It seems like these days everyone is worried about finding “the one.” To me, sure, it’s something that crosses my mind. But, then I remember, “Oh wait, I’m only 19.” Why are we in such a rush to grow up? I want to go back to the years where my biggest worry was what I was eating for a snack after school. The time where I didn’t have a care in the world. We’re all in a rush to meet that person you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with. Now, why am I not worried about that?

Like I said before, I’m 19. Back a hundred years ago most women didn’t have the opportunities we do now. To go to college, actually choose who we marry. It was a marriage of convenience. I don’t want that. I want that love where I can’t imagine being without them, where I want that man to be the father of my children, to grow old with. I’m not one to settle. Also, I want to achieve some things in my life before I meet that man. I want to graduate college, get a real, steady job where I can be independent, live by myself for a little bit, and then get to the marriage thing. I need to learn who I am.

We’re young. We think we know who we are, but we’re constantly evolving, and learning new things about ourselves. Most of us haven’t really seen the real world yet, so we don’t know how we’re going to react in certain situations. We need to learn to be independent, instead of depending on others so much. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing to depend on people, but some independence is necessary. You cannot fully love another, unless you love yourself. Sure, we’re happy in relationships. It’s human nature to depend on others.

But, if you don’t fully love yourself, you’re going to depend on that other person too much to make you happy. Then, if things don’t work out, what do you do? You have to learn to love yourself, before you can love another. Learn what makes you happy. I live for independence. I love to have dance parties by myself with my earphones in, music blasting. Sure, I look goofy, but it makes me laugh. Other times, I love to go on long walks with my dog, lost in my own thoughts. It’s a time of reflection. I even love to go to the movies by myself. Doing these little things by yourself can teach you things about yourself you didn’t know.

Also, you’re only young once. Do what you want while you can before you have a ton of responsibility. Travel by yourself, do things you never thought you would. Figure out who you are; Although, granted, you’ll never have it all figured out. Like I said, you’re constantly evolving into a different person than you were yesterday. You’re only single for a short amount of your lifetime. A majority of it will be spent with that special person you can’t live without, so don’t rush it.

Find those friends who will be around for a lifetime. The ones that will be there no matter what. The ones that will go to Steak n’ Shake with you in the middle of the night because you’ve had a rough night. Those people who you can call any time and they’ll be there. The ones that make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Find them, and never let anything separate you all, because true friends are hard to find. Find those friends that make it fun to be single, and go out on a Friday night. Being single can be hard sometimes, but friends make it better.

Basically what I’m trying to say here is don’t rush into anything. Find out who you are, what makes you happy, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry. Find those friends who will always be there for you, when that boy or girl ends things with you. Don’t stop being you, because it’s not what your significant other likes. Never change, because you’re unique; there is nobody like you in this world. Good luck out there, you got this.