As a college student, it is clear to see that society places a HUGE focus on romantic relationships. The lust for romance is evident nearly everywhere you go. I mean, how could it not be? The idea of being in a relationship is basically engraved into our culture; mainstream artists perform songs heard all over the radio that have some sort of allusion to love and sex, and the storyline of countless movies and TV shows involve some sort of romance. Having Valentine’s day in the near future does not make it any better. Needless to say, it is difficult to completely avoid the topic of relationships. Don’t get me wrong, relationships are a big deal and it is understandable why they are so desired. However, with all the hype about being in a romantic relationship, it seems like we sometimes overlook other relationships in life that are just as significant. Whether you are in a relationship or not, it is important to acknowledge all the important people in your life. Here are other relationships that are just as important as romantic ones!
Friends (of course!)
What else should be said?! Your friends are so important! First of all, you never have to worry about impressing them. They have most likely screenshotted all your ugly snapchats anyway! Your friends are the people who genuinely accept you for who you are. They support all your good decisions and help turn your bad ones into fun memories. They’re the people who you can do pretty much anything with and always have a good time. Plus- you don’t have to worry about them cheating on you! In my perspective, the coolest thing about friendship is that it is not limited by gender, cultural background, age, or anything else for that matter. Your friends are people who are there to support you and make your life better. Who knows? You might end up dating one of them eventually. Some of the best romantic relationships start out as merely a friendship.
Family!Everyone comes from a different family situation, which is part of the reason why your family is so special! Who else is there to understand all your family traditions and your cultural background? Whether it be your parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. there is simply no other people who can replace them! Let’s face it: they’re the people who have been there through all your embarrassing phases and still love you unconditionally! Regardless of who you consider as part of your family, it is so important to acknowledge your relationship with each member because your life would not be the same without them.
Teachers and mentors (the good ones!)The relationship you have with good teachers, professors, or mentors is more important than you may realize. It is not an exaggeration to say that a good teacher can literally change the course of a student’s life. It does not matter if you’re talking about an old ballet instructor, an orchestra director, or a high school French teacher; great teachers are so important because they get to know you in a way that no one else does. With their commitment to your success, teachers get to help you learn and watch you grow. They often develop a personal connection with you and can serve as a role-model or sometimes even a parental figure as well.
YOURSELF!Girl, you are AMAZING! There is no one else in the world who is exactly like you! As cliché as it may sound, it is vital to have a good relationship with yourself. In general, having a positive self-image makes you a happier and healthier person. Your self-esteem is especially important during your college years so do not waste your time stressing on what others think of you! You only have yourself to please anyway! You have the power to create a happy and successful future for yourself- what is more important than that?
With Valentine’s day just around the corner, I hope that you can all realize that there is absolutely nothing wrong with not having a “bae”. The fact is you have so many other people in your life who love you that you don’t need no man (or woman) anyway! Your relationship with your friends, family, good teachers and mentors, and especially your relationship with yourself, are all just as important as a romantic one!