Top 5 Reasons Why It's Okay Not To Have A Summer Romance

We've all waited for this moment, when we're 18, 19, or 20 and single. Puberty's finally over, and it can be time to have the summer romance everyone always reminisces about, but don't stress if you haven't met "Mr. Summerfling" just yet...Here's the top 5 things you would've missed out on:

Summertime...The days get longer, hemlines get shorter, and everyone gets a little flirtier. It may seem like everyone you know is meeting a new summer fling except you. Like they're freaking acting out real life Dan and Shay's "19 you and me" or Taylor Swift's "Tim McGraw" I mean yeah sure, it's cute on instagram, when people start posting pics like this:

But in all reality I can think of at least 500 reasons why it's better to be single this summer, so I've narrowed it down to my top 5:

5. YOU MIGHT SETTLE

Puberty's over, college is either about to begin or has begun. You're in the prime of your life, and you're going to have a fling with the first guy who looks your way?? Uhmm no.

Everyone thinks a summer romance is a necessity and thus settles for the first guy who seems interested in more than a hookup. Is this person going to be exactly what you're looking for? My money's on absofuckinglutely not, so why even bother wasting your time? Spend time with people you genuinely care about, and if you don't have people you care about that much, OITNB season 3 is finally on Netflix. #yourewelcome

4. YOU'RE IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WITH BAE

And by BAE I of course mean Burritos, Alcohol, & Exceptionally-bad-choices

And you don't need a man for any of that. In fact you don't really need anyone for that but it's a little less pathetic if you do them with friends.

3. YOU'D RATHER HAVE AN ADVENTURE

When's the last time you did something for the first time? This is the perfect time to check the fun stuff off your bucket list, since you're in the strange middle ground between childhood and adulthood. Most likely you don't have a 9-5 job just yet, so why grow up so fast? Go hiking, see the grand canyon, take a spontaneous road trip with your sister, go to a music festival. Just be free.

Also, I hear the topless tour is hiring, what's a better way to show off your freedom than by #freeingthenipple

2. YOU NEED TO RECONNECT WITH OLD FRIENDS OR MEET NEW ONES

Have you found yourself home for the summer? Back in your hometown with the people you've known all your life? Maybe you feel a little bored, and sick of the people you've known all through elementary and high school

But maybe you might have overlooked some cool people you weren't friend with in high school. Everyone deserves a fresh start once high school's over, and this is a new opportunity to form a genuine unbiased opinion on someone, instead of meeting them already thinking about that time in high school where they got drunk and kissed your crush at the time. Who knows, this person could be your new unexpected best friend.

1. YOU NEED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF FIRST

Who are you outside of a relationship? Who are you outside of your friend group? Are you a painter? A singer? Do you like to stargaze at 3:30 in the morning, when it seems like no ones else is awake? Do you like to write? Do you like to dance to music or to your own thoughts?

I must admit I used to be one of those girls who would go from relationship to relationship because I was insecure about who I truly was. But a few months ago I finally decided I had had enough of trying to live, please, and be happy for someone else. After months of feeling like I wasn't enough for my ex anymore, I concluded that I had lost touch with myself. And I used to love myself. It was finally time to fall in love again, only this time not with someone else.

Before you can think of loving another person, I encourage you to make sure you love yourself first, and then you can offer the best version of your soul to your partner, and this summer is the perfect time to do it. Be your true self, let your soul run free and have an adventure. I promise you won't regret it.