It Took Me 10 Years to Find Happiness On My Own

And it was worth the ride.

Nobody ever wants to be alone. We are all cligny, needy people who yearn for a person’s love and warmth — we just tend to deny it most times.

I had my first relationship at 13 years old, yes 13, and it lasted 4 years and a half. He was my first love, but not my everything.

I had my second relationship at 18 years old and it lasted 5 years and a half. He was my everything, but not my first love.

So I guess you can say I’ve never been completely on my own. I didn't know how to. I afraid of begin so…until I decided it was time.

I had trouble letting go both relationships because I didn't know who I would be without them. They were all I had known at the time, I didn't know anything else. I was use to hearing “you’re beautiful.” I was use to reading “good morning, princess.” I was constantly showered with love and affection, how was I suppose to keep showing myself that on my own? I didn’t want to be the girl without a boyfriend. I wanted to be the girl who would not stop bragging about him because he was so good to me. I was use to feeling someone else’s love towards me, I don’t think I even knew how to love myself.

That’s where the journey began.

When you’re in love, you do everything to please the other person. Without them, you think you shouldn't please yourself, but in fact you should. So I did just that and — I became happier.

When you’re in love, you get use to hearing pretty compliments from that one person. Without them, you have no idea how to compliment yourself, but in fact you should. So I did just that and — I became happier.

When you’re in love, you tell the other person all of your dreams and goals.Without them, you think all your goals and dreams are gone with them, but they are not. So keep speaking them into existence even if it’s to yourself because that made me — become happier.

When you’re in love, you dress up every night like he’s taking you out to dinner. Without them, you feel like you shouldn’t because who is there to please? Well there is, and that’s yourself. Put the makeup on, put the dress on, put the heels on, date yourself because I did just that and — I became happier.

You don’t need a man to know you’re worth. It took me 10 years to realize just that and now — I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.