My Bachelor Resume

I never thought I would be the type of person to write something like this, but after thinking about it for a couple weeks (ok, months!), I figured why the heck not try it on out? I'm not much of a feelings person and don't really love the attention- which is quite funny considering I post photos of myself on my Instagram and my blog basically 24/7. #oops But we're going to just go for it, because hearing about someone else's dating experiences is fun, right?! (Please tell me you are nodding your head, "yes")

Over the last few weeks, even months, I've thought lot about being a single lady living on my own in a studio apartment. A strong, independent woman! This thought might absolutely terrify many people and to others it could simply be no big deal. Now, I'm definitely not your psychiatrist or dating expert, but surprisingly, I've dated quite a few guys -or at least had wacky dating app experiences with- that really just keep me on my toes and add "experience" to what I call, my Bachelor resume. Another disclaimer: these experiences aren't all that crazy, but do make for good stories!

While I could go on and on about the Jewish trifecta of men I dated on college all interestingly with name J (only intriguing because I come from a conservative Catholic family), or the one guy who begged me to go on dates until I finally asked if his girlfriend Lani would be joining us to- which I got radio silence and a block on Facebook (PS we were never Facebook friends...), to that sweet boy I car pooled with in preschool who decided it was a good idea to try and date me and then ruin it by bringing a random chic to the Halloween party who he just met at a bar to "make it clear" we were just friends (don't worry buddy, it was crystal clear and I wasn't even attracted to you.. ok?!), and last, but never least the fella who I used to write about in my grade school journal with hearts around his name who FINALLY asked me on a date. But, day of decided it was better to ghost me for the second time. #weirdo Oh, and the most recent... the fella who doesn't like chocolate but took me to a hot chocolate restaurant for our date and then brought a giant ball of plastic wrap with candy inside as a game to play.... It's a longgg story. Ask me about it sometime when you need a good laugh :)

*As a side note: I have gone on some really great dates, too, like when one guy took me to a Cubs game - I mean best first date ever! (but, guess he didn't think so lol) - and even last week when I went to drinks with a very normal and sweet fella. Good news: We're still talking and he hasn't run off yet. The future might be promising, guys!
   UPDATE: turns out the guy I went to drinks is also an idiot. Had a great few dates and then he fell off the face of the Earth. WTH dude?

Anyways, now that you've officially read my longest run on sentence on a preview of guys I've dated, let's get to what I was actually planning to write about..... why life isn't the worst when you're single at 24 (5 months until I'm 25. It's June 1 if you want to pencil that in to your new planner). 

For much of my life, I've grown up living with someone. From the beginning with my parents to freshman year of college with a random roommate (that's a whole other post for the books) to my 200+ sorority sisters, four senior year roomies and a first city of Chicago friend, I've always been living with someone. Once my lease was up this last June, I was actually supposed to live with another friend and things fell through last minute. It's a VERY long story, but the conclusion is: I had just about 3 weeks to figure my shit out. Well, that meant I was searching for a studio apartment. Something of my very own. At first, I was a little freaked and the person I was going to live with didn't exactly have the nicest things to say about me living alone. Needless to say, feelings were hurt, I cried a lot and then got over it :)

But honestly, living alone and being totally single over the last several months alone has been the best thing I could have ever asked for. As I mentioned, I'm a fairly quiet person, however, once you get to know me, I'm spunky, sarcastic and funny with a whole lot to talk about. I blame the quietness to being the middle child. What can I say, my brother and sister are quite chatty! It really is true that people say it's good to live alone for some time in your life. I've learned so much about what I like/dislike, how to handle my feelings and my friends, managing my finances, and so much more. 

I also thought people were full of it when I read blogs about "how you will find yourself when you're single" but I actually believe it now. 

Don't get me wrong, would love to find a great fella, but I'm a full believer in the timing and the whole "everything happens for a reason." It'll be a fun surprise, right?

I don't know if it's because our newest season of The Bachelor has just returned to TV last month and I'm pretty sure every woman on the show is 23 years old (I mean come onnnn Nick) or that about a million people literally just got engaged over the past two months OR that in all reality, I know there are other people out there just like me. Whatever the case, I was interested to spew my thoughts on this hefty old MacBook for your reading pleasure. Maybe 2017 will be the year of romance... maybe? 

I will say, over the past 6 months of living alone and being single, I learned quite a bit like...

• the importance of true friendships and girl's nights
• how petty drama is completely unnecessary (we aren't in high school anymore, guys)
• how much I enjoy working in my field and getting to do what I do every day
• that it's ok and totally worth it to splurge on travel adventures
• you can dance like no one is watching...literally
• how much I need to get myself in to a routine for the new year no matter how early it gets dark or how cold it is outside ;)
• you have no one to blame for not doing the dishes but yourself
• treating yourself is totally a thing and needs to be done. Looking at you massages and manicures!
• sometimes a whole lot of silence is just what the mind needs 

and last, but not least... it's ok to be single :)

XO

katie