WHY IT'S OKAY TO BE SINGLE, AND WHY I'M GLAD I AM AT 21

I've been single all of my life. Yep, for twenty-one years I have been single. I've never had a boyfriend, never kissed a boy, and I'm actually okay with that. As much as I would love to fall in love, it hasn't happened, and it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would at the age of twenty-one.

You're probably thinking "NEVER!?"... and yes, I am telling the truth. Never.

It's okay to remain single, it's okay to not be in a relationship, and it's okay to not rely on other people. As much as being in a relationship looks lovely, at the moment I am definitely fine as I am – and I'm not ashamed in saying that. I don't see the fun in rushing something, or forcing something if it isn't right or isn't meant to be. What's meant to be will be, and what's meant to happen will only happen when the time is right.

 When you're single, you can focus all of your attention on YOU, without thinking of somebody else, how they're feeling/what they want/what they need. I know it may come across as being selfish, but I would much rather focus on me, build a secure and stable life, and actually work on myself, my mental health, and my emotional stability before diving head first into a relationship.

When you're younger (younger than the age I am now) it's easy to yearn for a relationship. You don't want to be the girl without a boy, you don't want to be alone, you want somebody who understands you, you want someone who you can share all of your worries and woes with. But you need to realise, that having a boyfriend isn't the be all and end all. It is perfectly okay to remain single, and you shouldn't feel ashamed for not having found the right person yet.

Personally, I am glad I've remained single. Being single throughout my teenage years and early twenties has been eye-opening. I've experienced lots – I've moved area multiple times, I've made friends, I've lost friends, I've had health issues (that are now thankfully resolved), I aced college, I've been a part of some amazing projects, I've written songs, released songs, I've got to know myself, and I've learned to love myself too. Okay, yes, I might have been able to do all of the above with a boyfriend... but I might not have had as an amazing time as I did.

I'm okay with being single. Being reliant on somebody else isn't who I am. I'm independent, and happy as I am... for now.

I've dodged heartache, I've dodged heartbreak, arguments, break ups, make ups, sacrifices, tears, and conflicts. I've dodged falling for the wrong person, breaking up with the right person, getting cheated on, sacrificing things I love, and doing things I don't love. Obviously not all of the above occurs in every relationship, but I'm just glad that I've made it to twenty-one having focused solely on myself, my career, and my family without having experienced any of the above.

I'm not 'bashing' anyone for being in a relationship, and I'm not saying that people in relationships can't do all of the above – this is just my personal experience, and personally, I'm glad I've never been in one.. it's been perfect for me, and I guess I'm just content and at peace with my journey

Obviously when I meet someone that adores me for me, accepts me and my goals, and is willing to have a girl boss as a girlfriend, then yeah, of course I'll go for it. Why on earth would I want to force it though? I'm not desperate to be in a relationship, and I will only ever accept being in a relationship if it's perfect for me...

When the time is right, it will happen. I trust the Universe and its divine timing, so until then... this girl's gonna continue girl bossin' – I'm going to ACE uni, kick-start my magazine journalism career, and learn to love myself more and more. When the time is right, my future 'bae' is going to be one lucky so and so.