Relationships, in general, have seemed to be pressured throughout most of history. A lot of young adults today have grandparents who got married as early as fifteen. Despite that not being completely analogous to how it is today, children even younger than that are "dating" in the sense of whatever that may be. Middle and high schools are completely infiltrated with crushes, relationships, or that millennial saying, "Oh, Brad and I aretalking" which means they aren't actually in a monogamous relationship but are still basically exclusive. I know, WTH.
From as early as middle school I thought relationships were confusing and unnecessary. Seeing the repetitive cycle of people dating, breaking up, getting back together, breaking up for good, then soon after dating someone new. It never intrigued me, it just seemed exhausting. Even into high school when relationships were more plausible I still obtained the unappealing mindset that I had in previous years. Yes, relationships in high school can last long, but many don't by senior year due to colleges, because in all honesty, no one doesn't mind doing the "long distance" thing.
Now, as an adult in college, relationships are the norm. In a few years, current college-kids will be at the acceptable age to get married and/or have children; that means starting to settle down and find someone now is preferable. Although, I'm still not convinced. Relationships, despite being glamorized and ideal, at this point in a young adult's life, seem everything but that.
Relationships are time-consuming. Even if you're not physically with or texting your significant other all the time, it's likely a good portion of your week is spent thinking about them. From the few relationships I have been in, just thinking about them made my dopamine levels flourish, which caused my mind to incessantly bring them into everything I was doing, leading to not only time consumption but a distraction.
It's nice not being "tied down." Being able to hang out with different guys and see what your "type" is. Also having whomever you want to be your friend, without making your significant other think you're cheating.
I don't want a relationship to influence where I choose to work. I've heard a plethora of stories where two post-college graduation people in a relationship are offered really good jobs but nowhere close to each other. I don't want to have to make hard sacrifices as such.
Kids aren't my priority. I'm pretty set on the notion of never wanting children, so it's not predominant to be married by X age so I can start having kids by the "acceptable" child-bearing years gap.
I'm scared I'll jump into things too fast. Sometimes, I can act rash, especially when someone shows me an exemplary amount of attention. I don't want to be that person who regrets moving in with a guy who I've been dating too soon, or even getting married and regretting it.
I want to enjoy my twenties and learn how to rely on solely myself. To me, people who are in a relationship early on in life never experience true independence. They live with their parents till they're between 18 and 22, then usually live with a roommate/friend, then move in with their significant other. I want to be able to experience coming home to an empty house and doing whatever I want. Along with this idea, I'll be able to learn independence of doing the "men's" work on my own such as remodeling things, knowing how to handle a dead car-battery, etc.
Relationships can be a beautiful thing. Knowing there's someone who's only into you and will do anything for you. Although, there can be some downfalls to them. By the age of 30, I feel like I will have put myself in a stupor place mentally (independence, enjoyment of solidarity) and physically (stable job, having a home).
Despite relationships being viewed as an accomplishment of searching for love and companionship, I think I'll be better off waiting ten more years.
