At my age, most of my friends are in relationships. My Instagram feed is constantly bombarded with posts that say things like “Happy six months babe, I love you to the moon and back!”

After being in a year-long relationship that ended extremely badly, I decided to steer away from relationships for a while. I wanted to focus on becoming a more independent person.

I wanted to focus on becoming a better person.

In those months of freedom, I found myself. I toured colleges with amazing journalism programs. I found Odyssey, and for that, I am forever grateful.

I started writing more than just silly stories that I came up with and depressing poetry. I was starting to learn how to write professionally.

I worked hard, and eventually became a Contributing Editor for my community, Aspiring Journalism Professionals. I spend my days doing schoolwork, editing for my community and writing articles. I am solely focused on building my resume, expanding my horizons and furthering my professional career.

I don’t have time for a relationship.

Sure, having friends is just fine. I love hanging out with my friends; we are always getting coffee or having brunch. I just don’t see the point in focusing on a relationship that will most likely end in a few months anyway.

When you’re young, relationships are fleeting. People aren’t trying to find their future life partner. They’re just trying to navigate high school.

Some people want a partner in crime.My partner in crime is my writing.

To me, writing is the most important thing in the world. My writing helps me vent. It helps me share my story with the world. It helps me bring awareness to important topics and current events.

Honestly, it gives me a reason to keep going.

Someday I am going to make a real career out of this. I’m going to be off in a big city like New York or Boston living in a cute studio apartment that costs way too much money. I’m going to turn my hobby into a job, make a living and I know that I will be successful.

But all of this depends on what I do now as a young woman that just really loves writing.

My writing will always be there for me. It won’t use me for its own personal gain or lie to me.

Yes, it may not take me out on dates or buy me presents, but I can always do that for myself. I am not ashamed to say that I buy myself presents at Target sometimes.

In my opinion, building my career is more important than a relationship anyway.

As I go through life, I may find someone that I want to spend the rest of my years with, but I also may not. Either way, I know I am strong enough to take care of myself, and I will always have journalism to fall back on.

When I say I'm happily single, I really mean it.

I have a dog to cuddle with, friends to take care of me and a mom to love me. I have writing to support me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.