"So, do you have a boyfriend yet?"
"Are you seeing anyone?"
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"When are you going to settle down?"
I dread these questions at every family get together. Don't get me wrong, I cannot wait to be absolutely head over heels for someone, and start life with my best friend. And I completely support all of the cute couples who have already found that person and all of their cute Instagram posts together (silently rooting for you all to work out) But, for right now the only thing I'm focused on is loving life as much as I can and here's why...
For the longest time, I based a lot of my happiness around another person. And when that person wasn't around, or things were going wrong, my happiness went right with it. Not only was this super unfair to the other person, but not what love is about at all. Your significant other is supposed to add to your happy, not be your happy altogether. I want my happiness to be my own, not something someone can ever take away from me. So that's what I've decided to do.
The cliche saying, "you're never going to be as young as you are right now," ...they aren't lying. Life is too short not to take advantage of it. A lot of times, I'll hear people say.. "well, I want to do it, I just don't want to spend the money." Spend the money. Spend it on adventures, on travel, on experience. More money can always be made, but you'll never truly be as young as you are and with the people in your life, as you are right now. Live more in the moment, and spend less time worrying about the future. In the past eight months, I've packed my car, bought train tickets, drove for hours - and I do not regret any of it. The memories I've made on those trips have been much greater than anything money could ever buy.
We spend too much time worrying about what's to come next, rather than appreciating the days that are right in front of us. I understand being responsible, I understand having priorities, but what I've realized is that life is too short to not do everything that makes you happy.
While there is a fine line between living life to the fullest, and being completely irresponsible - I do believe that now is the best time to take advantage of all life has to offer. In a few years, I would much rather look back at all the adventures I have taken, then to think of a bunch of what-ifs. Being in college, the real world is right around the corner, but - for right now, I am young and still finding my place in the world.
I used to spend so much time being discontent with life and the idea that I needed to settle down, that I was missing out on all life has to offer. While yes, I cannot wait to settle down with the love of my life, I am no longer spending time looking for them. I know that when the time is right, everything will work out. But, for right now, all I want to do is fall in love with life and all it has to offer. I no longer hesitate to do anything and everything that will help me grow as a person.
The next time you start to wonder if something is really worth it, just go for it. Buy the concert tickets. Go on the road trip. Travel to a place you've never been. Take advantage of all life has to offer.
