People consistently look down upon people who are single. There's a stigma in young people that if you aren't in relationships or dating, you're wrong and there's something wrong with you. But that isn’t true, not even remotely. More often than not, it seems that people who are single, are that way because they don’t want to be in a relationship. It’s okay either way.

For everyone’s entire lives, especially as young girls, we’re taught to aspire to marriage and a family and all these things that require another human being. It’s not publicized that people are allowed to live their lives for themselves. If someone enjoys doing as they please without a relationship or significant other, that’s great. Being independent is amazing. If people enjoy having a significant other, dating people, etc., that’s okay too. Everyone is allowed to do what they want.

But for those who remain single when it seems like all their friends are dating and settling into serious relationships, don’t let that psych you into thinking you have to be just like that or you’re not normal or good enough. For some reason, the accumulation of another’s person attention equates to being worthy. That’s not true. At all. In fact, being single can mean you know your worth and you don’t want to settle for anyone.

It’s even okay to be scared of that commitment. The idea of being with someone and them knowing your flaws and insecurities is terrifying to some people so sometimes opening up to others isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s daunting the idea of giving yourself fully to another person and giving them the power to rip you to shreds. It’s okay to shy away from that. No one should make you feel bad about putting your emotional well-being before a relationship.

To the people who like to go to the movies by themselves, out to dinner alone, and just be as a single individual, you’re inspiring and keep doing your thing. To the people who are terrified of giving your heart to someone, you’re doing your thing protecting yourself and that is perfectly acceptable. There are so, so many different ways everyone can live their lives and be the happiest version of themselves. Don’t let anyone tell you how to live your life.

"And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy (girl), maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope." – Gigi, He’s Just Not That Into You