It’s entirely possible that I’ll meet the man I want in my life, but it’s also possible I won’t. I would like to think that I’ll hold out forever and be okay with single life if I never meet him. Realistically, though, will I be able to handle it? I worry that loneliness might get the better of me and I’ll settle for the sake of not having to be alone.
- It’s very possible I won’t find “The One” anyway. I don’t want to sound negative, but it’s true. I know plenty of people who refused to settle, stayed single and are okay with that decision. It was more important to them to keep their standards intact than to find some man to have around. If I don’t find the right guy, though, I don’t know if I’ll be that strong.
- I’m optimistic about love… but I’m also realistic. I love being single. I also love the idea of having a partner in my life, as long as it’s the right partner and we make each other happy. I’m optimistic, but I also know that I might not find him. It’s scary sometimes to think that I could end up being alone. On the other hand, it’s also scary to think of giving up all this freedom and independence.
- I’m pretty determined to stick to my guns… but I’m only human. As of now, I’m okay with holding out for a wonderful guy. I am happy enough with my life, and I’ve been single less than two years. Do I miss some of the benefits of partnership? Of course. Do I miss sex? Definitely. Do I love having the time and space and independence to work on myself and discover who I am? Absolutely. Because I’m good at being alone, I’m doing well so far. I just hope that will always be the case.
- The longer I’m alone, the more I long for companionship. Of course, the longer I’m single, the less thrilled I might become about it. It gets old, never having someone to hold or cuddle. I wish I could have a guy around to have sex with and cuddle with and talk to who would then go away when I was over it, but of course that wouldn’t be fair. I’m sure I wouldn’t feel that way — if I found the right person. I know that eventually I’m going to yearn for someone who can be my partner in crime.
- I might just get tired of waiting. My biggest fear is that I’ll get impatient and just go for whichever guy pays me attention, no matter whether he’s wrong for me or not. I have reason to worry. I have a history of doing this. I’m single for a while — very, very single — and I get tired of being alone. I get tired of no one paying attention to me. I start feeling really bad about myself despite all my newly built confidence. I then jump at the next man who treats me well.
- I don’t want to be the girl who settles, but I also don’t want to die alone. Look, I would love to just go about my business, build myself as a person, and find the right guy when I’m ready to have a healthy relationship. That’s what I truly hope happens. I would like nothing more. I’m counting on my willpower and resolve so that I don’t become impatient too soon and end up in another bad relationship. I need to stay strong so that I don’t settle and miss what could be.
- But … never say never. I know myself, so I will try my damndest to stick to my goals. Still, I’m only human, and I get lonely. I crave human contact and touch and love and admiration. Who doesn’t want to be loved? Yeah, I know I’m loved by many others, but it’s different. Romantic love is its own thing altogether. I think we all know that. It’s a very special feeling when you first care about someone new. I miss that feeling sometimes. I hope it’s not my undoing.
- Maybe my standards will change. I don’t want to say I’ll lower them — let’s go with the idea that I might adjust them. People change, and I’ve definitely adjusted my standards from what they were in the past. I do not intend to lower them one bit — if anything, they may get higher — but they may also change in a way that makes it easier for me to find the right person. Who knows.
- All of my friends are coupled up — I want to be too . I go through periods when I’m fine with being on my own and other times when it feels unbearable. It doesn’t seem that bad right now, but I know that will change. Sometimes I really miss having a guy in my life; sometimes I’m super grateful that I don’t. It depends. I just have to stay strong in those moments of weakness and remember what I want and what I deserve.
- I won’t settle again for something that makes me unhappy — at least I’ll try not to. I think this might keep me from settling at all! I’m the kind of person who knows in my gut when something isn’t right. I’m no longer going to ignore that gut feeling just because I’m already involved in something. I’m determined to learn to say no early on and not mind screw myself into entering a relationship that doesn’t make me happy. I’m instead going to work on being so fiercely happy on my own that I would never take less from a man. I think and hope that this will keep me from settling, period!
