We hear the saying all the time, inspired by the TV show, "Grey's Anatomy:"You're my person.
In fact, we also hear it on reality shows, see it on social media, and hear it among those around us. The confusion is, though, what does this saying necessarily mean. Does this refer to each person only have one person that he or she is completely compatible with? Can this be used to describe many people? Is this a saying people strive for?
I got to interview a few students around NYU to obtain a variety of opinions while incorporating a bit of mine and the variety of answers just makes the saying that much more confusing, but seemingly worthwhile.
Question 1: Can you only say "you are my person" to only one individual?
A. Not necessarily. I've used this saying to my boyfriend, but I've also used this saying to my gal best friend. I'm unbelievably thankful for both individuals and they both are "my person" in such different ways. My boyfriend knows me better than I know myself and he shows me the real meaning of selflessness. But, my best friend knows what I'm thinking at almost all times and when we're both stressed or annoyed, we just get each other. We know how to cope and how to help the other during such times. To me, "my person" means anyone who I can relate to and in my case, I've found two. I guess they would be called "my people?" I don't mind that.
B. Absolutely. I mean the point is to find the individual who fits the concept of being your person. I've found this to be my mom. She is everything I strive to be. In fact, she is the one who knows what's best for me because she's been through everything I'm going through. She knows what I'm missing out on and what opportunities I need to take. My superwoman is my person. She always will be.
What does the term "my person" mean to you?
C. Personally, it refers to the one who knows everything about you but still strives to learn more about you. To me, it's the one person who makes everything okay. You see, even with one hug and just his/her presence, all worries seem to disappear and for a second, everything is 100% okay. "My person" is selfless, honest, and kind-hearted. My person makes me become a better person. My person helps me strive to be the person I someday hoped to meet.
D. "My person" is the one who makes me feel unstoppable. I find this person in my family and my friends. It's funny how I can find this one person among many people, but to me, this person differs for me at times because some people are more empathetic than others regarding certain circumstances. I have fallen in love with the idea that people come into your lives for so many reasons - first and foremost being, to simply stay forever. But, I've also learned that others come to teach us lessons, many come to share stories, a few come to show us the love we deserve, but all come for a reason. I've lost inspiring people, but I've also found extraordinary people. It's been a whirlwind and a roller-coaster, to say the least, but it's absolutely crystal clear how I've bettered from each individual. The people who make me feel whole are all "my person."
Finally, do you hope to be someone's "person?"
E. Oh absolutely! I think we're all meant to find people who continuously inspire us. In fact, I think we're all here to learn from each other. I want to share my life with someone, I want to experience new cultures, and I want to inspire someone. I've found people who could be "my person," but that's the problem: the word could. With this, I can't wait to finally say, he or she is my person. When I've met him or her, I'll just know.
F. Yes and no. I'm proud to say at this point in my life, I am my own person. I know what I want and what's best for me and to me and that's a huge step in my personal life. I've always been reliant on other people, but after being let down a couple of times, I've realized that I have to learn to be my own superhero. I've learned to truly care for myself and most importantly, love myself. However as time goes on, I do hope to find the person who makes me continuously strive to be stronger. I want to find another individual to call "my person" only when I'm ready to dedicate my whole heart to another person. Right now, I'm okay with that person being me.
To those who have found their person, their multiple people, or are still looking for one or all.. don't ever stop being open-minded. To those who have already found their person, hold onto them forever. To those who are still looking, as lame as it sounds, the right person will come when you stop searching.
I think for now, as a woman in her 20s, it's important to focus on how I can become better. I've learned the true importance of this through my faith, my family, my love, and my friends. Today, I'm lucky to have met my person and I hope to continue to learn more from him each and every day. Altogether, I'm lucky to have been raised by such a wonderful family who has helped lay the foundation for what I had been looking for in a person: honesty, selfless-love, open-mindedness, passionate, and compatibility. It's true: it comes when you least expect it and I will forever stand by my belief that life isn't meant to be easy, but that it's meant to be absolutely worth it.