I will continue to have high standards because we all should. At the end of the day we all know what we're looking for and it isn't about their hair color, their career path, the alma mater; it's about the person they are and the type of relationship you will have.