RELATIONSHIPS.

Hi All,

I was sitting here, as I usually do whenever I can't sleep, with a big bag of cheesy Doritos watching Pretty Little Liars. I'm on Season 4 at the moment, catching up as quickly as I can on Netflix.

Without revealing too much, I was watching a particular episode, and it occurred to me that throughout most of the series, the girls don't come across as very emotionally stable or happy without a boyfriend or girlfriend. Like everything is a bit better as long as they have someone to share passionate kisses with ALL THE TIME. And although I'm sure that would be very nice, I thought that was really sad.

Now this isn't a bashing of Pretty Little Liars, or how the series plays up to stereotypes of teenage girl life and high school experiences. If the show didn't play up to these stereotypes, it wouldn't have the following it currently does. Plus it's fiction, and the world does realize that. And they also don't press any views on you, which is why we don't feel pressured to go makeup with our ex whenever one of the girls falls back in love with their significant other.

The revelation I had while reaching the end of my Doritos bag, is that people think they need to be in relationship to be happy. Which really shouldn't be the case. You yourself may feel better when you're with someone, and that's great, and it's completely normal to feel that way. But you also need to be able to feel good by yourself. You should be able to feel content by yourself. If you feel great by yourself, then you'll be able to enrich your future partner's life, rather than still trying to work out who you are and therefore still not knowing what you want.

I was guilty of wanting a boyfriend like wanting air. Honestly. I thought having one would make my life complete because I saw ALL my friends around me with boyfriends. Recently I've realized, looking back on past experiences, my previous relationships ended because after the mushy, lovey, dovey stuff, there was nothing left. I rushed into a relationship without really being friends with the person first. 

Hands up if you've been there.

Learning to love yourself is one of the best parts of growing up. Knowing your own likes and dislikes, your political opinions, even knowing what kind of dress sense you have is what your teenage years/early twenties are for.

It's a magical time guys, it really is.

If you don't love yourself then you'll always wonder how anyone else could love you. Or even like you. Have you ever found yourself asking that question? Doubt is one of the biggest killers of any relationship. So I'd really think about how much you love yourself before entering into a new romance.

I'm a strong believer in letting the cards fall where they may, so to speak. You'll have a boyfriend or girlfriend when its the right time for you to have one. I think everything happens for a reason so as much as you may think you're ready for a relationship right now, wouldn't it be better to wait than rushing into something half-heartedly? If you're only in a relationship for you, isn't that a little bit selfish?

Be the best you before you bring someone else into the equation. That way you've done your part.

Lots of Love,

Christina x