Have you ever seen something and immediately thought, okay rant time… who’s listening? Perhaps it was an obscene movie, a ridiculous protest, or an off-base article. Whatever it was, all you really wanted was someone to listen… maybe even receive a little validation too. Regardless what situation made your skin crawl with annoyance, I too recently experienced this feeling—and not just due to one event. Oh, no. My frustration has been an ongoing week (I’d even go so far as to say month) of annoyance for the unrealistic expectations from people all around me.
Can anyone tell me when it no longer became a requirement for one to enjoy alone time? In 1980, the New York Times published an article titled, Solitude: Study Statistics Show Importance of Quiet Time Alone.
This showed that less than five percent of one’s day accounted for alone time, yet “solitary students,” who spent more time reading and at home, were reported to have higher intelligence. Maybe 1980 was not a time for the technologically savvy, the constant studier or the obsessive girlfriend, yet the issue of alone time was still on the radar. There seems to be an issue with students understanding the need to let their bodies and minds just sit. Just sit and enjoy the sunshine and become emerged in a textbook, or a tall caramel macchiato with extra whipped cream… alone. There is nothing embarrassing about studying alone or eating dinner alone or going to a movie alone (my mommy does once a month!) What is embarrassing is always needing a “companion”. When we stop looking at each other through the lens of who will be our next companion—perhaps we’ll stop treating people like dogs, and in turn, become less of a bitch ourselves (pun intended).
The second part of my rant has to do with an article from our very own, HerCampus.com. Obviously, I adore you, HerCampus, however, I disagree with the article 7 Unrealistic Dating Expectations You Need to Forget. I too am sick of the ladies with inflated egos and high expectations for everyone in their lives. However, this does not mean I will lose my fairytale expectation for love.
I have been in a relationship for two years now, and I am treated like a princess everyday… and we’re long distance! I have noticed ladies losing hope—not in the men, but in the idea of love. This disastrous change in thought can lead to the choosing of a man who is so very wrong. Ladies, DO believe that you will find a man who will randomly send daisies during a stressful week of school. DO believe that a true gentleman will always open the door for you and hold your hand and fight for your love. DO believe that he will say, “I love you” at least 100 times a day, and he’ll remember to do so. DO believe in love and DO wait for it. Accepting anything less will mean accepting defeat, and we are all too strong, beautiful and independent to succumb to that.
Furthermore, ladies: STOP LOOKING FOR A MAN. Appreciate that fact that you are single and beautiful and have everything in the world going for you.
I firmly believe that the minute you stop looking, he will appear. Perhaps he isn’t ready for you yet, but in all actuality, I believe that you aren’t ready for him yet. Figure out who you are. Travel the world, get a facial, eat Mexican food in NYC, and all the while, discover yourself. Figure out who you are, because if you don’t know, then how will he ever truly know you?
Finally, I read this article by Elle Magazine and said, ‘whoa, what’s going on, society?’ Why in the world would you feel the need to perform some crazy surgery on your body? You want stiletto feet, fine, but then I’m going to buy those Manolo’s you wanted. You want fake boobies, fine, but I’m going to buy that adorable push-up from Victoria’s Secret and wear it proudly. You feel the need to get a tummy tuck and lipo, okay, but then I’m going to buy a new outfit from Lululemon and go to the gym. Let’s be honest; if you’re willing to change your body so drastically for a man, is he really that great? So you want to do this for yourself, you say? Well then let me tell you this: save your money. Buy yourself a fabulous Volkswagen Convertible with a tulip in the front. Fly yourself to NY Fashion Week or to Rodeo Drive and buy everything over $500. Treat yourself with something that you deserve and with a little less pain.
I apologize for my rant. No! I take that back; I am so happy to present A Rant, by Maddie Eckle. A rant that all my single ladies should read and then appreciate that he didn’t put a ring on it. A rant that all my ladies who feel less than, should read to realize that just because Cinderella went through a drastic change, doesn’t mean you should too. A rant that all my fellow relationship-ers, or pursuers, should read to note that you can be both a Cinderella and an Elsa; If you expect a happy medium, a happy medium you shall get. Appreciate the journey to discovering who you are, one that must be taken alone, and watch as all of the pieces to your puzzle fall into place. Happy discovering!