Oh, Relationships.

 

Something the majority of parents dread is having their child being dating.

I suppose it’s meant to signify a bit of “growing up” or whatever.

But I admit that I have never been interested in dating. I have never been the type of girl who dreamt of her first date with the “perfect” guy. My priority, as nerdy as it sounds, has always been my education.

My mother’s first reaction was to ask if I was a lesbian.

If you’re wondering, the answer is no. Unless Beyoncé leaves Jay-Z and suddenly wants me, it’s probably gonna stay that way.

The only time I had ever wanted to be in a relationship was when I was in the eighth grade, and it wasn’t for the right reasons.

My best friend at the time had just gotten her first boyfriend and I’m gonna admit, I was jealous. Not of the guy but of the idea of having someone be interested in you.

I later on met a guy who very blatantly flirted with me.

And I, being the confused and innocent kid that I was, thought I liked him back. Therefore I, while didn’t exactly encourage the advances, did not exactly stop them either.

In the end we were in a relationship (if you can even call it that) for one weekend.

I basically freaked out and felt suffocated.

I clearly was not ready for a relationship. And to be honest, I’m still not ready.

I was upfront with the guy and told him the truth: I wasn’t ready and I wanted to focus on high school.

We went to different high schools, so I don’t know how he is now or what’s happened to him.

 

What I realized was that wanting to have a relationship versus wanting to be with a specific person are two very different things.

That was probably the first time I had ever been so befuddled by my feelings. I decided that unless I met someone I was truly drawn to, AND I if I felt ready to be with said person, I would focus on my studies and how to become a psychologist.

So girls, and guys, if you don’t want to have a significant other, do not at all feel as though you’re odd or weird. You are in no way obliged to have one or to pursue one. Some people have different priorities, and each one should be respected. The important thing is to be happy and healthy.

It’s okay to be in a relationship.

But it’s also okay to be single.