Single or Taken?

Relationships, specifically romantic relationships, seem to be at the forefront of every Netflix series, social media feed, and the topic of a lot of Sunday brunch conversations (@Amami).

They are a tricky, confusing, wonderful, and painful double-edge sword that people LOVE to overanalyze and obsess over.

When we're in the wrong one, it can feel like a bubble. It can feel suffocating. It can be difficult to remember who we are outside of a couple. It becomes easier and easier to get swept up in our partners and leave the people closest to us in the dust.

However, when a relationship embodies a healthy balance of authenticity, laughter, lightness, communication, honesty, trust, and the good kind of intoxication - there isn't anything quite like it. It's not about relying on one another for self-esteem or happiness, mainly because we are perfectly capable of achieving those things on our own.

In my opinion, it feels more like the cherry on top of the perfectly delicious iced cupcake. We don't need it, we want it. It makes the cupcake that much sweeter and beautiful.

On the other hand, being single is just as confusing and wonderful as being in a romantic relationship. There is a certain power that comes with the independence and freedom to explore without having to think of another person.

My experience with being single (the entirety of college by the way) was that it provided this amazing and unique time to figure out my own shit. I invested energy into building friendships and creating new ones. I made several mistakes and am grateful for all of them. My only regret is succumbing to feelings of guilt and unworthiness for not being in a couple. I don't know who needs to hear this, but we are so much more than the person we go home with after the bar, the person we are "talking to" (**eye roll**whatever that means), or even the person we are in a committed relationship with.

Who are we when we are on our own? Do we even like that person? Does that person hold their head up high or rely on external factors for self-worth?

The best gift of being single? I fell in love with who I am, so much so that I was able to let someone in who values and sees me the way I FINALLY see myself.

With that said, you might be wondering why I am in a relationship and included a picture of just me for this post. First & foremost, I am in a relationship with myself...but it does feel pretty damn good to have a cherry on top (: