Having recently turned 21 a few months prior, I thought I would be a lot further in life than I currently am.

I am two years behind in college as to where most of my friends will be graduating soon. I still haven't found love yet. I work in retail part-time while teaching CCD classes the other half of the time.

A majority of my friends are already engaged, moving out on their own, and most have full-time jobs. While I think about how far behind I am in life, compared to these individuals, I also have to remember the good that will come out of this.

1. I won't settle for less.

Going from two relationships over a span of three and a half years to being single for nearly a year now, I finally realize what I want in my dating life. Not being in a relationship going into my twenties will have to be one of the smartest moves on my end.

I get to date multiple types of people until I find the type of guy I genuinely match with, rather than settling down with someone just because of its convenience.

2. I am grateful for everything I have.

Being two years behind in college is due to the fact I cannot afford all the classes I need at the moment.

Working all the time and trying to pay the loans I have out currently is tough, but the day graduation comes, I'll know I worked hard for it, and it will be worth the wait.

3. I'm living life how it should be.

A lot of my friends are not allowed to go to clubs with me or bars because their partner doesn't want them out in a social scene like that. Since my last relationship ended, I have connected with old friends, connected with new friends, and have gone places I would have never experienced if I was still being told what to do.

My life won't be slowing down anytime soon.

4. I have time to figure out what I want from my life.

As stated before, I have been on quite a few dates over the last few months, with none of them working out, obviously. Some of them wanted more commitment than the others, and others just wanted to have a fun time.

I've learned that I'm okay with being alone until I can truly figure out what I want for my future. I won't have to worry about having a baby before getting my degree, or being so far in debt from moving out on my own before I was finally ready for it.

My advice to anyone having the same doubts in life is to relax; good things take time!