Sometimes you have to stand alone, to prove that you can still stand.

I have many friends that are unhappy in relationships (as well as those that are completely head-over-heels in love). However, I've come to the conclusion that being single is not a status. It is a word that best describes a person who is strong enough to live and enjoy life without depending on others.


Is being single a choice or merely a misfortune? Many people, girls in particular, believe that being single is a misfortune, and they view it as nobody wants to be with them. I used to be one of those girls. It can be a serious confidence knock to see all of your closest friends in happy relationships, when you're not even being asked out on dates. I know you should always be happy for your friends, but it's nice to take some time out and think about yourself every now and again. I now believe, that you need to make the most of being single, dancing the night away with your single girls and boys, and getting up to all sorts of antics. You only live once - why waste it?

"Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you're pretty sexy and you're taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with."
- Sex and the City
The quote above sums up how everybody should think about themselves, without self-confidence life is a hard, complex thing. Life would be much easier and would be much more enjoyable if people were more optimistic. I intend to take as much time as I need to decide how I want my life to pan out, and even more time to decide who I want to spend my life with. I'm in no rush to try and find my "perfect ending" I'm eighteen going on nineteen, I still have many more mistakes to make, and more experience to gain throughout my life before I settle down. I'm still single, and I have been for a fair few months now, 13 months to be precise. Do I want that to change? Of course I do, but like I said, I'm in no rush, and the real crux of the matter is - who is brave enough to step up to the challenge?

I have many fond memories of past relationships, and I wouldn't change them, nor would I wish that they hadn't have ended. As clichee as it is, everything happens for a reason, and if it was meant to be, it would happen. I am a firm believer in fate, and I know that someday, whether it be next month, year, in twenty years time or maybe more, I will get what I deserve, and be living my life to the fullest, and pushing, striving to be the best I can be - whether that be in a relationship or single.

Sometimes you really do have to stand alone to prove that you can still stand, after being in a long term relationship, you have been a part of a couple that merges into the same person 'Brangelina' syndrome, so it's hard to break free of that. I truly believe, that you shouldn't have to compromise who you are for the person that you are dating. They fell for you how you were, so why should you have to change? Single is not a negative thing, more people need to enjoy it, make the most of it, because there is no point in dwelling on something you do not have, instead, you should focus on the things you do have, remove pessimism and embrace optimism.

Never regret anything. If it's good, it's a memory. If it's bad, it's an experience.

"Never regret anything. If it's good, it's a memory. If it's bad, it's an experience"
A mantra to live by.
I've always believed in the idea that it is better to regret something you have done, than regret something you didn't do. Recently, I've come to the conclusion that you shouldn't regret anything, because for that moment in time, that is the one thing you wanted more than anything in the world.

I may not be perfect, far from it in fact, but I know what I want in life. I've experienced a lot of things in my life, and even though certain times have been hard, I wouldn't change them, for it has made me the person I am today. I have made some wrong decisions over the years - some more recent than others, and I have made some right decisions.

Stop and think for a moment, can anyone honestly say they are completely happy in their own skin? Unfortunately, I don't think this is true, you're always going to have some insecurities, and a lot of these are generated from past experiences - something I know all too well! Recently, I have been in situations, that I wouldn't even imagine myself in, and I over-analyse everything that goes on, so I tell myself that maybe it isn't such a good idea, but I can't seem to tear myself away from it. Something deep down is pulling me towards it, and something is telling me to carry on. Old habits die hard, so regretting something I've done rather than regretting something I didn't - seems to make more sense to me.

Life is short, so you might as well go and live it to the fullest! My mother's always told me, that you need to seize the moment, and put your all into everything you do, and that's what I intend on doing. By using my past experiences as fuel for bettering myself, and for getting on the right path in life.

I'm stronger because of my hard times, wiser because of my mistakes, happier because of my sad experiences, and smarter because of my moments of confusion. I am who I am, my experiences have made me, and I have learnt never to regret anything, bad things are all down to experience, and good things are all fond memories.