Shamelessly Me

"The single most powerful thing I can be is myself" - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Consider this blog post the part two of my previous entry when I was a Pearson Student Ambassador. (If you haven't read that, click here.)

Being single was probably the best gift I could have ever given myself. It took a lot of patience, prayer and persistent conversation with mentors, family and friends to tell me that I did not need to rush into relationships and that I was perfectly whole. I didn't need a better half. I have me. 

Because I was intentionally single at different parts of my life, I got to experience so much on my own. Here are a few lessons I learned:

• Facing your fears on your own makes you feel like a rockstar. When I navigated O'Hare International Airport by myself and went through customs on my own as a 20-year-old, first-time, solo-flier, I was absolutely mortified. I thought for sure that I would end up in TSA jail, or look too nervous when talking with the customs agents. It ended up being one of the most confidence-building experiences of my life.

• When you set a goal, you reach it with yourself in mind. Losing 70 pounds, running my first 5K and quitting my job changed my life for the better. However, they were lonely experiences. Not having a boyfriend at the time made sure that those decisions were not skewed, and that I was doing things for myself. Which brings me to my next point.....
• Being confident in who you are, and no longer fearing rejection is incredible. If I could go back in time and tell my 16-year-old self that someone will accept you for who you are, and you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not, I would have saved that girl a lot of heartbreak. In my singleness, I learned a lot about myself, and became excited about the person I have become. I am not afraid to disagree. I don't lie about reading books or watching movies like I used to. I am shamelessly myself. And by doing that, I have become surrounded by people who like me for who I am and embrace every little quirk and flaw. 

If you are in a relationship, I hope that you are able to be the authentic self that you were created to be like I can be. If you are single, DO NOT SETTLE. Be yourself, and let every fork in the road guide you to the person that you are meant to be. That could mean finding your puzzle piece. That could mean a life of being single. But do not forfeit even an ounce of who you are to try to be "the one" for someone else. 

I am incredibly thankful that I have learned how to be myself and love myself. I have always said that relationships can make the good even better, and the bad even worse. Being celebrated and cared for because of who you are is a gift. This goes for friends, significant others, coworkers and family. You are the only you the world gets; do not waste that. <3