At 23, I’m often confronted with the mixed emotions of being single. There are days when I feel completely at ease with where I am in life, enjoying my independence and freedom. But there are also days when loneliness creeps in, reminding me of the absence of a partner, someone to share the little moments with, someone to call my own.
It’s a strange duality. On the one hand, I love that I have the freedom to chase my dreams and explore my identity without having to consider someone else’s needs. But on the other hand, I sometimes long for that connection—a partner who will be there for me in ways that friends or family can’t.
What makes it harder is the societal pressure that comes with being single in your 20s. People often ask when I’m going to “settle down” or whether I’m “seeing anyone.” It’s as if being single is seen as something that needs fixing. But I remind myself that I’m not incomplete just because I don’t have a partner. My value doesn’t depend on my relationship status.
That said, the desire for companionship is still very real. I want someone to experience life with, someone who complements my personality and understands my quirks. There’s something incredibly beautiful about love, and I can’t help but crave it.
In the meantime, I’m learning to embrace the loneliness, to sit with it rather than push it away. It’s teaching me resilience, patience, and self-reliance. But I remain hopeful that love will come when the time is right, and until then, I’m making the most of this chapter of my life, knowing that one day, I’ll find the partner I’ve been longing for.
