Don't get desperate to be in a relationship

Have you ever felt desperate to jump into a relationship -- whether out of fear of loneliness, pressure from peers or family members, or merely to have someone around for special occasions like Christmas and Valentine's Day?

I can understand the yearning to have someone at your side, experiencing the highs and lows of life with you.

Having a partner can offer myriad benefits. It's great to have a shoulder to lean on/ear to listen to you on those really tough days, just as it is to have a partner to share in your successes.

Assuming one has a wonderful partner who goes out of his or her way to make them happy, a companion can undoubtedly be a blessing.

But no one should jump into a relationship unless/until they feel the time is right.

Your friends may try to hook you up with an acquaintance whom you don't necessarily deem attractive or your type. Maybe you're talking to a guy online who wants to move a little faster than you feel is appropriate.

Always let your gut be your guide.

If it tells you that you're better off flying solo for now, then so be it -- even if it's to the chagrin of your well-meaning peers.

Those who act on their desperation to hook up end up regretting it. In fact, life has a funny way of bringing someone wonderful into our lives at the most unexpected time. And if we're already in a relationship with someone we truly don't wish to be with, we could miss out on a great opportunity.

Your life is your own. No one should push you into hooking up with someone if you wish to remain single for the time being.

People should know better. After all, one can feel lonelier and less happy in a relationship than by themselves, so pairing up is by no means a cure for loneliness.

What's more, there's no harm in wishing to remain single because you enjoy living independently, went through a rough breakup, or simply feel you don't have the time for the demands a relationship places on you.

At the end of the day, you don't have to justify your decision to anyone.

It's better to wait for the right person -- even if it may take a little longer -- than to enter into a relationship with someone you know isn't right for you.

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